Sewing Project - Front Zipper Pouch

I made another bag the other day.  I wanted to give the Front Zipper Pouch a try.

I chose this beautiful floral print in cotton.

I chose ivory thread and a taupe zipper.

I added a layer of flannel for a bit of padding.

The lining is gorgeous navy microfiber fabric which will wear well.

The cotton outer layer was cut 9 3/8 inches x 23.25 inches.  The flannel was cut 9 3/8 inches by 21.75 inches long.  The zipper is a 9"/23cm one.

The flannel was quilted to the cotton with the curvy decorative stitch vertically along the full length. 

I made a wrist strap by cutting a length of the cotton outer fabric, folding it in half then in half again and top stitching both sides. Finished it measures 4 inches long.

Then I inserted the zipper on the short end between the outer and the lining.  Now, I have a tube with the zipper inserted.  It was a matter of deciding where the zipper would be placed. I could be at the very top or some where along the top third of the pouch. I chose 2.5 inches down from the top fold. Once decided, I pinned the side seams right side out, added the wrist strap above the zipper and stitched about 1/8 inch from the edge then turned inside out and sewed the side seams at generous 1/4 inch to enclose the first seam inside. Turned it right side out.  Pressed really well.

I added a metal charm on the zipper pull so that it would be easy to open and close.

Note: I should cut the flannel from the sides seams as they are quite thick.  I was planning on doing some stitching on it but I have not come up with an idea that seems to fit so I will pondering it over the next few weeks.

Finished size is 8" wide x 11" inches tall.

Fabric Flower Bouquet - 05

Bouquet number 5. 

I placed the yellow stretchy sparkly vase wrap on a straight sided drinking glass.

This wrap featured the flap from the earlier ones because of the ease of sewing.  It gives a place to do some slow stitching.

I added the navy linen flower with the same fabric as the wrap in the center of the flower.

I had to make a spacer on the inside of the glass to keep the flower in the center.  I cut a 3.5 inch piece of chipboard onto which I scored a line at about 2.25 inches. I then cut slits all around the circle which allowed me to fold those over to fit inside the glass. I added a blue water fabric onto the top of the spacer then punched 1/8" hole in the center.  It was tucked inside the glass.

All five bouquets are now at the Spruce Grove Art Gallery Gift Shop.

Fabric Flower - Navy Linen

I cut 12 strips of the navy linen fabric about 1" wide.  That covered the silver ring nicely. Makes for a heavy flower though.

I chose a scrap of the vase fabric to make the center of the flower.

I started with the wire stitched to a 2" circle of heavy cardstock. Then I placed a piece of batting and the yellow fabric and stitched all the way around the navy ring using navy thread.  I then stitched a yellow backing fabric to hide the wire and stitching.

Note: I should make my next wires heavier and I should chose lighter fabric.

I really wanted to get these bouquets to the Gallery yesterday.

Sewing Project - Fabric Vase Wrap - Butterscotch Yellow

Another stretcky and sparkly vase wrap from the fabric given to me by my sister.

I dyed this one with Rangers Alcohol ink in Butterscotch color. Beautiful warm yellow. 

The fabric measured 12" x 10" and again was folded in half on the width to ensure solid color for the full height.

I chose to put a flap on this one because the doing the side seam was much easier.  I did put a seam through across from the side seam after which would have been much easier before.

To finish the edge of the flap I cut it with pinking shears. This fabric will not unravel.

I added some French Knots in a random pattern on each of the layers of the flap then just added some stitches in yellow to keep it from opening.

Card Making - House Cards

I have been working on a House Card project.

When I bought a new to me place back in May and moved in June I was so grateful to my real estate agent.

I thought it would be nice as I was a card maker to make her some cards.  We discussed it and came up with some designs. The first samples were not quite right.  I am a bright colors person and she is a neutrals person.

I cut the houses with my Cricut machine and the Wrap It Up cartridge and some black card stock. She wanted a neutral background and I gave away much of the 12x12 DSP to my sister when I gave up classes after I retired.

So I made some up with ivory card stock and a bit of strong tea.

The gold heart was cut with a Sizzix multi sized thin lets set. I traced around it with a fine black marker to give it some definition. 

The banner was printed and then washed with tea as well so coordinate well with the card.  I cut the banner ends by hand with scissors.  They have a white quarter sheet insert and white envelope.

This set of cards includes red card bases and navy card bases to go with the logo.

The white layer was cut with a multi sized tag set.  I then cut the chimney with the end of a gift bow die in my collection.

I printed the sentiment then cut it with a smaller sized die from the same set.  The colored offset layer behind was cut by hand with scissors and the paper cutter. It is the other color from the card base. Blue on red card and red on blue card.

They have a white quarter sheet insert and white envelope.

I cut some with the chimney on the right hand side and some on the left hand side.

I am not used to doing production work since I have not offered classes for years.

I had to inject some variety and what limited way I had.

This is a panel card on white or off white A2 card bases.

I designed all the elements my self and inserted the logo she sent me.

I printed the rounded window topped frame and logo in color then I printed the scene in black so I could watercolor it with out the ink running.

I used my Stampin Up Watercolor Wonder Crayons.  I have 2 sets which I bought second hand. One set is mostly Subtles and the other Rich Regals but some colors have been swapped.

I used the Subtles for this project. 

I cut the tan window die cut with a QuicKutz die which is two pieces so it had to be aligned for every cut.  I quickly make a drawing on paper I put under the clear plate so that made aligning easier.

Once cut the die cut was adhered with double sided tape. These come with white envelopes.

So glad to show my appreciation.

2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 7 - D1

I am following K3N Cloth Tales' slow stitch project for 2026.  This week's prompt was Drawn Thread Work.

I did not have a piece of fabric loose enough to do this technique effectively. At least it was a woven piece of fabric. I could have chosen something else but I pushed through.

One of the challenges is that the thread in one direction is quite heavy but the other way it is so fine that it was impossible to isolate them.

I pulled threads horizontally in three places.  I used some of the pulled threads to tie the thin threads on the light blue near the center of the piece. 

I did some stitching with the pulled threads but this piece was not a great experience but it is what it is.  I understand I was not alone struggling with the technique.

2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 4 - B2 Boro Stitching Visible Mending

Another page in my 2026 Stitch Book.  I am following K3N Cloth Tales slow stitch project for 2026. 

I wanted to do a Japanese Boro Stitching inspired piece.  My stitching is quite a bit all over the  place. I just had to add bit of red in the piece and a white circle for a focal element. Not traditional at all.

I did use my long Sashiko needle and some heavy cotton embroidery thread on the navy back layer which worked really well.

I added patches as I went along. I used some lighter weight white cotton embroidery thread for the red pieces with the Sashiko needle.

Some red embroidery floss at 3 strands for the light blue piece in the top right hand corner.

Some light blue embroidery floss at 3 strands on the white circle with seed stitch in the middle and white floss 2 strands and the Blanket stitch all the way around.   It looks way more like visible mending rather Boro stitching.  I enjoyed it.

I am tacking my pages together so I don't lose track of them which is the navy thread on the left hand side. 

Slow Stitching - Door Decor - Bethlehem Star

 I made a Christmas piece for my door.  It features the Bethlehem Star.   I chose a dark blue background fabric with a flannel foundation layer. Cut 6x8 inches. The star was cut with the Sizzix Star and Starburst die from white felt. It was stitched along each of the points with white thread.  The stars around were stitched with white thread as well. I tried to have a variety of sizes. 

I used some eyelet lace and other lace to create the hills around the town.  I put the building in the v shape where the hills met. I hand cut the buildings from grey felt and added yellow windows. I did highlight the building in white to help them stand out a bit more. 

Again, the backer fabric was dark blue cut to 8x10 inches. Folded to the front and folded again and top stitched to create the frame.  I added a hanger on the back of twill tape which I attached by hand.

Slow Stitching - Door Decor - Winter Snowman

The snow arrived today so it was timely that I finished my winter piece of door decor. 

I chose a snowman as the theme for this piece.  I chose a true blue piece of cotton fabric cut to 6x8 inches. I added a flannel layer and invisible stitched that to the front.  The blue fabric had thread polka dots on it so I stitched white snowflakes on those which made very regulary pattern. 

I chose white fleece for the snowman and the snowbanks. I had a die which cut a snowman but it was too big so I had to resize it to be smaller and work better in this piece.  The first snowbank was stitched on with running stitch on the left hand side.  The snowman was then stitched on with blanket stitch. The snowbank on the left was then added with running stitch.  I added brown stick arms, 3 small yellow star buttons on his belly, black French knots for the eyes and mouth, a tiny orange felt nose which was stitched with orange floss. I chose a length of yarn from my small stash and stitched a scarf right through the layers and knotted it on the front. I then fluffedout the lengths. 

I added a snowflake accent in the top left corner.  It was diecut from white felt with the Sizziz green die. I then used navy floss to add some dimension.   I added an irridescent fabric snowflake and EBead to the center to add a bit of bling.   

I added navy French knots in between the white snowflakes.

I chose a navy cotton fabric for the backer.  Cut to 8x10 inches to provide a 1/2 inch fold over to the front of the piece. That was machine stitched with folded corners this time. I added a grey twill tape hanger like the fall leaves one.

I plan to make one for the Christmas season.

Sewing Project - Fold Over Wallets

 

I had a piece of RFID fabric to make 3 more wallets so I just used the scrappy fabric I made this morning and cut it up into 3 pieces.

I am happy to have gotten 3 different colored wallets.

I found some bright green cotton polyester broadcloth for the lining for the 2 on the right hand side.  The blue one on the left got a white and blue polyester fabric lining.

All of them got blue elastic.

These will be available in the Christmas Store at the Spruce Grove Art Gallery at Heavy Metal Place in December 2025.

Sewing Project - Fold Over Wallets

Another set of Fold Over Card Wallets with RFID Protection.

I dipped into the pink bag of fabric scraps because I had bright pink elastic I wanted to use.

A gorgeous floral print with the perfect pink to match the elastic.

Again, the fabric is cut to 5.25 x 11 inches for the outer fabric and the lining fabric.  The RFID fabric measures 5x5.5 inches and is placed in the center of the panel based on the center fold. 

The elastic is place 3.25 inches from the bottom edge. Then a seam is put all around the edge with reinforcement where the elastic sits. Leaving a small slit to turn the sandwich right side out. 

Press the center fold again and by placing the fabric to the light you can see where the opaque RFID fabric starts and that is where the fold is placed and ironed. Repeat on the other end.  Iron the slit well so the edges are well aligned. Top stitch down both flaps with a seam that goes all along the right hand edge making sure you do not trap the elastic. Repeat on the left hand side.  Done!

I wanted to make a couple that were more masculine in color and pattern so I chose this navy and white bold plaid.

A white lining and a navy blue elastic completes this wallet.

Another wallet with the other half of the pink elastic.

This is a striped cotton fabric.  I gave it an ivory lining fabric.

What cards do you put in these wallets: All kinds - credit cards, transit cards, library cards, loyalty cards, business cards (yours or those you need to access regularly) and a few I am sure I have not thought of.

Slow Stitching 2025 - March - Week 4

K3N Cloth Tales Comfort Coverlet 2025 Slow Stitching project - March - Week 4. "My Favorite Colors"

I am still working with my favorite colors. I felt the middle of the circle needed something else.

I decided to add 2 squares of white stitching to the center.  They were supposed to be less regular than they turned out to be. 

I then added a star of white stitching in the middle of the squares.  I have a really hard time making thing irregular.  

You can see that I decided to finish the seams along the 1 inch border.  I think I will be assembling these pieces with stashing with a backing fabric to hind all the stitching when all the pieces are done.  

Slow Stitching 2025 - March - Week 3

K3N Cloth Tales Comfort Coverlet 2025 Slow Stitching project - March - Week 3.

I continued to add stitching to the remaining bands of color. I stayed with my four colors and added yellow circles to the turquoise band.  

Then tight waves in navy on the yellow band.  Then wider waves in turquoise on the pink band. I used a scrapbook tool to mark out the waves onto the fabric. 

I then added a circle of tiny white rick rack couched down with pink thread. 

It is looking pretty good.
 

Tree Scent Ornaments - Silver Plated Frames

 My tree scent ornaments sold well at the Christmas Store in the Allied Arts Council Gallery this year so I am starting to make more for next year.

I found 3 very cute silver plated cat frames while shopping at the thrift store with my niece this weekend.  The price was right so I took them home.

I decided to embroider small felties to put in them as the diffusers. I enjoy my slow stitching.

This one features a cat sitting in the sun with flowers growing in the garden.  The flowers mirror the potted flowers on the windowsill and the sun is warm and wonderful

A variety of greens for the garden in the beyond the window.

I mostly kept the pieces intact except the easel back which would not work for ornaments.

I added some fusible pelon to the back of the stitched work to hide the stitching and add some depth. I added a piece of white card stock to which I affixed the silver plated sticker.

I added a color coordinated 1/8" satin ribbon as a hanger which has been hand stitched to the embroidery piece itstelf.

I returned the glass for a spacer and allows the frame to be returned to that purpose if so desired.

The screws on the tabs needed to be tightened and I was done.

I created the night time scene with the full moon in the sky accompanied with silver stars stitched with silver metallic thread onto navy felt.

The moon is grey thread and the outline stitch.

I created a span of water below showing the reflection of the moon in it.  A few ripples in the water were added with a few grey stitches.

The cat is gazing out from its windowsill into the night.

I added a navy satin ribbon hanger and reassembled the layers into the frame and it was done.

I added a distant landscape outside the window with a beautiful warm sun.

The sky features a white cloud and a black bird.

The landscape is created with a variety of green threads with the outline stitch.  The are very closely stitched side by side to hide the blue felt sky.

The cat sits on the sill while enjoying the scene outside.

Slow Stitching 2025 - March - Week 1

K3N Cloth Tales Comfort Coverlet 2025 Slow Stitching project - March - Week 1.

This month I have chosen as my theme - "My Favorite Colors". Pink, Navy, Yellow and Turquoise. Pink for flowers, Turquoise for our blue skies, Yellow for Sunshine and Navy for jeans.

I picked some fabric from my stash and placed bands of these colors diagonally on my foundation piece. I sewed them on in a Quilt as You Go fashion. Starting in the center and moving out.

I left a 1" margin around the edge unattached. 

I invisible basted the colors layer to the cotton foundation piece along the outside border at about 1 inch.

Self Closing Cards - Dots & Christmas

Another set of self closing cards before everything gets packed away.

This is a pretty dots one made from wall paper actually. They are macaron snacks.

There was coordinating paper so the piece of pink is wall paper too.

All adhered to a olive green card base cut 6 inches x 12 inches. Scored at 5.5 and then just less than 1" for the flap.

Double sided tape on the flap and a generous insert.

This is a Christmas Card for which I borrowed the Tim Holtz Winter Wonder die from my niece. 

I used this wonderful sparkly decorative paper as a background and cut a snowbank and punched a star from a piece of warm pearl paper.

I added the snowflake which is part of the die and place it on his belly. 

All adhered to the teal card base of 6x12 inches with a score at 5.5 inches and just less than 1" for the flap.

Double sided tape on the flap with a generous insert.

More of the sparkly paper on royal blue card base which measures 6 x 12 inches.  It is scored at 5.5 and just less than 1" for the flap.

I cut a Sizzix Snowflake #2 from silver foil card stock and layered a MS Snowflake punch on top.  It was cut from Pale Plum card stock as well as the SU Modern Lake punchie under the greeting.

There is a silver sequin in the middle and this element is adhered to the card with 3D foam tape.

Double sided tape on the flap with a generous insert.

More sparkly paper with the Sizzix Snowman and Hat die. The snowman was embossed with the coordinating folder.

I cut the hat from black card stock and added some sparkle with a gel pen.

The color on the snowman was done with Sharpies to be sure it did not rub off.

Another pearl snowbank which the same card stock as the snowman.

The card base is navy linen texture cut 6x12 inches. Scored at 5.5 and then just less than 1" for the flap.

Double sided tape on the flap with a generous insert.

Slow Stitching - No. 044 - Stitching Blind

K3N Cloth Tales Slow Stitching Challenge 2024

Week 44 - Stitching Blind

This was a challenge and uncomfortable. 

Prep - threaded 3 needles - green, yellow and navy. My base piece looks like wool but it is not. 

I put an applique pin to let me know what I thought was bottom.

I gathered green cotton, white lace, navy ribbon, and yellow yarn as layers on this piece.

I sewed the green cotton on first.  I see that I did not pull my thread taut which left me with loose thread on the front.  I thought this one had gone fairly well. 

Next, I did the lace which I thought was pretty straight but not really. I was using yellow thread but you can see I pulled the thread out of the needle and I just abandoned it halfway through.

The navy ribbon went pretty well.  I had lost one of my needles so I cut the navy thread, knotted it and used the rest of the navy to couch the yellow yarn which went very well. 

I will finish the few stitches so that I have a finished piece.

Oil Diffusers - Travel Case - Set 2

 This is the next set of One of a Kind Oil Diffusers in a travel case.

Just Bee - I made a bee by appliqueing 3 yellow pieces onto a black base piece of felt. I added a circle for the head which I stitched to the body. I used a piece of thin gauzy polyester fabric and cut out the wings. I satin stitched all the way around the outer edge of the wings then put some texture stitching in the wings. I stitched the wings to the body. I then stitched the bee to a piece of turquoise felt which measured about 4x4 inches.  

The back is a piece of cotton fabric which looks marbled.  I added my loop for the hanger and the yellow drop.  The 2 layers were stitched together with blanket stitch all the way around.

Follow your Heart - I cut 3 hearts in different sizes getting smaller as I went. I stitched these together with running stitch then added the 3 flowers at the top of the white one. I then stitched the whole heart to the front of a white background piece of felt measuring approximately 4x4 inches. I stitch the follow stitching in pink around the heart.

The back piece of this diffuser is cotton in a bright fuchsia color with a hanging loop and a pink drop. I chose white thread for the blanket stitch all the way around.  It comes with a travel case.

Note: The background fabric should have been a light color so it would not have darkened the white felt on the front.

Tea Time - This oil diffuser features a yellow teappot ( my favorite) which I drew then cut out of yellow felt. I place a strip of white lace along the edge of the front layer to serve as a tablecloth. I stitched the teapot onto the navy layer over the lace adding accents to it as I went.

The back of this diffuser is white felt with a navy loop and drop.  It comes with the hanger in a travel case.

Just One More Chapter - I created a small book to put on the front of this diffuser.  I chose a patterned piece of cotton and a white cotton for the inside.  I hand stitched these together, trimmed the corners and turned the piece inside out.  The book is stitched to the green backer along the spine of the book so that it opens. I put a little quote on the inside. 

The backer is yellow felt with a loop and drop.  I blanket stitched all the way around with green thread.  It comes with a hanger and a travel case.

Sewing Project - Adjustable Bookmark

I have been thinking of making some bookmarks for the Christmas sale since we share the space with the library.

With a bit of research, I found a few features I would like to incorporate. Adjustable and a pocket for a writing instrument.

After some measuring, I decided to make the it wrap around the book with an elastic and a couple of buttons for adjustment.  A pocket could be placed on the front and maybe some stitching could be included.

I cut 2 pieces of fabric measuring 3"W x 21" T - one patterned one solid.  I decided to use elastic from old face masks. I cut a piece of mustard fabric for the pocket. The buttons and embroidery need to be added before sewing.  The pocket needs to be sewn on the front of the bookmark. 

The elastic was pinned in place at the opposite end from the pocket. Then, I sewed all the way around the long strip leaving a slit to turn it inside out. I trimmed the corners, turned it inside out, pushed out the corners with a chopstick and pressed it flat.  I then top stitched all the way around. It was very difficult to do the buttons and embroidery after the pocket was sewn on.

Notes: 

• The pencil pocket is too tall and could be narrower. 
• Stitching and button(s) need to be done before assembly.
• This is a hard cover book so the overall length of the bookmark could be shorter to accommodate smaller books.
• I will use this one and implement improvements to future versions
• The mask elastic may too soft.

Cards - SC Christmas - Nativity

Another set of Christmas cards for the box. Again, self closing cards measuring 6x5.5 inches.

I did take one to the post office Monday and it was mailed with regular postage.

A dark green linen textured card stock base.  With a gold metallic Stampin Up Sunburst diecut adhered over a paste paper background.  This layer was adhered to the card with d/s tape.

I punched a red 2" circle and cut the Penny Black Manger die from ivory pearl card stock.  These were layered with QuickDry adhesive.  It was then adhered to the sunburst with 3D foam tape.

A white insert and some d/s tape with carrier on the flap and it's done.

For this card I used a navy linen card stock cut to 6 x12 inches which was scored at 5.5 and just less than 1" for the flap.

I chose a piece of blue paste paper and cut the SU Sunburst die in silver metallic paper. These were adhered together with QuickDry glue then adhered to the card with d/s tape.

The manger scene was cut from ivory pearl cardstock and mounted onto a 2" circle punchie then mounted to the sunburst with 3D foam tape.

A white insert and a d/s tape with carrier on the flap.

A monochromatic theme for this one.  I olive green linen card base with a coordinating paste paper. 

A 2 inch circle punchie from the same card stock to back the ivory pearl manger die cut.  Once adhered to each other this layer was adhered to the card over the center of the sunburst with 3D foam tape.

A white insert and a strip of d/s tape with carrier on the flap.

I have about 55 cards ready which is close to what I need.