Friday, July 13, 2012

small round zip pouch

I saw this pattern and tutorial on this blog :" Dog under my desk" by Erin Erickson.


I liked that idea, although the family was not so keen, I thought they might use them once they are made. Either to protect their ear-buds for the iPod, or other small things like coins or keys.
I have not bought the new tutorial she made but used the one on the blog, and made some notes as I went, as well as some changes. So here we go.

 Do not cut circles. It is easier to work with 5” squares as the fabric tends to move when you sew the zip on. Better cut the shape at the end, after sewing the circle.
I’ve cut the pull fabric as a 2” square as on the photo of the tutorial, and then followed the instructions.


 I've cut enough fabric to make 6 cases, in different fabrics, mainly left over from other projects.

 On the sewing machine I use a Zipper foot, and a walking foot when there is wadding in the construction. It helps the fabric move at a regular pace.
 I sew the backing to the zip first, with a very small seam that will disappear later in the seam allowance, before sewing the front plus wadding. This way I am sure that the back is not going to move while I’m concentrating with the front.
I have used some zip by the metre, where I fit the pull myself. I tend to buy 2 metres at a time and cut to size. As I am in England I buy them from Dunelm. I believe they are made for cushions or upholstery, but perfect for small items as well. You have to put the pull on before you sew the zip as it can offset the 2 sides of the zip by a margin.

 Oh and for my round shape, as I couldn’t download the pattern There was a storm in the afternoon and the internet was down for a while), I used an Ikea plastic bowl. It is just the right size for my 5” squares, but you might find something else in your own kitchen.
I sewed 1/4" inside the line drawn with erasable  pen.


 It’s better to cut off the wadding before cutting the fabric down to a round shape. You have more grip on the fabric and can reduce the bulk created by the wadding.



 This is my case, right way out, but I preferred to sew around on the outside. It flattens the shape and gives it more definition.



 And so at the end I made 6 cases for my 4 girls and as presents. I am sure we will find lots of use for these. I just need to find a metal ring to put in the tab.


 Slightly open so that you can see the lining.

I hope this makes you want to do more sewing, or start a little project that doesn't tie you down for long.

Enjoy your sewing.

Pascale.

Saturday, July 07, 2012

Peg bag

On the internet group BQL, we are supposed to make one item a month to prepare Christmas presents. It's not really happening for me but I did manage to make a peg bag.
Of course I could make more. I even bought some children size hangers to use. It will happen.

Enjoy your sewing.

Pascale.

Thursday, July 05, 2012

My new green dress

Sometimes I fancy myself as a seamstress. I am not one when you consider clothes. I can copy a dress like this one from a blue one I bought, and am pretty pleased with myself but I know there are some defaults, where the fabric could fall better. 


 But I don't know how to remedy these problems!

 Still I managed to have one of the girls take some photos in the garden on a sunny day, which is difficult considering the weather we have had in England recently. Records of rain.

I like dresses. No need to match the top and bottom.

Enjoy your sewing.

Pascale

Tuesday, July 03, 2012

Serviette holder in cardboard and fabric

As a group, the Golden Lion Quilters made some serviette holders. The project was organised by John, Frances's husband. It was easy enough with some sewing and some glueing.
 This is a photo of some of the boxes made on the day. Some ladies made several later and used them for presents. And of course you can match them to your decor.


This one is mine, with a Kaffe Fassett fabric. Very cheerful.


I could make more but I think that at the moment I have too many UFO's to finish.

Enjoy your sewing.

Pascale.

Sunday, July 01, 2012

My granny squares crochet bag

After reading too many blogs, some about sewing, but also about knitting and crochet, I was very tempted to take my hooks again. I settled on a granny bag, with some cotton thread from Rico Design (creative cotton aran). I found it in a shop in Bath called Wool.

To make this bag I crocheted 22 squares and linked them together as I went. It did require some thinking at the end, but it means there is no seam  to sew.

 To make the lining, I tried to copy the shape on some paper by flattening the bag. Amazingly it worked.
The lining means that the bag looks more finished and things won't fall through the holes, like pencils (but then loose pencils would put carbon in the bag!).
The handle is shaped bamboo. I had it in stock and was worried it would stretch out but so far so good.

This is a  close up of the square. You could make it any size with bigger/smaller squares, wool, more rows around each centre. There are a lot of possibilities

Enjoy your sewing.

Pascale.