It all began with a few rectangles of pretty fabric and a pair of circular bamboo handles.
It ended with this little bag.
I used a fat quarter for the exterior and one for the lining plus a little medium woven interlining. Just enough to give a little support but not enough to add any bulk.
This is so quick to make and it's such a pretty shape.
I hope you like it.... what it needs now is a name. Any ideas?
... or envelope back pillow if you prefer.
I love cushions around the house, they can add such a burst of colour and you can make covers like these with even the most modest of sewing skills.
So, lets make a cushion cover..... a simple envelope backed cushion cover.
You will need;
(Lots of colours and patterns to create something beautiful with)
Fabric Notes: I'm using home decor weight fabric for this project but medium/quilt weight fabric also makes a very nice cushion cover. You may not need to buy new fabric you may already have enough for what you need. You can salvage fabric from an old unwanted duvet cover, sheets or curtains, use pieces left over from other projects, but be bold. This is not intended to be a beige project... beige has it's own place in the crafting world but it isn't here amongst the cushions. Not today anyway.
To make your cushion cover;
(A handy little sewing gauge.)
Turn it over another 1 cm and iron that down to make your double folded hem. Pin this down if it helps to keep everything in place.
4. Take this to your sewing machine and sew down the edge of your folded seam.
5. Repeat this with the other back piece. Remembering that if your fabric has a one way/directional pattern you need to consider this, as you will want to have the pattern all the facing the same way.
6. Place the front piece face up on your work surface. Lay one back piece right side facing down onto the front piece, aligning the top edge and the bottom edge. The un-hemmed side edge should line up with the outer edge of the cushion front.
7. Take the second back piece and place it right side facing down onto the other fabric pieces. Align the top and bottom edges as before. The un-hemmed edge needs to line up with the outer edge of the cushion front.
There will be an overlap in the middle, with no ‘front piece’ fabric showing. (This forms the the ‘envelope’)
8. Pin this into position to hold everything in place.
9. Take this to the sewing machine and sew all the way around the ‘square’, using a 1cm seam allowance. Move any pins out of the way so that you don't break your needle as you sew.
10. Fasten off any trailing threads so there's nothing likely to come undone at any point in your soon-to-be cushions life.
11. Trim fabric away from the corners to reduce bulk and give give you nice corners when you turn your new cover inside out.
12. Turn the cover inside out.
13. Give it a little press to tidy it up...
14. Insert cushion insert.
15. Admire! Fetch a book or magazine, make yourself a cup of tea or coffee and give it a road test.
Or then again you might just have to make one or two more ....
Enjoy!
How is everyone? I feel that I've been 'missing in action' for a while.
Do you remember my post about joining in a quilt-a-long without really owning up to it?
Well I'm still plodding along, getting bits and pieces done.
I've cut all the fabric out now.
(A few cut out pieces...)
I've definitely played around with laying fabric side by side....
I've been sewing blocks together..... it's such a simple but effective block pattern.
I love the way the fabric looks in this little layout.... When I first saw Good Folks I thought it quite a dark collection but over time I've changed my opinion. I think it's the golden yellows, tangerines and intense pinks that make it sing. That yellow is quite exotic... very warm.
As I've sewed more blocks I've begun to relax a bit about which fabrics go together because there doesn't seem to be an 'awful' combination... but there are definitely some that sing particularly loudly.
I should point out that I need 80 blocks to make the complete quilt... and I have about 20, but that's a 1/4 of the way there isn't it? I don't want it in a hurry, which is really just as well. Making this quilt for me is really just about enjoying the process. I'm wondering if perhaps I should settle for a throw sized quilt.
(A few blocks laid out on the table... just to admire the colour)
Instead, I'm focusing on my piecing. I'm trying out Elizabeth Hartman's suggestion of pressing the seams open instead of pressing them to one side as is more usual in patchwork. (The traditional pressing of the seam to the side is supposed to make a stronger seam by protecting the stitching from wear and eventual splitting.) Elizabeth's method ensures that a block which is intended to be six inches in size actually ends up as a six inch block. Providing of course you've sewn an accurate seam allowance :)
Others I know argue for using a 'scant' 1/4 inch seam, to ensure your blocks end up the size you wanted them to be. This means that you have to make allowances when piecing for the fact that pressing a seam to the side actually takes up the width of the thread. (Multiply those thread widths over an entire quilt and it can add up to make a surprising amount of difference. But I suspect that loads of us have made up that difference in the border.... Who me?)
Elizabeth's method is certainly simple enough but I'm wondering what will happen when I actually quilt it.... we'll see.
Speak soon.... I should have a few more blocks by then.
If you're trapped stuck inside because of the dreadful weather outside, how about some Christmas crafting to keep yourself occupied? I thought I'd gather together a few of the pretty christmassy tutorials I've seen around the blogging world.
There are Christmas baubles made from fabric;
Fabric Baubles from Martha Stewart.
A pretty mitten ornament available as a free PDF download from Oliver + S
I saw this on Domesticali's blog - a paper pinecone.
Isn't that effective?
Mini stockings, another pretty idea from Marta Stewart. This would be good to make with children, probably occupy them for ages ... you can hope:)
A little more felt fun ...
Aren't they lovely?
If you've a bit more time on your hands, how about personalised placemats to add some festive cheer to your Christmas table?
Personalised Placemats from the Moda Bakeshop.
A lovely fabric chain. These look like fun to make.
I've made these paper ornaments for a few years now... in each years Christmas colour theme. I love them, they're not hard to make but they create a bit of an impact.
You'll find the downloadable instructions here
How about a Christmas stocking? Everyone needs one of those don't they ?
There is a free PDF pattern and instructions for this available from Denyse Schmidt's website.
or these from Tanya Whelan of Grand Revival Designs. These are linked off on the right sidebar and come with pattern pieces and instructions.
What are you decorating your home with this Christmas time?
This is a little reminder just in case you're stuck inside, can't fight your way through the snow, can't think what to buy your Mum, your Aunt or friend then there are always Gift Vouchers.
They're available in different amounts, to suit different purses. They can be emailed to you as a PDF so Postman Pat doesn't have to force his way through snow drifts to reach you. They can reach Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, the US, the outer reaches of Antarctica, just so long as there's a broadband or similar connection, in a blink of an eye. They won't get stuck in any sorting offices, no one will explain their lack of appearance away as 'weather related'. They will just happily drop into your email folder and there you have it. Job done!
And if your printer decides to stop working just at the critical moment when you thought you'd print it off - you only need the code printed on the voucher in order to redeem it in the shop.
So, think about it - it may help.
Since my lovely frothy, tissue and anticipation filled parcel has been rescued from the Customs Man, who had kidnapped it off into the wilds of Lecestershire .... where it consequently got stuck in snow. I've now been able to add some new Anna Maria Horner sewing Patterns to the shop.
This is the Proper Attire skirt. There are two Options; one with a bias cut yoke, pockets and soft pleats and the other with a sailor style yoke, buttons, knife pleats and piping. Quite a pretty combination.
This is the back of the pattern sleeve which shows the differences in design between option A and B more clearly.
The other is the Gathering Flowers quilt.
The quilt comes in a sizes from crib through to King sized and uses two flower blocks.
One block is a flat, pieced flower and the accompanying block is gathered and twisted into a rosette for a little textural interest. Lighter weight fabrics are recommended for this block such as Anna Maria's Little Folks cotton voiles which will take the gathering beautifully.
The third pattern design, fresh from Anna Maria Horners' studio, features a set of four cushions/pillows.
The back of the pattern sleeve shows the different styles a little more clearly.
Gorgeous aren't they ? These are the Flower Patch Pillows... round ones and square ones ... little bits of trimming and different style of scallops. All details to add a little charm and to have a sewing fun with.
I hope you like them....
Jx
This is what I've been reading in the car over the past week whilst I've been waiting in the car for the children to get out of school.
Amy Butler's Style Stitches - 12 easy ways to 26 wonderful bags.
It wouldn't be very friendly of me not to share this book with you, especially as just now it could probably still make its way onto your Christmas list. I really think that if you like creating and making bags then this is a wonderful book.
It's spiral bound which makes it a lot easy to work from, as it will lay flat whilst you read the next set of instructions.
Inside though there's magic. Just add a little fabric, interlining thread and enthusiasm and with all these beautiful designs to inspire you, I can't help but think you're in for a treat.
There's a tote bag Reversible Everyday Shopper.
This has big pockets... handles designed to be comfortable in the hands and you can't argue with the fact that it looks pretty good. So, much nicer than a plastic store bag.
There's a set of pouches to make. Instructions are given for six different sizes to suit almost any purpose from organising cosmetics, pencils or sewing bits and bobs. Make them to keep or to give away. I like the little tab on the side... nice touch.
All the designs can be made in different sizes too and the 'Perfectly Pleated clutch' is no exception to this.
There's a more everyday style of bag with the option of making a small purse to go with it in a matching centre pleat.
This is the Teardrop Bag and Key Keeper coin purse.
If these are just a little too tame for you, then this one is definitely a statement bag.
'Fringed Hobo Bag'
Again, this bag comes in different sizes but this large one with it's opulent fringing says student to me. The perfect bag for making a statement about who are.
The bag designs are are shown in Amy's beautiful fabrics.
Miss Maven Ruffled Handbag. I love the Bliss Bouquet in Teal and Sun Spots in Tangerine fabric combination. Really zingy.
Take Flight Handbag/shoulder bag. A great design for overnight stays or as a flight bag.
This last one I'm going to show you, is my favourite little handbag. The Blossom Handbag/shoulder bag.
I really like this little bag, the handle design, it's rounded shape, the interior details. Gorgeous.
I've put a lot of pictures into this blog post but I haven't shown all the designs in the book. All of the bag designs can be made in different sizes and all of them are lovely but what makes this book stand out for me is the attention to the detailing in the designs.
The interiors of the bags are full of nice details that take making your own bags to another level. There are pockets, zipped pockets, slip pockets, little compartments. There are interesting handle designs designed to be comfortable to hold and which attach in different ways. Amy uses, pleats, ruffles, buttons, trims and of course beautiful fabric to make the bags look special. There's nothing ordinary about any of them. None of them rely on Amy's fabric alone to look good and let's be honest even the most ordinary of tote bag designs would stand out and be deliciously different and beautiful in her fabrics.
I think you'd love this book, I know I do.
(Last winters snow, 'cos we really haven't had anything worth taking a photograph of here.)
Some of you I know are having an awful time with the snow, the chaos it brings along with the bone chilling cold.
Here in my part of the East Midlands we really haven't had that much snow, a centimetre maybe just enough to make walking precarious and the thought of driving, well nerve wracking. It's rare for roads to get gritted here.
It probably won't be a surprise to you that the snow is disrupting mail deliveries in some areas. So, given that Christmas is coming and many of you are sewing for your families there is a possibility that some mail will get held up and take a little longer to get to you.
To help minimise this kind of disruption I've decided to send all my packages out as recorded signed-for for now. Just until things return to normal. (The shop will only charge for first-class delivery where applicable. Orders of £45 and more are free)
I know that Royal Mail are saying that in some areas they won't be able to guarantee that recorded-signed for will actually mean 'next day' delivery but I'm hopeful that it will mean that at some point the packages I'm sending out will reach their destinations as a priority once things start moving smoothly again.
I've been adding a few new things to the shop recently, so I thought I'd share them with you.
There are buttons....
... star centred buttons in different colours and sizes.
And fish eye buttons, again in different sizes and colours....
and some Akoya shell buttons, which are beautifully shiny.
There are also cover buttons in 18mm, 29mm and 38mm, made from either nylon or metal. If you've never covered a self-cover button before there's a tutorial here. If you're covering the metal cover buttons you may just find one of these handy though. Now, you can create your own perfectly matching buttons using your favourite fabrics.
There's a new pattern from Amy Butler - the Honey Bun Pouf, which just might add a lovely touch to a room and perhaps some extra seating.
These examples have been made using Amy Butler's home decor fabric which has, as you might expect a denser weave than the medium quilt weight fabrics. They come on 54inch (approximately 137cm) wide bolts, so a fat quarter of these fabrics results in a 50cm by approximately 68.5cm wide piece of fabric.
Knowing that a lot of folk who sew, also wield both hooks and sharp pointy sticks but probably not at the same time (Health and Safety you know!), and I include myself in that, I've added Amy Butler's organic aran and double knitting weight yarns to the shop.
Both the double knitting and the aran yarns are a 50/50 blend of organic cotton and organic wool, giving a wonderful drape and adorable softness. It feels gorgeous and the colours are beautiful! Amy has also designed some lovely knitting patterns to accompany her yarns.
Just a small selection.. of the 24 stylish projects for the home, accessories and for you.
The garments range from romantic to retro with flowing, soft fitted shapes and subtle textural details taken from natural elements.
The home projects are whimsical and warm.... colourful afghans, floral patterned pillows and cosy poufs all mix together to perfectly adorn your home.
If these designs don't get you itching to get started, then because the yarns are either aran or double knitting weight you may use to knit up other favourite designs. So, knit yourself something snuggly and warm.
If you've made it this far, well done. I now need to go and add a few ribbons, ric-rac and some rather nice cotton bias binding to the shop. I'm hoping that these sections will grow, but here's a preview of where I'm starting from.
.... leaning tower of binding...
There are gingham ribbons in two widths ...
and pretty little ditto in its lively colours ...
And last but not least there's a rainbow of narrow ribbon, perfect for couching.
Speak soon,
Jx
Thank you everyone for taking part. I know I've been a bit slow in posting this, but here it is.... the winner of the Sandi Henderson book ' Sewing Bits and Pieces'.
It's difficult to inject a lot of build up and anticipation into typing numbers into the Random Number Generator, but hopefully someone will be excited by the result.
The winner is ....
(I think I've just discovered how to create a 'drop shadow in PhotoShop. :) They'll be no stopping me now)
And comment number 6 was 'Alix of BigBlueBed'.
Congratulations Alix, I hope you get something out of this lovely book. If you email me your address I'll get this book sent to you.
Speak soon,
Jx
Recent Comments