Liberty Sewing Portfolio

I have been waiting a little while to reveal my latest free pattern/ project .  This was a project designed for Liberty Lifestyle.  I was asked to come up with something for an intermediate sewer so I designed a mini sewing portfolio travelling case.

 All the fabrics are from the Bloomsbury collection and you can find detailed instructions, labelled photographs and downloadable diagrams at the Liberty Craft Blog.

It is the perfect size for travelling to sewing classes, or carrying small projects to sew on the go and there are pockets everywhere.  I promise the zip is not as scary as it looks and the binding covers up all the zipper stitching as a bonus.  The scissor zip pull was from Ayumi!  I wish I could find more things like that here, cute and practical.

You will find is an interview with me there too.   From past attempts, I have not been able to get comments to work on the Liberty blog but you can find other projects like Katy's Bloomsbury Stripes quilt and Jessie's star decoration , so go visit, share on Facebook, tweet and if you make one do send me a pic!

Bella Mountains and a giant fat giveaway!

At last it is time to reveal a new free pattern for The Village Haberdashery,  'Bella Mountains' Duvet cover. Annie contacted me a few months back with asking if I had any ideas for a project  for Lotta Jansdotter's latest line Bella for Windham fabrics.  

I wanted to make something big, the patterns are bold and I wanted to capture that.  And then I thought of a duvet cover.  I struggle finding good quality cotton bedding which isn't either overly flowery or decorated with hideous scratchy stitching.  

This is my solution: a bright, Scandinavian, mountainous duvet cover that will keep our little bedroom looking light as we go into Autumn.   I chose 15 Bella prints and a Kona solid- Annie said white was the best match and she was so right!  It was spot on,

 I must mention the influence of Marit here- her Wanna Tri posts on 60 degree triangle quilts really captured my attention and she is a great source of knowledge and tips.

 There is no waste in this project, only a few scraps left at the end and I used those up making matching pillow cases.   You could take this design a little further and use coloured solids instead of the Kona white-  Annie has a list of colours that will match the Bella prints.

 You can see the entire Bella collection here at The Village Haberdashery.  Bella Mountains pattern is here.  And now for the really exciting bit, a chance to win a great big fat FQ stack of the whole Bella line.   A huge thankyou to Annie for such a generous prize!

Comments are now closed

I've kept it pretty easy, all you need to do is tell me which of the Bella prints you like the best!  The giveaway is open to UK and Europe only- sorry international peeps.  Comments will close 6.00am Monday 3rd September.   I will need your email address so make sure this is in your profile or your comment.   Random number will pick and Annie will mail the stack direct to the winner!

Candy Cane Mini Tote Bag Tutorial

My new Candy Cane Love pattern pdf includes two canes in mirror image which join together to make a candy cane heart.  The block is perfect for a mini tote bag.

A little bag perfect for putting filling with treats or a present in itself!  The finished tote bag is 7.5" Square.  There is a gadget at the bottom of the post for printing this pattern with and without the photos.

To make a Mini Tote you will need:

For the front- 7"x7" Square Candy Cane heart block (pattern available to buy here).  You could use any quilt block 7" square. 

Sashing strips for the front blocks-2 strips 1" x 7" and 2 strips 1"x 8"from a co-ordinating fabric

For the back-8"x8"Square from the same co-ordinating fabric as the strips

For the Straps- Cut 2 strips 3"x 8" from same co-ordinating fabric

Lining-Cut 2 squares 8"x8", contrasting fabric

Fusible Fleece- 2 squares  8"x8".  I used Vilene 630 fleece interlining (supplied by Julia at Gone to Earth).  You could also use cotton batting or interfacing.

Sewing supplies-thread, rotary cutter etc.

Step 1- Sashing the front

Stitch sashing strips to the top and bottom of the 7" square block.  Press seams away from the block.  Repeat adding sashing strips to the left and right sides.  Block should now be 8 x 8".  

Step 2- Making the Handles

Take the 3" x 8" handle strips and fold length ways so the long edges meet and press.  Open out and bring both long outer edges in towards the centre fold.  Leave a small gap, less than 1/8 inch between them, press again creating fold on the outer long edges. Bring the folds together and stitch as close as you can to the outer edge.  Repeat for the other handle.

Step 3- Adding the Handles

Fuse fleece/interfacing to the wrong side of the front and back bag pieces.  If you are using batting you could use basting spray or tack/baste your batting to the front and back pieces.  Mark the centre of the top front and back bag pieces (right side facing) with a pin.  Place handles an inch either side of the pin so that each handle loop is lying downwards on the bag.  Stitch along the top edge to secure the handles 1/8 inch from the outer edge.   

Step 4- Making Bag Outer and Lining

Take the front and back bag pieces with handles attached, with right sides together, stitch 1/4" seam along side, bottom and side edge.  Use very small stitches around the bottom corners and trim the corners.  Turn through to the right side.  Press side seams open at the top of the bag-this is to make seam matching easier when you stitch the bag outer and lining together.  Place the lining squares right sides together and stitch from the top edge, down the side and a little way accross the bottom, securing the seam at this point.  Leave a 4" gap at the bottom to turn the bag through in the next stage.  Repeat on the other side seam.  Trim corners.  Press seams open at the top of the lining side seams.  Leave the lining with the wrong side outwards.

Step 5- Joining Outer bag and Lining

Place the outer bag inside the lining so the right sides are facing each other.  Use the open side seams to match up the outer and lining as in the picture, use pins to hold in place.  The handles should be lying downwards.

Stitch all around the top edges sewing through the lining and bag outer with a 1/4" seam.  Turn the bag through the 4"opening in the lining.  Press.  Close the opening with ladder stitch or by machine.  Top stitch around the top edge of the tote bag.  Fill with goodies and get ready to give- you weren't keeping it for yourself were you?