Monday, April 29, 2024

Sewing Project - Picnic Placemats - Yellow Purple

I started working out my process for making picnic placements with a zipper pocket to hold a napkin and the cutlery. 

I cut the fabric 12 x 18 inches for both the yellow front fabric and the grey back fabric.

I created the pocket like my zipper inserts with the addition of tabs at each end of the zipper so there is no holes for things to fall out.  I inserted the pocket between the 2 layers with rights sides together.  I made some white ties which I placed at the opposite end of the pocket in between the layers.  I then ran a 1/4 inch seam all the way around leaving a space to turn the piece inside out.  

Once turned inside out, I ran a line of decorative wavy stitch to close off the left hand side of the pocket and then added 2 more lines of wavy stitching to hold the layers together.  I added purple tabs to the ends of  the ties to finish off the ends. 

The pocket can hold your cutlery and a napkin.

Notes: 

My ties could be thinner and longer. 

I like that this method does not introduce a third color to the mat.

It is quite thin but would do the job to give you a clean place to eat your lunch at the park.

My tab on the left of the zipper could be narrower.

Sewing Project - Wine Bottle Bag - Celery and Red

I cleaned up this morning after this frenzy of sewing.

I found this celery textured fabric that I had set aside a while back and forgot about.  It had all its elements so I just decided to make it up. 

I will be keeping a few of these for the Christmas Market and the others will go to Grandma Africa merchandise sale in June.

I found this scrap of red patterned fabric which worked well.  There was just enough for 2 stripes so I just crossed them.

This fabric is not cotton and a bit tricksy.  It is heavier than the cotton I have been using so I skipped the flannel but added a thin layer of poly cotton to stabilize it and keep it square. 

The lining is a pale yellow polycotton fabric. The thread was a pretty good match to the celery color.

I did add a small square of flannel in the very bottom which I sewed between the layers and sewed to the lining bottom.  Just some cushion for a glass bottle as it is placed on a hard surface.

The button was a great match.  I am very grateful for things to be falling into place for all of these sewing projects.


For information on the "My Bag" Line



Sunday, April 28, 2024

Sewing Project - Wine Bottle Bag - Bright and White

A bright and cheery bag today.

I had a limited amount of this punchy colored 100% fabric so I decide to split it down the center and put the leaf green ribbon in between.

The outer fabric is navy cotton poly so it is a bit on the light side.

The lining is some of the yellow cotton/tencel fabric. The thread is navy.

I add this bold white buckle which worked out well I think.  With the navy button to keep the twill ribbon in place it works.

I wished that I had offset the ribbon a bit so you would see more of the fabric on the front.  It is what it is! 


For information about "My Bag" line.


Slow Stitching - No. 017 - Back Story

It`s week 17 with K3N.  This week`s challenge is Back Story.

We slow stitch a piece of fabric then look at the back.

I chose a floral piece in yellow, black, grey and a bit of mint green.

It is very interesting how you can see the leaves and the flower outlines. The mint green was small berries.

I put white seed stitches in the open spaces of the pattern.

Another great evening of stitching.


Saturday, April 27, 2024

Sewing Project - Wine Bottle Bag - Warm Florals

Here is the latest wine bag.

I loved the warm flowers on this part of the fabric so I cut it to make them the focus of the front.

I found a warm brown grosgrain ribbon in my stash that worked well which I placed at the top edge.  I layered a cotton twill tape on top of that to tone down the shine.

I decided to create an accent element with the same ribbon.  I cut it, sealed the ends with heat then I just folded it back and forth this it was wide enough.

I bought a couple of bags of buttons recently and this shell button was in there.  I stitched this whole element to the top left hand corner of the bag.  Done another one!

For information on "My Bag" Line: 


Friday, April 26, 2024

Sewing Project - Wine Bottle Bag - Blue Floral with Lace

I pulled the fabric out last night so I could sew first thing this morning.

I just love this blue watercolor floral fabric.  The flower is very large so I just centered it on the front.

I chose a length of cotton lace which I placed below the top edge. I found a scrap of blue bias tape which echoed some of the colors in the print beautifully.

I used the wavy decorating stitch again on the bias tape and evenly spaced from the back seam to quilt the outer fabric to the flannel. This means I don't have a seam directly in front across the flower.

The lining is a white microfiber fabric which works well. Navy thread and a solid flannel so it would work with the white areas in the outer fabric.   I have attached my "My Bag" tag.

For information on the line. 

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Sewing Project - Wine Bottle Bag - Batik Phoenix

Another wine bag today. 

This is batik fabric from a shirt. I used one of the sleeves which featured a phoenix bird motif so I cut the fabric to ensure the birds were on the front.

I was short on the length so I added a strip of black on the bottom. I also added a twill tape accent at the top edge.

It was quilted to the flannel with the same wavy stitch as before.

The lining is beautifully soft yellow cotton fabric.

The handle is double sided with black on top and yellow lining fabric on the underside.

I had decided to place the "My Bag" tag along the top of these wine bags just left of the handle.

This is my current model of tag and stitching them with white thread is working well.

Looking forward to making a few more of these bags. I am finally able to sew them with out mistakes but designing accents is taking time out of the sewing process.




For information on "My Bag" line:



Slow Stitching - Embellishments to Book Bags

I went back and revisited my book bags and chose embellishments for some of the earlier ones. 

1. I added a dragonfly charm on a peice of blue felt

2. An orange cloth flower on a blue bag.

3. A yellow and green circle accent for the masculine striped one.

4. Just a bit of a strip of turquoise fabric with stitching for the first one I made.

You will see that I have added a "My Bag" tag to each of them as well.


"My Bag" Tag Process

I have been thinking about this idea for a while.  I have made many bags in the last few years. Several for myself, others for gifts, still others to donate to good causes. Some are for shopping, some for carrying books, and the latest for wine bottles. They are well finished, made to last, functional and look nice. 

I would like for those who use my bags to think of them as their own special bag.  It protects their stuff, makes carrying stuff easier, it is unique and easily recognizable at a social event when it is time to head home. 

After some brainstorming, I decided to attempt making tags for the bags I make.  I still have a supply of shrink plastic from card making days.  That should work.  Well this has been a process. 

My first ones were "tiny".  After I had the size down and asked for feedback. It was suggested they have round corners, be sewn with white thread to match the plastic better, should have 4 holes and maybe the edge of the bag would be better. The last photo is the model I am going with. I will put them on all my bags in stock and going forward.



I made a paper tag to explain my intention with the the making of the bag and how I hope they will use them.

A pretty shopping bag that you don't forget in the car when you go grocery shopping.  

Using a wine bottle bag at your next get together making bring a bottle easier and remember its your bag so bring it home.

A book bag to protect your book when you commute to work, take a trip, or take it to the park to enjoy the sunshine.

A book to hold your organizer/planner/daytimer and those essential things you need when you are out and about. 

A project bag to hold the pieces of your latest craft project. 

A lunch bag to bring your meal at work, at a sporting event, or at the park.

I am sure there will be different bags in my future.

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Art Show - AAC - Redux Show 2024 - Upcycled Every Day Carry Bag

This my second piece in the Spruce Grove Gallery - Form Redux Show which opens today.

It is an Every Day Carry Bag which was made with upcycled fabrics from a box of fabric given to me by Michelle at ReImagined Fabrics. You can find her on Instagram #reimaginedfabrics  Other bits were chosen from my thrifted/reclaimed stash as well as pieces collected from the ReUse Center.

I made myself one of these bags several years ago.

Title: Upcycled Every Day Carry Bag

Size: 15.00 T x 13.00 W inches

Medium: Fabric Bag with embellishments



I started with the beige cotton fabric for the main part of the bag.  All the seams are finished inside so no raw edges anywhere.  I added a zipper insert made from a beautiful leaf patterned fabric from this box of scraps and squares with a teal zipper chosen from my stash of reclaimed zippers.

I chose a taupe microfiber for the handles which means they will last a long time.

The bag features 3 pockets. The front pocket was made with the accent fabric and I added a coordinating blue button that I found in my stash. The back pocket is a reused Carhartt pant pocket with a velcro closure. I sewed the pocket to the back of the bag which creates a pocket and added an accent fabric tag to the help with the opening the Velcro on the ginger colored pocket. I added some teal slow stitching to the flap of the pocket.

The ginger heavy weight fabric was added to the bottom to show less dirt and will wear much better than the beige cotton fabric. 

A few pieces of tomato red bias tape was added as an accent color which was again pulled from my thrifted supply.

I added a little bling on the zipper pull which was brought from a ReUse Center donation.  

Inside I added a clip for your keys which again was found at the ReUse Center.

It is on display at the gallery and is for sale.  The reception is Saturday April 27th at 1-3pm.


Information on "My Bag" line:

Art Show - AAC - Redux Show 2024 - Slow Stitch Scroll

The Form Redux Show at the Spruce Grove Gallery opens today.  I have submitted 2 pieces to this show.  I started my pieces after discussions with a couple of people at the December reception for the Christmas Store. At the time it was being referred to as the 3D show.  When the official call came out in mid March it had morphed a little and offered a wider range of options. 

It is meant to reuse materials from one state into a new one.  

The fabric used for the scroll is a white tie dyed cotton sheet which I dyed again with green acrylic ink. All the elements are created with bits of leftover scraps of fabric, felt, thrifted embroidery thread and lace, even the flower on the tie is recycled from old earrings. The beads come from my stash.  The spool was originally purchased with decorative ribbon and saved for 10 years until its time came to shine. 

Title: Summer

Size: 4.00 T x 58.00 W inches

Medium: Slow Stitch Fabric Scroll with embellishments

Support: Wooden Spool


It is a slow stitch fabric scroll titled "Summer".  I chose to stitch the new green leaves of May in early summer to the rain and tulips blooming moving along to the insects coming to life represented by the ladybug, the robin represents the birds and their song then we move to the ponds being full of life represented by the dragonfly in the cattails, then we move to the flowers which start to bloom in the beautiful days of middle summer, there are mushrooms and snails and butterflies, the chickadee has been here and will stay all year as summer winds down and finally we have the beautiful sunflowers of late September. 

The elements are all original designs I made up as I went along.  The stitching alone took all of January 2024 then I had to back the piece, prepared the wood spool with several coats of Tung Oil. I braided the string used for the tie and the hanger on the spool.  I chose a large shell button for the closure and a silver flower for the end of the tie.  There is a clear bead at the bottom of the spool which keeps the hanger in place. 

It is on display at the gallery and is for sale.  The reception is Saturday April 27th at 1-3pm.

Monday, April 22, 2024

Sewing Project - Wine Bottle Bag - Japanese 1

 I found a couple small pieces of this Japanese print fabric by Schwartz Liebmen Textiles Inc. in my stash. I believe it to be 100% cotton.

I chose to make the front of the bag be a panel of the gorgeous fabric.  I found some red that my sister gave to supplement to the size I needed. I sewed a piece to the one side but that made it tricky to figure out where to place the the handles.

I placed a row of brown twill tape along the top edge aligned so it would be centered for the purple accent. That was stitched with the wavy decorative stitch then several lines down vertically to quilt the flannel to the outer layer.

Now I would not have a back seam. I did manage the handles correctly but totally forgot about it for the box corners.  I did have to undo the box corners on the outer and lining pieces and then iron the piece well so I would know what was the front.  It had to be done.

With the bottom seams and the box corners now in the right place I could do my 2 rows top stitching at the top of the bag.  

I hand stitched the purple crochet element at the top of panel on twill then added a red button in the center.

I chose red thread and an off white polycotton lining.

Information on "My Bag" Line 

Saturday, April 20, 2024

Slow Stitching - No. 016 - Planet Earth

This piece of slow stitching for the challenge Kathryn is hosting on K3NClothTales.  The prompt for week 16 was Planet Earth.  Our home in the cosmos and the Blue Dot in the vastness of space.

I learned that the earth is approximately 1/3 land and 2/3 water hence the proportions of my colors patches this week.  

For the land I chose earth colors in brown, oranges, yellows and the fabric scraps are aligned vertically.  

For the bottom I chose blue for water and the pieces run horizontally.

I placed a line of green thread where these meet because generally on earth there is green near the water line.

I chose a simple running stitch going horizontally. This pieces was a little rushed with life happening here.

Friday, April 19, 2024

Slow Stitching - Wool Brooches

I have acquired quite a few small pieces of wool or felted wool and decided to see if I could use my slow stitching to make brooches.

This blue one was my first one.  I chose to add a star in single thread where the 3 colors in the fabric met.  

Originally I had use white thread for the blanket stitch edging and that was not working.  I pulled it all out and started over.

It works much better to have dark blue edge stitching.

I like the uneven shape of this brooch.



 This brooch was stitched on a piece of felted wool which has various colors in it.  It was quite thick so I paired it with some grey fleece. I cut 2" circles from each fabric.  

I slow stitched my sunrise scene onto the felted wool circle. I then whipped stitched the 2 layers together.  I am not sure that whip stitching was the best choice as it has given the brooch an organic shape.

I hand stitched a pin back.




I chose some bright pink wool fabric for this brooch.  I had these iridescent flowers I had reclaimed from an old wedding item.

I stitched my stems on first then added my flowers with a frosted Ebead in the center.  I added some blue seed stitches to indicate sky.

I chose pink thread and used the blanket stitch to hold the 2 layers of pink together.  I chose to put running stitch along the bottom because I wanted to preserve the raw edge.

I then placed a piece of black felt on the back with whip stitch. 

I handstitched a pin back to the black then hid the stitching with a small piece of the same felt.


This is how all the brooch pins are attached  to make them as pretty as possible.

The small piece of fabric over the center the same as the back piece so it becomes quite invisible.


These may make it to the Christmas Store at the gallery in December.

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Sewing Project - Wine Bottle Bag - Beau Chateau

This fabric was designed and sold through Stampin Up years ago.  This design is called Beau Chateau and the colors are Very Vanilla and Marina Mist.

This time I decided my accent ahead of time. I dug through my Stampin Up card making supplies and found some scallop edge ribbon in Maria Mist.  The wide grosgrain ribbon is ivory and was in my stash.

I laid the narrow blue ribbon on top of the ivory and ran a line of wavy decorative stitching across the width of the fabric with ivory thread.  This was my first line of stitching to quilt the flannel to the outer fabric. Then added 2 more lines of the same stitch above the ribbon running width wise.  I then ran 4 lines of the same stitching vertically going from the ivory ribbon to the base of the fabric. With that I had quilted the outer fabric.

I chose a thin ivory polyester fabric for the lining of this bag. Had to take it easy with the hot iron.

While the slit was still open in the lining I added the white button.  I tried to find a blue one that would match with no luck.


For information on "My Bag" line:

Sewing Project - Wine Bottle Bag - Gold Accents

I made a few more bags today.  This fabric came from my sister and we paired it with a pink cotton poly for the lining.

I was able to figure out how to sew this bag with the slit in the lining and still have the regular box corners. I will post a How To when I have it ready.

This fabric has some gold accents in it so that informed my accents.

I had not decided what my accent would be so I had to hand stitch the gold ribbon on afterward making sure that I did not go to deep.  I used gold thread which worked really well.  With my slow stitching experience I am more confident to pick up a needle and thread.

I found a green cloth button in my stash which worked out very well in size and color.


 
Here's the other bag from the same fabric but it was the other half and this one read blue instead of green.  That is a bonus.

I am learning that I should be deciding on my accent before I start sewing because accents machine sewn seams are better.

For this one, I stitched the blue grosgrain ribbon in the 2 top stitch seams then added a gold metal button.

I am happy with these as I could customized the color and make 2 different looking bags.





For information of "My Bag" Line:



Monday, April 15, 2024

Sewing Project - Wine Bottle Bag - Polka Dots

I made my third Wine Bottle Carry Bag yesterday.

I used some pale blue fabric with red dots which I believe was part of Stampin Up's fabric line when that was a thing.

It is lined with a solid red cotton poly fabric.

I used circles in white thread as my quilting pattern to attach the flannel to the outer fabric.

I chose to assemble the bag differently this time with starting with the top seam instead of that being the last seam.

It was easy to align the handles and the decorative ribbon along the edge and sew the top seam. Then the long side seam of the outer and lining is made leaving a hole to turn it right side out.

Then the box corners are achieved by tucking in the fabric into the center.  Check out this video for the full details.  I made sure that I alternated the corners so they would sit opposite each other on the bottom. Then you turn it right side out and sew up the hole in the lining.  Two top stitch seams and it was done.

I added the 2 different sized white buttons on the deep red ribbon by hand.

It seems to be as stable as the other method.

Here's how they look side by side.  The left is neater.  I really appreciated not having to fight to get handles straight in that small top seam at the end in the first design.

Friday, April 12, 2024

Slow Stitching - No. 015 - Eclipse and Stacking Running Stitch

This is my piece for week 15 of Kathryn's Slow Stitch challenge on K3N Cloth Tales

With the solar eclipse that took place on April 8th this was a great idea.  The technique was stacked running stitches which was used to create the rays of the sun. 

I chose a dark blue fabric which I had to patch to make big enough. I added a yellow layer between the blue and the white. I made my moon black.

I invisible stitched around the edges of the circles to start with.

I covered the moon with seed stitching. 

I had the same problem with my yellow layer so I added some stitches on it to have it lay flatter.

I added a running stitch in black to tack down the edges of the dark blue layer to the white.

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Slow Stitching Fabric Collage

I finished my second Fabric Collage square with slow stitching last night.

I used a foundation layer of 100% cotton then created a collage and basted the pieces on. 

I then started the slow stitching of the individual pieces. I added a couple pieces of lace, a couple felt buttons, and created a simple star shape as a focal element in white thread.

This piece will likely end up on the front of a bag like my first one.

It is fun! 

 

Monday, April 8, 2024

Sewing Project - Wine Bottle Bag - Updated

When I visited my sister a while back we worked on a wine bottle bag design.

I brought the pieces to make one as we ran out of time to finish one for me.

We had decided to add some height to the bag so we could have 1.5 inches in the top band where we were top stitching. This would add strength and a bit of stifness.

The one on the left was the one I brought home so I cut the outer fabric and added the 1.5 inch blue strip.  That meant I had to add some to the lining as well.  We decided to leave the flannel so it would only reach the top of the bag with out being folded over in the seam.

Learning is challenging. I did add the pieces I needed but failed to remember to put the flannel in and to make the top seam 1.25 inches so there would be extra fabric in the top edge. You can see that it is higher than the other one. Made on Sunday.

The one on the left is the one I made on today which incorporated all the things we planned.  A cotton outer fabric, a flannel layer shorter than the cotton, and a poly-cotton lining the same size as the outer fabric.  The fabric measures 15.5" tall by 12.5" wide. Flannel is 14" T x 12.5" wide.

I quilted the flannel to the diagonal patterned fabric along those lines in black thread. Then I made the box corners on the outer and lining fabrics.  Then made the strap.  Pinned the strap first to ensure it was right with the same side facing the outer, that they were on the sides with the seam at the back, and that they were aligned with the edge of the fabric. I then added the lining ensuring that the box corners were sitting opposite the ones on the outer fabric.  I sewed the seam 1.25 inches wide along the top leaving a opening to turn everything inside out. 

Once the lining is pushed into the bag and aligned, then pressing the top edge flat I sewed the 2 top stitching seams. One really close to the edge to close the opening.  The other to capture the handles a second time to ensure strength.

Note: Maybe a bit of trimming of the flannel in the box corners would help balance out the bottom. They stand on their own without a bottle inside.

Updated:  I redid the one on the right to include flannel, the 1.5 inch top stitched edge and an accent on the blue strip.

I have added the accent for number 2 so this set is finally completed.


Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Slow Stitching - No. 014 - Layers and the Moon

Week 14 of the Slow Stitching challenge with K3N Cloth Tales.

The prompt was layers and the moon with the lunar eclipse coming soon. It was geared to experiencing stitching through several layers of fabric and how the stitching starts giving it structure and weight.

I chose an owl for my animal.  I started with a 4.25" square of deep purple linen, then a striped layer for horizon line, then my yellow full moon and topped with  my Owl. This is a smaller version of this one I created for Inktober.

I stitched the horizon layer to the linen in several lines of stitching. Then I stitched the moon with running stitch in circles, then I stitched my Owl on with black thread. I added yellow accents with felt eyes, beak and feet. I used the stem stitch for the branch is sitting on in brown thread. I added stars to the night sky and voila another square done.

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Art Show - AAC - Juried Member Show 2024

I dropped off these 2 pieces at the Art Gallery on Saturday morning to have them accepted or rejected for our Allied Arts Council - Juried Member Show.

Title: Tar Brush Strokes

Size: 13.00 x 17.00 inches

Medium: Photography

Print: 09 x 13 inches

Mat: 13x17 Dark grey with white second mat

Frame: 13x17 Metal Dark Grey 

This print is a triptych of 3 sections of tar brush strokes made by a tradesman at the end of the job of coating a cement parkade.  I expect the brush was 12-18 inches wide and the brush strokes covered an area of 8 x 12 feet or so. 

I chose the most dynamic sections.  I framed them with black lines and inserted it into an opening in a double mat of white and dark grey.  

                                     ________________________________________


Title: Patchwork Fields

Size: 11.00 x 14.00 inches

Medium: Mixed Media - Watercolor and Pen and Ink

Art Size: 04 x 10 inches mixed media paper

Mat: 11x14 white with a wide narrow opening

Frame: 11x14 Black Metal Frame with non glare glass

I was inspired by aerial shots of dry stone walled fields in the United Kingdom. Featuring a river running through them with a long red roofed farm building.

UPDATE: Sold on May 28 2024

                                          ____________________________________


I returned at 3:00 pm to find that both pieces had been accepted into the show.  Looking forward to the reception.