Using your Rotary Cutter - The Basics

I would like to think that my quilt patterns can certainly be achieved by the beginner quilter. They have large pieces for the background which are very forgiving for cutting and then piecing accurately.

So I thought in order to encourage the beginner quilter I would make a video to show how you use your rotary cutter to cut strips. Yes there are lots of ways to cut your fabric this happens to be my way and I hope it helps on your quilting journey.

Happy Creating

my urban bag - pattern hack

When I have bought patterns, I like to be able to use them more than once... And I like to be able to do the same thing with my own designs. So with my urban bag pattern I would like to show you some of the pattern hacks I have done.

The original urban bag pattern is a cute little purse that I use all the time as my everyday purse. I have made multiple versions of this pattern. The finished size is 6 1/2" x 3 1/2" without the strap. I have also just added this pattern to my website as a PDF download... so you can print at home... Yay!

My current urban bag I am using, made out of beautiful Amy Butler Fabric.

But my mum asked me to make her a little change purse... I have made her change purses for a very long time! he he... So I took my Urban Bag main fabric template and went to the photocopier and recopied the template to 85% of the original size. (decreasing the size of the bag) I then used my quilting ruler and marked a half inch line inside the main fabric template to make the template for the Peltex 71F interfacing. I then made followed  the steps of the pattern, omitting the strap. This includes Step 12, for the corners, they will remain at 3/4" from each corner. Finish pattern as described.

The end result? A cute little purse 5 1/2" x 2 3/4" and 1 3/4" wide.

Little change purses.... mmm... love the Cotton & Steel Fabric.

My second pattern hack was a request from my 15 year old daughter, she asked if I could make her a pencil case for school! Okay I was a bit excited for her to ask me to make her something for school, you know what teenagers are like! So this time, I took my Urban Bag main fabric template and went to the photocopier and recopied the template to 160% of the original size. (increasing the size of the bag)  I then used my quilting ruler and marked a half inch line inside the main fabric template to make the template for the Peltex 71F interfacing.

I made a couple of small additions for the bigger size. The main one was that I made zipper tabs on each end of the zipper. This makes the zipper sit really nice, especially for the bigger size, this is important.

So at Step One when cutting out the fabric, also cut out 2 x 2 inch square pieces of your main fabric, these are your zipper tabs. Take one of these pieces and with wrong sides together, fold in half and iron. Open out and fold the raw edges towards the center crease. Repeat with the other zipper tab. For this pattern hack, you will need at least a 12 inch (25cm) zipper, I used a chunky zip.

Take your zipper and trim the end, where the zipper pull ends close to the metal zipper stops. Then measure from those stops, 10" and mark. Trim this end. You will now have a ten inch zip.

Place one end of the zipper inside one of the pressed zipper tabs and pin. The zipper tabs will be wider than than the zipper but it will be trimmed. Using your sewing machine, top stitch the zipper tab closed. Repeat for the other end. Trim edges of the zipper tabs even with the zip.

Zipper with zipper tabs done! Going back to the Urban Bag pattern, Step Three, When placing the zipper you will centre the zipper along the top edge as described. You should have at least 1/2" on either side of the zipper.

Continue on with pattern until Step 12, making the corners, I used 2" for my measurement from the corner instead of 3/4". Finish pattern as described.

This makes a great size pencil case... Finished size, 10 1/2" x 5 1/2" and 4" wide, and yes my daughter loves it!

Have fun with these pattern hacks. I would love to see what your making.

Happy Creating!

Joining Batting with your Sewing Machine

For your viewing pleasure.... How I sew to pieces of batting together...

Happy Sewing

Quilt Basting - using Quilt Basting Spray = no more puckers!

There is nothing worse than when you have pinned and stretched your quilt and when you have finished sewing it and turn your quilt over there are puckers underneath... I absolutely hate that...

So a number of years ago I was taught how to use quilt basting spray to spray baste my quilts.... And I have been  pucker free since... Yay!!

So I have made a short video on how I use it.... Yes there are a lot of ways to use it and a lot of different sprays out there... I only use Helmar 101 as I get the best results... This is now the only method I use for basting my quilt for using a sit down machine...

Happy Sewing

It’s a new year... Lets make 2018 a GREAT one!

Well, January is certainly underway... actually its nearly over!..... and I have been trying to get myself organised for 2018...

So of course a time for some reflection for 2017... for my beautiful family it has been a very up and down year... My husband unexpectedly lost his beautiful mum and he also had to have a number of surgeries... that obviously takes a toll on the whole family... so in that regards we were certainly happy to see then end of 2017........  we did have happy times , a great family camping trip to Fraser Island, a trip to Bali with some wonderful sewing friends.... Oh and I also turned 50...... Yay!

I then thought about my own personal / work goals for 2017...... I honestly felt it had been a very unproductive year... But then I found some goals that I had written out for the end of 2017.... yes using my printables....... and I was pleasantly surprised... I actually achieved most of them.... I started teaching workshops using my own patterns.... (I have previously taught sewing but it was for the wonderful patchwork shop I was working for) and I loved it... I grew my graphic / web design part of my business... yay and personally I have worked on being healthier and consistently riding my horse up to the point that I entered my first horse trial event and completed it... Woo hoo!

So now its 2018, last year I designed some printables for making goals and breaking that down for lists for the week and months.... I don't know about you but I love a list and it helps me a lot to keep on track.... I have attached my printables that I designed with a few updates... the main one being my projects at a glance... Click HERE to download your own printables.

I have filled out my project list so I know exactly what needs to be finished and yes I have written down my new yearly goals for both my business and personal life..... lets see how we go... Let’s make 2018 a great one!

Happy Sewing,

 

I do like a list! .... with free 2017 planner printables

I'll confess I love lists.... I use them for everything... So as 2017 is just about to begin I designed some planners to help me.... And I thought you might like them too.

My first thing I like to keep track of is; What is coming up during the year... So I designed a "Year at a Glance" planner. This allows me to see what I am doing and some important dates.

The next thing I wanted to plan is my week.... I find that if on Monday morning I plan what I need to do, including work and home commitments I am much better organised. I even have a section for emails; txts and calls I need to make.... I don't know about you my memory gets exhausted and I am always forgetting things... I have been writing these things down in a diary over the past year which has really helped .... but sometimes I need just a bit more room...

Finally, I am always thinking of new things I want to make .... again I needed a list so I didn't forget my ideas... So I can write them down easily and keep them in one place! This includes not only sewing ideas but craft, graphic design and gardening ideas.

I have printed them out and a put them in a display folder with plastic sleeves. A little more up market one than your normal one... But it makes my lists easy to get to and write on... 

Here is a link to my website where you can click on the free 2017 planner printable to download for free... 

So I hope this helps my year start being super organised and I hope you like them to.... 2017 is going to be great one!

Happy Creating.

Colour Inspiration

Bromeliads are one of the easiest plants to grow... And I love the fact that they can come in some awesome colors. Here are some of mine which have flowered.

 Happy Creating.