thornberry

Oh I do like being a pattern tester for Nicole Mallalieu Design!  The pattern for the Puff purse arrived in the mail on Wednesday - by Thursday night it was finished - I just couldn’t help myself.

The outer fabrics are from the ones that Ravenhill sent me.  I’m really enjoying using them; thanks again!  Other supplies, including the frame, interfacing and wadding, came from Nicole Mallalieu Design - oh, except the seed beads.  They were in the stash but I think they were originally from Spotlight.  The lining fabric was from my stash.

And guess what - there is a larger, hand-bag sized version of this pattern coming up soon as well - I managed a sneak peek today when I dropped in to Nikki’s studio to pick up some more frames and other supplies.  Fingers crossed that I get to test that pattern too!

I can see many more of these little purses in my future.  They fit into the palm of your hand, and are a terrific way to feature small pieces of fabric.  It took me about two and a half hours to make from start to finish, albeit in half-hour bursts fitted in around the kid’s activities.  I think that this pattern is about ready to roll off the presses, so keep an eye on Nikki’s blog or website if you would like one.

A little while ago I was lucky enough to be a test sewer for Craft Apple’s latest pattern - the Car Organiser.  Here is my effort, in the front passenger seat:

although it usually lives between the booster and infant seats in the back.

It has a flap pocket on one of the short ends which holds pens/pencils and a mobile phone, and a large pocket on one of the long sides.  On the other two sides I put a flap that closes around the seat belt, so the organiser won’t fly off the seat when you brake suddenly (great idea hubby).

The fabric is from the Nigella range by Amy Butler - sadly, I have now used it all up.  It’s a great pattern, especially in its final completed and tweaked form.  Linda has done a terrific job designing it!

The Timtex took a bit of wrestling, and I did manage to break one jeans needle, but overall it wasn’t really difficult to construct.  Thanks again Linda for letting me be part of the creative process!

This satchel was finished late Sunday night, barely in time for Stella’s first day at her new childcare centre on Monday.

I used a highly modified verson of Nicole Mallalieu’s Large Tote and Satchel pattern.  Many thanks to Nikki for letting me pick her brain about how to alter and construct the bag with an interior divider!

The main fabric is dark blue cotton twill from Spotlight, left over from making Clare’s school pants. The front flap fabric is from Amitie’s Blog VIP mailout, and the fabric for the back pocket (below) is from Retro Mummy.

The interior lining fabric is a mixture of the Amitie and Retro Mummy fabrics, with some Heather Bailey for Free Spirit fabric thrown in for good measure!

The flap is covered with clear PVC, and bound in bias binding.  It closes with a magnetic snap, covering the zippered pocket that I inserted into the front of the bag.  The inside divider has fast-to-fuse in the centre to keep it stiff.  Interfacing probably would have been adequate though.

There are two drink bottle pockets on one side of the interior, and a simple patch pocket on the other.  There is a key leash, as per usual, and I didn’t forget to include a thornberry label!

I used the same technique to make the hard covered base as in the Beach Bag pattern.  It’s so straightforward and gives such a great result!  The bag feet and all other hardware, including the strap rings and slide adjuster, come from Nicole Mallalieu Design, as did all the interfacing and fusible wadding.  Almost all the fabric in this bag has been interfaced, and the outer fabric also has a layer of fusible wadding.  The single strap is adjustable in length and is fully topstitched.

I was very chuffed to be able to work out so many modifications and changes myself (with some suggestions from Nikki) and to construct the bag just as I wanted it.  Stella seems to like it!

I have a relatively free weekend ahead, so am hoping to start (and finish) some sewing.  Maybe if I put my plans in writing I might feel compelled to follow through!  These fabrics arrived this week from the Amitie blog VIP club.  How incredibly cute!

I plan on using the fabric with the numbers to make a childcare bag for Stella.  There is a lot of stuff that a one year old needs to take with her to childcare!  I’ll combine it with a similar print that I bought from Retro Mummy, and I’m still deciding what plain fabric to mix them with.  I’m planning on using the Large Tote & Satchel pattern from Nicole Mallalieu, with loads of extra internal pockets, and I may incorporate some clear PVC over the exterior of the bag to protect it.  The delicious little red riding hood print will possibly become the bodice of a summer dress for Stella (which won’t be made this weekend - it’s way too chilly here in Melbourne to be thinking about summer clothes now).

This top is still cut out, waiting to be sewn.  Maybe I’ll get to it this weekend.  Clare also needs a pair of school pants - once again, fabric and pattern are all ready to go, and I can whip them up fairly quickly with the overlocker.  I’ll be embarassed if I don’t get at least that project done!

Speaking of school clothes and chilly Melbourne winter, I finished Clare’s school scarf and beanie.

The scarf was done without a pattern - it is just US double crochet (Australian treble) using two balls of Patons Superwash 8 ply.  The beanie is a modification of a pattern I found somewhere on the internet, worked entirely in double crochet like the scarf.  Easy peasy.  Elsewhere on the crochet front I have almost completed the Mossy Cowl, and hope to start on a scarf using the Pear Tree yarn.  There is also the matter of two June CAL blocks to complete (but I’ve got the rest of the month to finish them off, surely).

My fat quarters are all ready to send for the Vintage Sheet Patchwork Swap.  I’m looking forward to seeing what patterns I receive in return - and thinking of what I will do with them all.  Elizabeth has promised to have some great suggestions on her blog next month.

And to finish off - another op shop dress pattern.  This one is from 1977.

Wow ladies, bad hair.  And I’m still cacking myself at this post by Jodie of Ric-Rac.  So beautifully put (or should that be sung)?

Somewhere over the past few weeks I slipped in a little bit of stitching time.  My Brown Owls tote bag embroidery is now complete!

It was lots of fun, and quite relaxing.  Embroidery takes a really long time though to cover a small area, doesn’t it!  I don’t think that I will become addicted - I’ll just do a little every now and then, when deemed necessary.  The tote bag will eventually get some fabric trim to match the rest of my “uniform” (an apron - still existing only in my head).

Nicole Mallalieu finally has a blog!  Yay Nikki!  Go over and have a look - it’s a great way to see what she is up to and she’d also love feedback.  I have SO MANY of her bags all planned in my head waiting patiently to come to fruition.

We were away in the country visiting my parents for the long weekend, and you know what that means - car crochet!  I’ve finished a few more 9 inch blocks, and a school beanie for Clare.  I’ll hopefully photograph them and blog them over the next couple of days.  Thanks also for the lovely comments about the cardigan - Clare wore it all weekend.

It’s great when Nicole Mallalieu is designing new bag patterns - because generally I get to test them out!  Here is one that will be available in a week or so - the Beach bag.

The fabric is all from my stash.  No idea what it is made of or where I got it from.  The blue is fairly heavyweight; I used a light/medium weight interfacing on the body of the bag, but a light fusible wadding in the straps.  This is a fantastic, highly versatile pattern - there are photos of a few of the variations on the website.  I made this one with overlaid handles, but an alternative is a shoulder strap.

I chose to close this bag with a zippered gusset, but there are also instructions for magnetic catches, and the examples on the pattern cover have some other closure suggestions.

This pattern has loads of pocket options.  In the spirit of testing out the pattern instructions thoroughly, I used the three different options that were included.  Inside the bag I’ve used a patch pocket on one side and a zippered pocket on the other.  On the outside I’ve used compartment pockets, which became instantly divided when the overlaid handles were sewn on.

And I love the hard base!  It contains interfacing (two different weights) and template plastic, and has purse feet.  It wasn’t hard to do, and I think that I am addicted.  I’ll be using this type of base on most boxed corner bags that I make from now on.

I am giving this one to my friend Di for her birthday (and yes, it was a couple of weeks ago - you all know that I never actually get gifts finished on time).  But I’m looking forward to making another, with different design features.  Thanks again to Nikki for the way that her patterns encourage the user to be the designer.  Now I’m sounding like an advertisement … but I promise, I’m just the pattern tester!

Happy extremely belated 40th Birthday Belinda!  Here is your bag, which I’ll actually give to you at brunch this weekend.

It’s made in Amy Butler “Nigella” fabric from Z&S Fabrics, following Ric-Rac’s excellent tutorial!  Here are the detail shots.  First, the inside zippered pocket:

The other side has a patch pocket:

And I love Jodie’s method of attaching the strap.  I made fabric-covered buttons for it.

I included a magnetic snap (I know, you’ve already figured that out from the photos) but somehow forgot to include a key fob.  Too late now!

Three of my close friends have just had their birthday.  All of them are still waiting on their gifts.  At least I have thought about what I’ll make, even if I haven’t started yet!  For Belinda:

A bag in Amy Butler “Nigella” fabric, using Jodie at Ric-Rac’s excellent one hour bag tutorial (although I do suspect that it is going to take me a little longer than one hour to make).  For Rachael:

A reversible apron (I’m doing view A).  I asked Rachael what she’d like me to make her, and she really, really wanted an apron!  It’s so sweet to see someone so excited about an apron.  And for Di:

Um, a bag.  No pattern or fabric to show you yet.  I’m about to test sew a pattern of Nikki’s,  but haven’t chosen the fabric.  It shouldn’t be too hard with my stash!  And finally:

A messenger bag, for, um, me.  Once I finish sewing all the gifts.  The fabrics (other than the denim) are vintage. 

My bridesmaid’s daughters have just turned fourteen.  That went quickly!  I am a little behind with their birthday presents, but managed to finish them off today.  Both are the Simple Drawstring Backpack from Lotta Jansdotter’s book Simple Sewing.  The fabric is from Ikea.

Teenagers are really hard to sew for!  And when they’re twins, it makes it twice as hard for me.  Hopefully they’ll meet approval.  Happy Birthday Caitlin & Larisa!

I have been wanting to make this little bag for ages!  Actually, it’s not so little, and it looks way better in three dimensions than it does in the photos.  So cute!

This is the Belle bag by Nicole Mallalieu Design. The fabric is from the Amy Butler Nigella line for Westminster Rowan fabrics.

The top of the bag closes with magnetic closures - one from facing to facing between the handles, and another on the side tabs.  These give it that puffball shape.  It is actually very roomy inside.

The pattern lined up nicely underneath the bag to give this lovely star effect.  More good luck than good management.

The bag outer has light-medium weight woven interfacing and a layer of thin fusible wadding.  This fabric is a beautiful weight to work with.  I don’t have any more of it left now, but wouldn’t hesitate to get more - such good quality in beautiful designs. 

The handles & magnetic catches also came from Nikki.

I had my first visit to Brown Owls last night - it was such a terrific evening!  Great company, lots of giggles, very well organised, terrific venue, lovely projects, and overall a wonderful group.  Now I need to book in to attend more!