Category: Sewing

This is where I’ll show you my sewn stuff!

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Sewing the Moondance – Notepad Holder

Two notepad holders. One is 3x5", the other is 5x8"

The notepad holder by Sincerely Jen Patterns is so much fun to make. I just started with my first two, but I can already tell that I’m going to be needing to make more.

3x5"notepad holder, closed

The first one I made using outdoor vinyl from Fabricland. This one is the small size, which holds a small (3″x5″) notepad. Which is going to be great for holding my kid’s communication notebook for school. I added a pen holder as well.

3"x5" notepad holder, open

Definitely the first (of many to come) Moondances. I consider myself a beginner when it comes to sewing vinyl. I used my walking foot, and a microtex needle for it. When it was done, I trimmed a little to close to the edge so I had to redo a little bit of stitching. Oops! You can’t really tell though. The fabric in the middle is so soft, it feels almost like suede!

notepad holder 5"x8", closed

Second Moondance to be sewn up was made using vinyl from Bare Necessities Fabrics. Got to love these zombies! This time there’s an elastic on the holder, just to hold it shut when not in use. I did much better with the seams this time. There wasn’t a lot that needed to be trimmed.

5"x8" notepad holder, open

After it was all sewn up, the notepad that was meant to fit it ended up being too big. What to do? Make a new notepad and resize it to fit the notepad? Nope! Cut the notepad to fit the holder. That works, right?

Two notepad holders. One is 3x5", the other is 5x8"

Here are the two Moondance Notepad Holders together for size comparison. The larger one (with zombies) will fit nicely in a purse or backpack. The small one would easily fit in a pocket.

Off to make more of these!

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Sewing Challenge: Week 1

From Scraps to Fabulous!

This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something using the link, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

Do you ever look at something you have to do, and it just feels like way too much?

That’s was my first thought when I started looking, like, really looking at my pile of scraps. Almost like there’s no way I can get all of this dwindled down to nearly nothing in the next few months! I’m still wondering if I will. But, I set this challenge for myself. I will follow through!

So far, I’ve made these fun socks with a couple of cotton lycra scraps from 5 Oceans Fabrics (purchased under their previous name, Fabric Geeks). They are so soft and comfy!

Handcrafted pair of socks in black, white, and grey striped cotton lycra fabric.

And these cute little snack pouches. I used a piece of canvas scrap for the exteriors.

Both patterns are from Ellie and Mac.

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Scrap Pile Challenge

From Scraps to Fabulous!

Ok, so I was in my sewing room. I was going to start working on a new project, but I just couldn’t get myself into it. It wasn’t that I didn’t have my sewjo. The problem was, well, IS, this humongous pile of scrap fabric that is staring at me every time I walk into the room.

Something has to be done.

I don’t throw fabric away (of course), so that’s a no for just tossing it. There has to be something I can do with that 3″x3″ scrap, right?

So, I decided that I’m going to challenge myself to sew as much of it as I can during the next few weeks. Whatever’s left, I think that I’ll either continue to sew in August, or donate to the local school for art projects!

Come back next week to see how the progess is going!

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What I’ve Been up to in the Past Couple Months.

The past few months have been so busy. You know, the kind of busy where you make a giant list of everything you need or want to get done. Then, suddenly, you’re three months into the year!

I had many patterns I’ve either been testing. Then there were the projects I was working on for gifts.

Pouches for Teachers

I used The Sakura Pouch pattern by  Sewing Seeds of Love Studio

I made a sling bag for my mom. She loves it, and uses it all the time!

This is such a cool bag pattern. Definitely a challenge with my fabric choice (custom vinyl) but it turned out so beautiful. I was able to test this pattern by Toriska Patterns a while back, which I showed off in a previous post.

As far as testing goes, for starters I tested a really cool tote. It’s a collaboration between Jumping Mouse and Needle and Anchor patterns. It has really cute peek-a-boo pockets, but it also has a way of putting on handles that I’ve never tried before. I challenged myself by using faux leather style vinyl for the exterior, and I’m so glad that I did. My plan this coming year is do more vinyl projects!

The other pattern I tested was for Greenstyle Creations. They designed a really neat bag that can be used as a crossbody, fanny pack, or can even be attached to bike handles. The version I chose to make was the crossbody. This bag is made from recycled denim, and has a canvas interior. It was easy to follow the instructions, but I need to work on my binding skill!

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Fun Sling, and an Alien Set

Image is of two bags. A sling bag, and a set including backpack, crossbody, and clutch.

I love testing bags. Especially unique shapes. So when I was invited to test the Slimline Sling for Toriska, I had to go for it.

Image says Slimline Sling and has photos of the front and back of a sling style purse

The shape if the bag makes access to anything you need from it very easy to access without taking it off.

My favourite features of the bag are:
– Cell phone pocket
– Multiple zipper pockets
– Clear instructions with pictures (always something I look for in a pattern)

I made my the small size out of a soft, suede-like feeling material. My daughter claimed that one immediately!

The Quintalien Set from ISY Sew was incredibly fun. Who wouldn’t like a little set of aliens to carry around with them?

was incredibly fun. Who wouldn’t like a little set of aliens to carry around with them?

While there are 5 sizes to choose from, I chose to make 3 versions of the Quintalien bags. The backpack, crossbody, and the clutch.

Both of these bags were challenging in the best way. Instructions were clear and easy to follow, but they weren’t just straight lines. Perfect for everyone from the beginning sewist to the seasoned bagmaker.

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Armadillo Bag, a fun cross body!

*This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own!

I always liked the look of the Armadillo Bag by Lavender Sewing Patterns. It looks so customizable, and enjoyable to make. So, when I was invited to sew for the business it was the first thing I thought of!

Then, of course the choices. What fabric do I use? Do I have the right hardware? What if these snaps don’t work as well as the magnetic ones? All these thoughts going through my head. I needed to pick something that would fit all of my essentials.

With all the options the pattern has, flap or zipper top, and many pocket ideas, it took a while to decide exactly how I wanted to make this bag.

Armadillo Bag by Lavender Sewing Patterns

In the end I chose a canvas for the interior as well as exterior. The snaps worked out just fine. Instead of choosing between flap or zipper, I made it with both. The flap hides a zipper top. The front has a decent sized snap pocket, and the back has a zipper pocket.

Armadillo Bag by Lavender Sewing Patterns

The bag has so many pockets. It could hold my tablet, phone, wallet, mask, snacks for the kids. It’s wide enough that it wouldn’t bulge too much when loaded up.

Why am I saying “could” and “wouldn’t” instead of “can” and “doesn’t”?

Simple. My 8 year old claimed it! She loves that she can carry her books, pencil crayons, toys, and anything else she might need.

Armadillo Bag by Lavender Sewing Patterns

There’s just something about sewing a bag for yourself. There’s really no wrong way. Don’t like something in the pattern? Change it. Want something extra? Add it! Think of the pattern as a base to play off of.

Crossbody bags are my favourite style. What’s yours?

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Allegra Wallet by Toriska

If you know Toriska patterns, then you already know that the Allegra Wallet is going to be another amazing design. And if you don’t know about Toriska, time to get excited!

This pattern can be made with almost any fabric you have in your stash. Quilting cotton, canvas, light vinyl, all work very well.

I made mine using a faux leather vinyl, and quilting cotton.

The Allegra comes in two different sizes. The small can hold 5 cards. The large wallet can hold up to 12 cards.

With a small coin pocket on the inside, and a large pocket (either zipped or framed, depending on what you choose), there’s room to carry whatever you might need. The large version even has space for a phone!

My favourite part of this wallet is how customizable it is. Prefer frames to zippers for pockets? Toriska has you covered with the Allegra. Both sizes can be made using either zipper closure, or frames (such as kiss lock frames). How great is that?

Check it out at Toriska.com

Zippers and pulls from Zipper Valley

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How to Make the South Shore Romper Dress Mash

This dress, made of a mash of patterns from Ellie and Mac , is one of my daughter’s favourites.

It uses the kid’s South Shore Romper, Reversible Dress, and the beautiful drapey sleeves from the Be Dreamy Dress

It’s a very easy pattern mash up to do. In this post, I’ll show you how!

First, choose your size for each part using the size chart in each pattern.

Use chest size for the bodice and sleeve sizes.

Use waist for the skirt size.

Following the instructions in the pattern, sew the bodice together. Make sure to sew the sides together, as the sleeves will be circular when you go to sew them in.

Sew sleeve according to the pattern directions, then attach to bodice.

After sewing the skirt together, hold the skirt waist against the bodice waist. You might have to gather slightly here. If gathering is needed, do so before attaching skirt waist to the bodice waist.

Right sides together, attach bodice and skirt at the waists.

Hem skirt and sleeves (if you want to).

You’re done! Enjoy your new dress!

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of my links, I get a small commision at no extra cost to you.

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Ann Tote by ISY Sew Patterns

 

When I was given the opportunity to test the Ann Tote* from ISY Sew Patterns, I was excited. There is always something new to learn from their designs. This bag was no different! 

At first, it doesn’t seem like the bag has a lot of room. It is, however, rather spacious! The two front pockets are large enough for drink bottles, kids toys… a lot of pretty much anything.

I really like that this particular bag can be made using whatever material you have available (though it is recommended to use something that can stand up to repeated use), and requires minimal hardware.

All of the seams are finished neatly, and the fact that this bag doesn’t require bias tape is, honestly, so cool. The method used in the pattern was really fun to learn!

Personally, my favourite part of this bag is the hidden zippered pocket in the back. It’s a great place to put anything you don’t want easily accessible. and a hidden zippered pocket,  This bag could easily become a regular make for me!

If you like learning new techniques when you sew, check out the pattern at ISY Sew Patterns (Not an affiliated link.)

*I recieved this pattern for free for purposes of testing this pattern. All fabric and hardware is from my stash. All opinions are my own.