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

Batala Backpack Hardware Kit!

I'm super excited to be able to tell you that the lovely Alison of Bobbin Girl has created hardware kits for the Batala Backpack! No need to scurry around trying to find all the hardware needed now, it's just a few clicks away, especially great since the big, 2" D-ring isn't available in all quilt or sewing stores. =)

The Batala Backpack pattern is available here in English and here in Swedish!

Bobbin Girl has hardware kits for a lot of popular bag patterns from many of your favorite designers as well as everything else you could possibly need for your bag making! Be sure to pop over and take a look at her lovely store!

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

Presenting the Batala Backpack!

I'm so excited this bag is finally ready for presentation! I had this vision for a long time of a full circle backpack, however, I didn't want a shapeless sack, I wanted a practical handbag backpack substitute, with proper pockets for cellphone, keys etc... So after much experimentation the Batala Backpack was born!

It has a sturdy center, so it holds it shape nicely despite the half circle sides which gives the beautiful folds on the sides. It's such a handy size to replace your everyday handbag,  ~12" high and ~7" wide at the top. And it's super comfortable to wear with it's padded, adjustable straps, and you can easily hang it in the big D-ring.

You close it with a drawstring and a magnetic snap lock for the lid. So access is very easy. It's sewn in beautiful Tula Pink Eden fabrics combined with a light purple faux leather and a green blender fabric from my stash.

On the backside you have a safe zippered pocket, as I'm always a bit worried about carrying my things on my back otherwise, then it feels good to know the keys and any other important little things are safely tucked away towards my back where no one can get to it.

The inside has one zipper pocket and one open pocket, however, I will share more photos of the inside in a later post. The pattern will go out for testing soon, and so it will be available to the public in a month or so hopefully.

Tiger Conservation

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 <3

Photo by Steve Winter, National Geographic.

I'll be holding courses at the biggest sewing event of the year in Sweden!

I'm super excited to finally be able to reveal that I'll be one of the teachers during the Husqvarna Viking-, Pfaff and Singer Sömnads- & inspirationshelg 2016! This is the biggest sewing event in Sweden and all of the nordic countries are taking part, it's going to be so exciting! =D

On the Saturday I'll be holding a course in the Stockholm Bag (if you want to take part you have to be quick, there's only 5 spaces left already!), all the material is included and you'll be confident in working with faux leather afterwards. You'll also learn many cool tips for making bags, among other things the handles on this bag, they look so great and are really fun to make and so comfortable to carry with, once you've started making these, you'll want them on all your bags! =)

And on the Sunday I'll be holding a course in the Bring the Basics Bag, it will be a ton of fun, there are so many great courses during this weekend, make sure you don't miss out! The Bring the Basic Bag course is great for beginner bag makers =D

16 Blocks Done!

Really happy to finally have 16 blocks (out of 24 so yes I know, I'm behind *lol*) finished for The Splendid Sampler!

I'm having so much fun with this but I'm constantly behind, I really hope I can get a few days soon and really catch up! =D

Block #19 – Measure twice, cut once

This one really killed me with the embroidery, I started working on it the day it was released and didn't finish it until yesterday, I'll willingly admit, I grew tired of it and I got sloppy... It just wasn't fun anymore and the fabric got a little distorted as I had to embroider it after piecing.  Not a fan of this one, hopefully after some time, I'll be able to appreciate it, if not, it will go in the discard pile and I'll replace it with something else. =)

New Splendid Sampler Blocks

I've managed to catch up a little and I'm now only missing 4 blocks, #19 is in the works but the embroidery is killing me, too much of it!  XD

Block #12 – Checkerboard

I was afraid this one would turn out terribly boring, but I really love it, the blue paired with the little flower print - such a pretty block!

Block #15 – Family Affair

Soo much fun to do paper piecing again! Love those crisp points!  Despite this one giving me quite a bit of trouble and seam ripping I love it, and I love how the pink and green managed to form perfect little rosebuds for me <3 

Block #16 – Pieces of Friendship

Quick and fun but turned out a little bit too busy I think...

Block #21 Sweet Candy

Quick and fun! However, it does feel a little bland and uninteresting, which I'd chosen more omph fabrics... But it might look great once thrown in the mix with the others =)

The Splendid Sampler Block 10 and 18

While working away on my next pattern (which has been less than cooperative) I've managed to sneak in a few Splendid Sampler Blocks. They're so much fun to make, but I'm so behind again, I've made 11.5 (nr 19 is nearly done, just embroidery left) of 19. I need to catch up! =)

Block #18 – Lina’s Gift - by Pat Sloan

This was a quick and fun block to make, no hassle and came together nicely.

Block #10 – Iowa - by Sherri McConnell – A Quilting Life

Another fast and fun block, I really needed these fun and easy blocks to get me going again after my illness. I really love how this came out, such calm but happy colors <3 

And yes, I love the little dots for background fabrics =)

2016 Finish - A - Long Goals for Q2!

So for the second quarter of the 2016 Finish - A - Long my proposed finishes are as follows, hopefully I will finish more then 1 this time around, so I'm aiming for a grand 3! ;)

1. I really hope to finally finish my Hexie Tablerunner from Q1 that I didn't manage to finish.

2. I want to finish making my new backpack design and pattern of lovely Tula Pink Eden Fabrics! I'm very excited about this one! I think it will be super cool! =D

3. I hope to finish quilting long time WIP the Chameleon Bali Pop quilt. One should never let a quilt lie for this many years.... I'm ashamed.

500 Instagram Followers Giveaway!

To celebrate reaching the 500 Followers milestone on Instagram (I can hardly believe it!) I'm having a Tula Pink GIVEAWAY! She's my favourite designer so I'm giving away some hard to find and out of print Acacia to show how very happy I am for each and every one of you <3

If you're not already an Instagram follower, pop over now and become one for a chance to win! 😃

https://www.instagram.com/pink_pony_design/

One lucky winner will receive: 

🔹 1/2 Yard of HTF OOP Tula Pink Acacia Raccoon Print.
🔹 1 FQ Coordinating Tula Pink Acacia Arrowheads.
🔹 1 FQ Coordinating Tula Pink Acacia Pixel Dot.

You can not enter the giveaway here, you have to enter on https://www.instagram.com/pink_pony_design/ =)