Whakapaipai

Beadspread

2010-03-23T17:42:00.000+13:00

I got one pannel of this material for my birthday yesterday, and went and bought another today to make this bedspread. It is velvet and kind of lace like?

Pink Ruffle Tank

2010-03-23T17:16:00.000+13:00

I made this ruffle tank a few weeks ago and finally got round to posting about it!
I didn't use a pattern just made it up as I went along.... Sorry about the photos, they are pretty bad! But do show how frustrating it can be having your husband take photos for you :P for that reason they are quite funny photos.... also, note to self, don't wear a dark singlet under a light one/.... if you can excuse those two things, here are the pics.

Gran's Shawl Part Two

2010-03-23T17:08:00.000+13:00

Remember my first post about my gran's shawl? Probably not because it was AGES ago! But thats ok. I finally got around to finishing this in time for my Gran's birthday (ok maybe a few days late....) It is pure silk and reversible.... I bound two of the raw edges and left two as they were.

Oriental Bag

2010-03-04T22:45:00.000+13:00

I made this oriental bag for my Stepmum's birthday. I'm not sure what the material is but it has an oriental pattern. The lining is a blue sateen. Sorry about the terrible photos, the bag is actually white with blue flowers.

Ruffle Top

2010-03-03T21:17:00.000+13:00

This ruffle top is a black merino singlet with purple merino ruffle. I have been wanting to do a ruffle top for ages and I am really happy with how this turned out. I think its really cute.
To make the ruffle I just cut 2 long strips of the purple merino and sewed down the middle on my longest stitch. Tie a knot in the threads with one end, keeping the other end long. Pull the bottom (bobbin) thread (on the end that you didn't tie a knot) with one hand and push the ruffle down with your other hand.

Spa Wrap

2010-03-03T21:06:00.000+13:00

I made this spa wrap for the gym for the sauna etc. I used terry cloth and 3cm wide elastic. It is secured with velcro.

Labels!

2010-03-03T20:58:00.000+13:00

I have finally finished my labels... so exited! I printed them out on iron on transfer paper using this tutorial.
I ironed them onto cotton tape. I'm really happy with how they turned out :) Here are the pics.

Cross Back Merino Singlet

2010-02-27T22:23:00.000+13:00

This is my first ever total own creation item of clothing that I have made! Its a black merino tank with a tied cross back and a zipper rosette with a button in the center. I am so so excited as I did not use a pattern for this and I just made it how I pictured it in my head. I have always wanted to create my own clothing line, maybe this is piece number one! I've even got the materials to make my own labels, just got to get around to doing it! Well here are the photos, as always let me know what you think!

Photo Problems

2010-02-20T23:03:00.002+13:00

I have been made aware that there are problems with the photos on all posts from the nikoro bag and before, I am working on this sorry! Just have to upload the photos again... what a drag!

Nursery Rhyme Book

2010-02-20T22:57:00.000+13:00

This cute book is a present for a friends new born baby. I've had the panel for ages and finally got around to making it :)

Preschool Cushions

2010-02-20T22:51:00.000+13:00

I was asked to make some cushion covers for preschool and found these two cute cotton prints.
Here is the final product, I love them...

Kwik Sew 3667 B

2010-02-20T22:45:00.001+13:00

I liked view A of this pattern so much I decided to try view b, and I like this one even better.
I used a white stretch knit with pretty blue flowers, and a matching navy stretch knit for the waistband.
Let me know what you think...

Tea Rose Home Giveaway!!!

2010-02-15T23:15:00.000+13:00

As you all know I love bags!!! and Tea Rose Home (one of my regular reads... go check it out!!!) Is giving away a kit for her newest bag and I just have to be in that draw!!! Click here to check it out! Make sure you enter yourself too... or maybe you shouldn't so I have more chance :P just kidding, go do it!!!
You can see her blog at http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/
Here is a sneak peak.... but go go go to her website to see more for yourself... (pic from her tutorial at UCreate)

Kwik Sew 3667

2010-02-15T23:02:00.002+13:00

I have just finished my second ever clothing garment, well maybe I've made a few more than that but not in recent years.... it is Kwik Sew 3667, very easy pattern, I used a light weight stretch knit, I wouldn't recommend this, it really calls for something heavier... I am going to try it with sweatshirting, which I imagine will look much better. Anyway here's some photos...

Sorry about the formatting, its being a bit of a pain tonight.
Let me know what you think!

I'm so excited... and I just can't hide it....

2010-02-12T13:26:00.000+13:00

Why am I so excited you ask....? Because.... I just got my new sewing machine today!!!
Check it out here!!! Its very exciting and runs like a dream. I love that it suggests the stitch length and width.

Can't wait to use it! I have done one small project on it, a cell phone cover for my brother but I've got much more in store for this baby!

Playing Pay it Forward

2010-02-08T11:53:00.000+13:00

playing pay it forward

So, my blog friend, Lia ...told me to join this thing called Pay It Forward...so I thought...Why Not??? so I went to Lia's Space of Thoughts to be hers...

Here are the rules....

1. You must have a blog to play.

2. The first three people to comment on this post agree to play Pay it Forward by posting on their blog and playing with the first three people that comment on their blog.

3. I agree to send, sometime withing 365 days, a gift (handmade) to those same three people who commented on this blog post. (That is the "playing" part!) The gift doesn't have to be crafty, so don't worry about that...mmm...I think I'm going to tweak this a bit...mine would either going to be handmade...or...handmade supplies :)...

Sounds like a lot of fun, right! It really is as easy as it sounds, go head and leave a comment. It is open internationally....

Come on and join in the fun!

Angela Tutorial - My first tutorial...

2010-02-03T20:03:00.003+13:00

As promised here is the Angela bag tutorial. This is my first tutorial so I would appreciate some feedback. Any questions/ suggestions are welcome. As featured on Today's Creative Blog.
Supplies:
1m Outer material - I used vintage curtain material
1m Lining - I used light weight cotton.
1m Firm Iron-on Interfacing
This should have some material left over.

Download Pattern here . Print out and photocopy at 175% to fit on A3.

1. Cut fabric, placing pattern on the fold. Cut 2 outer, 2 lining and 2 interfacing. Decide desired width of strap and multiply it by 4, cut to desired length.

2. Pin lining right sides together.
Iron interfacing to wrong sides of outer fabric. Make sure the shiney side of the interfacing in against outer fabric.
Pin outer bag right sides together.

3. Sew the edges of outer with 1.3cm or 1/2" seam allowance. Do the same with the lining only leave a 4" gap along one of the sides for turning.
Use a 1.5 or 5/8" seam allowance for the lining.

4. Trim close to seam (about 6mm). I use pinking shears to stop any fraying but this isn't necessary

5. Finger press seams open. This can also be done with an iron, but with sturdy fabric finger pressing will work just as well.

6. Turn and press.

7. Fold handle in half and press. Open up and fold sides to the middle (If you want a wider handle and don't have enough material to make it 4x the width you can just fold a little material in instead of folding it all the way to the middle).

8. Fold back in half and press.

9. Pin and top stitch close to the edge, I sewed at 5mm from the edge.

10. Pin end of handle to the outer bag, matching the seam to the middle of the handle.

Sew in place using box stitch to secure.

12. Place outer bag inside lining, right sides together (i.e outer right side out, inner wrong side out). Make sure the handles are between the outer bag and the lining.

Pin top edges together matching seams.
Sew at 1.5cm or 5/8".

13. Press seam to the inside.

14. Reach through the gap you left in the lining and pull the outer bag through. Make sure you bring the handle back through as well.

Sew the gap you left in the lining, close to the edge and press.

Push the lining into the bag.

15. Press the top edge. You can topstitch if you wish.

Congratulations, you have now finished your Angela bag :D

Shawl for Gran

2010-02-02T19:01:00.003+13:00

I am making a shawl for my Gran's birthday and just had to share with you pics of the fabric I'm using...
When I saw this I just had to get it! and there is even material left over after the shawl. I haven't finished that yet so I'll post it when I'm done but take a look at this fabric....

Is it not the most beautiful thing you've ever seen, well maybe I shouldn't go that far but it is gorgeous!

Do you think this will go with my Noriko Handbag? http://handmadebyauntyphyllis.blogspot.com/2010/02/noriko-handbag.html

I'm hoping so, I'm planning on giving her both.... what do you think?

Angela Bag

2010-02-02T18:55:00.001+13:00

I have decided to call this bag Angela, it just seems to fit. It is a circle bag in a pretty vintage flower fabric, pretty sure it used to be a curtain :P the lining is pink cotton. It is the same pattern as my classic circle bag only double the size and I added a strap instead of the handles, which I think is much better! It was my first time doing handles through lining too!

I have a tutorial for this one, I promise it is coming, I just don't have the time to add it right now. Check back for it tomorrow!

Something Useful for the Kitchen

2010-02-02T11:35:00.000+13:00

If you're anything like me, there are about a million blogs you subscribe to... I love that google reader puts them all in one place... if you don't have it, TRY IT!!! you must! http://www.google.co.nz/reader/view/?hl=en&tab=wy#overview-page sign up and add all your fav blogs, its so easy. If you're short of ideas check my blog roll for some AWESOME blogs.

If you're anything like me, you'll also have some blogs that you stay subscribed to even thou you never really read them or find anything interesting in them... I have a few of these... but today in one of these such blog was something really useful! Hurrah for hoarding blogs.

Now usually when I need a bag holder like this one below I ask my Gran to make it. Now I have found this great tutorial so I can make it myself! Check it out for yourself, these things are super handy, never again will you have to hide the mess of plastic bags. I have one of these for plastic, however I want one for all my reuseable bags too, so add this to the list of things to do :P
http://sew4home.com/projects/storage-solutions/502-nature-brights-kitchen-plastic-bag-keeperdispenser

Some of my favs from around the web

2010-02-01T22:00:00.000+13:00

FREE "The Detour Diaper Bag" Pattern

from Make Baby Stuff.com's Baby Crafts Blog

This lovely diaper bag is a long time in the making. I designed, tweaked and perfected this one over and over. Guess how much I'm charging for it? It is yours FREE.Yes, here is a completely new free diaper bag pattern for you to print and use. This one is the real deal. Seam allowances and all that "real pattern" goodness.

DIY Maternity Yoga Pants

from Make Baby Stuff.com's Baby Crafts Blog

Here are some handy DIY maternity yoga pants instructions for you! No need to buy stretchy pants when you can sew these on the cheap and in fabrics you like. http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/maternity-yoga-pants.html

A [wo]man, a plan, an inexpensive TV tray: new pressing board!

from Oh, Fransson! by Elizabeth

This is a tutorial for a pressing board from a tv dinner table.
I love this tutorial! You must must go over to Oh Franson and check this out! http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2010/01/a-woman-a-plan-an-inexpensive-tv-tray-new-pressing-board.html
Just what every sewing Goddess needs.

Cat pouch

from Nuno life by Runo

Cloth pouch in cat shape.

Is this just not the cutest bag?!?! It is definately on my to do list! Put it on yours too... find the tutorial here http://nuno-runo.blogspot.com/2010/01/cat-pouch.html

Sew I Thought Pattern exchange... I'm in! are you?

2010-02-01T17:10:00.001+13:00

Check out http://sewithought.wordpress.com/2010/01/31/pattern-exchange-3/
Sew I thought is one of my Fav bloggers that I follow, I just love love love her reconstructions, if only I was that talented, anyway head on over to her blog to see some patterns she is exchanging! Get in quick before they are all gone.... I'm hoping for this one http://sewithought.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/dsc_000610.jpg

Noriko Handbag

2010-02-01T16:28:00.002+13:00

I just love the material I used for this bag... I had been saving it specially until I found this pattern. It is the Noriko Handbag by Lazy Girl Designs, and it is free!!! Click here to get the pattern http://www.lazygirldesigns.com/blog/?p=1920
I used oriental silk for the outer and a tan cotton for the lining. The sewing is not the best but I think it turned out alright.... I think it will be a gift for my Gran for her birthday in March, as well as a shawl I am working on (will post when its done).

Here are the photos.

Orange Silk Clutch

2010-02-01T16:11:00.002+13:00

I made a new pattern for a square clutch, well its a rectangle really, but really easy to make.

The outer is a burnt orange silk and the lining is red cotton.

I embroided a flower onto the front with seed beads. Really simple.

Ethan's Birthday Pressie - Magician's Cape and Hat

2010-02-01T16:10:00.006+13:00

I am really excited about this project…. my nephew Ethan is turning 4yrs and I have made for him a magicians cape and hat.

They are fully lined and the outer is embroided silk taffeta.

The cape is fastened with velcro

Refashioned Jacket

2010-02-01T16:10:00.004+13:00

I refashioned this jacket out of a top from an opshop, I cut down the middle and hemmed the middle seams and the bottom.

Unfortunately I forgot to take photos of the top before I cut it… and the photos make me look like a whale but oh well, here it is…

Black and Gold Flow Clutch and Matching Coin Purse

2010-02-01T16:09:00.000+13:00

I love clutches and I love this pattern! It is my favourite bag pattern. I decided to try this pattern using cotton for both the facing and the lining. I think it worked quite well. The lining is a goldie/yellow cotton, that looks kinda cracked. The gold flowers etc on the facing is metallic and nice and shiney. I embroided beads onto the centre on the flowers on the flaps.
I made one normal size one and one mini coin purse one. The coin purse has a snap closure. Sorry about the great magnitude of photos.... I couldn't choose

Classic Circle Bag

2010-02-01T16:08:00.001+13:00

I got the idea for this bag from some funky material I got last week, I wanted to try out the pattern and this is how it turned out. I am quite happy with it but the sewing is not the best.

I used a tan linen for the facing and a really cute flower cotton for the lining. I used a strand of fake pearls as the handles. The handles can be short and doubled or can be longer, single strand with pearls around the handle. Its really hard to explain but the photos show what I mean. I personally prefer the short doubled over handles as in the first photo.

The photos where the bag is hanging outside on the coat rack is the most accurate colourwise.

Strawberry Clutch

2010-02-01T16:07:00.002+13:00

I had an idea for an asian inspired purse so I decided to try out my pattern first (didn’t want to waste my material I want to use). After making this I have redone the pattern for the flap as it was too small in this.

I used a vintage flower cotton for the facing and just a plain pink cotton for the lining. I embellished the flowers with seed beads, hopefully it shows up on the photos.

I decided to use a bangle for the handle because of the shape of the clutch.

Would love some feedback on this one. I'm not really a fan of it myself....

Lynda's Bag

2010-02-01T16:06:00.002+13:00

If you haven’t already guessed I’m kinda obsessed with making bags right now. This one was for my mother-in-law for Christmas.

It is made out of blue eqyptian cotton, the same as the one I made for my mum. It isn’t lined but has pleats at the top of the front and back, the strap is made from ribbon. I embellished the bag with some really old buttons, with war crests on them.

I didn’t use a pattern when making this, just made it up as I went along.

Getting Organised

2010-02-01T16:05:00.006+13:00

So as I was lying in bed last night (30 Dec) I decided I needed to organise my sewing things, especially my material, as it was beginning to take over the lounge.

I had a set of wire racks that I wasn’t using so I decided they would be the best use of space for my material. Now all my material is stacked in these shelves, sorted by types of material. First there is interfacing and small pieces of cotton, scraps etc, this shelf also has patterns that I use often.
Second shelf is cotton, third silk and satins, fourth drill and suiting, fifth is knits, linen, lace and other special materials, and sixth is more cotton.

I have also tidied my sewing table and everything is organised in a caddy or boxes, and my pattern bag and irons are now to the left of me on a shelf…

I am really happy with how it is all looking and it feels good to have everything sorted and have a place for everything.

One other really exciting thing…. yesterday while we were waiting for the car to get a new tyre we went down to millars to have a look. They had a rack of material for $3 less 30%, now thats my type of material…. it was mostly curtian fabric, which is great for making bags so I was/ still am very excited! Such a great find.

Here are some photos of my newly organised sewing stuff Hopefully I have inspired you to organise your collection of supplies!!!

Brown and Purple Striped Bag

2010-02-01T16:05:00.001+13:00

I just made this brown and purple stripped bag, the outer material is embroided silk taffeta and the lining is just normal lining material.

It is my own pattern, similar to the one I made for my mum but I made the opening bigger. It took me about an hour or so.

I am really happy with how it turned out

Mum's Christmas Bag

2010-02-01T16:03:00.002+13:00

I made this bag for my mum for christmas. The outer is made from egyptian cotton, and the lining is a fun blue patchy nylon. I embellished the bag with some vintage buttons, five blue flower ones, 3 silver leaves and one gold one.

It is my own pattern

Cute Clutch for Sarah

2010-02-01T16:00:00.002+13:00

I made this purse for my friend Sarah’s Birthday. It is made from a pale green cotton (Facing) and a pale lemon silk (Lining).

The pattern was from the book Hip Handbags, by Valerie Van Arsdale Schrader. See http://www.amazon.com/Hip-Handbags-Creating-Embellishing-Great-Looking/dp/1600594824/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262064921&sr=8-1

The photos are not particularly good, as the colour is actually much more green that the photos show.