Trail Tote...

I downloaded the free Noodlehead pattern a long time ago, and have thought about making one, many, many times but always moved on to other things when faced with the inset zipper, piping and strap arrangement. My hopes for a quick and easy sewing fix always turned into a bit of a more complex task, well in my head.

But I was wrong.  I made this yesterday, using some lovely Mixology linen from Simply Solids as a starter.  I didn't have everything I needed in the house, but a quick trip into the village was a bit of a success despite the thunderstorm going on.

I got a 7" navy metal zip in the bit-of-everything/load-of-noting store, some brilliant cotton webbing and cream cotton bias binding in the sewing shop and a nasty plastic satchel in the charity shop which, for £4, had the buckle and other hardware I needed.

I LOVE how it turned out!

The piping was no real drama, I have made and sewn it before, but not on a curve; I used my walking foot and it worked fine.  The inset zip was pretty straight forward too - I cut a window in the interfacing before applying, so there wasn't too much bulk when turning through, and rather than going with my initial slack-Alice thoughts of simply sewing on the webbing, I went all fancy!

OK, so when I cut up the satchel it might have been wiser to have had a good look at how the buckle arrangement had been,  but I sussed it.  Although I know I will never adjust the length, I added 3 eyelet holes just in case!

I lined it with some Cotton & Steel with a little C&S pocket.  I used a sew-in magnet fastening, the others I have are so strong, they tend to just unbend the prongs rather than separate on other bags I have made!

I frankensteined the outer pocket lining, you cannot see the cream (Bone?) Kona on the zip side, just the Aloe, but it does the job and made me feel virtuous for using some scraps!

I have learnt my lesson and top-stitched about 1/2" from the top edge to avoid the seam allowance and bulk which make my stitches go wonky; it looks way neater being that little bit lower down, using my new favourite Aurifil 40wt 2310.

All in all it turned out so well, the pattern was of the usually brilliant and clear Anna-Noodlehead standard and I am glad that I didn't go for the easy option; I really want to make the large version now!

Grey...

Sadly yesterday turned out greyer than expected, (not in a Christian way), but there was a little silver-grey lining, my Kindle arrived, so I made a case.

I started off with a simple slip pouch, but I really didn't love the baggy elastic/button closure combo I ended up with, so I lopped off the top, cut off the seams and went for a mini version of Ayumi's iPad case.

I added some Vilene S520 to the insides to give it a firm outer, with thick fleece instead of lining and batting, it turned out rather great looking considering it went though a full 360'...

I have only had a little play with the actual Kindle thus far, but having spent more time stuck 'in a book' than anything else, (random tapping and swearing does not work), I am not able to report back just yet, but it looks cool.
xxx

Jumping the Gun - Blogiversary Giveaway

I honestly think I am going round the bend with the sheer amount of stuff going on right now.  Today, an all-morning course-type-thing at work, followed by a Year 3 recorder concert.  All the regular days for school swimming and forest school are all swapping, swapping back and changing times; I am writing lists, trying to cross things off quicker than the list lengthens, but fear I am losing that battle.

I was convinced that I should be celebrating my 5th Blogiversary this week; a quick check just now tells me I should be waiting until next week, but I sewed my fingers off to get the prize finished, and as it's my blog, I'll do what I want to!

So would you like a chance to win this Cotton & Steel, Jen Kingwell Flutterby block cushion cover?

A little hand-quilting and my new favourite spotty binding, and bob's your uncle.

This little token of thanks will go to one of you lovely people.  I know blogging in general seems to have been hit by the rise of instagram, and I do understand entirely how it seems that everyone's lives have got increasingly hectic and something has to give, but I do still love my little part of the inter web.  I wish I had more time to devote to it, but then I would have no time to sew, so I just thank you for sticking by me.

In order to honour a little bit of tradition, I will leave this giveaway open until next Monday, 13th July, my real blogiversary.  I will mail, (without a cushion form, for obvious reasons), anywhere in the world, the only condition is that you are a blog follower, and not an un-contactable No Reply blogger - sorry but I am all done playing Inspector Clouseau!

So please do have a couple of chances; make one comment telling me how you follow, so should I feel the urge, I can check; and a second, separate comment telling me something you want to achieve in the next 5 years.  You tell me yours, and I'll tell you mine!

I will close down the comments at 7pm next Monday, and let Mr Random pick a winner.  Please don't leave more than 2 two comments or I will delete them.  I am the boss!

Good luck folks xxx

Just Keep Stitching!

Although I am feeling down in the dumps with so much on my plate at the moment, I pulled myself together a little over the weekend, and it felt good.

On Saturday there was a quick visit to my parent's to drop off the She Loves You cushion, a success, and then on to Bluewater.  We hadn't taken the kids there since the girls were babies, we wanted to postpone the continual begging to go to The Disney Store, The Lego Shop, Build A Bear, Claire's Accessories, Hawkin's Bazaar et al for as long as possible!

We had a lovely lunch in GBK, I got to spend an early birthday White Stuff voucher from my parents, and grab a few more bits and pieces, including a little home dec from John Lewis to make a summer bag.  Hubby got to do some birthday shopping too, (I hope!).

Sunday was a quiet Father's Day, but there was cake and ice-cream along with the school project work and grass-cutting, so a smiling Daddy here nonetheless.

Today I failed to dodge the rain showers, but just now I happily managed to sew up the cushion pieces I prepped last week…

This is to be my blogiversary giveaway prize in a couple of weeks, giving me enough time to finish it off without adding to the stress!  Bonus.

Another little tote...

Before SMS Giveaway Day, I'd cut all the fabrics for my own version of Ayumi's Little Patchwork Tote, pattern from Krista's Make It Take It, and when the giveaway fun was over, I finished it up…

Made with some cuts of Cotton & Steel's Black and Whites, it looks pretty grown up to me.

My adjusting of the bottom and last panels mean that I somehow went a little squiff in joining one side, but nothing that I could face unpicking for!  I think I will use it to keep my lounge sewing in order, rather than the pile of bits that tend to accumulate next to the sofa.

I substituted the handles with the webbing I use for key fobs, as I did with Gertie Pie's Nun one, which I think works perfectly; I'm all for a super shortcut.

So today I worked, as tomorrow I have a few things to attend to, including the KS2 performance of Joseph & His Technicolour Dream Coat, so I will be back with ringing ears and proud mummy grin xxx

Betsy!

I finished it… just!!!

I battled through the layers, broke my foot pedal in the process, but made it to the end.  I may need to tidy up a few little bits, as my control via the start/stop button is a little lacking, but hey, you want to see it?!

I made a couple of alterations to the pattern; inserted a thick interfacing to the base to give it a little more structure, and did not attach the long strap slider in the end, because, to be honest, on all the bags I have made with a slider, once on, the slider has never been slid!  Having added thick fusible fleece to the main length for comfort, I attached a couple of non-wadded tabs to the ends of the long strap, to both increase the length, and also allow me to sew though the layers securely.  I didn't make it detachable, I didn't see the point.

My inside side lining panels are pieced, due to running out of the main lining fabric, but I like the look with the accent fabric.  I also didn't topstitch right the way round the ends, because of the bulk, especially at the inside pocket corners, which for me, made it impossible.

I love how it turned out, even if there are areas which, with a more powerful machine, I may have been able to improve upon.  But it is what it is, and I will use it with pride.

Its first over-nighter will be the Brownie Pack Holiday, I'm all about the glamourous lifestyle me!

Some deets for those who like to know...
Betsy Travel Bag - Kristi McDonough Schnitzel & Boo
Made with Cotton & Steel and Melody Miller linen (outer)
Quilting weight lining - C&S and Kona solids
Yarn Dyed Essex linen accent fabric
Pieced and quilted with Aurifil 40wt

Split Stars...

I can finally reveal another one of those secret projects I was working on in the months gone by, a little cushion project for Simply Solids.

As a member of the blogging team, the lovely Justine and Lisa sent me an awesome bundle of Cotton & Steel, and having a design in mind, I played about on Touchdraw and the Split Stars design was born…

If you pop over to the Simply Solids blog today, you will find my tutorial, including instructions for the alternating binding.

Please do go take a look, you may even find a little shopping discount code, you know, as a reward! xxx

C&S Sneaky Peeks

Just to prove to you that I have had a needle in hand this week…

Lots of lovely Cotton & Steel.

Today's Half Term interlude was a trip to see Big Hero 6; yes I cried.  Really looking forward to seeing Bill at Easter though.

So the week seems to be whizzing by, why don't working weeks go so fast?

Here comes the weekend...

Very glad to get this week out of the way!

Plans for the weekend include seeing my parents for the first time this year; they were over in New Zealand visiting my sister and brother-in-law since New Year and then stopped over in Hawaii on their way home.

Jealous?  Hell yeah!!

Then Sunday, after I have dragged the hoover round and ironed a few clothes, I will be plotting and planning, catching up with Bee blocks and other must-dos.  After that, hopefully getting time to play with this bundle of Cotton & Steel from Simply Solids…

I have a little something in the works as part of the Simply Solids Blogging Team; fun fun fun!

Have a good weekend tout le monde; we have been told Monday is the big switch day from Virgin to BT Infinity internet, so let's see if they can manage to swap a couple of wires without another 2 week delay eh!?

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day...

*** Sorry, the giveaway is now closed ***

Hello, hello, hello!

I have to confess that at 4pm today I hadn't actually made anything to give away.  It's not that I don't love and appreciate you all and want to shower you in gifts, it's more that my brain is shrinking and what is left is so choc-a-block full of Christmas, work and all the things the kids have to do in the next couple of weeks, that I just completely forgot!

So to join in the fun, I whipped up this little scrappy token of my affection, or something like that, which perhaps you may like the chance to win.

It measures up just shy of 6" square minus pompoms, all Cotton & Steel, and filled with poly-stuffing, and you may even see your way to sticking pins in it.

If this is your first time visiting, welcome, I know you won't have time to have a look about when there are so many other giveaways to enter, but it would be nice if you came back on a normal day too.

This giveaway will be open until 10pm GMT on Friday 12th December; open internationally, but if you are a No Reply Blogger, I will not be able to track you down, so please leave your email address in your comment(s), or I will re-draw, using Random.org.

Two chances, so 2 comments only please…

Comment i)  How many Christmas presents do you still have to make?  NB. you are aiming to make me feel better!  If you don't celebrate, just tell me how much you are laughing at the craziness of the December panic-sewing!

Comment ii)  Bonus for blog followers - just tell me how you follow!

Good luck everyone xxx

Sew Together Bag...

I did it!  I managed to get the binding on before my eyes gave up in the gloom last night.  Please excuse the rainy day photos, obviously not my fault, but I couldn't wait to show you.

I am so glad I dove right in to make this Sew Together Bag, because it actually isn't complicated to make, it just looks it.

The pattern in great, it could do with a few more photos or diagrams, but the Quilt Barn Sewalong fills all the gaps if you are feeling unsure.  When I make the next one I will probably only be referring to the pattern for the measurements then be off.

I used some of my hoarded Melody Miller arrows and a little of my Cotton & Steel winnings, and I am so glad I did.

I used regular heavy weight iron-on interfacing on the pockets, and for the main outside panel some woven interfacing then a layer of fusible fleece (H630).  This combo has given it a nice bit of structure.

The only modifications I made to the pattern was to hand stitch down my bindings, because one, I love doing it, and two, it looks the biz!

To join the zipper tabs to the side bindings, I left an inch and a half of the binding unstitched in the middle, and on the reverse left about 4" unstitched when hand finishing.

I then tucked the tab into the binding and machine closed the smaller gap, then stitched up the 4" gap to keep it all neat and tidy.  That might make sense if you have made one!

To be honest I am not sure if it was worth the effort, because to the untrained eye it probably looks no different, but I do like to meddle!

So I am planning on keeping Zipit going with orders for a while, and start pulling fabrics for at least a couple more.

Brit Bee Weekender pt.2

There was much laughter, chatting and eating, you get that, but by golly there was stitching!

I was actually quite unprepared for the productivity that can be mustered when you are not having to clear away all sewing in order to eat, do home work or keep the family happy.  I took, what I thought was ample to fill the weekend, and popped in my trusty hexies, just in case, but I ended up making way more than I had hoped.

Top of my To Do list was quilting and binding my #IGminiswap; success!

An off-centre spiral and semi-scrappy binding, hope my partner loves it as much as I do.

Next on my list were Bee blocks for Stitch Tease; this month for Jen, Re-mixed Geese, using the no-waste method; so quick, even with all the nattering!

Then a pair for Jude and Sarah's Bee Blessed; I used Sarah's bright idea of creating the two blocks by my usual HST method, and it worked a treat.  I was able to pop these straight into her hands, which was an added bonus…

An unscheduled tick, Susan had handed me the next Brit Bee Medallion to work on, and luckily the package contained most of the fabric needed, with some additions of mine and Ange's, I was able to get my geese border and 4-patch completed and handed straight to Sarah, woo hoo!  As these are secret, here's the highly doctored proof…

On Sunday we got printing!  Dear hubby had turned my vision into an image, I then emailed it to Thermofax to create a printing screen.

I had trialled it at home beforehand, and am the proud and happy owner of a navy hoody and grey slouchy Tee emblazoned on the back, as well as a nice piece of Cotton & Steel.

Anyway, we gave the pool table a break from being our cutting surface to become our printing area.  Mass production ensued, everyone who wanted had a go, and the lounge became a drying room…

I am looking forward to seeing what everyone makes with all their panels.  I screened a little tote bag, just because, and when the screen comes home, afters doing the rounds at Troods' and Katy's, I am definitely going to get a few more printed.

What I made next was a zippy pouch.  Total fluke that it fits my iPad; I do love an added bonus…

I used up a couple of Karen/Blueberry Park's scrap bags, bought at FQR when she got me into this screen printing lark, so it seemed totally right to pair it with my Weekender print.  I was running low on fabric at this point, so the lining is pieced, and I love it.

My final finish of the weekend was an impromptu sewalong with Ange and Fiona.  Using Svetlana's excellent tutorial, we all made little drawstring bags...

A little Jungle Avenue with Cotton & Steel, a sweet little combo I reckon.

And that was me!  My mojo was definitely back at full strength.  I wish I had taken photos of everyone else's makes, because there was so much gorgeousness about, but honestly, if I wasn't sewing, I was too busy eating!

Back home, I just need to get the binding on my commission quilt, then I am going to dive straight into a Sew Together Bag.  Ange made one over the weekend, and what more inspiration could I need?

Happy Endings...

The end of September already!  After a seasonal/unseasonal misty, rainy start to the day, by home time the sun was shining again and it was warm enough for a power nap in the garden before collecting the kids from school!  Long may it last, I am not ready to put my flip flops away yet.

But not only that, but I also received happy mail.  Last week, on a metaphorically dark day, one little ray of sunshine broke through into my Inbox from Lucy telling me that I had won her Cotton & Steel giveaway.  It made me smile, but then life took over again and I honestly forgot, until today.

Fat Quarter Shop parcels are always wonderful to receive, but when they contain prizes, then even better.

I have been pretty selective in my C&S purchases, so this gorgeous Splash bundle is a welcome and gorgeous addition to my stash.

I love these colours.  I am working on a commission quilt so far outside of my comfort zone right now, that these beauties totally reinforce what my natural colours are.

Thank you Lucy, thank you Fat Quarter Shop xxx

I like big blocks...

… and I cannot lie.

A nice 24" Cotton & Steel twisty maples block…

Apologies for the vertigo-inducing photo!