Sewn Studio Summer Swap

It's been a while since I participated in an online swap, but this one did not disappoint. My buddy Heidi organized it for Sewn Studio, where I used to work part time before moving from Cincinnati. Oh man, do I miss that place! So even though it was online and anyone could participate, a lot of the swappers were Sewn customers. 

When I got my partner's info, all she specified was that she liked both modern and traditional stuff, and she didn't like girly purples and pinks. But she also said she really likes baking and canning, so I decided to make her a table runner. It's shown here as a wall-hanging, which it could easily be used as, if she's not into table runners.

My mom and I have been working on a quilt together of all the Anna Maria Horner fabrics my mom bought at her studio when we went to the MQG Sewdown together in April. (I neglected to blog about that, but it was amazing- workshops with Carolyn Friedlander, Victoria Findlay Wolfe, Angel Walters, and AMH, plus dinner music and studio tour at Anna Maria's home here in Nashville. So wonderful!) Anyway, there were a bunch of tiny scraps from that project that I just started sewing together into improv-y little patchwork panels. Then I decided to add Essex linen in steel (I think?) to make them into modern crosses with slight variations on size and positioning.

It's one of those projects that just grew organically without a clear plan and I absolutely love the end result. Every time I sew that way, I enjoy it so so much. I don't know why I don't do things like that more often. Sometimes it feels easier to just reach for a pattern and follow it without having to think too much, but really, when I take more control of it myself and put more thought into the design, it's that much more pleasing at the end and all though the process.

The back is just the leftover patchwork bits along with bigger pieces of True Colors. The quilting is wavy organic lines with my walking foot, and the binding is a Julianna Horner print from Joann. I love how well the mother/ daughter fabrics go together! This one was a little difficult to send away, but at the same time it always feels good to send your best out for a swap partner.

I also whipped up a quick Heather Ross zipper pouch and stuffed it with scraps to send along. (Cutting measurements: 12"x5.5" and 12"x4.5 contrast for the outers, 12"x9" for the lining and interfacing, and a 3" wide boxed corner.)  This is my go-to pouch size for gifts.

The day after I finished up my swap items, I got my amazing package in the mail from Amanda. I could not believe all the work she put into my gift, and she picked the perfect fabrics for me from the Indelible collection. Plus I was so happy to receive from Amanda, a friend I know from Sewn. The bag is the Senna Tote by LBG Studio, and it's a GREAT tote. So roomy with convenient outside pockets- this one will get a lot of use Amanda, so thank you!

Divided Tote, Divided Socks

I bought Anna's Divided Basket pattern as soon as it was released, I think in February? I immediately printed the pattern pieces and started thinking of fabrics. Then I sewed it up in August. Yup, sounds about right. I didn't really have a purpose for making it, except that the CincinnatiMQG was having a fabric basket challenge thingy that month. Now it has become a holder of kid socks. Mismatched, can never find them where they are supposed to be, kid socks. How lucky am I that I have two kids who wear socks, and this thing is divided into two compartments?? Probably the best reason ever to round it out at two offspring. 

The main fabric is (again) Menagerie by Sarah Watson for Art Gallery. I actually made this project before making the Art Museum vest in the same fabric. And just last week I made a little bag for a CMQG swap with the leftovers. There are still some precious scraps that will be used to the last threads as well. It's just one of those fabrics you can't let sit on the shelf. 

I also used some Joel Dewberry woodgrain for the outside pocket, trimmed with peach Lizzy House Pearl Bracelets. My PB supply is dwindling, probably because I use them in everything. Must fix that problem.

The lining is from Saltwater by Tula Pink. I think I got all three of these main prints at Cool Cottons during my trip to visit Kristin this summer. Didn't really mean for them all to go together to well, but they did. Love it when that happens!

This pattern is fantastic, just like we always expect from Noodlehead patterns. The way the divider in the lining is constructed seems to simple in a way, but it's nothing I would have figured out on my own. It was so fun to see it come together.

But my favorite part turned out to be the handles. I used this burlap-ish ribbon I got on a weekend trip to Columbus at a beautiful shop called On Paper. The store was mostly stationary and specialty gifts, but it also had this amazing little selection of the prettiest trims. For these handles, I just made piping out of the peach PB and sandwiched it between two layers of the cute ribbon. I love the way they look great on both sides and stand up so well. Details, details.

I'm sure I'll be making a couple more Divided Baskets in the near future, as many of my friends are suddenly preggins, and they make great baby gifts you can stuff full of infant accessories. You can get your copy of the pdf pattern instantly right here.

Sew Sweetness Pattern Giveaway

Hey guys, today I'm over at Mama Says Sew talking all about my fun new Aeroplane Bag. But after you check out my pictures and full pattern review there, come back and leave a comment here for your chance to win any three Sew Sweetness patterns you want! 

I'll pick three (3!!) winners this Friday. You can tall me which pattern in Sara's shop is your favorite, or just tell me why you need to make a new bag. Don't forget to include your email. Good luck!

Something mine, for me, myself-selfish-self

Wow, that makes me sound like Veruca Salt or something, doesn't it?

Whatever, sometimes you just have to ignore the pleas of your naked children and make something superfluous for yourself, right? You deserve it!

Nah, actually, I just thought this looked really fun to make and I was really sick of my old one. 

Here is the free pattern. It is pretty cool to take a pattern on some fabric and turn it into a completely different one just by using patchwork. And it was nice to use this yellow striped fabric I've had lying around forever.  Yeesh, I have a lot of fabric I need to use up... yet I still can't seem to stop buying it. It's a disease or something.


Speaking of my disease, it's only going to get worse, as I'm beginning a part-time job at Sewn Studio this week. Hopefully I'll get to take home some of my paycheck. I'm really super excited to be working there though. It's pretty much the perfect place to spend time in and actually get paid for it.

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Speaking of naked kids and trying not to be selfish, one more item to share this morning. I'm sure you've all seen plenty of pictures of Joplin and the devastation left from last week's tornado. A friend of mine from college who lives there now had a very cool idea for helping families in need.

Here's what you do. Like this facebook page, then follow their link to buy diapers on Amazon and send them to their church there, where they will be distributed to babies. Pretty good right? Go ahead and share it with all your fb friends too. How cool would it be if they got diapers from all 50 states, and our Canadian friends too.

If you want to bypass facebook, just buy some diapers here, and get them shipped to:


Carterville Christian Church 
20123 Gravel Rd 
Joplin MO 64801.

Such an easy simple thing that will make someone's hard life a lot easier right now.

Craft-Swappin

I made a couple of bags this week for good friends. I didn't want to charge these lovely ladies, and since they are both makers of things as well, I suggested we barter. How very Oregon Trail of us.

For Olivia, I made this bag (which I'm totally spoiling for her since she hasn't received it yet)

And I'm going to get this adorable print from her shop:

And for my newlywed friend Jessica, I made this bag

For which I've already received a large jar of her honey:

That's right, she keeps bees in her backyard, and harvests (is that the right word?) their yummy TN honey herself. How cool is that? It's delicious. (Although I'm not supposed to eat it right now, I sometimes have to sneak some.)

So this makes me think about the whole swapping thing. There are lots of us bloggers/etsy-ers who make things, and would also like the things that others make. Does anyone know of any sites set up for organizing swaps? It would be nice if you could put a handmade item out there, and also let people know what kind of thing you are looking to swap for, whether it be art, supplies, edibles, or other specific handmade items. Once you have a taker, you could organize the rest on your own terms. I'm sure there is something like that out there. If not, maybe we could just make our own? Suggestions? Thoughts?

Humor Me

Alright, I now you are probably sick of the Louise Bag, but I wanted to show you these few I just finished up because the fabrics I used are so much different than some I have done before. Some of the fabrics are from Ikea, and they are very bold and mod. Some are little nautical feeling. I love it.

They are reversible, so each picture is two sides of the same bag. 

Bag #1:

Bag #2:

Bag #3:

Bag #4:

Bag #5:

No diaper bag in NOLA.

Ok, I said I was gone for the week, but I had to show you what I made for our vacation. I'm a little excited because I've never made something with a zipper before. (Which is embarrassing to admit.)

 Turns out, it was pretty easy thanks to this tutorial.  They even show you how to do it without a zipper foot, which is great, since I was too lazy to find mine. My only edit for next time would be to leave the little pull tab off. I find it pointless. I still love my new wristlet though!


(I may become addicted to wristlets and make this one and this one and this one.)

Back in the Furnace

Made some more bride bags and thought I'd show you. It's nothing new, but at least I'm sewing in the hot box again.