Other Small Makes

Looking back, I apparently started my pre-holiday sewing with a Pop Open Pouch, pattern by Aneela Hoey. I think I was really celebrating having finished my Modular quilt by trying a new pattern - something small and doable in a couple of hours. This pouch totally fit the bill, at 10" x 5"x 5", a great size and the pop-open design is really clever!

Fabric is all Carolyn Friedlander, which I love to pair for pouches.

And finished off with a leather pull and zipper tab, it became my new favorite and since I had the perfect use for it, I gifted it to myself. It's good to do that sometimes!

As always, I had ambitious plans for all the reusable fabric gift-bags I'd make. First were a handful using s.o.t.a.k handmade's drawstring bag tutorial, which I've made so many of, I have it memorized.

Then were a few using the Lined Drawstring Bag pattern + Expansion Pack from Jeni Baker. I especially love the new Mini Accent variation, like the two on either side of the basic bag below. Though they're all so great for gift-giving, and truth is I made a couple more that got used so quick I didn't get a photo.

Next up was a set of potholders that I hadn't planned until I saw Allison/@allisonehs post, inspired by a pattern in Modern Rainbow by Bryan House Quilts. They looked so perfect for what I needed, I stopped by my bookshelf for my copy of the book, then headed straight to my stash, where I happened across a "Strip-It Bundle" of Ombre Hand Dyes by Marcus Fabrics. It'd been there a while, obviously saved for this project. Made for someone who loves the ocean, the varying blues were just right. I loved them with that gray Essex, and quilted the potholders with straight lines.

I used the full width of the strips to piece backs for the potholders, and then found the ombre to be perfectly perfect for the binding.

On I went to make a sweet and small Wee Braw Bag, using Laura Cunningham's pattern, which I'd made a few times before, so I knew it would be enjoyable.

It's fun to pick out fabric for these, and I coordinated everything to go with that Rifle Paper Co. floral. Super sweet.

And finally, a Boxy Pouch, the original size in Pink Stitches' tutorial. Waxed Canvas is perfect for this pouch, in my humble opinion, and though I didn't get a photo, it's lined with a handsome print from Carolyn Friedlander's Instead. And again, a bit of leather lacing is the perfect finish.

So I think that catches you up on December's "special" sewing. Now I'll head to that WIP pile and see what else I need to finish up....

Still Sewing...

Don't think for a minute that I haven't been sewing every chance I've gotten since posting a couple of finishes last week. Here are just a few more projects that have either already been gifted or are for ME!

This little fabric star goes by alot of names.... Danish Star, Scandinavian Star, Woven Star, etc. I kind of used a combination of two tutorials to make mine - one by EvQuilts, and one from We All Sew. I like the folded fabric technique in the first - and the wonderful step-by-step photos - but the dimensions - and videos - in the second. Cutting my fabric 4" x 16" and folding per EvQuilts' instructions led me to a successful star. I was really hoping to make more of these - wouldn't they make a fun garland?!

I also made another Box Pouch using Katie/Sew Katie Did's Box Pouch pattern, only this time it was basically a "wholecloth" pouch, meaning I used a single fabric for the exterior. The design was perfect to just layer with interfacing and batt and get to quilting, no marking required.

It ended up being a really soft pouch, but had plenty of structure. I like to press these pouches well along all the 'edges', though of course those edges soften with use.

A project I decided to make on a whim was a set of holiday pillowcases for our bed. Our quilt is really neutral, as you might remember, so I kept that in mind as I considered fabric. I finally chose Sleeping Deer from the Pine Grove line by Dear Stella. For the cuff, I used Anna Maria Horner's Illuminated Graph in Seafoam from her Loominus collection, and the bit of metallic woven in just adds to the festivity. And then the little red accent strip is by Karen Lewis Textiles.

Pattern-wise, I followed the tutorial by Twiddletails, which I've used before and like alot. One tricky bit was my use of directional fabrics, coupled with the fact that I needed the cases to 'face' opposite directions. The simple trick when using directional fabrics is this: Anina's tutorial has you cutting your main fabric 27" x 41", which in most cases, you'd cut the 41" across the width of fabric, using only 3/4 yard of fabric (27"). With a direction print, you need to cut your 41" along the length of the fabric, thus you need just under 1 1/4 yard fabric. Just a little mind game, but nothing too tricky!

I also needed a stash of gift tags. Since I already had plain shipping tags from when I made quilted gift tags, I used them again, this time stitching on some scraps of ribbon. At 4 3/4" x 2 3/8", they're definitely on the large size, but they work!



So that's all I can share right now, but the good news is my 'necessary' sewing is done! Off to work this morning and then time with the family. Good times!

Gifting

It's time to start some serious holiday sewing, am I right? Here are some ideas I may repeat from my year of sewing.

For sure I have some Patchwork Potholders planned, as they're fun to make and oh-so-useful through the year. If you like the potholder idea, don't forget the Log Cabin Hexi Potholders - they're another of my favorites.



I'm also thinking about more Boxy Pouches. I think all my guys have a waxed canvas one now, but others might enjoy one made of quilted scraps.



Of course there will be more fabric gift bags, as that's what we do.



And this is purely a pipe-dream, as I haven't even bought fabric, but I'd love to make a slew of holiday pillowcases. Maybe next year!

So knowing time is relatively short, I've also curated some gift lists. SO many ideas - mostly for crafters, but not all. For the wider gift-receiving audience, be sure and follow along with Sew Mama Sew's Handmade Holidays 2018. Kristin's themed gift lists are always worth perusing! For your fellow-crafters, check out the following:

• 10 Great Gifts for Quilters by Cheryl/Meadow Mist Designs
• Over 50 Gift Ideas for Quilters by Amy/Diary of a Quilter
• 2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Quilters by Shannon Fraser Designs
• Stocking Stuffers for Quilters by Erica/Kitchen Table Quilting
• Your 2018 Craft Gift Guide by Abby/While She Naps

And just a reminder, I do have my own A Quilter's Table Amazon Storefront for even more ideas!

So do tell! What handmade gifts are you making this year? Or what are your favorite crafty gifts to give.... or to receive? Let's help each other out here!

The Gift-Giving Frenzy

Christmas Snowflake tutorial by Rachel/rachelwoodenspoon

In the most recent issue of The Scrap Basket, I did a round-up of sewn items perfect for gift-giving. Of course, I'm not the only one thinking in that vein, so I'm sharing a few more ideas here, as I also gather up links for other great gift lists I've seen across blogland. In the mix you'll find purchased gifts for sewers and creative business owners as well. Consider it a round-up of round-ups!

The Color Block Pouch tutorial by Svetlana/s.o.t.a.k handmade

• 50+ Gifts to Make or Buy and Give to Quilters :: Diary of A Quilter

• 2017 Holiday Gift Guide for Modern Quilters :: Shannon Fraser Designs

• We Missed Handmade Holidays This Year, But Here Are Hundreds of Great Ideas! and Stocking Stuffers for Quilters, Stitchers, & Sewists :: Sew Mama Sew

• 10 Quilting Stocking Stuffers Under $10 :: Blossom Heart Quilts

• Creative Business Owner's Gift Guide 2017 :: Craft Industry Alliance

Jane Market Bag pattern by Alicia Paulson

More ideas? Do tell! About as far as I've gotten is a handful of gift-bags!

Kin-cha-ku pattern by quarter inch mark / Drawstring Bags based on tutorial by s.o.t.a.k handmade

More Maker's

Ever since I made myself a Maker's Tote last summer, I've been wanting to make one for
daughter dear. But Rachel and I never really got together to settle on fabrics for hers, so months later, it occurred to me to make one for her for Christmas. I did quiz her about some of her current fabrics (Do you think she had a hunch what I was up to?), then chose several coordinates for her bag. In doing so, a lightbulb went on, and I knew I had to make a bag for grandgirl too.

With Anna/noodlehead's Maker's Tote coming in two sizes, it was perfect to personalize for my two girls. All of the fabrics I chose were from Cotton + Steel - Rachel's was made with three prints from Rashida Coleman-Hale's Raindrop; Lucy's with C+S Basics. Both were accented with Essex Linen.

I knew from the first time that taking one step at a time with these bags would be the way to go, and with the Christmas rush at home and at work, that definitely proved to be true.

Rather than searching around town, I ordered the zippers needed from ZipperStop. Metal zips aren't specified in the pattern, but I really love them for these bags. I was a tad wiggly with the exterior zippers for no apparent reason. And those main zippers may look tricky but are not at all. I love Anna's technique with the bit of trim covering the zipper edge. It looks great and is easily executed.

I'll show both bag interiors so you get a peek at the accent fabrics and those interior pockets - two kinds - which really add to the bag's functionality.

It's the gussets - which totally make the bag stand well - which were the trickiest part of these bags for me. Totally doable, yes, but still a tad finicky. And though I'm not a frequent user of wonder clips, they are so handy in this case.



But gussets and all, I'm so glad I tackled these as my main gift-sewing this year. Though mine has been perfect for my intended use - as a "ready to go and sew" bag to take to sew-ins, retreats, or other times I sew away from home, I'm pretty sure Rachel will be using hers for her knitting. Lucy out-right told me, she'll be using hers for her dolls. Which is all well and good. This tote is just plain perfect for makers and more!



Linking up with Finish It Up Friday!

Some of That Secret Sewing

Why in the world I had a yard of aqua Essex linen in my stash, I have no idea. But last night, it was the most perfect discovery. I'd decided nearly last minute that some holiday napkins would be a perfect gift, and Katarina Roccella's Fairisle Hearts (which remind me of snowflakes) the perfect fabric. And since I had no white linen on hand, what could be better but the aqua. Isn't it great when that happens?

I saw Diane/Random Thoughts...do or "di" [ylmommyx4] show off some beautiful linen dinner napkins she had just made, and they reminded me that daughter dear [snippetsofsweetness] had made me some with that very pattern, Linen [Thanksgiving] Napkins by Purl Soho. I followed Rachel's lead, and made mine cocktail size (10" linen squares + 12" cotton squares). They went together perfectly, and I was able to make a set of six in just under an hour. Dare I say, I kinda love them?

Another little gift I made and gifted recently was a That Red Cup mug rug, a clever little pattern by Tessa/Half Square Quilts [tessaraewilliams]. It measured 6x9" when done, and hopefully gives my Starbucks-loving friend a smile.

So that's all I can show till Christmas is over. And I'm officially calling the frantic Christmas sewing DONE. Now to just enjoy, and take it all in.

The First Round

I don't even know how it started, but I made alot of pillows as Christmas gifts this year. They are all unique, and let's just say I do a very nice lapped zipper technique by memory now! Here's a few that have already been gifted. 

Scraps were incorporated whenever possible, so doing a log cabin with a fussy-cut center was a no-brainer. You can't see, but I used that C+S washi tape print as the backing, and it pulled the whole thing together nicely, plus the recipient loved it, which was a bonus. 

After seeing Katherine/Sew Me Something Good share her scrappy patchwork tree pillows, I dove right in and really enjoyed putting this one together. And for the record, quilting these babies up was fun and really quick. I layered the pillow tops with batting and backing before quilting, so they have a nice feel to them when stuffed.

I debated for a while what to do for this third pillow, and finally happened across Lee/Freshly Pieced's Fair Isle quilt pattern, and realized one poinsettia block would be a perfect pillow. I used two stash solids, Kona Rich Red and Cardinal and the combo really is quite striking in person against that white.

All pillow forms are 16", and I cut both the zippered backings and the quilted fronts exactly 16", and using a 1/2" seam, the resulting pillows are plump and full. Just as they should be, right?

et cetera

So there were several Christmas gifts that you may have caught glimpses of in my flickr stream or on Instagram, but that I was not able to blog about till now. Glancing through them quickly I notice that they are all remakes of patterns I've made before. As much as I like trying new patterns, when I find one I really like, I often have to make it again!

 

First is another Snowflake Pillow {here's my first}. I made the 9" version from During Quiet Times' pattern, adding borders to make a 12" pillow. I wasn't sure how the directional blue stash fabric would work, but I ended up really liking how it gave the effect of a swirling snow storm. And the white on white Lizzy House pearl bracelets are perfect for the snowflake.

The kindle cover tutorial by Ellison Lane Quilts is one I've used several times before, and it's been perfect each time. So of course I turned to it again this Christmas.

And another Noodlehead open wide zippered pouch made an appearance, as a carry-all for a bunch of sewing goodies for my 10-year-old godchild, Julia. Her wish came true in the form of a new sewing machine from Santa, so I'm excited to watch her passion grow.

And finally, I got a little carried away making two in one pouches using the pattern by s.o.t.a.k handmade.

I made 7 for Christmas, bringing my overall total to 10. I must say, so far this has been my favorite use of my Cotton + Steel fabrics.

 I kinda couldn't decide which photo of the last batch I'd share with you, so you get several!

And I gotta say, it warmed my heart plenty when 4-year-old grandgirl opened her present from me on Christmas morning - 3 Disney princesses + the small "just her size" pouch. After examining the princesses one by one, she pulled the pouch out of her giftbag and hollered, "oh grammy! This is even better!" Oh yeah.

  

Linking up with Porch Swing Quilts' Santa's Sweatshop and Finish It Up Friday.