New pouch

Hook Pouch

I wanted a new single project hook pouch. I looked at all the patterns I have but none seemed to fit. I was resigned to making up my own when Michelle brought out her mending kit pouch. Perfect! It took me a little while longer to work out which fabric to use then get around to making it. 

Hook Pouch inside

One of the aims of making it was to help get my crochet mojo back. It's been a bit AWOL lately. Instead I think I've got my sewing mojo back instead! I enjoyed making it, uninterrupted too!! I was a bit worried about the turn out with all the interfacing used but it worked out fine. 

Now to go through my huge yarn and pattern stash to find a new project ;-). 

Pattern used: Michelle Patterns - Mending Kit 

This post contains affiliate links.

Pencil case for work

Pencil Pouch

I've been meaning to make a pouch or notebook cover for ages to help me cart around my "stuff" to meetings but never get around to it. But the other day while trawling through my Pinterest feed I came across a really quick to make pouch. 

It was unfortunately one of those pins that doesn't have the correct link (if I find it I'll post it otherwise go to my Pinterest feed). But it did have all the step by step in one image. So when I got home from work I whipped it up. I also added a lining  and covered the ends. I'm not a fan of raw edges!! I used 2 10" squares and a 9" zipper. 

Pencil pouch

It's cute, gets the job done and took under half hour to make. Winner. 

Mr 4s pjs

Foxy PJ's

Next off the overlocker we have Little O's PJs, complete with mismatch socks and his floating glass trick!!

It went a lot more smoothly this time. There was a lot more need to use the sewing machine for the top so I got to take mums banina for a spin, very nice. I chose a tricky pattern for my first time with this fabric but it worked out in the end! (See previous post for pattern info). 

So the decision now is, do I save up for an overlocker? I reckon I'll give it a year, if I've gone back to use mums one quite a few times then maybe I will!!

First overlocker lesson

Mum's overlocker

I had my very first overlocker lesson on Monday (serger to some folks). It's been one of those things I knew I had to eventually try!! Mum didn't have one when I was growing up and learning to sew so we had work arounds. She's had this machine for quite a few years now but for some reason I've resisted. Maybe it's the scary amount of threading!!

My boys are tall and thin and it's getting harder to find clothes that fit. I used to have the problem of age appropriateness for larger sizes but now it's just they are too wide. Surly I'm not the only mum with this dilemma!!

So, I've bitten the bullet to start making them. Lucky for me they love wearing handmade. 

First attempt

So this is my first attempt!! AJ chose the fabric. I used simplicity pattern 1285. 

Simplicity pattern 1285

He was measuring a small in the waste (for 6-8 yrs) and large in length (for 14-16 yrs). He's 10, so now you understand my predicament!! I decided to just make the large this time and fiddle with sizing next time depending how they turn out. For tracky dacks they were fine around the bum. If they were meant to be fitted i would definitely make the small around the waste and legs. The length is perfect for now so he's not allowed to grow for a while!!

The lesson went well. I've mastered 2 pieces of fabric together, more than that and over seems needs to be worked on. I'm making the full PJs for Little O. I started the top. It's in a different fabric - interlock - and much easier to sew. He keeps asking if they are finished. It's going to be a long week for him until my next lesson :-). 

New placemats

New placemats 

I've been needing new placemats for ages. The kind you can chuck in the washing machine, not have to wipe down all the time! So I dug into my stash and found this ikea remnant I'd bought ages ago. Just enough to make 4 mats. It's a home deco weight so I didn't interface or pad. I just used calico on the back. AJ wants to make one himself so that's our first school holiday project. I'm aiming to make more that are double sided. Great stash busting project. Fabric was cut 14.5"X11.5" and used 1/2" seam allowance. 

Testing them out!!

Think I deserved a wine :-). 

Pencil case

Dino pencilcase

Last weekend Little O had a birthday party to go to. I didn't know the child. Too many kids to keep track of at kinder! Lucky for me it was a dinosaur theme. So, I figure he likes dinosaurs :-). I was really not in the mood to rome the shops searching for a gift. I was in the mood to sew. So I dug out some dino fabric and made a pencil case. Love a gift that lets me get some sewing time :-). 

Time for some sewing

All cut out

It was too hot on Monday to do any crocheting so I thought I'd make a start on AJ's Christmas present. He's getting it early as he needs it for his dance concerts this weekend. Couldn't stand him carrying around a supermarket green bag with his dance stuff in it anymore!! So we both dug deep in the pattern pile and he chose I Think Sew's Katie Boston bag. I love how he can see a pattern and be able to project his own take on it, doesn't just look at it and see a girls bag because of the fabric used in the pattern. Yay!

Nearly finished

Just need to add the bias binding to the inside and I'm done! Think I might also add a base. I used thick fabric and interfaced but it needs more structure. Perfect size for him this year, I'm just grateful he's doing hip hop and doesn't need a tu tu!! Some of the bags the girls were dragging into dress rehearsal were enormous!

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.

It's finished

Messenger Bag Inside

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

Pattern here.

Another quick gift

What do you get someone that has almost everything they want/need? A gift voucher for their favourite book shop.

What do you put the voucher in?

A fabric envelope of course.

Complete with Paris and Bikes, a favourite of the recipient.
Very quick and easy to make, and can be used afterwards for all sorts of things. I used my mum's gallery invite for the photo. Another perfect use.
So if you are giving gift vouchers for Christmas this year, why not whip up something special that can be used as wrapping and a handy pouch for later.

TTFN

Open Wide Pouches

Open Wide Pouches, originally uploaded by MandyMade.

I needed a toiletries bag for work and noodlehead had just blogged about some open wide pouches she'd made. So I made some too. Using hers as inspiration and changing things slightly (I have to fiddle!). Now I have a large toiletries bag for work, a smaller one for girls weekends and a makeup pouch. I think the smaller one needs some work, I don't like how angled it is at the sides, that will teach me for fiddling!! I used ikea fabric, it's a good weight, I didn't need to interface. I want to make some with the laminated fabric inside. I'm on a no fabric buying month so it will have to be another time!! They look kind of Dr Seuss don't they?!

Camera Case Wristlet

Camera Case Wristlet, 

originally uploaded by MandyMade.

I've gone a bit crazy buying Keyka Lou's pattern's lately. Last week I bought this one, the Camera Case Wristlet. It came together quickly, but I am use to her patterns now and a lot of the construction is the same. This one will be gifted and I can see quite a few being made this year, either for gifts or to sell. I'm very glad I bought it. Can't wait to try out her latest pattern but have a few other things to sew before then.

TTFN

Not-so-big Backpack

I needed to make a backpack for Little O for childcare...

Not-so-big backpack pattern by Melissa Frantz
from Stitch Magazine Fall 2010 issue.

....so I did!!

I used a pattern in Stitch Magazine's Fall 2010 issue.

Inside

It was very easy to follow. The pattern didn't have a lining or base but I added them in anyway. I don't like exposed seems, maybe that's why I haven't got into clothes making!!

Back

This is the back. When I was making the back I had a look on the web for photos as there wasn't any in the pattern and I was finding it hard to picture it in my head how do it. I had trouble finding any, so here is mine. It worked out fine, don't know what I was worried about!

Side view

Hmm, you may notice the zip. I made the mistake of buying a zip that went all the way to the tape at the end and then had a huge gap at the pull end. So there is a gap. I may get tricky yet and sew something over it.

The pocket

I love the pocket. The pattern doesn't call for it but I lined it, couldn't help myself.

Taste test

And last but not least, the taste test. It got his approval. The bag ended up bigger than I thought it would. Perfect size for childcare and visiting friends.

I'm really happy with it. All up it took about a day, but would probably be less made in one sewing session without distractions.

I used a fat quarter for the pockets and straps with a little bit over and the jeans are an old pair of the hubby's.

I'll be back into purse making this week. I've been buying more of Keyka Lou's patterns. Just bought the brand new one. Couldn't help myself!!

TTFN

Back to work

You know, the work that actually pays you for doing something!! It's been just over a year, it had to happen one day. The time has just flown. With going back to work Little O had to start childcare, and you can't do that without a spiffy new hat. So I knocked up this one.

Little O's childcare hat

I love that I can do that now, something is needed, whip it up, yay. I used Nikki's kids hat pattern, he's grown out of the baby hat :-(. I used Kid's Hat Size small, second size brim, brim without binding. I didn't even need to follow the instructions as I went, I've made so many of the baby hat now I just made it like the baby hat, yay.

From the top

I wanted to make some shoes to match but didn't have enough fabric left over, might still make some patchy ones. I'm in the process of making him a backpack but haven't quite got that finished yet.

I'm only working 2 days a week at the moment. I started back on Monday. It was strange going back and I remembered a lot more than I thought I would (I program a bit). It didn't all fall out of my head this time.

Can't wait for school to go back now to keep the other one occupied. It's now got hot in Melbourne, the I'm too tired and hot to do anything kinda hot.

I also made these pleated pouches to go in the Ditto Crafts MadeIt shop.

Pleated pouches Pattern by Keyka Lou

What a week.

TTFN

I've been busy

...very busy

   

making a crayon roll

   

and a pencil roll

 

and a pencil roll

 

and a pencil roll

 

I think I'm all rolled out!!

TTFN

Another Camera Lens Cap Pouch

Camera Lens Cap Pouch #3, originally uploaded by MandyMade.

Another camera lens cap pouch. This time for my dad. Besides sewing the velcro too low I was much happier with the result of this one. I made the turning gap down the straight side which made it much easier to finish.

I also made this one to gift but I'm not quite happy with the result. Maybe I'll keep it as a spare!!

Made using this tutorial.

TTFN

Some things for me

I've been making so much for others lately that I thought I'd make a few small things for me. I'd seen a lens cap pouch ages ago on pinterest so thouht it was about time I made one for me.

I made it using this tutorial. I followed it exactly but found that have the turning gap at the top didn't turn out the best. So next time I'll try it down the side.

It was a bit of pain having to take the strap off the camera to put it on but I coped!! I've used it and it's very handy to have. No more putting the lens cap down and forgetting where!

I also needed a new pouch for my ipod shuffle, and when this tutorial popped up in blog land I had to give it a go. I had a bit of trouble getting it under the foot to top stitch, thus the dodgy top stitching around the zipper. (I was on a roll by that stage so just kept going!!)  Very quick and easy, I can see lots of these being gifted this Christmas.

I had another market last week, the last for the year. Now I'm starting to think of gifts for Christmas. I've only got 1 month of maternity leave left then back to work I go.

TTFN

Zac's Nintendo DS Pouch

Zac's Nintendo DS Pouch, originally uploaded by MandyMade.

I made another one. DS pouch that is. I followed the same tutorial as the last one but altered it a bit more. So it's kinda getting away from the original but I'll keep on giving credit. So what's different this time? Well, I used cotton this time instead of the thick fabric on the last one, so I fully lined the back pocket (didn't feel it necessary with the other). On request by the receivers mum I added a zip to the opening, she's knows her son and was worried that he would fling it around. I kept the velcro closure as well though. I also added 2.5 cm to the height and width as the last one was a tad too small. I was happy with the result. I also appliqued his name on. There is a down side to receiving a gift first as you don't have all the added improvements made to the next. But you can always count on them being one of a kind!!

TTFN

Nintendo DS Pouch based on this tutorial.

Boys Zipper Pouches

Boys Zipper Pouches, originally uploaded by MandyMade.

Birthday's always seem to group together don't they? Well we had 3 boys birthdays on the weekend so I decided to try out Nikki's Super-simple zipped pouch, from her book. It was super simple. There will be more of these. I originally had pencils in mind but Little A wanted to give cars. So they are multi purpose pouches. One of these pouches wont be given until December but I thought I'd knock it off early. I appliqued the names with applique paper (no idea what this is called!!) then hand stitched a running stitch with pearl 8. The denim is a pair of old jeans and has a calico lining. Fun to make, highly recommend making some.

TTFN

Super-simple Zipped Pouch from You Sew, Girl by Nicole Mallalieu.

Edit: Forgot to mention they are 15cm x 20cm. Great size for just about anything you want to take to someones house for a play.