Crafters companion- September Project- Woodland wonderland fabrics

Hello again,

For september I was given a brief to make something using the new threaders woodland wonderland fabric. Being a bag Junkie the first thing that came to mind was to make a bag!

My favourite sewing book at the moment is Debbie Shore Sew Brilliant Bags and my favourite bag to make in there is the three pocket bag. This bag is so functional as when its opened up it expands. if you've never made bags before then I would probably start with more of a tote bag but then again it is easy enough to make once you get your head around the instructions.

 

I used two different fabrics like in the book but decided to use the same fabric in two different colours to see what effect I could get and I am very happy with the outcome.

I really enjoy working with the threaders fabric, the quality is fantastic and so easy to work with.

I haven't made any of the other bags from sew brilliant bags yet but if anyone else has I'd love to see them. Comment below I'd love to see photos of your projects using the threaders fabric too!

Sew Brilliant Bags 

Threaders wonderland scene- Blue

Threaders wonderland scene-Pink

Crafters Companion- August Project- Debbie Shore box kit

Hi everyone,

For August I was asked to make up one of Debbie Shore's box kits, In particular Fetch the Dog which is a lovely little dog that can carry all your sewing bits and pieces.

To look at this dog it looks quite complicated but it couldn't be more easy! The instructions are so easy to follow and the kit comes wit everything that you need, the fabric, buttons for the eyes and toy stuffing.

I am very eager to have another ago at this lovely pooch in a brighter material.

Have you made fetch the dog yet? i'd love to see leave your photos in the comments below.

Fetch the dog Box Kit

Crafters Companion- July- Extra Project- Wallet/ Purse

Today I have another extra project for you. I made this wallet out of Debbie Shore half yard gifts.

I haven't made a wallet before so decided to give it a whirl. I can't believe how easy it was ! It was another quick make and I loved how it turned out. I think these would look fab made up in different fabrics and as the book says, they would actually make great gifts!

The project took up very little fabric. This project also requires interfacing so I used fusible. I am also thinking that wadding would make it even more sturdy so I might give that a go next.

I used left over pieces from my beach bag (Debbie Shore high style handbags cd rom- The cats out of the bag) see my previous posts to see that! And I also used some of my threaders fabric. I had a half metre and I don't even think it took half of it.

I also think this project would look nice with some sort of appliqué on the front to jazz it up even more so next time I make one, that't what i'll do.

See below for the links to the products I used.

See you soon!

Linen Look teal fabric

Threaders- Blooming Bouquet- Coral 

Zips on a roll

Crafters Companion- July- Extra Project- Wine Bottle Holder

Because I love sewing! I decided I was going to make a few extra projects for July. I decided to make a project out of sew inspire issue 4. There is so many projects in there and it was hard to chooses which one I wanted to make. I decided to go with the wine bottle holder and make it very summery.

I used fabric I had left over from The cotton craft co pastel patchwork pink fat quarters and some wadding I had lying around. 

I also Used my Debbie Shore heart frame die to put some appliqué on the bottom.

This project was quick and easy, I would say the hardest part was the binding around the top.

I love how it turned out and love that the fabrics I used give it a lovely summery theme!

The cotton craft co pastel patchwork pink fat quarters 

Debbie Shore fabric dies heart frame

Sew inspired- Issue 2- Fold away shopping bag

A couple of weeks ago I made these fold away shopping bags that are from sew inspired magazine, issue 2.

I first made myself one and ended up using it loads. It's great to just pop in your bag or even keep it in your car and the next time you end up bobbing to the supermarket you know your not going to get caught out with a 5p carrier bag charge.

I then went on to make a couple more, there a great project because it uses calico, which isn't expensive and I tend to always have it in my stash. Then the pocket parts I used fat quarters but I had loads left over!

Another good thing about this make is that when the bag is folded out the pocket is on the front and is usable.

I thought these would be a good edition to my products that I sell! I have these along with lots of other Debbie Shore projects www.facebook.com/emibdesigns

The fabric I used comes from my local fabric/quilt shop www.ohsewsweetshop.co.uk

Crafters Companion July Projects- Jewellery Roll

For my second July Project I could do a project of my choice. After flicking through my Books I came across the jewellery roll in Debbie Shores Half yard home book.

I had ordered some of the super soft faux leather and thought that it would look great in that! I hadn't got anything in for the lining and wanted something bright and a match both the pink and blue faux leather, so I went to my local fabric shop for that.

I used the zips on a roll to get the perfect length zip that I needed. I also found a lovely piece of blue lace in my stash that looks perfect for the ties.

Once I had finished i felt the roll needed something a little extra so I used my easy crystal for fabric to bling it up!

So here it is I am so pleased with the outcome I ended up using the pink faux leather for the pocket linings I think this will protect the jewellery a little more. I love the little ring toll in the middle too and it isn't as fiddly as you would think to make.

Heres what I used for the project

Debbie Shore Half Yard Home

Super soft Faux Leather- Pink

Super soft Faux Leather- Blue

Zips on a roll

 And my lining is from Oh sew Sweet Shop 

http://ohsewsweetshop.co.uk

Crafters Companion July Projects- Summer Project- Beach Bag

For my July Project I was asked to make a summer themed project. As I make a lot of bags the first thing to spring to mind was a beach bag!

I wanted the perfect pattern that would be great to use as a beach bag. I decided on one of Debbie Shores Patterns from High Style Handbags. I thought that the 'cats out of the bag' one would do perfectly.


Instead of the cat appliqué I used my cottage appliqué die form Debbie Shore and made it into a beach hut! I used some of the adorn it fabric for the lining and used linen look fabric for the outer of the bag.

This was a really good make and would say it would be perfect for someone who hasn't made any bags before or not made many.

It definitely has that beach theme I was after.

Click on the photos before for the links to the products I have used.

Debbie Shore High Style Handbags

Cottage Applique Die set by Debbie Shore

                                                         Adorn it fabric- ecstatic dots

1 metre of Linen Look Teal Fabric

Threaders Spring Garden- Half Metre

Another Debbie Shore satchel bag

So last week I decided to make another Debbie Shore satchel bag, and i must say the more you make these the easier they are!

I made this particular one in a cotton canvas I bought a metre of each and paid around £6 a metre and this bag doesn't take a lot of fabric at all so i could probably make a couple more bags from this.

I used the Bolsal foam again as the wadding for the front and back of the bag, i love this stuff its more expensive at about 8 per half metre but this bag only takes a bit i've made about three of these bags out of that and a makeup bag so it is quite cost effective but that obviously depends on what bag you make and how big it is.

Here are some photos of the bag I made. I love the colours of this one it is muted but still has that bit of colour. I didn't use an adjustable strap for this one as I didn't have a slider available and couldn't wait to make it.

My sew together bags

I thought I would update you on some current sewing projects specifically sew together bags.
I have made 2 since I bought the pattern and I've got to say it's gone very smoothly. I followed a sew along on another blog which I will link below and I found it easier that following the sew demented instructions. I think this is because the blog sew along shows more pictures.
I think all together it took me about 2 hours to make which I was really impressed with and the bags grow quite quickly.
I hope you like my sew together bag the second one I am planning to keep myself but I will show that one in my next post.

The sew along
http://quiltbarn.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/sew-long.html?m=1

More fabric shopping

Today me and my mum went fabric shopping at oh sew sweet shop again but this time at their Wombwell shop.

I went knowing exactly what I wanted to make so that I knew how much fabric was needed.

I am wanting to have a go at making the sew together bags that seem to be very popular within the sewing world.

My first choice was the beautiful metalic butterfly fabric in the first picture, this is for the outer of the bag,  I then chose three contrasting colours in a print but as you can see they are all the same print.

I then didn't know what to choose for another sew together bag as I was spoiled for choice but as I was at the cutting table I saw some fabric that they had just got in and they where cutting them into fat quarters. The fabric is by Lewis and Irene and as you can see in the second and third picture they have a Chinese new year theme to them which I thought was different and I adore the fabric with the pandas on.

Lastly, I needed interfacing and was shown a new interfacing that has diagonal quilting lines on as a guide for quilting so I thought I could quilt the outer of my bags !

So that was all I bought today but I know I will be going back for more fabric very soon. Keep popping back to my blog as I will most deffinatly be blogging about my sew together bags.

If you would like to check out oh sew sweet shop please find their online shop below.

www.ohsewsweetshop.co.uk

Another Satchel Bag

On Tuesday I made another satchel bag, this one isn't  completely finished yet as I need to pop two buttons on it and I need to buy some bag webbing for the strap as I wanted it to have webbing on the strap for this one.

I have used linen again for the pattern fabric but this time I have used an old pair of jeans for the contrast.

This particular bag is for my mum as it is her birthday on Tuesday and she wanted this bag and she choose the fabric, she hasn't seen it yet so I hope she likes it.

This one when more smoothly than the first, probably because I knew how it was constructed so it didn't take me as long.

I will update you once I've added my buttons and the strap so you can all see the finished product.

Debbie shore charlie bags

A couple of days ago I had a go at making the Debbie Shore charlie makeup/toiletry bag. I believe this pattern is from the bags galore cd rom but also comes free on a learn to sew cd rom from issue 1 of sew inspired magazine.

I can't belive how easy these where to sew especially when they look so effective.

I used the fabric that I showed in my last blog post and the two contrasting fabrics look fab so much better than if you where to use just the one fabric.

The red makeup bag I used a regular Wadding and because of the wide bottom it does stand up slightly. The pink makeup bag I used bosal foam and that stands up perfectly so for anyone wanting to make these I would reccomend using that.

Tomrrow I am planning on making a bag from the high style handbags cd rom so I will blog about that when I'm finished.

Debbie shore satchel bag pattern

I have recently made a satchel bag using a Debbie Shore pattern that came free with her sew inspired magazine , issue 2. I used a new type of wadding/interfacing called bolsal which is like a foam, I thought with it being thick it wouldn't be nice to sew with but it was quite the opposite.

I used a plain linen and then a contrast linen and then a cotton on a bright red print for the lining. The strap is adjustable and then it fastens with 2 magnetic snaps.

I always read through a pattern before I start sewing so I know exactly what I'm doing and the instructions are very clear. My only issue is that the requirements list doesn't tell you enough. For example it says quarter of a metre of contrast fabric but this is for the lining also but there wouldn't be enough but I bought a different fabric for the lining anyway which I got 1/2 metre so just bear that in mind.