Messenger Bags for my Nieces

I love a handmade Christmas. I think this year has been one of the biggest handmade Christmas's we have had in a long time, not just me giving handmade but others too. Understanding it doesn't have to be them making something either, just as long as someone has handmade the item.

One of the handmade times were these messenger bags I made for my Nieces. I knew they were getting a hand held tablet thingy, so I made cases for them. Not knowing exactly what they were and going by the dimensions only, I was a bit worried they weren't going to fit. But they fitted perfectly.

Messenger Bags

I wanted them to be really padded to protect the tablet. If I was to make these again with a lot of padding, I would make the inside slightly smaller or use a larger seam allowance. It ended up being slightly bulky at the base and hard to push the corners out. It worked out fine in the end. The added padding also made the flap shorter.

With the flap up

I love this front pocket, there is also one inside to put extra games or toys into.

View from the back

The back is super cute too

 

The back with the flap open

The flap opens all the way back so it's really easy for them to put everything in the bag.

Ready to be gifted

If you would like to make one of these bags head over to Michelle Patterns. You will need the Messenger Bag pattern and also the Just Pattern Pieces, for the extra smaller sizes. Happy sewing, if you do make one please let me know. I love to see all the different varieties people make.

How was your handmade Christmas?

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Mini grocery bag

Mini Grocery Bag

You may recall about a month ago I started making some mini sized grocery bags to get rid of some stash. If not it's here.

Well I got them finished, yay. I used Michelle's Grocery Bag pattern, but because I wanted to stick to the fat quarters I had to make them smaller than the small. I printed the small handles at 90%, and cut the fabric 5cm narrower and 4cm shorter. Worked out great. I've been using this one for taking my lunch to work, but I can see it being my small crochet project bag.

I'm adding the others I have made into our Madeit shop.

Michelle has a new pattern I'm eyeing off, will I break the pattern buying diet? ;-)

Foxy Loxy

Not the best pic but had to share. This cuty is finally finished. I'll give more pattern details later. Now off to the day job!

Pattern buying

Key Chain Clutch, originally uploaded by MandyMade.

One day I would love to be making my own patterns, when I get the time!! In the mean time I'm quite happy to buy patterns from some very talented people. One of those is Michelle from Michelle Patterns. She always has a pattern for something I need at the time. I could list many others! This key chain clutch has been a perfect gift for many people.

Most of her patterns are quick to make and all are very easy to follow, perfect for the beginner but also the advanced.

Lucky for me she's having a $5 sale this weekend, there are still a few for me to get. I like to keep them for the perfect moment.

Here is the link if you would like to make too michellepatterns

Mini grocery bags

I'm a sucker for a pre cut. No idea why. Maybe it's not wanting to stand in a cutting cue. So I have heaps of fat quarters sitting in my stash with no real intended purpose. I'm trying to do a bit of stash busting. So it got me thinking. What could I make with an entire fat quarter. They are mainly little girl prints. I have 2 boys!! I'm going to be making grocery bags for my next market so I thought I'd see if I could make one of the smallest size. Not quite. But I could make a mini bag instead, for the mini shopper. So I downsized the pattern (I'll give measurements when they are finished). Looks like I'll get the outside bag and handles plus I could make a little zip purse too. Done! So I spent a lovely Sunday with the rotery cutter, cut up 10 fat quarters and nearly used all my calico which I'll use for lining. Not a bad way to spend a quiet Sunday.

If you want to make a grocery bag too click on the Michelle Patterns button in my side bar. If you do I'd love to see them.

How do you use up your stash?

All cut up

Strap Clutch

I made this Strap Clutch for a friend to give as a gift. (Through Ditto Crafts). This is the first time I've made this clutch. I love how the hole for the strap came together. It was a lot neater than I thought it would be, I thought I would need more practice!! I love how the bottom corners are made, I'll be making more like this, much nicer than a box bottom. I used a magnetic snap instead of velcro, they needed to be positioned a bit wider apart, know for next time.

Strap Clutch

I used fusible wadding on the lining and left the chord without any interfacing. It's so soft. I think if I had interfaced it it wouldn't have turned out so well. The chord was slippery though and needed lots of pins!

Strap Clutch Inside

I already had the Denise Schmidt fabric but needed lining and chord. It was a quick shop when I bought them and wasn't sure if it was all going to go together. Even when I was cutting I wasn't too sure (i was cutting out another in a different colour-way too, that's still being made). But as I cut and placed the pieces together they really did start to look like they were meant to be and I got excited to see the finished clutch.

Strap Clutch used as a Nappy Clutch, just add change mat!

And here it is. It's to be used as a Nappy Clutch so I also made a change mat, about a fat quarter in size. Loving this clutch but had to let it go to it's new home.

If you want to make one too you can get the pattern by Michelle Patterns here.

Messenger Bag

I keep forgetting to get a decent photo of my messenger bag. So here is one I got the hairy bloke to take while at the park on Sunday. It fit's everything I need in it for work, even a small crochet project.

My Messenger Bag

I stuck to the pattern except for adding a pocket to the back as well. Easy access for my travel card. It came together very quickly. Great bag to make if you're not too experienced.

Now that I've been wearing it a bit I know where I want it to sit and I can sew the straps down. Things you don't usually see, the buckle hangs too low and thread is sticking out!! Another thing to fix.

Inside and back

I want to make the small version to just take to the shops, it should fit just my keys and wallet. Another on the to do list. If you would like to make this bag you can grab the pattern from Michelle's Patterns.

Rescued

Saved! My sister came to my rescue :-). I now have enough yarn to finish Little O's blanket, yay.

Lots of crochet

I've been crocheting heaps lately. It's a great train project and so relaxing. I've gone a bit ripple blanket crazy! Only problem is I keep rushing in and not estimating yarn very well. So I've had to keep popping back to yarn stores to get another ball or 2. One of which (photo below) I can no longer get but I'm still on the hunt.

It's finished

Messenger Bag Inside

Yay, Here is a sneak peek until I get better photos!!

Pattern here.

All cut out....

Fabric Cut

.....and ready to sew. Fingers crossed I get to tonight ;-). 

Getting ready

Pattern Cutting

Lots of pattern cutting going on today. These are for the smaller sizes of the messenger bags. I've cut the fabric for the large one and hope to start sewing soon. Now to get the youngest to sleep....

No idea what I'm talking about? See previous post. 

Fabric Selection

Fabric selection, originally uploaded by MandyMade.

So here is my fabric selection for making Michelle's Messenger bag (see previous post). I went out and bought all the proper interfacing and wadding so this bag will last for a while I hope. I even purchased some of the buckles that she uses in the pattern.

Are you making the bag too? If so pop a link in the comments so I can have a squiz.

If you want to make Michelle's Messenger Bag and join in, get the pattern here. She also has 2 more sizes for the bag on special till Monday, so grab them too while you're there. I'll be making the small one as soon as I've finished this one.

Happy sewing :-)

Blue Chambray Messenger Bag

Blue Chambray Messenger Bag, originally uploaded by michellepatterns.

Oooo Michelle's just launched her new bag pattern, yay. I've had my eye on it since she started blogging about it. I can't wait to start it, I have the perfect fabric. But first I need to go for a run (yep I'm doing that now) clean the house, do the basketball run, the list goes on!! You can get a pattern too from here.  We could have a bag-along. Let me know in the comments if you are making one too.

Happy weekend sewing :-).

Happy Mothers Day

Secret Pocket Envelope Clutches, originally uploaded by MandyMade.

I know, a couple of days late. I had a lovely day, how about you?

These are the gifts I made this year for my mum and mother in law. They are made from Michelle's newest pattern, Secret Pocket Envelope Clutches. I made the size 3 version. Perfect to fit a Voucher inside. Now they just have to work out what else to put in them, endless possibilities!! They are very easy and quick to make, just what I needed at the moment.

Only took a quick photo with my phone before gifting. No amount of photo editing was going to help this photo so I just waked a filter over it!!

You can make one too, pop over here for a pattern. I want to make the other sizes too, I think I've got a use for every size at the moment.

Felt Foxes

Felt Foxes, originally uploaded by MandyMade.

Crafting for me lately has been mainly dreaming about what I want to make rather than the actual making. Too much other stuff going on, house reno, more stress at the real job and school holidays always stuff the routine around. Hopefully it will all settle down soon and there will be more making going on.

While the sewing machine is packed away at the moment I did get a little hand sewing time in the past week. I bought a Mollie Makes mag (issue 23) a few weeks ago, as soon as my sons saw the front cover both of them wanted a fox each. So instead of just putting it off till the increasingly long make list is complete I decided to squeeze them in.

I made from the pattern with the exception of using whip stitch to sew them together. They both came together really quickly, so if you need a quick gift, I recommend making them. They are now much loved :-).

More patterns

I just can't help myself. If I see a cute pattern I have to buy it!! Are you the same? It's nearly as bad my fabric addiction ;-). At least they are easier to store. I've been very good this year with my fabric and pattern buying, but then I found out Michelle was retiring 21 of her patterns and all in one go wrapped up in a neat little package. So I had to buy it. I already have a few but have been eyeing off most of the others!! Now I have them. So if you would like to make a quick gift for mum this mothers day these patterns are perfect. Here are some I made ages ago, you wont be able to get these patterns again and will only be available till Monday. Now I'm off to spotty to buy more fabric!! I will be constrained I promise ;-).

Camera Case Wristlet

Lots of pocket tote

Pleated Pouches

Envelope Clutch

Size 5 Secret Pocket Envelope Clutch.
Source: Michelle Patterns on Flickr

Michelle's much awaited Envelope Clutch pattern is finally here and I've snapped it up already. When she first started writing about it on her blog I was starting to think of all the things I could use one of the clutches for. The biggest one would be to pop a gift card into then the receiver could use the clutch for whatever they liked. Then I started to think of all the things I could use one for. Business cards, excess cards, then the biggest one could fit all the stuff that floats around in my handbag, note book, medication scripts, endless. There are 5 sizes in the pattern and they are very cute. Now I need to find the time to make some!! If you would like to make some too the pattern is currently on sale here. If you do make some I'd love to see them, pop a link in the comments.

Happy Sewing

Zip pocket pouch

Zip pocket pouch, originally uploaded by MandyMade.

Michelle has this pattern on sale at the moment, plus extra pattern pieces for another size. If you have been wanting to make it its the perfect time to pop over and buy it here

It's been way too hot here lately to sew so I've had nothing new to show. Plus I've been making over my craft space. Can't wait till its finished so I can share.

Back to what I know!

I've unpicked the quilting disaster and decided to have a go at a smaller version before tackling it again. I know where I went wrong but just so I can get my confidence back. I felt like such a novice, especially asking you all for help. Love this blogging community :-).

I'd never used quilting pins on my new machine, only hand basted. So that was the first thing to go. I was in too much of a rush to quilt, big mistake. On one of the blogs I read, Amy had just experimented with jelly roll racing, I'd never heard of it (can you tell I haven't been reading blogs? Don't worry i'm back into it!), googled it, and found it was huge. So with the left over strips from the quilt, I cut 1 1/2 inch strips and had a go. It came together so fast. The same fabrics clumped together a bit, strange how it did that, random didn't end up being random! Might try it again on a proper jelly roll one day.

This is doll quilt size so will be used by someone when I finish it. So here goes, straight line quilting I think. Then I'll baste the bigger size again and have another go at that.

Please note these are not my usual fabrics, I'm using up a bad purchase stash on the experiment!!

New fabric, oh my

Look what arrived in post the today. Very excited. It's Safari Soiree by Dan Stiles for Birch Fabrics Organic. I also got a superhero fat quarter bundle, that didn't quite make it in the photo. Got lots of ideas for this fabric, mainly baby gift bundles.

But that also means my fabric weight count has gone off the charts!! (Just realised I declared my fabric goal on my other blog!!)

+36g - 1319g = -1283g. Best get making and finishing some projects! I think the quilt might be shelved for a week or 2!

How are you going with your fabric purchases?

The patchwork

Thanks for all your suggestions in my last post. I've slept on it and know exactly where I have gone wrong. I'm going to unpick and try again. After I've done a spot of shopping with the girls! This is a photo of the patchwork before I stuffed up the quilting. I was pretty happy with it. It's a bit of an experiment which I'll explain more when I'm finished!

Grrr

Question for all quilters out there. What am I doing wrong? I have my walking foot on, the machine was dragging the sandwich through, and now my patchwork that was perfectly straight now isn't. Everything is now wonky. Which would be fine if that's what I intended. I now have to unpick. Am I not pinning correctly? Should I hand sew baste instead of pin? All suggestions very welcome.

Grocery bags

This is what I made from cutting into my DS fabric. Grocery bags for my sisters and crafty buddy. The pattern is from Michelle Patterns. I made the medium size. They came together very quickly even though every seam is double stitched. There is no interfacing which is very welcome after so many projects with iron on interfacing. I used calico inside. I love giving gifts that are potentially very useful not just sitting pretty on a shelf.