August Finish: Miss Polly had a Dolly

July marked the end of this round of the Aussie handmade birthday club.

I had a lot of fun participating in this swap over the last 12 months. I've met some great ladies, and have seen, made and received some beautiful gifts.

All in all I'd call it a big success! A huge thanks to Tara for organising it, I know that these things can be a logistical nightmare sometimes.

So here is my very last make that went to the lovely Gina:

Hello!

Over the course of the last year, I have made bags, minis, more bags....and when I reached August I just wanted to make something different. But what?? After a bit of stalking through Gina's Instagram feed, I saw that she was joining in a doll swap and thought aha! I could make a dolly.

She's got spirit - check the twinkle in her eye

I set about hacking a pattern I had bought some time ago to make a mermaid for my niece (pre-Instagram, it was that long ago!). I kept the head and then just drafted up a body and away I went. I didn't have the mental energy / skill to draft up a set of doll clothes, so I just made the body of the doll be her dress. I snazzed it up with a sweet little four leaf clover applique "brooch".

She also got a stylish scarf (because it is winter!) and some sweet red shoes.

She clicked her heels three times and the magic of Australia Post took her to her new home

To finish the package off, I used my favourite crafty gift wrapping - a fat quarter with a ribbon!

I'll miss my little dolly, I might have to make one for my own sewing room (but I'll have to hide it from the kids!)

This is also my finish for August's ALYoF.

A finish: a curvy clutch (or two)

I have been watching these cute little curvy clutches pop up on Instagram all over the place, and since if there is a bandwagon I like to jump on it, I thought I'd give the pattern a try (get it free here). 

I decided to make one for my May #ahbc partner and while I was at it I thought I'd whip one up for my Mum too. When I made my Noodlehead Envelope Clutch my Mum (not so subtly) commented that I could make her something like that any time. 

So, about the pattern.... It was ridiculously simple to make. The pattern is pretty straight forward. There were a few things that made me scratch my head - it seemed a step or two had been slipped from the pattern, but perhaps I just misread it - but as I have made a few bags now, it was pretty easy to puzzle it out. It is a quick little sew too. I cut one night and sewed the next and voila! all done. The trickiest think for me was attaching the piping nicely, but practice makes perfect and I have definitely improved since my first efforts. 

The bag has a very professional looking finish. The darts in the bottom give it some nice structure and the zipper tabs are THE BEST I HAVE EVER MADE. Yes I meant to capitalise that, because that is the one step I usually stuff up. 

I used Vilene H630 for the interfacing on the outside since I that's what I had and I used lightweight interfacing in the lining because I ran out of the Vilene, but I think  that it would have been a bit bulky if I'd used anything heavier on the lining. I still have to get my hands on some SF101 so I know what I am subbing for when I make these bags. 

Anyway, this pattern gets a resounding two thumbs up from me. I can see why it has been embraced so enthusiastically. 

This also knocks another finish of my Q2 FAL list. Yay! 

Happy Birthday to me!! A month of handmade surprises

March was my birthday month (seems so long ago now) and so was my month to receive a whole stack of goodies from the lovely ladies in my group of the Australian Handmade Birthday Club (see #ahbc on Instagram to check out all the loveliness going around).

I was totally, overwhelmingly spoilt. It was quite lovely receiving gifts from all these quilty friends that I have never met in real life. My poor daughter has quite unrealistic expectations now about the frequency at which parcels are received, I think.

So without any further ado, here is a round up of the bounty I received!

From @seldear

From @katrinafisk

From @megfishc

From @chambersvacc

From @iamacraftykat

From @msmidge

From @happygolizzie

From @aussieleo

From @skyzyt

From @liannedgong

I cannot say what an honor it has been to receive such thoughtful and gorgeous handmade gifts from this group of women. I feel very fortunate to have been able to participate in this club. 

You should definitely go and check these very talented ladies out on Instagram. Their usernames are under each photo. 

Thank you girls for making my birthday month so very special!! xxx

A finish: AMH Mini Quilt

I finally finished and got in the post the mini I was making for Katrina, the April baby, from our Australian Handmade Birthday Club.

This was my first foray into EPP and I can really see how my stitching progressed as I went along. 

I made this with an AMH charm pack I had bought as I really wanted to see what all the fuss was about. As I sewed it together, I'll admit I didn't really get it (don't shoot me). There were prints individually that I loved, but all together... It was visually how I feel about Florence and the Machine, ok in pieces but a whole album is too much. 

The back - just as pretty as the front

At least that's what I thought I thought. However, there was something about quilting the mini up that seemed to bring everything together and simmer down the "too muchness". I don't know. At the end of the day I found it quite hard to part with, so I guess that's telling. 

Have I mentioned how much I love my sewing machine? Quilts like a dream

I made a border out of plain white and white on white prints, predominantly Alison Glass and bound and backed it in some AMH I bought from Peppermint Stitches. 

And my blind hem foot for attaching binding...never sew over the top of the binding again!

So here are the stats: 

Quilt: AMH Mini Hexi quilt

Size:18" x 21"

Fabric: Dowry by Anna Maria Horner

Backing: Maybe in Indigo from Innocent Crush by Anna Maria Horner

Binding: Woodcut in Sassblue from Innocent Crush by Anna Maria Horner

Quilting: diamond crosshatch in yellow Aurifil 50wt (from Jeni Baker's Favorite Things Box)

Check out my little helper - she obviously knows the good stuff

This is a finish for both my ALYoF and Q2 FAL goals. 

A finish: Noodlehead Envelope Clutch 2.0

Okie...here we go again. This was my second crack at this pattern and fabric line (see previous attempt here).

Having made the pattern before, I thought it qualified as reading the pattern, but I read it again nonetheless. I learnt my lesson! 

Also, having made the pattern before it was a quick sew. I would have had it done in one night but I sewed my finger and decided to call it quits for the night right at the end. 

Anyway, this one turned out much better. Peacocks remained intact (although I still managed to butcher my FQ in the process). 

This is for my handmade birthday club. The recipient is the very talented Ms Midge - it's her faux birthday. I hope she likes it! And can overlook the imperfections (perfectly imperfect??). 

And that's another one off my Q1 FAL list. I'm finding having the list quite a good motivator. 

Next month is my month for the birthday club. I am VERY, VERY excited. It is a pool of very clever ladies that I'll be receiving gifts from. I must say I feel slight sorry for the ladies at the start of the club since my sewing has improved a lot since then! Sorry girls! I've done my best and managed to make a few things off my Pinterest list. I'll keep you posted on the goodies I receive this month. 

Read the Pattern!

A.K.A the Purse of Epic F*** Ups

This purse was meant to be a gift for my handmade birthday club.

The fabric is Petal & Plume by Art Gallery Fabrics. I won a FQ bundle of it in a giveaway (yay! thanks Art Gallery!). The prints are stunning and the collection has some great blenders. I don't think the photos do this line justice. Especially striking is this peacock print. Remember this for later...

The pattern is the Noodlehead Envelope Clutch Pattern. I am in love with Anna's patterns. Have a look here for other Noodlehead makes. I have also made a few of her patterns in my pre-blog life. I am a bit of a fan. I am telling you this because I want to make it clear that what happened here was not the fault of the pattern.

So, I will admit here that I am a bit of a "wing it" kind of girl when it comes to following patterns. I don't always read patterns the whole way through. I did not even read this pattern before I started. And that is where it all went wrong....

First of all, I misread the seam allowance and sewed everything with a 5/8th seam allowance, which I didn't realise was not right til I went to attach the lining - yes that's right assembly was quite advanced by then. Of course, the lining was too big to fit into the purse, cue some creative trimming.

Then I didn't realise that I had to cut the back exterior panel for assembly. So remember that peacock I was talking about before...decapitated.

Of course, had I read the pattern I would have known that...

Oh and see that thing there, that is the back of the magnetic snap. Next to my finished purse. Not sure what sort of longevity this baby will have...

At the end of the day, the finished product is cute. Testimonial to the pattern, I think. I will keep it for myself - too many stuff ups to gift on. It will definitely get some use. But the moral of the story when it comes to sewing is to READ THE PATTERN!

Gratuitous lining shot. 

What I'm Making: Embroidery to Go Bag

Last week I finished an Embroidery to Go bag - a tutorial by Sara from Sew Sweetness.

With a cute pocket for an embroidery hoop

This is a gift for Leonie (@aussieleo on Instagram) as part of the Aussie Handmade Birthday Club. 

I know that Leonie likes to do embroidery and I have had this bag on my to do list for the longest time, so I was glad to have a reason to actually make it. I used a mix Mustang prints on the outside and Foxfield on the inside - they went together very nicely!

I didn't do the cute little hand stitched panel that is included with the tutorial. I haven't done a lot of hand stitching apart from cross stitch and a bit of ladder stitch to close seams, and I didn't think it was polite to practise on a gift. I also used a shorter zipper. This was for no other reason other than it was what I had. When I bought the materials to make this (aaaaaaaaaaaaaages ago) I couldn't find a 28 inch zip that the pattern calls for. Nor have I been able to find one since. Does anyone know where I can buy longer zippers? 

I'll be honest, I had some problems making this bag. If I were to make another one I would definitely do a few things differently.

Firstly, I would use a longer zip. Like the pattern says. Der. I guess you can't always just wing it and make do with what you have on hand. Lesson learnt. 

I also would interface the panels differently. The bag has a zip that goes the whole way round and the pattern calls for each of the interior and exterior pieces that the zip is inserted into to be interfaced with Pellon Thermolam. Interfacing and translating interfacing requirements from patterns into what is available in Australia is such a thorn in my side! I used Vilene H640 and it just made the corners and seams on the inside so bulky. The interior didn't sit in as nicely as it probably would have with a less bulky interfacing, especially with the larger seam allowances on the inside.

The pattern also includes dividers so that you can sit your embroidery floss in there nice and neatly. I don't know if I was just tired so I didn't measure correctly, or was too engrossed in the Modern Sewciety podcast I was listening to (I am so hooked), but my dividers were just too big for the bag. I sewed them together and I thought "Hmmm", but I will be the first to admit that I am not very good at estimating how big things are (although surprisingly excellent at packing the dishwasher). But no. Just too big. So now I have some nifty dividers, I guess I will have to make a little bag to put them in after all ;) 

And finally, you have to sew the whole lining in by hand. By hand. BY HAND!! I have actively avoided patterns that require sewing the zipper in by hand. Remember, this bag has a long zipper...

Hand stitching forever

At the end of the day though, the bag is sweet and it looks quite neat. It is a quick make - even with all the hand sewing I made it in one night. I just had sore fingers by the end.

The other side with my little label

I also whipped up an infinity scarf to go with the bag.

 

I am glad to have these done. February is creeping closer and I don't want to get behind on my birthday committments!

Q1 FAL Goals

This year I have decided to join in with the FAL being hosted by Adrianne over at On the Windy Side (as well as a few other things - I am a joiner, I hate the idea of missing out). So here are my goals for Q1, I am going to group them by type just to take it easy on my brain.

Swap Goals

• Schnitzel and Boo mini quilt swap - here is where I am up to, just waiting for the binding on. I was hoping to get it done the other day, but I couldn't work out how to back stitch on my new machine (sad) and had to do some unpicking and dig out the manual. Hence, it is still a to do. 

• Rainbow mini quilt swap 

Birthday Club Goals

I am in a fab Aussie handmade birthday club. I am not showing what I am going to make because that would ruin the surprise, but rest assured that gifts will be going out in January and February (March is my month, hint hint). 

Clothes Sewing Goals

In line with my sew a garment a month I am planning on making a Wiksten Tank, a Bess Top and an Alder skirt. Hopefully achievable given my clothes sewing is currently limited to Staple dresses. I have my fabric all picked out and have taped together the pieces of the Wiksten and Alder Skirt. Oh my - that would have to be my LEAST favourite part of clothes sewing.

Quilty Goals

Unlikely to get these done but I'll throw them on all same same because miracles might happen. 

• Swoon quilt. This quilt has been cut for over six months. My only excuse is that I really don't like sewing HSTs. Hmmm. 

• Baby scrappy Union Jack for my English colleague who has a baby due on Australia Day. Of course, it is going to be backed in Terra Australis!

Other Misc Goals

Because I don't have enough, right? 

• I'd like to make a Cargo Duffle with a neat little print I picked up on the cheap from Spotlight. 
• In the recent Sew, Mama Sew giveaway day I won this sweet custom jelly roll and the Lucy Hobo pattern from Jennie at Clover and Violet (the sweetest lady) so I am keen to sew these up too. 

I think that's enough. The rest can wait til Q2! 

I am keen to see how many of these I can cross off my list. Wish me luck!

What I'm making: Noodlehead Trail Tote

My latest make has been the noodlehead trail tote. I LOVE Anna's patterns, they are easy enough for a complete novice such as myself to follow. I have made a few of her other patterns in the past with great success, so when I saw this one, I wanted to have a go. The fact that I am in a handmade birthday club gives me loads of opportunities to try new things (check some of the awesomness on Instagram at #ahbcparty3).

The thing I find the most difficult about bag patterns is deciphering the interfacing requirements. I have no idea about interfacing and trying to convert US brands and types to what I can readily find in Australia is confusing to say the least.  Googling Pellon replacements whilst towing two small kids around Spotlight is not cool. So I winged it. On the exterior and strap I used some Vilene H640 as that's what I had and I wanted the bag to withstand wear and tear. Perhaps that made the seams a bit bulky, but hopefully it will stop the bag from going all floppy.

Then there was the hardware - seriously, why is this stuff so hard to find? I ordered mine from Voodoo Rabbit and it came really quickly, but they didn't have the size of O rings I wanted to I just made do with the next size up. I think it turned out ok, but would have been better with the right size.

This pattern is clear and easy to follow. I did my first inset zipper (I didn't even know that was the right term til I saw it on Instagram) and magnetic snaps and piping without too much hand wringing or brow wiping. Here is a work in progress shot (also note the nifty labels):

I actually think it turned out pretty well. I used some Brambleberry Ridge for the accents and one of the exterior sides and Essex Yard Dyed for the other exterior side. I lined it in Cotton + Steel netorious. The recipient said they like minty green and yellow so hopefully this fits the bill. I don't have a lot of yellow or large pieces of fabric in my stash, so made do with what I have. Here are some photos of the finished product:

Ta da!! Thanks for reading