Hemingway Pouch - a recent make!

I love a good organiser, pouch and bag pattern and having made the Holland Pouch by Center Street Quilts when I saw the Hemingway Pouch I knew it was going to be good and I wasn't disappointed! It's such a clever pattern!

I made the extra large size which finishes 11 x 13 inches. I used Bosal in R Form in between my fabric sandwich of Warm Red Florametry from the Darlings 2 Collection by Ruby Star Society and then it was quilted with Aurifil 28wt thread in Bright Turquoise (5005).  

During construction of the pouch there is a fairly large triangle cut off and the fun part is that you can make another pouch from this cut off!! 

I just love how they both turned out!

Happy stitching! 

What's been happening in the sewing room?

Hello!

Just stopping by to share and record some of my recent makes! 

The sewing machine has been a bit quiet lately as I've been reorganising, rearranging and cleaning my sewing space. It needed it and it felt good to get it done! I'll share more of that later!

My Tula Pink Tula Nova quilt is coming along and I love it. Two more rounds to go!

I recently pattern tested the Jessica Tote Pattern for Wild Shore Sewing and I love the final result. I decided to use the good fabric from my stash and choose Rifle Paper Co fabric for the main body, Kona solid for the bottom and Ruby Star Society for the lining. I just love it!! Go check out Wild Shore Sewing for fab beginner friendly patterns. 

I love a good swap and this was the mini quilt I made for the Modern Quilt Guild Mini Swap 2024. The foundation paper pieced pattern is Geese Crossing by 3 Owls and I was pleased I challenged myself to produce a mini which in the end was hard to give away! I need to make myself one now!

Lots more WIPs I'm currently working on, plus an exciting addition to my sewing room!!

So, what have you been stitching up lately? For now, happy stitching!!

  

Turning fabric scraps into a mug coaster!

If you're like me, you probably have a stash of fabric scraps that you just can't bear to throw away.

Recently I had a bunch of scraps from a bag project which I couldn't throw away! The best thing was that the scraps were already double sided so I knew I had to do something with them. What a better way than to make a mug coaster! Not only is it a useful item, but it also adds a pop of colour to your sewing space!

Here's how to make one:

1. Sort through your scraps. As you can see these scraps are double sided. In my bag project I had used a mixture of fabric selvedges and Ruby Star Society fabric on one side and Ruby Star Society Speckled Confetti as the lining. I used Bosal In R Form double sided fusible in the middle and then cross hatch quilted. This meant I was left with double sided scraps!

2. Trim your scraps down. I ended up with a good selection of pieces all varying in width and length. 

3. Choose your layout for your mug coaster, I kept all the Speckled Confetti as the bottom of the coaster and then rearranged the strips until I had a design I liked. 

4. Choose the size of your coaster and trim. I went with 5 x 5 inches. And yes, I did keep some of the small scraps I trimmed off!!  

5. Next join the strips together. I butted each strip up next to each other and then used a zig zag stitch to join them together. 

6. Keeping with the theme of scraps, I had some leftover pieces of binding, which worked perfectly. I treated the coaster as a mini quilt and stitched the binding onto the right side of the coaster and then hand stitched it down on the back. It is probably quicker and easier to machine stitch the binding completely but I never seem to get a good finish and love hand binding so it didn't bother me doing it this way!

7. And that's it! You now have a cute and functional mug coaster made from fabric scraps. 

Happy Stitching! Xx

Sew Hot Brand Rep make!

My first Sew Hot Brand Rep week over on IG has come to an end and what a great week it was! 

So, what did I end up making .....

The Patchwork Duffle by Knot and Thread Design!

I recently discovered Knot and Thread Design and love the style of patterns written by Kaitlyn. I'm so happy with how the bag turned out and it's extra roomy size. Choosing the patchwork version worked really well with the fabric and I'm glad I made the additional carrying strap. Now I just need somewhere to go!

So here are all the details (and photos!) in case you fancy making one yourself:

Pattern - Patchwork Duffle by Knot and Thread Design

Fabric - Lucky Rabbit by Heather Ross for Windham Fabrics. I used this fabric for the main outer and lining of the bag with a couple of solid fabrics from my stash for the binding of the end pockets, inner bias binding and main bag handles. 

I used my good old favourite Bosal In R Form single sided fusible in place of batting which gives it great structure!

It was my first time making fabric covered handles, as I usually use a cotton coloured webbing, but I'm a convert!! I used polypropylene webbing white covered with a solid fabric. 

The zipper is a By Annie handbag zipper and I love the pop of colour!

The instructions for making the additional carrying strap are not in the pattern but there is a fantastic Youtube video by Knot and Thread Design taking you through each step of making. I went with a scrappy patchwork version using up what fabric I had left and am really happy with how it turned out. I haven't really used a lot of hardware in my bag making before, not sure why, but I love the professional finish you get. I used Serial Bag Makers strap adjusters and swivel snap hooks in gunmetal and Emmaline Bags triangle rings in gunmetal. 

The bag was all made on my Bernina Artista 170, sewn with various colours of Aurifil 50 wt thread. 

For a finishing touch I added a little "one of a kind" Dritz leather label 💖 

(Ad - Lucky Rabbit fabric provided by Sew Hot UK as part of my Sew Hot Brand Rep week in return for my posts on IG)

If you've made or a making a Patchwork Duffle let me know as I love seeing all the different versions. 

Until next time - Happy Stitching Xx

Any guesses what I'm making?!

I've been giving away a few teasers on Instagram as to what I've made for my first Sew Hot Brand rep project - any guesses?!

I had lots of ideas but there was one make on my very long "To make" list which I thought would be fun using the Lucky Rabbit fabric. 

The final reveal will be this Sunday (16th April '23) over on IG.

I decided on a simple cross hatch quilting pattern using my walking foot. 

I used Bosal In R Form instead of batting to give structure and gorgeous texture! 

I quilted with Aurifil 50wt on my Bernina Artista 170.

Getting closer to the finish!!

Fabric is "Lucky Rabbit" by Heather Ross for Windham Fabrics. 

Happy Stitching Xx

(Ad - Fabric provided by Sew Hot UK as part of my Sew Hot Brand Rep week in return for my posts on IG) 

Sew Hot Brand rep week!

How is it suddenly April!?

My intention for 2023 was to get back to regular posting on the blog and re start my Etsy shop (along with lots of other ideas rolling around my head), and now suddenly we are a third of the way through 2023! 

Anyways one little step at a time!

At the end of last year I was very happy to be selected as one of eight Sew Hot Brand Reps for 2023. This week is my first brand rep week over on Instagram and I can't wait to share with everyone what I have been making. 

Several weeks ago I received a gorgeous bundle of fabric in the post. The fabric is "Lucky Rabbit" by Heather Ross for Windham Fabrics. The collection is a mix of prints and blenders of 100% quilting cotton with ditsy florals, stars and plaids. 

I'll be sharing at the end of the week my final make but for now here are a few progress shots!

"Lucky Rabbit" fabric by Heather Ross for Windham Fabrics.

When fabric is just too gorgeous to cut into to but you just need to use the good stuff!

So many cute designs which are great for fussy cutting. 

Patchwork preparation

Hands up if you love chain piecing!!

Work in progress!

Remember to stop by my IG to see extra videos too!

Happy Stitching Xx

(Ad - fabric provided by Sew Hot UK as part of my SewHot Brand Rep week in return for my posts on IG)

2023 🥳

Not sure if anyone else feels like me where one minute it was the beginning of December and all the festive celebrations and then suddenly it is the 1st of January 2023!!

As I posted on Instagram - thank you for stopping by, supporting and inspiring my creativity! I love sharing what I do. 

There are lots of exciting things planned for 2023!

Have a happy, creative and peaceful New Year x

Exciting things for 2023!

Recently I had some very exciting news ...

I am happy to announce that I have been selected to be a Sew Hot brand rep for 2023! 

I am one of eight quilters, sewers, dressmakers, bagmakers working with Sew Hot over the next year and can not wait to get started!

This is an amazing opportunity and I'm looking forward to sharing my makes on here and over at Instagram. 

Happy Stitching!

 

Jelly Roll rug ❤️

I don't know if you are like me, I think all Quilters are, but my projects to make list is very long.

I am always seeing new patterns, fabrics and projects, although I have a rather large expanding WIP pile that does need my attention!

One of the projects I had been wanting to do was a Jelly Roll Rug. I had already tackled the Jelly Roll Christmas Tree skirt which I love but that only comes out at Christmas time and I wanted something that could go into my little sewing space all year round. 

To make the rug is not a one day project, its also not that hard it just takes time but it came together much quicker than I thought. 

To make the rug you will need:

The Jelly Roll Rug pattern by Roma Lambson of RJ Designs (Roma Quilts on IG).

A jelly roll - I used 20 strips of Shine On by Bonnie and Camille.

Batting cut into 2.5" strips and then joined. I used a roll of Bosal Katahdin on a roll, which is 2.5" wide x 25 yards and is fantastic for this project.

A denim needle - I used a Schmetz Jeans needle 90/14 and didn't have any problems.

Wonder clips.

A Walking foot, although it would work with your standard machine foot. You will be using straight stitch and a zig zag stitch.

A sewing machine extension table or a pile of books to take the weight of the rug as it grows. 

And then you get stitching!!

My finished rug was the small size and came out a 19" x 32.5", is a little bit wobbly in places but after a good press it is fine. I only had my standard extension table that came with my Bernina Artista 170 and have since purchased a new to me much larger extension table and I think this would have helped prevent some of the wobbly bits. 

So if you have lots of Jelly Rolls and are not sure what to do with them then this is a great project. 

For the next one I am going much bigger!!

Happy stitching!!

Sunday sewing and a catch up

Well hello!!

How are you, enjoying Summer? What have you been sewing, what's been keeping you busy?

If you live in the UK like me you are probably (dare I say) fed up of the heatwave! I like the sunny weather but not when it's so hot it's difficult to do just about anything and unlike some places, houses in the UK are well insulated for the winter but we don't have air con, so it's a tad warm! Definitely not weather for snuggling under a quilt whilst putting the binding on!

There has however been plenty of sewing going on.

I finished all my blocks for the Riley Blake block challenge 2022 and now just need to decide how to arrange and put them together as a quilt top. I love how they have all turned out. 

I finished my first Jelly Roll rug and although a bit wobbly in places I love it!

I've also had an idea using the quilt as you go technique which is coming together. 

Finally I managed to catch up on some of the monthly projects as part of the Clover and Violet Sewing club, so many good projects!

Here's a sneak peek of each of those for now as they all deserve a bit more explanation in a later post!

A finished block from the RBD block challenge 2022

Sneak peek of my completed Jelly Roll Rug

Having a play with Quilt as you go

August's project from the Clover & Violet sewing club

July's project from the Clover & Violet sewing club

And why the return to blogging, you might be asking if you've got this far in the post, well I think like many I love Instagram but am finding that I am either seeing too many adverts/sponsored posts that I did not ask to see or the new trend of reels, which I like but not for every post I see. I think, as I have said before on my blog I am a bit old school and used to love Flickr and the swaps and quilt bees and love reading a blog or learning a new technique through a tutorial. Although will still spend far too many hours on IG 🤣

So, thanks if you made it this far with my ramblings and see you again soon! Also let me know what you're sewing!

Happy Stitching x

Happy 2022!

Not sure where the end of 2021 went but it flew by, and here we are in a new year! 

I don't really make New Year resolutions as such, as I know if I write them down I'll never keep them, but this year I have decided to use all the good stuff! 

What does that look like? Well the gorgeous bundles of fabric I've had for years I'm going to use! The good notebooks I'll be scribbling in! The clothing I keep and wear for a special occasion will be worn more often! The good china will be out of the cupboards! You know those sort of things! 

If life has taught me anything over the last few years - use the good things and treasure each day! 

I've already started a few new projects and will hopefully be tackling the pile of WIP's too (but first I need to get them out of their boxes and see what I have to finish!). 

I'm taking part in The Modern Quilt Guild Mini quilt swap as part of Quiltcon, so that will be my main focus to get finished in January! So far it's going to plan! 

When I looked back at what I accomplished last year I was happy, I always think I don't get much done but actually I got more finished that what I thought! 

Happy New Year!!

What quilting / sewing plans do you have for the New Year? 

Sunday Sewing and Quilting catch up

Anyone else like me and have several projects on the go at once?!

Probably why I have so many WIP's!

This week I've been working on a few different projects. First up is curved piecing. I grabbed some fabric from my stash and love the outcome. More of this to come soon!

This cute eco snack bag was made with a free pattern from Minki Kim. Such a quick make and a great idea for snacks or an alternative for gift wrap. Thinking this would be a good idea at Christmas time in cute Christmas fabric! Minki also has a free You tube video for making it too. Check it out here!

Of the quilts I have made I started and finished them myself including the quilting. The basting process is the stage I really don't enjoy and probably the reason for lots of quilt tops being complete but not finished! I enjoy the quilting process and although I sometimes struggle with squeezing my quilt into my Bernina Artista and having to wrangle with it I like the process of walking foot quilting and free motion quilting. Recently, I was lucky to purchase a new to me Freestyle Quilting frame. This is an old style frame from Cotton Orchard Quilting. So far I've only had a bit of a play but am really looking forward to loading up a quilt and having a go at different designs and not having to put my back out basting the quilt top on the floor!  

Last up on the sewing table this week is an old WIP. This is the Maker's tote by Noodlehead. I've had the fabric cut out for ages but finally managed to make some progress! I do love a bit of colour matching and happened to have the perfect colour zip and Aurifil thread to use!

So, yes lots of different projects being quilted or sewn up this week and loving every single one!

What have you been sewing or quilting this week? Would love to know!

Happy Stitching!