Quick & Easy Easter Basket

Yesterday I shared a fabric storage basket tutorial over at And Sew We Craft.   With Easter just around the corner, I thought I’d share a quick and easy way to make this into an Easter Basket ready for the Easter egg hunt.

Using the same tutorial to create the fabric basket.  I’ve made this one a bit smaller (finished size approx 6.5″x3″x4.5″) so my fabric pieces were cut as below:
Cut 2 x 10×8″ from outer, lining fabric and interfacing with the bottom corners having 1.5″ squares cut out of them.

To make the handle cut a piece of fabric and interfacing 10×3″.  Fuse the interfacing to your fabric and fold the ends in 1/4″ at each end and press.

Fold the handle piece in half lengthwise and press, then open out and fold both sides in to meet at the centre and press.  Now fold in half and your handle is created.

Top stitch around the edge of handle.

To attach to the basket measure 1/2″ up from the fold and baste handle in place.

As we are now sewing through a few layers of fabric you may need to hand crank the needle in some places to get through all the layers.  Stitch a rectangle to secure the handle in place and remove your basting stitch.

Your basket is now ready to go on that Easter egg hunt (yes I did go and buy Easter eggs just to take some photos).

Happy Sewing,

The Emma Clutch Tote

I am so excited to share with you my very first bag pattern release!

It’s been a long time in the making but it is finally ready….

Introducing The Emma Clutch Tote

 

This gorgeous clutch was inspired on a shopping trip with my bag loving friend Emma.  This bag takes you from day to night with its versatility.  It also allows you to carry everything you need when you head out with your clutch as it is very roomy.

I’d like to thank my wonderful testers, I have appreciated all your comments and feedback.

 How amazing is this fabric that Melisa has used and fussy cut for the front of her clutch

This was made by Amy using Terra Australis

 Tanya upcycled a vintage sheet to create hers

Jane has stuck with her owls in this gorgeous print, love it

 Emily has picked some amazing fabric for her clutch, isn’t it stunning!

If you would like to make this yourself, you can purchase the pattern here.  Feel free to join my patterns group on fb too, this is where upcoming patterns are announced first.
Linking up with And Sew We Craft
Happy bag making,

Pattern Testing – The Everyday Tote

Last week I was able to reveal my first sewing project of the year, you guessed it – a bag!  My lovely friend Emma from For my Little Monster has turned her hand to pattern writing and I was lucky enough to be one of the testers for this amazingly roomy bag – The Everyday Tote.

 

I made it using the pink What a Gem Arrows by Allison Cole and I love how it works with my denim on the wrong side.  It has 4 pockets in total and is super roomy.

So how do you get your hands on this pattern you ask?
You can purchase the pattern from here and here.
And
You can win a copy.
All you need to do is leave a comment telling me what you’d find in your bag.  The most creative answer will win a digital copy of this pattern.   I will choose a winner on Friday 13th February at 7pm (AEST).

Welcoming in the New Year 2015

Here are some highlights from 2014

The year started with the birth of this gorgeous boy.  Here he is playing on the quilt I made his brother during a photo shoot with Kipindi.

I wrote a couple of tutorials here and over at And Sew We Craft for a zipper purse and card wallet 

I designed my first clutch and wrote a pattern which WILL be released soon.

I also had a ball joining in the charm swaps with Ms Midge and have received an amazing collection of fabrics by Kate SpainBonnie & Camille and Amy Butler.  I’m still to use my Amy Butler.

The beginning of the year always gets me thinking about where to next.  I’m looking forward to sewing my way through the year making lots of clutch purses, releasing a few patterns and maybe working on some new designs.  I have also been playing with patchwork lately so I’m sure there might be some quilted designs too.

I have set myself a challenge which you can read about at And Sew We Craft.  I look forward to sharing the journey with you.  Don’t forget you can also follow along on Instagram too.

April Charms – A Quilted Clutch

I can’t say no to Ms Midges charm swaps and last month was all about Bonnie & Camille’s divine fabric collections.  I made a quilt top with the Kate Spain charms and this time around I decided to stick to a clutch, a quilted clutch!

Yes I think I was crazy one night when I started cutting my April Showers charm squares up into teeny tiny 1.5inch squares.  After piecing them back together in not the quickest fashion (I really need to find some more tutorials on chain piecing), I wasn’t really sure how to quilt her given the squares are only 1inch.  A friend suggested cross hatching every other square which was one of the ways I was thinking (I’m all for lines, no fmq yet).

I love, love, love how the front piece turned out!  I then added my new favourite way to use denim inside out, for the back and lined it with a grey cotton.  She’s a little bit taller than my usual clutch so worked perfectly with a chunky frame.  I also added these cute little box corners, thanks to Michelle Patterns for introducing me to them.

I’m calling her April and I think I’m going to keep her.  Now to decide what to use her for, any suggestions?

Linking up with the Bonnie & Camille charm along.