Perfect Petal Purse Pattern!

Drumroll.....

And, we present--the Perfect Petal Purse Pattern!

 

 

I'm so excited about this pattern--it was a work of love.

Literally. My daughter wants flowers for her birthday.

So I had to design something with a flower--what could be better than a little purse shaped as a flower?

 

And, of course I had to whip up a second to make sure that the pattern would be 'perfect!'

 

I am so grateful for my testers!

Here are some of the amazing purses they made.

Ashley at http://sewingsober.blogspot.com

Jonie at http://knotsewnormal.wordpress.com/



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Alyssa from www.calmandcarrion.blogspot.ca

 

I couldn't have done it without these and the other amazing testers--their feedback is what helps make this pattern!

The pattern is now available on Craftsy!

You can click here to get it.



Corsair Applique Tutorial

(*This post contains affiliate links through which I get a small commission to help me keep the tutorials and such coming!*)

 

Today I'm over at Gracious Threads, joining in on the series Embellish is for Boys!

Make sure to hop over there to enter a great giveaway--she'll be giving away a copy of my Castle Applique Pattern this week along with some other amazing prizes!

 

 

But, here we'll go over how to applique!

 

Supplies:

-Free Pattern

-Fusible Web

-Scrap of fabric

-Pencil

-Sewing supplies

-Stabilizer (optional)

 

First, we'll print out the pattern and trace it onto the Fusible Web.

It will make a mirror image.

 

 

Cut out the traced Corsair.

 

Iron it to the fabric you'd like to use for the applique.

 

Cut that out.

 

Peel off the paper backing and iron onto project in desired position.

 

If you are using a thin or stretchy fabric, use some stabilizer to keep the fabric nice and straight!

Because of the thin detailing, and because I don't mind if the edges fray a little, I stitched around the edges using a straight stitch, about 1/8" away from the edge.

 

If you'd prefer to have no fraying and are ready to be very meticulous in your sewing, you can use a very narrow and close zig-zag stitch and stitch around the edges with that:

 

 

Here is the finished applique after a straight stitch, stitching about 1/8" away from the edge.

 

And, the completed shorts:

 

 

A quick and fun way to embellish for boys, and if your boy is like mine, he'll love it!

 

To visit my Craftsy shop and see some more fun patterns, click here.

Giveaway Day! **CLOSED**

**GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! THANKS FOR PLAYING!**

 The winner is #29, Kat! Congratulations!

I have emailed the winner, and if there is no reply in 48 hours, I'll pick another winner.

 

 

(*This post contains affiliate links for which I get a small commission--it's one small way I can keep sewing and blogging about it!*)

 

I always say it, but I love Giveaway Day Week!

First of all though, I'd like to give you a quick 'tour' of what all happened on the blog the past while.

 

Most excitingly for myself, is that I released my first applique pattern on Craftsy--the FHS Castle Applique Pattern.

 

 

Not only is there this pattern, but also a free pattern--the FHS Teddy Bear Applique pattern.

With, a tutorial for this belt available here.

 

 

I have a little something else *free* in the works for the end of May, so you'll have to stay tuned for that one.

 

I also opened up a Zibbet shop where I have a couple of things for sale that I've sewn!

 

 

We had a great session of 'Sewing for Pregnancy Care Centres' this year!

There are many pictures in the Flickr group!

 

 

Finally, here is a small round-up of projects I've completed this last while:

 

1. Newcastle Cardigan 2. Kennedy Bag 3. Laurel Tunic
4. Itty Bitty Baby Dresses 5. Indian Elephant 6. Quilt
7. Nursing Cover 8. Baby Boy Button-up 9. Baby Whale
 

 Now, onto the giveaway!

 Up for grabs are some knit scraps!

 

 

The smallest piece is the green at about 18" x 15".

The pink/purple is about 6" x WOF and then a 'tail' of 5" x 41".

Both of those are from Girl Charlee. They are a thin jersey knit.

And, then there is a larger piece of Ruffle Knit from Fabric.com!

It is about 13" x WOF plus a 'tail' of 13" x 24"

 

Plus, I will throw in a free copy of my FHS Castle Applique Pattern!

 

 

All you have to do is leave a comment, and since it's May and Spring is hopefully here to stay, let me know what you love about Spring!

I'll go first--I love the warmth, watching things grow, watching the animals frolicking around outside, and letting my kids have free rein of the farmyard.

 

**Please, please make sure you are NOT a 'no-reply' commenter...leave an email address if you think you are!**

Also, this giveaway will close on the 16th of May--I will pick a winner then.

I will ship internationally.

 

Make sure to stop by Sew Mama Sew for a great list of giveaways!

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and I'd love to see you stop by sometime again!

 

 

Newcastle Cardigan

Quite some time ago now, I won a pattern from Thread Theory--the Newcastle Cardigan.

After finding some really nice ponte de roma fabric from Girl Charlee (affiliate link--I will get a small commission if you sign up for an account and order after clicking through this link!) in burnt orange and dark chocolate brown, I finally got around to making one for my man!

 

He has fun 'modelling' for me....ha!

 





 

I love the fit on him--I sewed up a medium, and it fits really nice.

It looks like it's too short on the above picture, but it was just bunched up yet.

The details and finishing is very well done in this pattern.

I had the option of doing a large cowl or a small one.

Knowing my man and his tastes, I did the smaller one.

 

I ordered some lovely wooden buttons from SkullButtonry on Etsy (Affiliate link--sign up for Etsy through this link, and receive $5 to spend. I will also earn a small commission as well.)

They had to ship all the way from Australia, and did take a bit longer than expected, but they are beautiful, and well worth the wait!

 

 

I think it passes inspection!

Scrapbusting Saturday--Cloth Wipes

Finally, at baby #5, I've decided to jump on the cloth diaper wagon.

Yep, I'm sucking up my absolute dislike for dirty diapers, and 'going cloth.'

 

 

I found a box of 24 cloth diapers for $50 and then a friend at Church happened to be trying to get rid of some, so I got 12 from her--for free!

So, instead of paying $30 for a box of disposables for at least 2 children, for $50 I can diaper them until they're potty trained!

To make it completely cheap, I decided to make some cloth wipes too--out of flannelette scraps I had at home.

 

I cut 2 8"x8" squares for each wipe, sewed them together with wrong sides together, using a 1/4" seam allowance, turned, and topstitched 1/8" from the edge. Now, I have a total of 29 wipes. (Yes, I know--a rather random number, but when I had a good stack I stopped cutting, and then counted.) 

 

After some research, I decided to make a mixture of 1 cup water, a small scoop--about 1/2 Tbsp of coconut oil, and a few drops of tea tree oil which I poured over strategically folded wipes in an old wipes dispenser (the Huggies wipes dispensers.)

Now, they are moist, smell good, and slide pretty good.

I'm all set, and my 2 year old is now in cloth diapers as I get used to the whole routine.

A New Diaper Bag

My diaper bag I had was starting to look pretty sad--it's been through at least 2 or 3 kids--I don't remember!

But, the straps were starting to fray and it just wasn't really my style anymore, so I thought I'd whip up a new bag.

 

I found a free bag pattern from Sew Sweetness--The Kennedy Bag.

 

I love all the details.

The fabric, d-rings, magnetic closure, and clasps are from Fabricland. The sliders are from Emmaline Bags (which I highly recommend after great shipping times!), and the zippers are from Zipit!

I did add a couple of extras--a zippered pocket on the outside.

And, two elastic pockets that can handle Sippy cups or bottles.

 



 

The other pockets are in the original pattern.

I couldn't find (or didn't look hard enough for) Soft and Stable, so I used a double layer of interfacing.

I think the flap could have used a little less stiffness, but I'm sure it'll wear a little and become more supple.

 



 

I really like how this bag turned out--I've already moved all my diaper bag stuff into here as well as my purse stuff, in the hopes of only carrying one bag...ha! We'll see how long that lasts.

Nursing Cover Tutorial

Quite some time ago now, I had figured out all the measurements I'd need to make a good nursing cover so you could peek at your nursing baby.

 I thought I'd share my method with you in a quick(ish) tutorial!

 

 

Supplies

-1 yard quilting weight fabric

-2 1" d-rings

-15" boning

-2" ribbon

 

First, cut the fabric to size:

-1 piece 26" x 36" (panel)

-1 piece 2.5" x 30" (strap)

-1 piece 2.5" x 6" (strap extender)

 

Here is the supplies after the straps are made.

First, let's make the straps.

Fold both long ends in by 1/4" and press.

Fold in half so the previously folded edges meet and topstitch 1/8" away from edge.

Topstitch folded side as well by 1/8".

 



 

Take the d-rings and slip them onto the strap extender so the raw edges meet.

Topstitch as close to the d-rings as possible.

 

 

Take the strap and fold one edge in 1/4" and again by 1/4". Topstitch.

 

 

Next, we'll hem three sides of the large panel--the bottom and sides.

Fold and press 1/4". Fold and press another 1/4" and topstitch.

 

 

For the top, we'll make a casing for the boning.

Fold in by 1/4" and press. Fold again by 3/4" and press.

Do not stitch down yet.



 

Fold the panel in half and make a mark 7.5" from center on both sides.

Slide the strap and strap extender into place, positioning them so that they are right next to the mark, towards the center. And, make sure they are about 3/8" inside the casing.

 



 

Stitch the casing down, making sure to catch the strap and strap extender in the stitches.

 

Take the ribbon and fold it over the cut edges of the boning, stitching it down.

I left a tail so it'd be easier to keep in place while stitching, and then I cut it as close to the stitching as possible.

 

 

So that I had this on both sides:

 

Insert the boning into the casing, making sure the curve is the right way:

 





 

You want to achieve this effect, the right side of the fabric being on the top:

 

Stitch the casing closed to keep the boning in place. I stitched to line up with the top stitching on the strap and strap extender.

 

I didn't take a picture of the next step, but fold the strap and strap extender up, and topstitch the top edge of the casing by 1/8", making sure to catch the strap and strap extender so they aren't facing downwards, and making sure to push the boning down so you don't sew over that.

 

And, you are done!

Slip the strap into the d-rings, and go nurse your baby!  

Fabric is Daisy Janie--Shades of Grey

 

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask, and I'll try to answer them!

I'd love to see your projects you make using this tutorial--feel free to add them to the Flickr group!

 

Linked up here: