A Jacket for Jackie

We're dog sitting little Jackie again much to my delight! In the snowy and cold weather we've had the poor baby has been shivering every time we go outside. So I decided it was time to take action!

I borrowed a teeny tiny Hemtex sewing machine (which made more noise then any other machine I've ever heard!), brought out an Ikea fleece plaid and a piece of oilcloth and got to work! She really likes it, she comes right away when I take it out and she is so much more relaxed when we go out now, no more shivers or shaking! =D

We took an old hunting neon band for the belt and attached it while covering up the advertising text at the same time with a small piece of reflective band to make sure little jackie is visible in the dark. 

You would think this was a really quick thing to make and it would have been had it not been for the darn little sewing machine causing all sorts of havoc with the tread tension. It was cranked up to 10 when I got it and was still making loops on the backside... Managed to find the bent piece of metal and fix it and then it was more or less obedient. Have you ever seen such a tiny machine? =)

This is what I'm talking about regarding the tension issues, not a happy sight.

It was also pretty much impossible to sew a straight line, the thing jumped left and right and feed the fabric very unevenly. You can see the remaining tension issues on the the velcro. Luckily it's hidden on the inside for the lining.

However, Jackie is super happy in her wind and water proof, nice and cozy winter coat, and that is all that matters, and I also got to satisfy my worst sewing cravings, so it was very much a win win. The pattern is just made up on the go, will probably make one with a hole for the head and coverage for the chest next time =)

The Necessary Clutch Wallet!

I made this clutch this summer actually at quilt camp and just never had time to blog about it, and I've used it every day since, I love it! It's my wallet and when I don't want to drag along my big bag, it also doubles as a bag which will hold my phone, keys and the "bare necessities" to leave the house =)

The pattern is from Emmalinebags and it was a lovely pattern, very easy to follow and it was so much fun to make that I actually made two right after each other. The other one is a little more fancy, will show it off later as I don't have it with me now. This is actually the second one I made and I deviated a little from the pattern here and added a little zippered pocket to the back, which is perfect to hold my keys as they didn't really fit otherwise.

I just love all the pockets and that it folds out so nicely to get easy access!

The extra pocket I added for convenient key access =)

I was super scared about the kind of lock used for this bag as I had never used one before - but let me tell you, there was no need to be afraid, it was really easy to install!  =)

If you've considered making this bag but been worried about it I can just say  - don't be! It's so much fun to make you'll not only make one, but several! =D The only comment I'd like to make is regarding the little edge on top of the lid, I'd recommend you to make the "ends" (this will make sense when you sew it I promise ^^) slightly longer then the pattern tells you too, as when you sew the lid to the bag, it tended to feel slightly on the narrow side (for me at least) and I didn't get a full 1/4 inch seam allowance, making me a little worried. 

A Little Zipper Baggy

I saw this adorable fabric with stringed up flowers at my mothers and immediately decided that I had to create something of it! The pattern is a dear friends, Ankis and I've made many of these before but it's such a handy design that is quick to make that I can't stop making them. This was for a new friend so the M is actually not for Maria but for Marianne =)

I'm actually quite proud of the embroidery here, I haven't quilted in nearly a year so I was quite nervous to be honest ^^ She really liked it and it's now in her purse for business cards =)

On another note, it's really quite wintery here in Sweden now and this mornings ball play turned out to be a very wet and cold affair for adorable little Jackie. Whom we're petsitting atm while her owner and also the owner of the little baggy above is travelling =)

I'm alive and I have sewn =)

My life has been nothing short of a roller coaster lately, so I've not had any time for sewing or crafting really. However, when I had to buy a new laptop, the little fellow of course needed a laptop sleeve. So when I visited my mother, one had to be created when I had the chance to borrow her sewing machine and to botanise in her many shelves of lovely fabric. =)

I really love how it turned out, while it started out as "I just have to make something to cover it with and keep it from getting scratched" ended up as something much more elaborate and fun! My mother and I made up the design together as I went along that evening, and we truly had a lovely time of it despite the fact that it was very late before I finished it. I had such a blast making it and I absolutely have to make a pattern for it when I have some spare time and am reunited with my beloved and so sorely missed Horizon again. <3

Me doing the photography, however there was no sun whatsoever for days here so the quality of the photos where really not good sadly. However, I really wanted to share this with you so they'll have to do, as I'm afraid the poor thing already has seen too much travel to hold up for a new photo session before taking a turn in the washing machine ^^

The Bia Bag is a Best Seller on Craftsy!

In my absence from all things crafty lately (not complete absence through, I have some new patterns brewing) I'm so happy and honoured to read that my Bia Bag is nr 16 on the free pattern best-seller list on Craftsy! I couldn't be more exited! =D

I'm so inspired to create more patterns and to sew, I just hope I will have time for it soon! =)

Stash Bee Hive #5 April Block

If I hadn't been in Stash Bee - I wouldn't have sewn anything at all this year, it's getting really bad my crafting itch! XD

This month we were creating an improvised string block for Bonnie, once I got the hang of it this block was really fun to make! I had some trouble figuring out the angles to get the fabric to line up properly after each cut (why I didn't realize it's the same as with any triangle sooner I have no idea, blame it on lack of sleep? ^^).

I wish I'd had something more fun/modern for the white on white fabric then what I ended up with. But it was all I had in the white on white department so in the end I decided to go the white on white instead of a white solid as I felt it was more fun than the solid even if not as modern as I would wish. Luckily it's so white you can't really see the design, there's just some movement in the fabric =)

Stash Bee Hive #5 March Block - All Work and No Play

Work is really not permitting much in terms of free time lately so very little is happening in terms of quilting and crafting. However work is going really well, I couldn't be happier with it and I hope that soon I'll have time to get some quilting done. We've however had some blackouts coming and going and during those - since I can't work anyway - I've had time to whip up a quick tutorial for a Sami Barrette which I hope to be able to share with you all soon.

Well, I have played a little, and by that I mean little, I literally made my StashBee cat block (such an adorable block! I would have LOVED to make a whole litter!) for March in lightning speed! I'm usually not one to rush through anything but this time I had no choice. I hope Rebeckah will be happy with it anyway =)
And I'm not this late sending it, only posting it here on the blog ^^

And I've also received the blues of February from Stash Stack Club, and believe me when I say that this club has been a huge help for me in being able to make the blocks for StashBee!

The beautiful blues of February

Please Share Your Creations With Us!

I'm lucky enough to quite often get lovely emails from talented ladies and gents who's created beautiful things using my tutorials and patterns! And believe me when I say that nothing makes me happier! =D

However, with my work being like it is I nearly never have time to write up blog posts to show them off! Such a pity! Which made me realize I'd love to see all of YOUR beautiful creations from my tutorials and patterns in one place where they're shared with the world at the same time! So I created a Flickr Group solely for that purpose and it'd mean so much to me if you'd like to share your creations with me there. =)

If you've made anything from one of my patterns or tutorials, or made something inspired from one of them, please add it to the group so we all can be inspired!

Not Only Quilts - Share Your Creations Flickr Group

Allow me to present just a few of the creations I've been lucky enough to have shared with me in emails recently. =) Most recently I got an email from the talented Darlene Gardner who's made absolutely lovely Fancy Folded Stars! This pattern is so versatile, you can use it on almost anything!

Shirley made this stunning pillow with the same tutorial:

Lesley Fletcher from down under made an absolutely gorgeous bag! Wow!

Françoise made an adorable, super sweet pillow!

The quilting group Sassy Sewers made a bunch of lovely Fancy Folded Stars on their very first sewing retreat! Be sure to pop over to Grandmamas Stories and see their lovely creations!

I hope all of you and all others will do me the honor of adding your creations to the group! Thank you! <3

Stash Bee Hive #5 - February Block

So this month we're making a Feather Block for Alyson who just had a baby! Congratulations Alyson! =D

Honestly, all the bias edges in this block had me a little on edge too, I almost feared I'd have to bring out my pins! *gasp of horror* Luckily that wasn't the case and they came together nicely anyway!

It was a really fun block to make so I ended up making two, packing them this weekend and hope to have them on their way to Alyson along with a little gift on Monday =)

This months Stash Stack Club brought lovely Purples, presented to you by Diana who naturally assumed I'd laid them out so nicely on the floor as a bed for her. As you can see in the photo she was shocked when  I informed her that wasn't the case ^^

The perfect purples of January:

The Bia Bag Pattern Update!

It was brought to my attention that what seam allowance to use was a little unclear in places so I've updated the pattern to clearly state what seam allowances to use where, basically 1/4" unless otherwise noted and in Step 2 use 1/2" to be able to fit the elastic later (it became a little unclear with the compressed pictures in the PDF I'm afraid). Those of you who've downloaded the pattern from Craftsy will get a email notified shortly about the updated version of the pattern. Those of you who got it before, please download the new version to clear up any seam allowance confusion =)

Someone  also wondered about the washability of the bag, I'd have to say it does depend a lot on what bag handles you chose to use and what interfacing. My first Bia Bag is machine washed about once every other month since I made it, as I use it a every day. It's actually hanging to dry as I'm writing this, once it's dry I just give it a quick going over with my iron and it's good as new ^^

I also bought a little text fabric after I realized my stash was sorely lacking it  (I just LOVE this print that I bought in each colorway from the Comma line, so darn cool! ) for use mainly in Stash Bee, as it's a popular request I've realized and I want to be ready ^^ I've also bought my first bottle of Best Press Ironing Spray which I can't wait to try, as all the spray starch they have here in Malta is terribly flaky and stinks sooo much!

This lovely bundle was made custom for me by FreshModernFabric on Etsy =)