a handmade Christmas- fabric coasters

I love the idea of only giving handmade presents for Christmas. Sewing gifts is one of my favourite things to do and seems to dominate this blog. I hardly have anything I've sewn for myself! Instead I have lots of pics and memories of people enjoying the things I've made them so that's pretty nice. :)

Anyway, this year I'm not sure I'll have time to make everyone something, however if the little market stall I'm preparing for isn't a roaring success I should have some things left to give to family and friends. Sweet!

One thing I'd like to make alongside cushion covers and wall hangings are sets of quilted coasters. I have seen some gorgeous ones out there and they seem pretty easy to make. With my growing obsession with fabrics it also provides an opportunity to use all those pretty pieces in a lovely way.

I got the idea for making fabric coasters from Amy of Nana Company. She makes the most amazing patchwork and embroidered things, they're so beautiful. Check out her blog for pics and pretty things to buy.

Amy has made some lovely eating mats and coasters using pretty combinations of fabrics, patchwork and embroidery. Sigh, if only I was this talented!

Here are some mats and coasters I like best from Amy:



 

I love the floral prints and the complimentary ric rac detail. So sweet! I doubt I could make some as nice as these but they provide a good source of inspiration!

Here are some more cute coasters by Anna from Noodlehead. I like the quilting detail on these and the lovely fabric combinations. Recently I bought one of Anna's runaround bag pattern that i'm looking forward to sewing up. Check out her blog if you haven't already, she has free tutorials and lots of inspiration to enjoy!

 So I think I'm ready to give it a go, the hard part will be choosing which fabrics to go for first.

 Thanks for the inspiration ladies!

xx

sewing gifts

During this time of economic wariness, I feel less and less inclined to go out shopping and spending money I don't have. I still love giving presents though so it means I need think thriftily when it comes to friend's birthdays and other celebrations.

So lately I have just been making presents instead of buying them and using sites like free pretty things for you to download super cute cards and gift tags. I love being able to give someone something handmade because it's a way I can show them how special they are to me.

Here are some pics of things I have sewn up for friends lately:

make up bag, Kokka fabric
 

Paris fabric cushion

front and back of cushions

vinyl make up bag, oven mitt by Mozi

To make the cushions, I followed a really easy and wonderful video tutorial by Brett bara. View it here then make your own!
With many more birthdays and baby showers on the way, I have my hands full with sewing gifts. Just the way I like it. :)

a crafty baby shower- baby bouquets

Over the last couple of months I have been getting some decorations together for my dear friend's baby shower. Since she knows she's having a little boy, I have been making things in blues and yellows. So far, I have made some fabric bunting, a fabric flower corsage for the mum-to-be and lots of little decorations like fabric yo yos and pom poms.

I also discovered those beautiful baby bouquets made from rolled socks, onesies and bibs at another friend's baby shower. My friend's sister-in-law had made two for her following this video on you tube from an episode of Martha Stewart and they just looked gorgeous! They were a little expensive to buy online and it looked easy enough to make so I decided to give it a go.

I went out and bought some singlets, socks, bibs and washcloths along with some floral tape, fake leaves, mini flowers, flower wire, some tissue paper and plastic wrap.

It was a little fiddly to make at first but after awhile it became easier and I just sort of made it up as I went along. I am really happy with how it turned out (if you don't look at it too closely, heh heh) and it sure beats paying $60-$70 for someone else to make it for you.

Here are some pictures of the final result of my baby bouquet:

 I think it's a lovely present that doubles as a table decoration. My friend really liked it so I was happy. 

Have a happy crafty baby shower!

xx

Baby shower present for the mum to be- fabric corsage

In helping to plan a crafty baby shower for my lovely friend, I came across a beautiful fabric flower corsage from Michele from The Scrap Shoppe. I thought it would be such a nice idea to make something special for the mum-to-be as most presents bought for a baby shower go straight to the new bub!

Here is a picture of Michele's beautiful fabric corsage:

I love the colours and the rolled roses and since I am using blues, yellows and whites in the theme I thought I would try to make my own version after being inspired by Michele's version.
Here are some dodgy pictures of the finished product taken with my phone camera (as I am too impatient to wait for my husband to take a good one!)

  

I am really happy with how it turned out and it was fun to make. I want one for me now too!

To make this fabric flower corsage, I first made a cuff for the base using what looked like doily ribbon, some satin and some felt and closed it with a pretty snap. Then I made some fabric flowers using this fabric flower tutorial for the big blue flower, this fabric flower tutorial for the burnt edged white one and a rolled rose tutorial for the yellow one. Then I just stitched them into place. Done!

I hope she likes her little present. I'll be sure to try and get a picture of her wearing it on the day!

What do you think?

xx

baby shower decorations- baby bunting

One of my oldest and dearest friends is having her first baby next month and we're getting pretty excited! I've been helping to organise a crafty baby shower and have been planning lots of decorations for the party.

I decided to make some bunting for the occasion and found this fabric bunting pattern on the chickabug blog. Since we know she's having a little boy we decided to use blues and yellows for the theme of the shower. I found some cute animal printed fabrics and some coordinating spots and stripes in lovely blues and yellows.

Here's a picture of the final result:

I figured making bunting would be pretty straight forward so I worked it out as I went along, but here are some instructions anyway in case you'd like to have a go too. 

 Materials:

• 6" (15cm) base triangle pattern from this bunting pattern 

(I transferred my paper pattern onto cardboard to make it easier to cut around with a rotary cutter)

• small amount of fabric,  6 different patterns/colours
• bias binding
• machine

Step one: cut out your flags
For bunting with 12 flags, you will need 2 of each different fabric you have.
place two 7" (17.5cm) wide strips of fabric right sides together on your cutting mat.
Cut out two triangles using your bunting pattern.
Repeat for all of your different fabrics

Step two: pin and stitch
Give each set of triangles (still right sides together) a little press and pin around the two long sides, leaving the base of the triangle open.
Sew around the two long sides of the triangle. Clip the corners and press the seams to shrink and set stitches.
Turn all your triangles right side out and poke out the point of the triangle using a chopstick. Press nicely.

Step three: attach to bias binding

Determine the order you would like your flags to go in and line them up.
Cut your piece of bias binding to this length PLUS about 14" (35cm) on each end to allow for tying up. (This may be longer or shorter depending on your preference)
Pin the flags inside the fold of the bias binding starting in the middle so you have an even length of binding on each end for tying.

Step four: Sew closed
Using a matching coloured thread, stitch the bias binding closed close to the seam all the way along the bunting.
knot the ends and give the whole thing a press.

Admire your work and hang it up somewhere to enjoy.

I think fabric bunting looks so sweet and the style options are endless. This decoration doubles as a sneaky present too as my friend could hang it up in the baby's room if she likes.

Happy bunting making!

planning a crafty baby shower

It's baby season at the moment and I have lots of friends welcoming their first babies into the world. It's such an exciting time for them and baby showers are a lovely way of celebrating the occasion.

I'm helping out one lovely and excited friend for her shower and have teamed up with her mum and two other friends to help organise a party. I took charge of decorating (yay!) and have been busily trawling through some of my favourite sites like hostess with the mostess and Martha Stewart to get some ideas.

There are so many different theme ideas out there, but since my friend knows she's having a boy, I thought sticking to blue and yellow would probably work best.

Here are some pics and links to some baby shower ideas I have been loving in my travels.

The first comes from Kathleen at Twig & Thistle. Her beautiful blue and yellow baby shower features Matryoshka dolls, a blue banner, a fun little crossword, blue pom poms and some sweet handmade favours. I'd definitely like to try some of these ideas and thank Kathleen for the inspiration!




banner, cake with Matryoshka dolls and blue pom poms

 


sewn favours with shortbread biscuits inside. yum!

 I came across a lovely post from Michele at The Scrap Shoppe. She made a beautiful fabric flower corsage I would love to try and make for my friend. Just gorgeous.



fabric corsage from The Scrap Shoppe blog


A cute idea I saw at a recent baby shower was to make a bouquet for the mum-to-be out of rolled up baby socks, onesies and washcloths. They looked so cute and you can make them in colours to match your theme! Here are some pics, and you can see a video tutorial from a Martha Stewart episode here on you tube.



baby shower bouquet




baby shower bouquet

 I think I'm also going to make some blue and yellow fabric bunting to decorate the baby shower. My friend can keep it and put it up in the baby's room if she likes too, so it doubles as a gift.
I found a fabric bunting pattern on the Chickabug blog and bought some blue fabrics to get started. I'll also need some yellow fabrics and some bias binding to put it all togther.

Here is an example of a vintage bunting diy kit you can purchase through The Haby Goddess:

vintage bunting diy kit from the Haby Goddess

I think these ideas will keep me busy for a little while. Have you got any cute baby shower ideas to share?

xx

make a paper vinyl wallet

Everyone love Martha, right? Living in Australia, I haven't been lucky enough to grow up with Martha Stewart on tv everyday, but I was lucky enough to discover her website which has lots of clips from previous episodes. She's one clever and crafty lady! I have learned about all things handmade from the craft and sewing tutorials to diy and home projects. Such a great resource!

In one episode I discovered how to make a paper vinyl wallet  by Kristy from Dear Sukie. I fell in love with the idea but you need a non stick foot for your sewing machine to be able to complete the project successfully (which I didn't have....).
I did try to make it with a normal foot and lots of cursing and tantrums ensued so I didn't bother trying again!

Until recently when I read somewhere that you can place strips of painters or masking tape on the bottom of your foot to help it glide over the pvc plastic more easily. It worked!

I immediately downloaded the templates for the pockets and main body piece and followed the instructions in the tutorial linked above. There is also a clip from the episode you can watch which helps as the instructions can seem a little confusing.

Here are some pictures of the paper vinyl wallet I made as a gift for my friend Liz who loves owls. I hope she likes it.

paper vinyl wallet

paper vinyl wallet inside view

It was fun to make after a couple of false starts. I'd definitely try it again sometime.

What do you think?

Feedback always welcome!

xx

making gifts for a mum-to-be: travel wipes pouch tutorial

After sewing these cute bibs for a friend of mine who is a new mum-to-be I thought it would be nice to make a coordinating travel wipes and diaper pouch. Since I don't have a baby myself it's hard to work out what would be a practical present (that's also cute and gender neutral!), but I figured making a little pouch with enough room for a set of travel baby wipes, some powder or lotion and a few diapers would probably come in handy.

Here's a picture of the final result:

It matches this bib I made and I'm giving it to my friend as a little set as part of her gifts for her baby shower.

I don't have a detailed tutorial for this one, but here are some instructions and a few pics to help you on your way if you'd like to have a go too.


Materials:

• fabric for outside, flap and strap (focus fabric)
• fabric for lining and flap
• interfacing
• hook and loop tape

Here is a picture of all the parts you will be cutting and sewing: outside body, lining, flap, strap and pocket.

Step One: Cut out your fabric pieces

Cut out two rectangles about 11 inches x 14 inches (27.5cm x 35cm) for the body of the pouch in the focus fabric, lining and interfacing.

Fuse the interfacing to the main fabric pieces to give it some body.

I made a little pocket for the lining piece by folding a rectangle about 8" x 5" (20cm x 12cm) in half wrong sides together. Stitch around all 3 sides leaving a gap to turn it the right way. Press and stitch onto the right side of the lining piece near the top.



make a pocket and stitch to lining piece



For the flap, I just used the same width (11 inches) and added the height based on what I thought would look ok (about 6inches/15cm) Next time, I'll make the width slightly narrower (maybe 10 inches) as the flap piece was a little wide in the end and bunched up a bit while sewing. (The trial and error nature in which I operate has its pitfalls sometimes!)

Cut a focus fabric piece, interfacing and lining piece of the flap. I curved one edge tracing around a jar and fused the interfacing to the focus fabric piece.

Step two: Stitch the flap and make a strap

On the right side of the lining piece of the flap, stitch a strip of hook and loop tape 1.5 inches from the curved bottom in the middle. (stitch the rough side of the hook and loop tape to this piece)

With right sides facing, stitch the focus fabric piece and lining piece together around the curved edge leaving the top open.

After turning it the right way and pressing, top stitch around the curved edge for some extra detail.



flap front





flap back



At this point I thought it would be a good idea to include a strap for easy carrying.

To make a strap, cut a piece of focus fabric 2.5 (about 6.5 cms) inches wide x 12 inches (30cm).

Fold the strip in half with the long edges together. Press.

Un-fold the strip and fold each long edge to meet in the middle (on the line you have just pressed) Press again.

Fold the strip in half long ways again and press. You can now top stitch along each long end to secure your strap. Done! (Use this technique on purses to turn them into wristlets)



make a strap



Step three: Sew your body and lining pieces together

Place one focus fabric piece right side up on the table in front of you. Fold your strap piece in half and pin to one side of your fabric about an inch and a half (3.5cm) from the top.



pin strap to focus fabric piece



Place the other focus fabric right side down on top of the first piece. Pin around two long edges and one short edge and sew, trapping the strap in between. (You can see it poking out of the left side on the picture below)



pin focus fabric pieces right sides together and sew around three edges



Turn right side out and press.





Put your lining pieces right sides together and pin around two long sides and one short side, leaving a gap in the middle of the short piece to turn the whole thing out the right way. Sew around all three sides leaving the gap you created. turn and press nicely. (no pic for this step)

Step four: Assemble and stitch together!

Work out which side of the focus fabric will be the front and back.

Take your flap piece and pin it to the top of the back of your focus fabric piece, right sides together. (keep your pins low so they don't get in the way of you sewing the top.
At this point you might like to stitch the flap in place, however you don't need to as it will be sewn in place when you attach the bag to the lining.



pin flap to back of focus piece, right sides together


Here is the interesting part.

Turn your lining piece inside out.

Place the focus fabric piece (right side out) inside the lining piece. make sure you match up the back of the focus fabric piece with the lining piece with the pocket on it, so the pocket ends up sitting at the back of the pouch.



put the focus piece inside the lining piece which is inside out



Line up the seams and the top edge. Pin around the top of the pouch. (but don't pin it together or you will seal the bag!)

 

Stitch around the top of the pouch carefully. You will trap the flap piece between the lining and outside piece in this step too. I sewed around the top twice to make it stronger.

Using the gap in the lining you created, pull the focus fabric piece through the gap until you have turned it the right side out.

Remove the pins, slip stitch the gap closed and give the whole thing a nice press.

fold your flap down and mark the place for the other piece of hook and loop tape. Stitch the tape into place to close.

Done!



finished, huzzah!



To illustrate its usefulness, you could fill the pouch with a set of travel wipes, diapers and some powder or lotion and give it to your special mum-to-be as a gift at a baby shower. 

I hope you found these instructions ok for making your own travel wipes and diaper pouch.

Suggestions always welcome!

Linking at these fabulous parties.

Linking up here at today's creative blog link party, get your craft on!

making gifts for a mum-to-be: bibs

I have sooooo many friends expecting their first baby at the moment. It's so exciting! In preparation for the arrival of all these new babies the baby showers have begun, and I have decided to handmake something for all of these new mums. I'm glad I can use my hobby to make something different and a little special for my beautiful friends!

Since most of my friends don't know the gender of their baby I thought it would be a good idea to stick to gender-neutral colours like greens and yellows and to make things both boys and girls can wear. Naturally, bibs seemed like a practical gift that can be fun and decorative too!

Here are my first three bibs:

I bought the fabrics from my favourite quilting shop in Sydney, The Remnant Warehouse. They have a huge range of beautiful fabrics for any kind of project along with patterns and haberdashery. Check them out if you're in the neighbourhood!

I think these fabrics would be ok for both a little boy or a girl. I love the apples and the patchwork one with pigs in tractors or on a ferris wheel. Hee hee, so cute.

Here's a closer look at each bib:

To make the bibs I first made myself a pattern. There are quite a lot of different bib patterns online, but in the end I made my own based on two different styles.

I used the pattern to cut out the focus fabric, interfacing to give it some body and some brushed cotton for the reverse side. You also need some hook and loop tape to hold it together.

Making bibs is pretty straight forward, you just sew around the perimeter leaving a gap for turning which you can slip stitch closed later. I would recommend using a walking foot to keep the layers moving evenly if you have one. I would have used mine but it is lost in the house somewhere. :( Instead, I just used lots of pins to avoid little ripples.

Next, I think I'll make a travel wipes case to match one of the bibs and maybe make some appliqued onesies. Cute! 

Send me links to your cute baby stuff, I'd love some more inspiration!