Weekend Sewing Projects

I had such a bad, un-creative weekend! By Sunday afternoon I had achieved absolutely nothing and i could not even blog or surf as my internet was full of it! I called my MIL and she had been having a great sewing weekend. She suggested I make a new, shorter list of projects as it seems my problem was I had too many things I wanted to do and could not decide where to start. I finally got going late Sunday afternoon. What a waste of precious time!

I grabbed my new book, Sew Darn Cute by Jenny Ryan and decided to start making something from my somewhat smaller list of projects. It worked like a charm! I have wanted to sew this little travel pillow since I got the book. It is ideal timing as I am flying off to Chicago in a few weeks' time and always have trouble sleeping on the plane. This little pillow should make it easier. I should have done a bit more patchwork on it but was too lazy to bother. The other side is the softest candy pink fleece!

I also made a pouch for my new mobile phone. Not the best effort but at least I got going again and felt so much better.

New Stash

At the Hobby-X craft show I went to this weekend I discovered that there was a fabulous fabric shop close to my work I never knew about. During lunch-hour on Monday I slipped out to go pay a visit to The Sewing Room in Blairgowrie. What a great find! Colleen Watson, the owner, is a lovely lady that even remembered me from Saturday's visit at the show. Isn't that amazing?

Look at this lovely fabrics I got there! I am delighted as it is closeby and Colleen has great taste in cotton fabrics. I cannot decide which ones are my favorites, but I can see some lovely bags coming from these...

Taxi Tote from Seams To Me, Anna Maria Horner

I have posted a review recently on Anna Maria Horner's book, Seams To Me. I love the projects in her book and especially like the full size patterns. I decided a few weeks ago to make the Taxi Tote featured in the book. I just never finished the bias binding on the top.

I used beautiful fabric from the Olive Rose range of Valori Wells to make this bag. I love Valori's fabric and the big pattern requires a bigger bag to show it off the best. These colours are so stunning.

A view of the inside with a contrasting fabric in the same range and the pockets, using the same fabric as the exterior. Can't wait to take this bag shopping this weekend! I received some great vouchers this week and plan a little shopping spree this Saturday!

Table runner

I have wanted to make a table runner for the corner of my sewing room for ages. For several weeks now I have just had a piece of fabric covering the table. This weekend I finally did it. Using green gingham I bought from Etsy last year and little pieces of my new stash, I am quite pleased with this pink and green corner!

This is the pink fabric I bought at Hobby-X from a shop called Cottontale. Lovely with the green gingham. I even added a little strawberry on each end.

A close-up of the table runner on the corner table. Love it!

Sewing machine cover

A few months ago when I was in an oilcloth craze, I made a cover for my sewing machine. I have not been very happy with this cover and have added to my long list of sewing projects to make a fabric cover. I finally made it using a pattern provided inside one of the magazines I bought at the show.

I wasn't crazy about the embroidery pattern provided so decided on a simple PINK TULIP for my machine cover. I love doing embroidery. It is so relaxing.

A close-up of the completed embroidery on the front of the cover. Very simple.

How is this for perfect piping? I am really pleased because I had my first attempts at piping when I made the Amy Butler Weekender Bag and the Sophia Bag in the last few months. I seem to have no problems with piping.

Wish I could say the same about my amateurish attempt at free motion quilting! I bought the pressure foot for my machine several months ago but I still cannot figure out how to install it! So I tried it with a darning plate and a normal pressure foot. Looks OK, but not the best!

Here it is! The completed sewing machine cover. In pink. Of course. I think this is enough gingham for the room. Flowers or stripes are up next. I want to make a mousepad with fabric next....

Hobby-X Craft Show finds

I promised pictures of the Hobby-X craft show I a visited this past weekend, but the goods on offer was just too much for me. I did not take even one photo! I did come home with the most fantastic new stash though!

I always see other crafters have these stunning plastic containers for their fabric on their blogs. Finally I found them too! In many shapes and sizes at reasonable prices as well. I just bought two for now as the shop is not that far away and I can easily get more as soon as I create some space in my sewing room. Inside these boxes you will find my real treasures...

The most devine black and white cotton fabric. I have been looking forever for this!

The most beautiful bright, colourful fabric from Moda. It is designed by Me and My Sister and from the Butterfly Fling range. I am in love!

And lots of older craft magazines, mostly from Australia that cover quilting and other smaller projects such as bags, placemats, soft toys and more. These can be bought at the show a hugely discounted price.

Overall the Hobby-X show this year was fantastic. Normally it is dominated by scrapbooking stalls but this year it featured more hobbies for men and of course, for the first time ever, lots more sewing stalls! I also bought some smaller odds and ends, mostly habberdashery items. I had a great time.

Hobby-X Craft show

I am really excited as this weekend I am visiting the annual craft and hobby show/exhibition close to my house, Hobby-X. My Mom-in-Law and I have been going for a few years now. The last few years scrapbooking dominated the show, but I hear that sewing and fashion will feature this year as well. I hope it is as good as previous years! I will take some pictures and post in the next few days. Of course I will tell you all about my new stash as well!

Hope you have a great sewing weekend! I plan to do lots of sewing as well.