Courses at the Swedish Quilters Associations annual meeting!

I had the great honour of being invited as a teacher during Rikstäcket's annual meeting this year. It was a lovely event held in Kalmar, Sweden. I held two classes, one 6 hour class for the Denver Double Zip Bag spread over Friday and Saturday, and one 6 hour class for my Bring the Basics Bag on the Sunday. We had so much fun! We laughed so much and so many stunning bags where born!

This photo really sums up the whole weekend, we had such a WONDERFUL time!

Me explaining how to make the zipper pocket for the Bring the Basics Bag, making sure we're following along in the pattern so it's easier to remember when one gets home:

Part of the classroom with a number of my lovely students hard at work!

A pretty Denver to be during construction.

More hard working students.

 

A few of the pretty Denver Double Zip Bags that where made:

Therese and Tiina with their lovely Denver Double Zip Bags, two of my amazing students who's been to one of my classes before, that's the best one can hope for right, that one's students return? =)

This is how happy one can be after making a brand new handbag for oneself! Beaming Charlotte with her beautifully matching Denver!

Here's a few of the gorgeous Sunday's Bring the Basics Bag's that where made, this pattern will be re-released in a few days with the bag in 2 sizes and a brand new description and pattern!

Reno Rounded Makeup Bag - Pattern in the works!

As I wasn't the only one who crushed on my silly little makeup bag from this post, I decided to turn it into a pattern! =D So with the pattern, this all cotton version was born. It is made with Tula Pinks Chipper fabric combined with Kona Cotton in Pomegranate color and an unknown lining fabric from my stash.  And I love it! I love them both! <3

I played with a slightly lower holder section for the zipper but I'm not sure I'm a fan,  I think I prefer the higher one one the green version? What do you think?

I love being able to make my own tassels! =D I need to buy more tassel materials!

Sewing for ME

So yesterday I did some ME sewing, sewing just for fun, trying out a crazy idea I had without any plans for it and boy did I have fun! Normally these crazy sewing sessions result in what I call a "prototype" which will be hidden away in a drawer, until I finally toss it. But not this time! It resulted in a super sparkly, but maybe not  super practical but so pretty and fun round bottom makeup bag. <3

It's made with glitter vinyl from U-Handbag combined with Tula Pink "Lanterns" and a little Michael Miller "Ta Dot" for the lining.

The lining is so pretty with it's dots and matches the Tula Pink perfectly! <3

The tassel I made by myself with the tassel hardware I bought in Thailand in February this year, it's so much fun to be able to make my own tassels! =D

Introducing - The Cali Card Holder!

I really wanted a clever little card holder/wallet for those pretty little handbags that unfortunately come without any such interior solutions, but are too small to fit a normal wallet. The Cali Card Holder was born!

It is a very handy 4 3/4" x 3" finished, has three card pockets (which can double as cash pockets) and one zippered compartment (naturally fully lined) for coins or keys or anything else you might want. It has a keyholder/hanger for when I use it in my bigger bags, so it doesn't get lost. The backside is plain.

The pattern is with my testers as we speak so hopefully it should be ready within a week. =)

Denver Double Zip Bag - The Pattern!

I'm so happy to announce the arrival of my Denver Double Zip Bag pattern!

It's available in both Swedish and English in my webshop.

This little bag is perfect for a night on the town, when you want to have room for your phone, cards, money, keys, maybe a bit of makeup and some small bits and pieces. It's such a quick and fun bag to sew, you'll probably just like me, not only make one once you get started! Finished bag is ~8 x 5.5 inches big and ~1" wide at the bottom. Mine is made with Katarina Roccella Indelible Fabric Collection by Art Gallery Fabrics matched with a random text print found in my stash and a Michael Miller Cotton Couture solid.

It has two big zippered compartments, both fully lined. The main compartment also has a card holder for 3 cards, a lip balm and money slip pocket and a slip pocket for a cellphone.

But the pockets can of course be customized to fit your needs.

It's so very cute! I can't wait to make myself a black one to go with my LBD's!

I as always want to sincerely thank my lovely pattern testers! <3
They did amazing work, suggested tweaks, helped me with spelling and grammar and made such pretty versions of their own!

Ann-Kristin Kristoffersen of Kinnas Lappteknik made a gorgeous grey and blue flowery version! She's the inventor of the little double zip baggies that this bag design is born from <3

Anne Verberckmoes of Serial Bagmakers made a lovely paisley and purple version with a cross body strap instead, very practical!

Marita Tjulander of Valsan-Häxan syr/quiltar made a fetching black version in real leather! Such a lovely every day bag and such a cute kitty in the background!

Cate Sjöman - of C. Sjöman Designs made a super cute pink paisley one and a great version in quilted black! They really are addictive ;)

Jennifer MacWilliams of thisgirlissewdestructive on Instagram and Facebook, she made such a happy green version in Dear Stella Design fabrics! 

A little glitter baggy!

I'm home alone these past few days and I've set away plenty of time for sewing, and with me and my sewing friends going on a non sew vacation to Mallorca this spring, a challenge was put forth. To sew a bag just the right size to hold ones passport, cellphone and a bit of money of course. I had to start right away! I took some inspiration from the little double zip baggies I love to make. But while those baggies have exposed seams in the lining, this one doesn't, and it also has credit card pockets and an extra pocket in the lining =)

I'm making a pattern for it now, and it's just so much fun to sew! Really quick to make but make such a statement! =D It's the perfect step up from the Bring the Basics Bag, when you need to be able to bring just a little more (like your battery pack for playing Pokemon Go, nooo that was absolutely not taken into consideration here *lol*). It's also a very pretty party clutch. Especially in the glitter vinyl.

More photos will come when I have a proper camera again, mine broke and I've ordered a new one, however, they only shipped to Sweden so Erik is bringing it for me when he returns =)

Ruffled Sleep Mask - A Free Tutorial

I'm back home with my sewing machine after a long summer in Sweden. It's so nice to be back to blogging and instagramming (which I honestly do more these days, yes I've gotten lazy). The long and very bright summer nights in Sweden made me start using a sleep mask during the nights. However, all those I found where either all in synthetic materials and didn't breathe at all, they where really uncomfortable in fit or from binding around the edges which left ugly marks on my face, or they were just plain ugly.

So I decided to make my own, cute Tula Pink one now when I'm finally back home with my sewing machine <3 I thought it really cute and slightly clever to use raccoon fabric for a sleep mask, on account of them having masks themselves ;) And as @sewperfectlyimperfect commented on Instagram, as they're nocturnal, it makes it even more perfect!

Materials Needed:

(1) 5x9" scrap of cotton exterior fabric.
(1) 5x9" scrap of cotton lining fabric.
(1) 5x9" scrap of cotton blackout fabric (if using light exterior and lining fabric you need this extra layer of a dark cotton fabric).
(1) 5x9" scrap of cotton or bamboo soft batting.
18" x 3/4" wide elastic  (or any elastic you have at home that is long enough to get it around your head, minus the mask).
30" x 1" wide silk ribbon for ruffle (or 2" wide strip of fabric) .
Template: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bw7OhV89tK5aOE9RX0hGVF8wRW8

Step 1 - Preparations

Print your template, just make sure your printer is set to not scale the document, but to print at 100% so that the template will be the correct size. Test by measuring the 1” line. 

Cut out all your 4 layers of fabric and batting from the template, seam allowance is included in the template. Make sure to center any design you want centered on your exterior piece.

Step 2 - Make the ruffle

Take your silk ribbon (or fold your cotton fabric in half wrong sides together and press) and set up your ruffler foot if you have one. I use the Janome Ultimate Ruffler foot so my settings are based on that, if you have a different one, try out your settings on scrap fabric or ribbon first. It might be safest to do so any way as each machine is a little different. 

I chose to have 1 ruffle with each stitch so as you can see in the pink circle, the selection is on 1. My stitch length was 4.0. I wanted semi deep ruffles so my depth screw is on the 4 as can be seen in the blue circle. Run through your ribbon with the needle hitting a scant 1/4" from one edge (or in the case of folded fabric, a scant 1/4" from the raw edges).

If you don't have a ruffle foot, use your favourite ruffle method, one excellent tutorial is available here if you're new to ruffles: http://www.seasonedhomemaker.com/how-to-gather-fabric-and-make-ruffles/

Step 3 - Attach ruffle

Fold your exterior fabric piece in half to get the center and use it to center your ruffle on the right side of your exterior fabric.  Place a ruler on top of your fabric and use it to make sure your ruffle extends equally far on both sides and"exits" your piece evenly. Pin or clip in place. Don't let your ruffles extend too far down, as then they could become uncomfortable when sleeping on your side. 

Sew in place with your walking foot, a scant 1/4" from edge and trim off any excess ruffle. 

Step 4 - Attach elastic

Place your elastic on the right side of your exterior piece, measure 1 1/2" (this measurement will vary depending on the width of your elastic, find one that looks pleasing and centered for you if using a different width of elastic) from the bottom of the piece and place it there, sew in place on one side on the cyan mark 1/8" from the edge. 

Place mask over your eyes and measure out how long your elastic needs to be for the mask to sit comfortably on your head (for me this was an exactly 15" long piece, including the seam allowance). Cut it off at desired length with a 1/4" seam allowance and sew in place on the other side too. 

Step 5 - Sew layers together

Layer your pieces as below. The reason we keep the layers in this apparently strange order is because we want the seam allowances gathered on the front of the piece so we don't get any uncomfortable bumps towards our face when we sleep.

Exterior fabric right side up 

Lining fabric wrong side up 

Blackout fabric 

Batting 

Sew together with a 1/4" seam allowance (making sure to keep your elastic out of the way when sewing, leaving about 1 1/2" opening where there's no ruffles or elastic for turning, the pink line in the photo below.

Cut little "V" shapes in the seam allowances along all curves to make turning smooth and easy. 

Step 6 - Finishing touches

Turn your mask through the opening (pull on the elastic, makes it easier) and sew the opening closed by hand using a ladder stitch.

Voila! All done! You have a beautiful, ruffled sleep mask! Sleep well.

If you make one, I'd love if you'd share it on social media using the #pinkponydesign and #ruffledsleepmask hashtags! And feel free to tag me on instagram @pink_pony_design and to share on Facebook <3

The Batala Backpack Pattern is here!

So happy to be able to share that the Batala Backpack is finally available on Craftsy! I'd like to sincerely thank my fantastic pattern testers for doing such a great job! <3

Pattern is available here in English and here in Swedish.

This really is a lovely handbag replacement, great for a long day on the town or when out travelling when you want to carry on your back, rather than on just one shoulder, plus backpacks are totally in fashion right now! 

You close it with a drawstring (and preferably you get the double cord lock you ordered over a month ago and don't have to tie it in a bow to close ;) ) and a magnetic lock for the flap.

The inside is spacious and I have room for everything I normally carry in my Daytona handbag, plus some. There's and inside zipper pocket and an open cellphone pocket on the opposite side.

Here's how she looks fully packed and ready to go!

Me modelling it, so happy I had shorts that matched so nicely =)

More images and the story behind the bag can be found here.

I want to sincerely thank my fantastic pattern testers! <3
They did amazing work, corrected issues, helped me with spelling and grammar, and made fantastic versions of the Batala Backpack. Please enjoy their beauties below!

Sheri Ferrano - of Munkee Made designs made this absolutely gorgeous version in Lost at Sea, beautifully paired with lovely black faux leather.

Margareth Tai - Bags by Mags can be found here on Instagram, made a lovely Tula Pink version, making use of the adorable Raccoon Print for the flap! So pretty!

Anna Van Berlo - Whom you can find here on Instagram, made a super cute version with beautiful appliqued hearts from  Amelia Caruso's Effervescence fabric. 

Alison Heath - of Bobbin Girl (she has great bag making supplies!) made an absolutely lovely Tula Pink Elizabeth version! 

Andrea Fuhrer - made this super happy, neon version! You can't help but smile when you look at it! 

Cate Sjöman - of C. SjömanDesigns made this very classic looking version all in faux black leather, paired with a happy red piping!

Anne Verberckmoes - Made a lovely gold sparkling version! Such a classy look with the flap and D-ring holder in the same fabric.

Tiger Conservation

Since this stands to be repeated ;) The Backpack is named after the city of Batala in the Punjab region of India, this is part of the Tigers historical areas of habitats, however sadly there are no longer any wild tigers in this region. The conservation of our big cats is a topic that's very dear to my heart and one that was constantly on my mind as this bag took shape thanks to the lovely Tula Pink Crouching Tiger fabric. Even if this design isn't for you, maybe you'll take a moment of your time to take a look at https://www.panthera.org and see if there's anything you can do to help the tigers. It's very easy to donate directly through their website, thank you for reading! <3

Image borrowed from http://www.tigers-world.com