Phillip - the hipster monster with wings!
Just a quick blog….
I’ve sold my first handmade item! Wow, does that ever feel
good to say!
I didn’t set out to make any money off of these creations. To
be honest, it was one of those things I’ve always wanted to master, and in the
last year, I have found myself with all kinds of time on my hands, so I figured,
there’s no time like the present!
Every new project I’ve taken on, I chose because of the challenge
(market bag for the pinning, makeup bag for the zipper, and the scarf for the
hand sewing). And originally thought that I could use more work on my hand
sewing and I was really starting to get the knack of the ladder-stitch, so I set
off making something that was so ugly, you had to call it cute! Making a
stuffed toy has many challenges, but the trickiest so far is the patience you
have to have to create a product you are proud of in the end. It’s time consuming
and left-brain heavy, but in the end, totally fulfilling – and tough to let go
of!
~ M
This blog was featured on Sundae Scoop
Circle Scarf
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New Skill
Hand Stiching
This is offically the easiest item you will ever make. There is no measuring, no cutting.... just sewing, and everyone will be asking where you bought it! I spent $12 on the fabric, and I've been complemented on it over and over again!You'll need:
* 2 yards of fabric - I used a rayon blend, so that it's stretchy. I like my scarves long, but if you go stretchy, you may want to use 1.5 yards for a closer to the neck fit.* 20 minutes
* SIT Kit
START TIME
1. Lay out your fabric, and fold right sides together, selvage to selvage.
2. Pin the selvage ends together to hold the fabric in place.
3. Sew the ends together, using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Then iron the seams open.
 |
| If you chose a thin fabric, like silk, you may want to use a blunt needle. I found that with this fabric my stiches were really loose. I tightend the tension, and it did the trick. |
4. Turn the fabric right side out, take one side of the scarf and overlap the fabric until the raw edges meet. Match the finished seam lines one the raw edges together, and pin them together.
TIME CHECK
5. Pin all the way around the open end of the circle, and sew with a 1/2 inch seam allowance, leaving a 3-4 inch space that you can fit your hand into the pull the scarf through inside right.
6. Hand sew the gap closed and enjoy!FINISHED
Let me know what you think!
~ M
The Reversible Market Bag
New Skill
Topstiching
This bag is a great beginner project that is functional, and also makes great gifts!You'll need:
* 1 yard of liner fabric
* 1 1/2 hours
* SIT Kit
START TIME
1. Out of each piece of fabric, cut the following:
* 2 – 16”X11.5” (Side Panels)
* 1 – 12.5”X4.5” (Bottom Panel)
* 2 – 19”X2” (Straps)
2. Place the side panels of the like patterns “face to face” and sew up the short sides, leaving ½ inch on the bottom on each side.
4. Pin the other side of the bottom panel to the side panel, and sew together. |
| This is what you should have so far |
TIME CHECK
5. Now for the corners. This will be the most frustrating part, if you try to make it too perfect. I try to make these as close to square as possible.... but these are handmade, little mistakes are endearing, right?Hold your bag upside down and pinch the seams of the side panel and hold it against the bottom panel of the bag. Once you feel the side seams are centred on the bottom panel of the bag, pin it.
 |
| Pinning here will allow you to flip it outside right to see if you like it. Once you have it where you like it, sew across to finish off the rectangle. |
You're so close! Let's get strappy!
6. Place your strap pieces, opposite fabrics together, face to face. Sew up one side and then press the two pieces open.
7. Flip the straps over, and press about a 1/4 inch fold towards the seam, on both of the long sides.
8. Now fold the straps in half and press again for good measure.
9. Grab your two bags. Fold the top of the bag 1/2 inch, all the way around. (For the lining, start with the bag inside-out and fold the opposite way)
10. Stuff the lining inside the bag, and get your straps ready...TIME CHECK
11. Again, this doesn't have to be perfect, but for mine I had the edges of my straps roughly 4 1/2" from their seams, respectively, and I had 1 1/2" in between the shell and the lining of the bag. Pin the straps into place. 
12. Before you even look at the sewing machine, test out your straps to see if you like the way they hang off your hand. Let this take as long as it takes for you to love it! Once you start sewing, you'll go crazy if you have to stitch-rip the whole thing because the straps aren't even. Yes.... I'm speaking from experience.TIME CHECK
 |
| My sewing machine has a removable part, to allow for bags to slip around (free arm). If your machine has this too, take advantage of it! |
13. Last step! Start at the seam, and sew around the whole bag, removing the needles before you sew it. Keep your eye on the needle plate and stay as straight as you can. I slow it right down to turtle, to make sure I sew a straight line.
FINISHED
Please let me know what you think!
~ M
The 30 Minute Makeup Bag
New Skill
Zipper
I have recently discovered this makeup bag. It is sooo customisable!
Let's make the smaller sized pouch.
You'll need:
* 2 pieces of fabric, 6" x 8" (I use a canvas type of material, but if you use a cotton blend, consider also ironing on a layer of interfacing)* 1 9" zipper
* 30 minutes
* SIT Kit
1. Our first step is to attach the zipper. See the "Pointers" Section for step-by-step directions if you don't have a zipper foot (or don't feel like changing the feet on your sewing machine)
2. Next flip your "right" sides together and sew along the edge, closing the long edges, leaving the shorter edges open.
3. Now let's sew up the short sides. The important part here is to make sure your zipper and the seam on the bottom of the bag are lined up as perfectly as possible.
4. This is an optional step, but I like the final touch it puts on the inside of the bag; take two pieces of scraps (approx. 2"x2") and roll it around the end of the zipper, kind of like a burrito, and then sew as close to the bag as you can.
Inside out:
Outside right:
This is where you get to decide what you want the shape of your finished bag to look like.
5. With the bag inside out, sew your corners together to get your final shape. Let's start with 2 cm to see what that looks like:
Here we are with the 3 cm corner.
You decide!
This blog was featured on Today's Creative Blog
START TIME
1. Our first step is to attach the zipper. See the "Pointers" Section for step-by-step directions if you don't have a zipper foot (or don't feel like changing the feet on your sewing machine)
2. Next flip your "right" sides together and sew along the edge, closing the long edges, leaving the shorter edges open.
3. Now let's sew up the short sides. The important part here is to make sure your zipper and the seam on the bottom of the bag are lined up as perfectly as possible.  |
| Move the head of the zipper into the centre, and pin the now open zipper together. Sew the ends closed. |
4. This is an optional step, but I like the final touch it puts on the inside of the bag; take two pieces of scraps (approx. 2"x2") and roll it around the end of the zipper, kind of like a burrito, and then sew as close to the bag as you can.
Then fold the end back towards the bag.
This is what you have so far:
Inside out:
You're almost done!
TIME CHECK
This is where you get to decide what you want the shape of your finished bag to look like.
It will look like this inside out:
Here is the bag with the 2cm corner...
And now the 5 cm...
FINISHED
Let me know what you think - please comment below, or email me! I'd love to see pictures of what you were able to create!
~ M
~ M
This blog was featured on Today's Creative Blog
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