Steam That Seam Iron Blocks

I made 4 blocks for the Quilter's Garden BOM/Swap this month. These are called Steam That Seam and of course are an iron pressing a nine-patch quilt block. There were 2 different iron designs to choose from. I chose to make just this style for now. You could make your iron pointing to the right or to the left or both. I made two pointing left and two pointing to the right. I also used rickrack for the iron cords instead of a bias binding because I thought it made the irons look more old-fashioned. Since the blocks each month are a mystery, and I do not know how I will set this quilt or how large I want it, I am making 3-5 blocks each month (swapping one each month) and then when the BOM is all over I can decide if I want to make some more blocks and play around with the setting. It was intended to be a row quilt, but not everyone will make it into a row quilt and I won't know myself until I have them finished and can play and experiment. This month's iron block was just so darn cute!

I made 2 of the blocks above. Since they are identical, I only photographed one. I am swapping one of these blocks.

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Parcel Pattern #7 Handbags Blog Tour

Hello friends, followers and visitors, I am participating in the Parcel Pattern Blog Tour, which is for handbags this month. I could choose any of the 6 bags that are part of this tour to make. Well since I have already made 3 of the bags before, Evelyn, Midtown Messenger and the Butterfly Sling, I decided to make the Betty Bowler Bag by Swoon. If you want to see the 2 Evelyn bags that I made please go here and here. The Midtown Messenger Bag I made is here. The Butterfly Sling I made is here.

Below is a collage of all the bags in this parcel. At the end of this post you will find out how you can purchase the Pattern Parcel #7 and more information how the Pattern Parcels work. Some of the proceeds goes to charity, so this is a worthwhile cause too.

Below is the Betty Bowler Bag that I made. I did made a few small changes to my bag. I quilted my bag using a variegated thread and I used headliner foam. I also didn't add the center 2 stripe fabrics because I thought this bag was just asking for a couple of outside slip pockets, so I added one on each side between the handles. I wasn't sure how tall I wanted the pocket, so I based the pocket size on the large stripe of fabric and just folded it in half. I added interfacing to the pocket and a lace trim too. It looks like I could have made the pocket taller, but it's actually a good pocket depth as it is. Another change I made was to make the zipper tabs that you grab on to for zipping and unzipping the bag a bit larger. I don't have large hands, but the tabs seemed a bit too small to me. The large long pocket that is in the inside of the bag I divided in half to form 2 pockets as one long pocket seemed a bit too much. None were difficult changes to make. I really like the shape and size of the Betty Bowler. It's a great size bag for using as an overnight bag or even a diaper/nappy bag. For my purposes it will make a nice knitting or sewing project bag to take to my groups. The instructions were well written and the only difficult part for me was doing the piping because I used store bought piping and I had to adjust to where to place it or it would have been enclosed into the seams. That's the one thing the pattern doesn't tell you where to place your piping on the fabric pieces if using a store bought piping.

The Betty Bowler front side with zipper pocket and I added a slip pocket with lace trim too.

I made my zipper grab tabs larger (wider and longer) than the instructions tell you to because I thought at 1/2" wide they were a bit too small to grab a hold of for me.

I always make my own beaded zipper pulls. This one is on the front pocket.

This is the main zipper pull.

Inside is a long slip pocket that I divided into 2 sections because I thought a divided pocket was more useful to me.

The back of the Betty Bowler is the same except there is no zippered pocket here.

Parcel #7 includes:

• Barcelona Bag and Wallet by Pat Bravo 
• Butterfly Sling Purse by Emmaline Patterns 
• Evelyn Handbag by ChrisW Designs 
• Midtown Messenger Bag by Betz White 
• Betty Bowler by Swoon Sewing Patterns 
• BONUS PATTERN: Daphne Bag by Clover & Violet 

Bonus Pattern:

Choose a price of $32 or greater for Parcel #7 and you will automatically also be sent the Bonus Pattern! That's just over $5 a pattern. The Bonus Pattern for this Parcel is the brand new Daphne Bag pattern from Clover & Violet. The Daphne is a slouchy satchel that can be worn cross body or as a shoulder bag. The zip top keeps your gear secure and the internal pockets keep your accessories where you need them. This is a brand new, never been seen before pattern and is an exclusive opportunity for Parcel #7 customers!

 How Pattern Parcel Works: Here at Perfect Pattern Parcel, we believe in supporting independent pattern designers. It’s our opinion that indie patterns are just, well, better than big box patterns, and we’re pretty sure our customers think so too. So, we allow customers to show their support in naming their own price for each Parcel. We also encourage customers to allocate part of their Parcel price to the charity Donorschoose.org in order to help classrooms in need. Pattern Parcel donates all profits after expenses from Parcel sales to the charity as well. Its our goal to raise over $20,000 for Donors Choose this year.

Be sure to drop by all the participating blogs to see which bag(s) were made:

Friday, November 7 Stitched || Sew Exhausted

Saturday, November 8 Made by Sara ||Oliver's Fancy || Strawberry Patch Ramblings

Sunday, November 9 from a box || Mia's Creations || MOMENTS

Monday, November 10 owen's olivia || While she was sleeping

Tuesday, November 11 Nutta || Radiant Home Studio || La Pantigana

Wednesday, November 12 Sew Fishsticks || Stacy Sews || Stitching Insane || GnomeAngel

Thursday, November 13 Needle and Ted || Patchouli Moon Studio || Sprouting JubeJube || The Crazy Tailor

Friday, November 14 Casa Crafty || A Jennuine Life || 'So, Zo... What do you know?'

Saturday, November 15 Stitches by Laura || Rebekah Sews || Serger Pepper

Sunday, November 16 Blogs Like A Mother || Vicky Myers creations || Blossom Heart Quilts

Monday, November 17 Shanni Loves || So Sew Easy || GYCT Designs || Tiger In A Tornado

Tuesday, November 18 The Nosy Pepper || Keep Calm and Carrion || There & Back || Sewing Sober

Wednesday, November 19 Sew Like My Mom || Knot Sew Normal || Stacy Sews || sewVery

Thursday, November 20 Mimi's Mom || Our Family Four || shades of BOLD || Modern Handcraft

Friday, November 21 Shawnta Sews || Lulu & Celeste || Amanda Rose || Robin's Fabric Nest || House of Pinheiro
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Owl Theme Notebook Cover

My daughter asked me to make something with an owl as a gift she will be giving to her boyfriend's nephew for Christmas who is owl crazy. I thought about it and then decided to make a theme notebook cover because I figured an 8 year old would find it useful to have. I used the Owl appliques from Modern Quilts-1; the quilt is called What a Hoot. A real test to how this turned out is that I want to keep it for myself, LOL!!! I can always make another one if I want to I suppose. Here it is:

Here's the front of the notebook cover.

I couldn't stop with just one owl, so I added an owl peeking above the pencil/pen pocket inside the cover.

I added another owl on the inside back cover.

A fourth owl is on the back of the notebook cover. So whether this book is right side up, upside down or opened, you will be able to see an owl.

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MyTie Makeover Mini Bag

I tested the MyTie Makeover Mini Bag for Rochelle of eSheep Designs last month. The pattern includes 3 styles of small bags, each made from using a man's necktie. I liked the one with the flap and gusset so I chose to make this one. Since all ties will yield a different amount of fabric in which to work with, Rochelle explains how to cut your fabric and somewhat re-create the pattern that she provides. It actually works rather well, even if I was a bit slow in "getting it" at first. The bag itself goes together rather quickly. You can choose to make a handle/strap using fabric or cording or other material and add hardware if you want to as well. I actually braided the cord myself for this small bag, using several strands of different ribbon and string using my Kumhimo braiding disk. I chose to add a sewn snap to close the bag instead of a buttonhole and button. But I did make a fabric flower and used a button in the center to add a bit of embellishment.

Be sure and visit Rochelle's blog to see the other tester's bags. Rochelle will have the pattern for this bag available in her Craftsy shop soon.

My Tie Bag made from a man's necktie. I made the cording myself with my Kumihimo braiding disk.

The tie flap which closes with a snap and I added a fabric flower with a button center as an embellishment.

I chose to add 2 slip pockets in the lining.

The back of the bag.

The back of the bag.

I like the idea of upcycling a necktie into something else and these bags are so cute and a great way to give new life to a necktie. The size of the bag is perfect for a young girl too. Elegant fabrics would make a great evening bag or great bag for a wedding, while a novelty tie print would make a cute bag for a young girl or teen. Rochelle's instructions are well written with good photos too. Pin It Now!

Pattern Parcel #7 Blog Tour: Handbags!

Today is the start of the Pattern Parcel #7 Blog Tour of Handbags. I will be posting the handbag that I made for this blog tour on November 13th, which will also be my birthday, so please stop by next week to see the bag that I made for this tour. Check out the blog tour schedule down below.

Below is a collage of all the bags in this parcel. At the end of this post you will find out how you can purchase the Pattern Parcel #7 and more information how the Pattern Parcels work. Some of the proceeds for the sales goes to charity, so this is a worthwhile cause too. There is a limited number of days left to purchase the parcel so please go and check this out.

 

Parcel #7 includes:

• Barcelona Bag and Wallet by Pat Bravo 
• Butterfly Sling Purse by Emmaline Patterns 
• Evelyn Handbag by ChrisW Designs 
• Midtown Messenger Bag by Betz White 
• Betty Bowler by Swoon Sewing Patterns 
• BONUS PATTERN: Daphne Bag by Clover & Violet 

Bonus Pattern:

Choose a price of $32 or greater for Parcel #7 and you will automatically also be sent the Bonus Pattern! That's just over $5 a pattern. The Bonus Pattern for this Parcel is the brand new Daphne Bag pattern from Clover & Violet. The Daphne is a slouchy satchel that can be worn cross body or as a shoulder bag. The zip top keeps your gear secure and the internal pockets keep your accessories where you need them. This is a brand new, never been seen before pattern and is an exclusive opportunity for Parcel #7 customers!

 How Pattern Parcel Works: Here at Perfect Pattern Parcel, we believe in supporting independent pattern designers. It’s our opinion that indie patterns are just, well, better than big box patterns, and we’re pretty sure our customers think so too. So, we allow customers to show their support in naming their own price for each Parcel. We also encourage customers to allocate part of their Parcel price to the charity Donorschoose.org in order to help classrooms in need. Pattern Parcel donates all profits after expenses from Parcel sales to the charity as well. Its our goal to raise over $20,000 for Donors Choose this year.

Friday, November 7 Stitched || Sew Exhausted

Saturday, November 8 Made by Sara ||Oliver's Fancy || Strawberry Patch Ramblings

Sunday, November 9 from a box || Mia's Creations || MOMENTS

Monday, November 10 owen's olivia || While she was sleeping

Tuesday, November 11 Nutta || Radiant Home Studio || La Pantigana

Wednesday, November 12 Sew Fishsticks || Stacy Sews || Stitching Insane || GnomeAngel

Thursday, November 13 Needle and Ted || Patchouli Moon Studio || Sprouting JubeJube || The Crazy Tailor

Friday, November 14 Casa Crafty || A Jennuine Life || 'So, Zo... What do you know?'

Saturday, November 15 Stitches by Laura || Rebekah Sews || Serger Pepper

Sunday, November 16 Blogs Like A Mother || Vicky Myers creations || Blossom Heart Quilts

Monday, November 17 Shanni Loves || So Sew Easy || GYCT Designs || Tiger In A Tornado

Tuesday, November 18 The Nosy Pepper || Keep Calm and Carrion || There & Back || Sewing Sober

Wednesday, November 19 Sew Like My Mom || Knot Sew Normal || Stacy Sews || sewVery

Thursday, November 20 Mimi's Mom || Our Family Four || shades of BOLD || Modern Handcraft

Friday, November 21 Shawnta Sews || Lulu & Celeste || Amanda Rose || Robin's Fabric Nest || House of Pinheiro
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Serendipity Hip Bag by Chris W Designs

I tested this Serendipity Hip bag for Christine of Chris W Designs at the end of October. It's the perfect bag for running to the store, taking with your on an airplane, bus, or train, or for a walk around town, and measures about W 20cm X H 25cm X D 4.5cm. (W 8" X H 10" X D 1¾”. As usual, Christine's instructions are fantastic and so easy to follow. Christine's bags are always well thought out and this one is no exception. The Serendipity Bag didn't take too long to make and is a simple bag that you might want to wear when you don't want to be bogged down schlepping around a lot of stuff with you. There are 2 credit card slots inside the bag, so you don't need to take your wallet.  There are 2 pockets outside (zipper pocket with a slip pocket behind the zipper, and there is even another slip pocket in there for your phone, so I guess that's really 3 pockets, lol). Inside the bag is another zippered pocket. There are 7 pockets in all, including the credit card pockets. The bag itself closes with a zipper too, so everything is all nice and secure. See all the bags made by the other testers here.  If you would like to purchase this pdf pattern from Christine, please go to her website and if you use the code: hip20 you will get a 20% off discount. Discount is available only at Christine's website. (FYI: I do not earn anything if you purchase this pattern; I was just a tester and I honestly love Christine's bags and her instructions).

While the pattern is written for making an adjustable strap, I found it was just the right size to wear across the body without adding an adjustable buckle. I also opted to not add swivel hooks to clip to the D-rings, as I wouldn't be removing the straps.

As you can see I used a fabric print of the Eiffel Tower. This is the front of the bag with a zippered pocket and another slip pocket behind the zipper pocket, which also has another slip pocket for your phone.

The back of the bag.

Side view. 

I happened to have large charm of the Eiffel Tower so I am using it as a zipper pull. You can even see it says "Paris" on the charm.

This is the phone slip pocket that is inside the larger slip pocket that is located behind the zippered pocket on the outside. Did you get all that? LOL!!

Inside the bag is a zippered pocket and 2 credit card pockets. There is even another slip pocket behind the credit card pockets, which would be a great place to slip in some cash. 

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Alphabet Quilt Made by Gloria

Back in the year 2000, I designed and made an Alphabet Quilt. I took it to show and tell at my local quilt guild and it hung in our local quilt show that year too. My friend Gloria encouraged me to create a pattern to sell and told me she would be my first customer to purchase the pattern. So I went ahead and created the pattern. Since it was a paper pattern, I had to print and package the pattern and try to sell it to quilt shops. I sold a few patterns, probably just broke even, since those patterns had to be sold at wholesale prices to the shops. Then a few years years ago Craftsy came along and I decided to turn my pattern into a pdf to sell. It was a lot easier not having to make a full time job trying to sell my pattern to quilt shops, which is not easy to do. I sell a few patterns per year on Craftsy and that's fine. I never thought I would make a fortune selling patterns LOL!!!

Okay, let's get back to my friend Gloria who did indeed purchase my very first pattern. She made the quilt and wanted to add something in the border. Since Gloria is a retired school teacher who taught deaf children, she wanted to add some hand signs for the deaf in the border. She was going to applique them and thought it might be too busy and I suggested to her to quilt the hand signs. If you look closely you will see the quilted hand signs between the little children motifs that she had appliqued in the border. I love the blue and yellow that she used and the other little touches that she added to her quilt. It's fun and rewarding to see something that I designed come to life by someone else making it. I know the bag designers that I sometimes test for must feel great every time the testers complete their bags and show them.

Gloria Shapiro's Alphabet Quilt (made from my Alphabet Pattern). Look closely and you will the quilted hand signs for the deaf in the border of her quilt. She completed this quilt in 2002.

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