Eternal Maker October- Little House Playmat

For October's visit to Eternal Maker, I have been looking forward to posting about their Little House Playmat project which is a week by week project in 5 instalments.

 I love all things 'house themed and I love this!   It is measures around 60 x 80cm  closed and would make a wonderful gift, a little different from a baby quilt!

 All the materials are listed in the project posts on the Eternal Maker blog, including the amazing Kokka house panel fabric which forms the inside:

They also list the other fabrics e.g. brick style for the front and interfacing/waddings that they stock to make the playmat but as ever there is room for creativity and some other prints and fabrics.  Here are a few ideas.

Wood effect fabric- for a nordic style house,   Michael Miller faux bois in grey

Clouds by Cosmo, a canvas cotton fabric

A starry sky,  Blue Stars from Riley Blake

A drying room?  One of my favourite Heather Ross prints, Clothes line by Kokka

A toy room with house within houses, Cosmo Panda stripe

Friends to play and dressing up, Ann Kelle's Kids Adventure for Kaufman

A library...Library from Robotic range, Birch fabrics

Roof tiles, Pezzy- American Jane for Moda

Party Time, Dancing Bears by Kokka

And wall decor, Echino Frames

Tempting isn't it?  And Christmas making time is upon us!  Keep an eye on Eternal Maker blog for the next instalment. 

Liberty Craft Blog with Stile

You will find me on the Liberty Craft blog today...using Libety Lifestyle Stile fabrics to make some new variations based on Washington Pavement block from our 500 Quilt Blocks book including a pincushion which is just the right size to tuck into the throat of your sewing machine and stick pins in as you sew...

Stile prints throughout with yarn dyes Essex linen as a background.  It measures 2 3/4" x 8 1/4" and is stuffed with polyfill.

There are also instructions to make a jumbo hugs and kisses block XOX measuring just over 17" square.

Liberty Lifestyle featured many of the craft blog guests in an Australian quilt mag recently including my Sewing Portfolio and sent us all a pic,

And keep a look out as Quilt Market is coming up and the third Liberty Lifestyle fabric is launching there, I can't wait to see!

Social Tote at Purse Palooza and Book Details

You can find me at Sew Sweetness Purse Palooza 2013 today reviewing The Social Tote if you would care to take a look.

You will also find this on sale 500 Quilt Blocks: The Only Quilt Block Compendium You'll Ever Need    and delivering at Amazon and other online book stores (book depository etc)

Yesterday was very exciting, Claire of Cor blimey Claire E Poppins had her received her Amazon copy  and posted her pic on Instagram and Lynne and I got very emotional!  We will have copies to sell once we have received our delivery and book plates too.  They will be on our blogs so you can buy from us direct:

Softback £8 plus £2 UK p+p

Hardback £10 plus £3 UK p+p- both these options include free book plate sticker  

Single bookplate stickers £1.50 UK p+p (sold at cost).  

Postage to Europe and International will be more but is available for bookplate stickers

Stock is limited so if you are interested please leave a comment saying what you would like and make sure email is in your profile or in your comment (name (@) gmail dot com etc) and I'll get back to you once it arrives

Have a lovely weekend, I will spend it quietly, I have lost my voice and in my day job it is vital so I patiently await its return! 

Fabric Covered Buttons in Five Easy Steps

I have been doing a little pattern testing for someone (results to be shown very soon) and part of the pattern involves buttons and instead of my usual buttonhole cop out of using snaps (see here and here) I  could see how the  print would be perfect for fabric covered buttons.  I have always feared these.  My experiences with covering metal buttons have not been good- having to paint the metal to stop shiny metal showing through.   This version using Sewline plastic self cover buttons, is a breeze.  The only downside is the button shank is a little high- OK for a dress, not so good if it was a shirt or blouse.

5 Steps to Fabric Covered Buttons

1. A circle template is provided on the back of the packet.
2. Draw round and cut out, centring or fussy cutting pattern/motif if desired.
3. Using polyester thread for strength, stitch line of running stitches 1/8" from the edge, pull and drawn in around button securing the thread in the fabric folds with stitches and knot.
4. Place the plastic washer dimpled side down on to button covering all raw edges.
5. Place button shank on top of polyester thread spool and press- this secures the washer.  

The fabric I used was Flumes from Sarah Watson's Luxe in Bloom range for Art Gallery fabrics, you might find some at M is for Make.  Courtney at Seamstar sells larger plastic self cover buttons.  I used 15mm-5/8" from ebay.

A post about buttons but also about sewing machines.  I have had a few sewing machines in my life and my most recent, Janome Horizon 7700 has been the best but I have also learnt that no single machine will do everything.  The Horizon is a beast over different thicknesses, a wonder with its accufeed system and a pleasure to quilt with.  It does have its downfalls.  The zipper foot is way too chunky and the accufeed foot will put bag and pillow zips in much more efficiently than the standard zipper foot every would. The buttonhole feature is truly disappointing.  Its overly automated so that a single step of a 4 step buttonhole can't be isolated, it automatically sews an entire buttonhole and is not consistent in this.  It also prefers to work out the size of buttonhole through a sensor system- these always come out too big for clothing and smaller buttons.  

The sensor system is very sensitive and if slightly jogged during a series of buttonholes- e.g on a shirt- random small and mishaped versions appear (see above)- very frustrating when sewing on fine fabric like lawn which doesn't take to kindly to constant unpicking.   I have a potential solution, involving a Featherweight attachment, just awaiting delivery...

Purse Palooza 2: The Details

This week I will be a little part of this...

with my review of this, The Social Tote by Carolyn Friedlander and Anna Graham

Read more about it with Sara below!

Announcing Purse Palooza 2013!!

I am happy to be participating in Purse Palooza this year with a special purse sewing pattern review! Here's how the event works:

1. Every weekday from September 30th - October 25th, there are 2 amazing guest bloggers scheduled to share with you a purse sewing pattern review. None of the purses reviewed from the event last year are being reviewed again, so these will be fresh sewing pattern reviews! The review will contain detailed information about what I thought about the sewing pattern, modifications I made, what kind of interfacing I used, and more! Get inspired!

Aeroplane Bags

2. Even more exciting...THERE WILL BE A GIVEAWAY EVERY WEEKDAY DURING THE EVENT! That's right, 20 GIVEAWAYS! 

3. At the end of the event, you will get a chance to show me your purse in order to win some amazing prizes! Of course, international entries are welcome too!

Dot Dot Dash Bag

Pattern Review Schedule
All About Bag Interfacing

September 30 - Sara - Sew Sweetness (Serendipity Studio - Media Frenzy Camera Bag)

                       Kim - My Go-Go Life (Sew Sweetness Lilium Laptop Bag)

October 1 -       Samantha - At Home with Mrs. H. (Chris. W. Sugar and Spice Bag)

                       Rachael - Imagine Gnats (Bari J. Green Living Bag)

October 2 -       Anna - Charmed Liebling (Studio Kat Tandem Tote)

                       Mary - Mary on Lake Pulaski (Primitive Pieces Ewe Old Bags)

October 3 -       Lindsay - Lindsay Sews (Diaper Bag)

                       Joanna - Tutinella (Oliver + S Messenger Bag)

October 4 -       Andrea - Mouse in my Pocket (Michelle Patterns Pleated Wristlet)

                       Elena - Hot Pink Stitches (Sewing Rabbit Tote)

                       Angela - AngelaB (Amy Butler Sophia Bag)

October 7 -       Tiffany - This Crafty Fox (Two Peas Ava Bag)

                        Lana Parks - Moments of Sanity in a Crazy World (Dog Under My Desk Two Zip Hipster)

October 8 -        Allegory - A Thousand Needles (Sew Sweetness Aeroplane Bag)

                        Gina - Gina Pina (Echino Gathered Bag)

October 9 -        Katy - Imagingermonkey (Made By Rae Lickety Split Bag)

                        Ali - a2w (Melly and Me Sleepover Bag)

October 10 -      AnneMarie - Gen X Quilters (Michelle Patterns Strap Clutch)

                        Jaye - Art Quiltmaker (Oliver+S Day in the Park Backpack)

October 11 -      Kim - Kim's Krafts (Charlie's Aunt Anglia Bag)

                        Kerry - very kerry berry (Carolyn Friedlander/Noodlehead Social Tote)

October 14 -      Katie - Swim Bike Quilt (Style Stitches Origami Bag)

                        Amy - Diary of a Quilter (Noodlehead Divided Basket)

October 15 -      DeeAnn (Rebecca Lambert Corduroy Patchwork Bag)

                        R0ssie - Fresh Modern Quilts (Lotta Jansdotter Gardening Tote)

October 16 -      Elizabeth - Don't Call Me Betsy (Noodlehead Super Tote)

                        Laura - Quokka Quilts (Moonshine Designs Bella Bag)

October 17 -      Cindy - Raspberry Sunshine (AMH Right Turn Bag)

                        Emily - EmmmyLizzzy (Pleated Beauty from Bend the Rules Sewing)

October 18 -      Jess - Elven Garden (Emmaline Necessary Clutch)

                        Brenda - Pink Castle Fabrics (Green Bee Vera Bag)

October 21 -      Katy - The Littlest Thistle (Momma Hear Me Roar Tohoku Tote)

                        Joanna - Shape Moth (Emmaline Boyd St. Bowling Bag)

October 22 -      Penny - Sew Take a Hike (Patchwork Bag by Akemi Shibata)

                        Corinna - Another Thing Off the List (Amy Butler Belle Bag)

October 23 -      Teresa - Crinkle Dreams (Drop Top Messenger Bag from Stitch Magazine)

                        Natasha - House Full of Nicholes (Dog Under My Desk Daytripper)

October 24 -      Kay - Miss Print (Amy Butler Birdie Sling)

                        Terri - Sew Fantastic (Michelle Patterns Inset Zipper Clutch)

October 25 -      Emily - Mommy's Naptime (Duffle Bag)

                        Julianna - Sewing Under the Rainbow (Studio Kat Gadabout Bag)

Lapin Noir Bag

Contest Rules

1. Check out all the purse pattern reviews throughout the month and get inspired to sew up a purse of your own!

2. Link up your completed purse on the Purse Palooza 2013 page (not here!) BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 30th AND NOVEMBER 11th. Your purse must be created and photographed between those dates; purses made prior to September 30, 2013 will be disqualified. The purse may be of your own design, or made from a sewing pattern. You can link from Flickr, your blog post, or wherever else you host your photos.

3. There is no limit to how many purses you may enter, as long as they were made between September 30th and November 11th. Only one link-up per purse please.

*Note: Besides bags and purses, for this event also acceptable are clutches, backpacks, wallets, etc.

Greenbacks Wallet Trio

Prizes

 

This year, there will be 1st-4th prize winners chosen from all those that submit a purse during the event. There will also be a randomly-drawn winner out of everyone who enters!

1st prize - 4th prize will receive an AWESOME prize pack courtesy of Pat Bravo, genius fabric designer extraordinaire! The prize packs will each include 3 Pat Bravo sewing patterns (La Boheme Skirt, Barcelona Bag, and Capri Bag), a pack of Pat Bravo Aurifil Threads (thread pack may vary, as there are 3 different packs), and 10 Pat Bravo fat quarters (fat quarters may vary).

In addition, the 1st prize - 4th prize winners will also receive a copy of Sara Lawson's new book, Big-City Bags!! The book releases November 5th, and you can pre-order your book now!

Retail value of each prize pack: $127.

There will also be one randomly-drawn winner out of all purses entered, and this winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to my publisher, Martingale (as well as a copy of Big-City Bags!).

Retail value of prize pack: $77.

Judging

Purse Palooza will be judged this year by Kay Whitt of Serendipity Studio. Kay writes the most stylish and fun-to-sew clothing patterns and bag patterns out there.

Thank you to all of the wonderful sponsors that are supporting this event!

Pat Bravo  //  Bari J.  //  Emmaline Bags  //   V. and Co.  //

Chris W. Designs  //  Betz White  //  Amy Butler  //  

Artsy Crafty Babe  //   Charlie's Aunt  //   Noodlehead  //

Dog Under My Desk  //    By Annie's  //  Studio Kat  //  

Handmade with Mrs. H.  //  ModKid  //  Made by Rae  //  Indygo Junction  //  Melly & Me  //  Serendipity Studio  //  Anna Maria Horner  //  Martingale Publishing

Grab a button!!

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.sewsweetness.com/2013/09/purse-palooza-2013.html" title="Sew Sweetness"><img src="http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab257/bluemerleboutique/pursepalooza12.jpg" alt="Sew Sweetness" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

 

Village Stash Society

Annie is full of ideas at Village Haberdashery to keep the shop and stock fresh and packed with variety.  Her latest plan is a Village Stash Society: a colour of the month club which you can dip into without commitment for a single month, maybe when you are low on a particular colour; or sign up for a year, receive a package every month to boost your stash and the last month is free! 

You can get an idea of the sort of rainbow blenders that Annie stocks above.  October is light blue and there is a huge range of club options from 10 FQs or 10 1/2 metres- all modern designer fabrics- to 6 organic colour FQs or 1/2 metres, or if you are feeling really flash and your stash is low, a combination of both!  Available UK, Europe and worldwide, Annie has all the info here, to receive the October 'Light Blue' fabrics, you must sign up by 10th October.  After that date you will receive the November colour 'Red'.

Strawberries

I have been thinking strawberry this week,  firstly finishing my strawberry pincushions for a flickr Strawberry pincushion swap .  These are quick and rewarding to make and easy to add to with embroidery and trim.

I used a vintage latice style print which gave a great canvas for beading the 'seeds' and a scrap pf Sandi Henderson ginger blossom  fabric for the other and added french knots and an embroidered bee.

The leaves/storks are felt from Seamstar, I love the 1930s mint green colour.  The flowers were lace trim scraps and buttons.   A loop of ribbon and  mini ric-rac provides hanging loops for each.

 I used one of the basket blocks from 500 Quilt Blocks to make a mini lined drawstring bag (adapting Jeni's pattern) to pop them in with a few other goodies- they are winging their way to their new owner right now.

If you want to make one of your own, I used this pattern from Embroideroo as my base and then played around with the size.  I also used fusible fleece to back the fabric.  This makes for a firmer strawberry and gives a good strong base for beads, knots and embroidery.

For the french knot 'seeds', the needle passes right into the the strawberry and to the next flower for the next knot.  If you are new to French knots, there is a great tutorial at Sublime Stitching. I wrapped the embroidery thread once round the needle for these.

This is the treasure I received, a totally strawberry themed package from Susi (daveandsusi on flickr)

What a delight!  Two beautiful pincushions which have gone straight into my various sewing baskets and pretty tiny gifts.   The strawberry tape is perfect!   Susi also went for embroidery details on her pincushions; you can see more below including  French knots for the flower centres.

This was a really fun, quick little swap organised by Erin that brought some pleasure back to Flickr.  There seem to be a lot of little swaps like this going on there at the moment so keep a look out!