The Pumpcat Tablerunner is here!

The Pumpcat Tablerunner pattern is here! Yay!!
This little cutie was actually just supposed to be a Halloween decoration for myself. But as it started to take shape I realised I had to share it, the pumpcat is too cute not too share! Everyone should have a pumpcat! The pattern is available for free in my Facebook group  until halloween if you wish to join, but it's of course also available for purchase on my website.

This pattern comes with both inch and centimeter measurements and is available in English and Swedish.  

The adorable little Pumpcat is hiding out amongst the pumpkins on this sweet little tablerunner. It's raw edge appliqué, a perfect scrap buster with a flanged scrappy binding. Super fun to make and perfect as a table runner or why not a wall hanging for fall and halloween?

I freemotion quilted the background with loops in a light green thread to sort of imitate the pumpkins wines. 

And how awesome aren't scrappy bindings? Not just a great way to scrap bust, but also sooo visually interesting and beautiful! 

This is an excellent pattern for the beginner quilter, the appliqué process is described and it should be easy to follow even for the novice quilt maker. However it assumes knowledge of doing a normal binding, but the scrappy flanged binding is described in detail. 

Singapore Sling Bag Pattern Discount!

Seriously, everyone should have a bag they love as much as I love this Singapore Sling Bag! 😍 ⁣⁣⁣

So until the end of October 3rd, you can get the Singapore Sling Bag pattern with 15% discount on my website. Just use the code "SING". ⁣⁣⁣Shop now here: https://www.pinkponydesign.com/product/singapore-sling-bag

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I seriously love this Singapore Sling Bag so ridiculously much, I wear it almost every day! It matches just PERFECTLY with my watch, and I love that! 

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I need to make myself a few more in different colors, so I don't wear this one through in a year *lol*

Fabric folding and storage

I have this obsession to when it comes to organizing and storing my cotton fabrics. I need to se them all at a glance and I love having them in rainbow order. So I made a little video showing how I fold and store my fabrics.

I recommend clicking the link and viewing it on YouTube directly though: https://youtu.be/d1pc2XVb8ic

I store most of my cotton fabric in an IKEA "Billy bookcase" with "Oxberg glass panel doors", to prevent the fabrics getting so dusty - while still allowing a nice overview. I try to sort by color for that pretty rainbow effect. But it's not always possible, some fabric just doesn't "read" like a single color, so those I have at the bottom there in the "messy and yardage section" *lol*

Made myself another Hollywood Handbag

I love this design so much! Such a convenient little bag, I just had to make another one. This one is made of a pillow case (the flap, more on that further down in this post) and some wax tablecloth (purple exterior) and I'm so happy with it! The Hollywood Handbag pattern is available here.

I love that all my stuff is safe when I'm out and about thanks to the double closures, twist lock and zippers!

Feel free to laugh with me at the fact that I chose silver zipper pulls, sewed up the zippers and then it turned out I had no more silver D-rings or swivel snap hooks! So the exterior of the bag is antique brass, while the interior under the flap is silver *lol* But at least that made it possible for me to use my adorable little flamingo charm I got from by dear friend Anki.

I chose a turquoise lining to match the flap.

I freemotion quilted one piece of the exterior with cute little monstera leaves, thinking I'd use it on the outside, but once the bag started coming together it didn't look quite as good as I'd hoped...  So I used them on the side that's folded in instead as can be seen in the two open photos here. The quilting came out nice though.

The back is plain.

The fabric I used for the flap was from two pillows I bought back in June last year. The print was irresistible (I just love monsteras and orchids) and just begged to be made into bags!

This was one of the last pieces, as I also made a Daytona Bag from them, that I realize i totally have forgotten to show here on the blog! Shame on me, so here it is.

Hollywood Handbag - Pattern Release!

Now this bag, this bag is the bag of bags! The perfect bag for me! I love it sooo much! It's safe thanks to the two closures - zippers and flap! It is such a fun and quick sew! The folded in half design is quite unique and really does turn a few heads. Depending on the size you chose, it can be the the perfect everyday handbag if you sew the large version, big enough for all the necessities. Or you can choose the smaller size, perfect for a night on the town or as a wallet replacement. 

The Hollywood Handbag pattern has both INCH and CENTIMETER measurements and is available in both English and Swedish HERE.

Get it at a discount!

This bag also marks the start of my Facebook Group "Sewing Pink Pony Patterns"! *insert cheers and happy dance here* If you join now, as a member of the group you'll get 20% discount on the Hollywood Handbag pattern for a week!! So make sure you grab it before the 25th of July. All members also have a permanent 10% discount on all my patterns, so make sure you join for all the latest announcements, previews, and to share your own Pink Pony Design makes!

The little handle on the top is surprisingly convenient. I grab it every time I use my bags, so it's not just decoration. This is the small size, the perfect wallet replacement (why not add a few credit card pockets to the lining?) or as a party bag when you only need the little things. Both bags are made in Tula Pink fabric, the flaps are "Disco Kitty" in different colors and I used the "Cat Eyes" for the lining matched with a vinyl on the large bag, and a Tula Pink Solid cotton fabric for the small bag. And the beautiful purse locks are from Emmaline Bags.

The Hollywood Handbag like all my bags is fully lined. It is also the perfect excuse to use one of those beautiful, fancy bag locks you've been saving for that perfect project! Just look at all the different, pretty ones on my testers bags further down.

It has interior slip pockets in each zippered compartment.

The back is smooth.

You can see more photos of the large bag in my previous post. But here's a few size comparisons.

Finished size small bag: ~6 ¾” (17cm) high, ~9 ¼” (24cm) wide and ~¾” (2cm) deep at the base. 

Finished size large bag: ~8 ¾” (22cm) high, ~9 ¼” (24cm) wide and ~¾” (2cm) deep at the base. 

 

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As always, this pattern wouldn't be a reality without my amazing pattern testers making sure everything is absolutely perfect before the release! And every time I think they've outdone themselves with their work, but this time, they've really all blown my mind with their BEAUTIFUL work!

 

Thank you all for helping me!  Here are their gorgeous bags.

Anette - Made this drop dead gorgeous all cotton version, look at those contrast stitches! So beautiful! 

Annette - made this absolutely amazing, neon - rainbow version that is just breath taking, so stunning!

Michelle of MEW Designs Australia - whom can be found here on Instagram and here on Facebook made this stunning, and very high end looking black and plaid version.

Doris Lövgren - whom can be found here on Instagram made this stunning faux leather one, just beautiful! And those home made chains straps just adds a whole new level to the design!

Cheryl Wright Simmerman - of Adarra Handmade made this beauiful cork one

Kristin - whom can be found here on Instagram made an absolutely stunning linnen and vinyl version! She also made a leather strap so she can change according to preference.

Margareth Tai - Bags by Mags can be found here on Instagram, made this super cute and happy cotton version.

Marita Tjulander - of Valsanhäxan Syr/Quiltar made a so lovely, classic vinyl and cotton version.

Pia Jestin - whom can be found here on Instagram made a beautiful vinyl and cotton version. So beautiful with the patterned vinyl and soft flowers!

I hope you'll have much fun sewing your Hollywood Handbag, and please do join the Facebook group and share your makes!

Hollywood Handbag pattern - release in two weeks!

I'm so excited this design finally is reality! It's been on my mind for so long! This fun little bag is folded in half to give two separate zipper compartments under the flap. Construction is fun and quite quick. The pattern is now off to my pattern testers and will be available in just over two weeks time! 

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The Hollywood Handbag comes in two sizes and this is the large size at ~ 8 3/4" high, 9 1/4" wide and ~ 3/4 deep at the base. ⁣

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Loving the Tula Pink Tabby Road prints for this! It's "Disco Kitty" on the flap and "Cat Eyes" for the lining matched with a vinyl. And the beautiful purse lock is from Emmaline Bags.

The fold makes it quite unique and it's so convenient with the two zipper compartments.

Can't wait for the testing to be done so I get to see your versions of it! 

All about my sewing machine - a Juki TL-2200QVP mini review

The question I'm most often asked by people, both during classes I teach and in messages online is "what sewing machine do you have"? So I thought I'd give you the answer to this question as well as let you know why and how I chose this machine, and what my thoughts are now once I've used her for 6 months.

Since august 2018 have a JUKI TL-2200QVP MINI, she is what they call "a portable 1 needle straight stitch machine".  But I like to say she is right between an domestic machine and an industrial. Her industrial quality build combined with the domestic size and ease of use is just amazing!

A little background/my sewing machine history 

When I started my sewing career about 12 years ago (yep, I've not been sewing for longer than that, if you'd like to read about how my sewing journey started, this article from Rikstäcket is lovely) I had an Emerald Husqvarna 118 that I received for my 18th birthday from my lovely parents. While this is a great little machine, the space under the arm was a little too small once I started quilting, so I bought a Janome Horizon 7700.

That machine was my everything, it was sooo expensive to me back then but I wholeheartedly wanted it (it was the same machine the owner of the quilting retreat me and my mother attended had) so I splurged; not knowing anything about the brand, other brands or what options there were. I'm so happy that I did as that machine has allowed me to grow with it and learn with it for so long. But I apparently was lucky with mine as several friends who bought the same machine has had so many issues with theirs, while mine just kept on working.

However, after 10 years of hard work she started to give up and my dad who nowadays is a sewing machine repair man (I'm a lucky girl!) said it was not worth trying to save her as she was basically just too tired and worn all over. So the hunt for a replacement started!

Deciding on a machine 

I can honestly say I tried almost every big brand out there. Which I also recommend you to do if you have the possibility. As each brand has their own great features, uniquenesses and perks. Husqvarna and Pfaff (absolutely lovely machines in many aspects, my second machine is a Husqvarna Opal 690, but they in my experience nor after testing everything from their Epic to the cheaper options don't handle thick layers well unfortunately. My parents sell this brand, I was almost disowned buying a Juki *lol*), Bernina (they too have fantastic machines! But they're quite expensive and quite digital and advanced which isn't great when you live in a country almost completely without any qualified repair men on computerized machines. And they're a little to fuzzy and particular for me I realized after borrowing my friends fantastic machine to try for last years quilting retreat, thanks again Maria <3 ), Janome, Brother and so on. After reading up so much, testing soo many machines during the spring and summer of 2018 I pretty much only had Juki left and made an appointment with awesome Marie and Henry of https://juki.se/.

I had brought some thick vinyl fabric folded 8 times (as you can see in the photo above) to test with as I'd done for all other brands, and the only other brand which had managed this test of mine somewhat successfully was the Bernina 570 (which costs about three times more than the Juki), so I was so excited to see that the Juki managed it without a moment's hesitation. I also tested free motion quilting with it of course and it was a breeze.

When I then realized that industrial presser feet could be used, I was ecstatic and felt like a kid in a candy shop looking at all the options available to me in the presser feet drawers!

Review of the Juki TL-2200QVP mini

I've now been exclusively sewing on my Juki for 6 months and she's been thoroughly tested, both for quilting and for sewing bags. And I LOVE HER! I could literally not be happier with this machine. She has everything I need, a super strong motor and feed (I broke so many needles on zippers before I got used to her strength! *lol*) that feeds so evenly.

She literally sews everything I've put before her so far, I've tested 10 layers of vinyl and even that she feeds like a champ and makes beautiful stitches! Doesn't matter if it's two thin layers of cotton or all the layers of a bag, the stitches are always perfect and so beautifully straight! Here I'm using one of my favourite feet the 1.5mm compensator foot, which makes all edge stitching a breeze and always perfect!

She has a big "lever" for backstitching which is easily used and she does cut my thread for me, which is something I just can't be without. you can actually have the pedal cut the thread for you by pressing the front part of it (which a lot of people love I know), that however was not for me so I use the plastic protection thing to disable that function as I just cut the thread accidentally too many times.

The knee lift is something I got use to with my Janome Horizon and I'm so happy to have one on the Juki, it's so convenient no matter if I'm free motion quilting or sewing bags. The knee lift also lifts the presser foot higher than the regular lift, which can be good to know. However, I do find the placement/angle of the knee a little less than optimum as it's so close to my leg when sewing that it's easily touched by mistake. That along with the relatively poor lighting are the only two little things I can say negatively about this fantastic machine.

At first I found it so difficult to not be able to move my needle sideways when sewing to use the presser feet as I was used to, but now when I have got a proper foot for everything, I don't even think about it anymore.

She's amazing for quilting, I bought the acrylic extension table and I'm so happy I did! You just turn the machine 90° and suddenly you have like a mid arm! Look at all that quilting space!

I also bought the turned open toe free motion quilting foot to make this easier and I'm so glad I did, so convenient! Here you can see the turned one on the left next to the regular one on the right. This way I see my stitches just as well when having my machine turned.

Here you see it in action.

Such a clever solution! I have sooo much space to move my quilt sideways!

I also absolutely love that I don't have to unthread my machine to wind a new bobbin (yes, I'm lazy!), I just plop down a new one next to the other and wind away!

So, do I recommend this machine? The answer is a resounding YES!! I'm so, so happy with it, I literally couldn't not have gotten a better machine for me! If you have any questions regarding this machine, please don't hesitate to ask them below.