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.

Sew Pretty Homestyle, by Tone Finnanger

Tone Finnanger's books are pure eye candy! I absolutely LOVE the photography in her books. It makes you want to start on all the projects immediately and redecorate your house right now! I already own one of her books, the Pretty Christmas Homestyle, which I reviewed on this blog recently.

This book, like the previous book, is divided into projects for different rooms in the house: It starts off with basic techniques and supplies and then moves on to projects for the entrance hall; the kitchen; dining room, kitchen, living room, conservatory, hobby room, bathroom, bedroom and children's room ending with full size patterns.
Aren't these bags lovely? I am so going to make one of these. Her projects are so simple yet so beautiful. I love the Tilda fabrics as well although it seems it is only available in the UK and Europe and horrendously expensive. Nothing on Etsy, hmph!

I am really keen to make these table mats. Can you believe that this is handquilted?! A very simple, but effective little bit of stitching and the overall effect is amazing.

And this easy and adorable chair cushion is also on my list of sewing projects.

A new take on a simple pincushion. Fitted on a wooden ring, this simple round pincushion with exquisite embroidery detail will make a fantastic gift.

Tone's soft toys are delightful and decorative. As always there are her trademark angels for every room and occasion and this book has a dog, cat, horses and teddies, like the one above. I have made some of her soft toys before and they are easy to make. In this book she uses large buttons to tie legs and arms to the body.

This floor mat and slippers makes you think of cozy winter evenings. Wish I could afford some of her lovely wool felt to make these!

These fabric roses are first on my list! They would look amazing on my bags. So simple to make and a beautiful effect. Overall, stunning projects, some just variations of what is in her other books, but with a fresh new angle every time. Well worth buying! Did you know that there is a special blog for Tone Finnanger fans? Just google her name and you will find it! Amazing!

Fabric and Vinyl bag

This is my third fabric and vinyl bag. You see, once I am faced with a challenge I cannot stop!

This time I used another bag design for a smaller bag and only put a strip of vinyl at the top of the bag with vinyl handles. I used a stiff interfacing for the lining but what I believe they call iron-on batting for the outer bag. Really nice!

A glimpse of the pink polka dot lining here. I have actually used this bag to work for two days now and love it. I should however have positioned the magnetic snap a bit higher as it refuses to close with the pockets full and so close to the snap. Watch this space for more fabric and vinyl bags coming soon.

I could only find a few examples of other seamstresses who have made fabric and vinyl or leather bags. Please feel free to share any ideas, advice or links that might be useful. Hope you enjoyed my vinyl adventure so far. I know I did!

More Fabric and Vinyl Handbags

I just had to try another one or two fabric bags with vinyl insets! This Amy Butler Midwest Modern 2 fabric went so well with the tan vinyl.

I was however determined that this bag's handles will be vinyl only and as you can see from this picture above, I found a very slow, and painful, way to sew the handles. I sewed them on the wrong side and turned them inside out with my index finger (as the knitting needle did not work - I tried all the tools I have!) and brute force.

Although I do have matching fabric from the same Amy Butler range, I decided to use the same fabric for the lining. Once again, I used very stiff interfacing to support the vinyl.

A close-up picture of the vinyl handles. The handle on the left all sewn up and the one on the right just turned out. I had to pull a bit to get the handles through the machine. The stitching is very small despite the setting on large stitches, but it did not skip any stitches or bundle up in any places.The second handle being stitched with the teflon foot. I did not have the right colour thread, so I just used the pink thread. Looks OK though.

Yeah! All done and looking very smart. I love this bag!

A view from the top showing the lining. Lovely bag. Cannot wait to take it shopping!