Wow!!!!! My Dot Dot Dash Bag has been featured by Pam over at Threading My Way.

           
                                                               click here

Thanks Pam. It's a wonderful bag to carry around. Loads of space and the thing I like the most is that all the zipper pockets are on the outside of the bag so there's no having to rummage around the inside pockets to find things. I use the two bottom corner pockets for keeping lose change.

Go over to Pam's blog and check out all the other things that have been featured. There's a variety of beautiful projects featured and also loads of different projects and tutorials on Pam's blog.

I was hoping to have another project to show you but I've been busy doing Spring cleaning since yesterday.
I spent today doing the kitchen, the upstairs was done yesterday. Just the rest of the downstairs to do. I'm trying to get everything clean and in order so that when my new sewing machine comes I can sit and play and not have to worry about housework.

~ Maria ~

Guest Place Mats and Napkins

I seem to be posting less and less these days. Since I came back from visiting my daughter I've been trying to sew but it's been slow going as I was getting rather bored with the plain fabric I was using for these place mats and napkins. That and the fact that I caught a really bad cold and was out of action for about two days. Then I spent another couple of days looking round for an industrial sewing machine and finally found the one I want. It's been ordered so should be here in the next few days. Can't wait.

These are for a lady who is getting married. She chose the fabric and gave me the measurements she wanted them made. The place mats are 16.5" x 13" and the napkins 16.5" x 16.5".

This is the first time I've made napkins with mitered corners so was a bit nervous I'd make a terrible mess of them. Normally I don't worry about making mistakes because the fabric is mine and if I make a boo boo I just buy more to replace it. With these there was no second chance. The amount of fabric was just enough to make the napkins and the binding for the place mats.

 

I'd be pretty nervous serving food with these under my plate but she assured me that the fabric was stain resistant. Apparently it's used by hotels and restaurants.

The napkins were easier than I though would be thanks to a really good tutorial here.

And that's all I've done since I last posted. The lady still wants more things making and has given me a list. Next up are everyday place mats for four. I've already cut them out and am now quilting them so could have another post in a couple of days or so. Maybe sooner if my machine arrives first. LOLL
Last of the creamy white photos. A table for eight.

My table is a bit narrower than most so she should have more space in the center than I do.

~ Maria ~

Thirty Meters of Fabric

Wow!!! It's been ten days since my last post. I have a very good excuse though. I've been visiting my daughter for the last five days. Apart from having to go to the doctors for a routine check both of us spent two of those days fabric shopping with a friend of mine. We took my daughter along as chaperone to try and keep us under control but unfortunately when I see fabric nothing and no one can control me. I would have bought more but couldn't find what I was looking for. All was not lost though as I came away with thirty meters of fabric in all.

Here's what I bought. It's to add to my stash so I can match up what I have with what I've bought.

 

I loved this one. In fact me and my friend practically had a fist fight over the one at the bottom. LOLL As you can see I won. 

 
The beige fabric in the photo above has a pretty pattern on it. I was planning on a table cloth for this one.

 

The one below is to make a blouse for myself.

This one I thought was pretty but don't have any plans for it yet.

And this one I think has to be my favourite. It would look nice used for a bag, wallet or table runner.

Now with my fabric folded away and put on the shelf I need to get cracking with my next project which is a test bag for Samantha. I'm starting it tonight Samantha and I promise it will be finished on time if I can stop fondling my new fabric. I have orders to finish in the next month so if I disappear for a while it's because I'm busy sewing but I'll post what I make as usual.

Before I go I want to wish you all a very happy belated Valentines Day. Hope you didn't eat too many chocolates. I wish I could. My doctor told me I couldn't eat chocolate any more for the next 3 months at least. Imagine life without chocolate. Funny how when you're told you can't have something you crave it even more.

~ Maria ~

Another GIVEAWAY

Yes can you believe it another giveaway. This time not by me though.
Do you remember the Dot Dot Dash Bag I tested for Sara of Sew Sweetness.

Well Liz over at MOMENTS tested  the Accordion Bag for Sara and she is now doing a giveaway for both bag patterns.

Liz did a great job of her bag. Go over and take a look and join in the giveaway too.

~ Maria ~

Hand Woven Wallet

Yes another wallet. This time it's a special one because my daughter who is studying Fashion and Textile Design at Uni made this woven piece on her loom.

Because of the thickness I couldn't turn it inside out like on the other ones so I decided to bind it.

I love the bright colours.

~ Maria ~

Wallet

Not much to say about this wallet as I've made a few and shown you before. Different colours this time. This is a gift for my doctors receptionist.
I made it very quickly last night so it's a quick project. I'm about to start another tonight and this is a special one as it has some of my daughters work included.

~ Maria ~

WINNER of Giveaway

The day has finally come for me to announce the winner of the giveaway to celebrate 100 followers.

Thanks to all of you who left a comment. It was really interesting to see which of Christine's bags was the most popular. It was a toss between Abigail and Bella and I think Abigail only just made it in front.

The winner picked by random.org is Brigitt. Congratulations!!

BirgittFebruary 3, 2013 at 8:25 PM
I like Evelyn and Abigail best!
Thanks for the chance to win such a great giveaway.
Happy blogging
Birgitt from Germany

I'll be emailing you with the code for the $25 off voucher which you can use on Christine's website/blog.

For those of you who didn't win there is a still a gift for you all too. Christine is giving a 15% off discount that can be used on her website/blog only. The code for your 15% discount is 15offM.

I love it when everyone's a winner.

Thanks to all my followers for your support and also to those of you who just pop by to leave a comment. I love comments, they give me the get up and go I need.


~ Maria ~

Another Set of Nesting Fabric Boxes

This is the second set of nesting fabric boxes. Same size as the last set and same fabrics only these have two colours used for each box rather than one.

I think I like these better than the last set.

~ Maria ~

Nesting Fabric Boxes

Another three fabric boxes finished today. The smallest one is bigger than the one in the tutorial over at SewMamaSew.
My three boxes measure 10" x 10",  8" x 8" and 6" x 6".

To make them nice and sturdy I used a stiff interfacing. The kind used in mens shirt collars and cuffs. I also used regular batting with the interfacing.

I have one more set to finish. The batting and interfacing are cut out so tomorrow I'll start cutting out the fabric. I'll be using the same colours but instead of making each one one colour, each one will be in two colours.

~ Maria ~

Dot Dot Dash Bag

I'm thrilled to bits to be able to finally show you my new bag. It's the Dot Dot Dash Bag that I tested for Sara at Sew Sweetness. This is the first pattern Sara has put in her pattern shop and she's done a wonderful job writing the pattern with loads of photos and instructions.

This is a fabulous bag and have been using it daily since I made it. It has 5 zippers on the front and a recessed zipper for the top closure. Sara had quite a few testers making this bag so make sure you go over to her blog to check them all out. It's amazing how different they all look just by choosing different fabrics.

It's a large bag that you could fit your laptop into but I use mine to bring home new fabric to add to my stash. LOLLL It could even be used as a travel bag. There's loads of room. I can quite easily fit my makeup bag, camera, wallet, cell phone a drink and a little something to nibble on and still have some room for more. The adjustable strap is great because you can either carry it in your hand or across your body leaving your hands free to fondle more fabric. LOL

Ok enough talk, here's my bag.

As usual I used upholstery fabrics and fleece so mine was quite sturdy which is just the way I like it.

I stitched over the side panels to help make it even sturdier.

 

I use the two small corner pockets for keeping loose change and keys.

I also quilted the back with a wavy stitch.

I love the corner details on this bag.
 

 Finally the recessed zipper which I must admit is the only thing I did different to the pattern. Sara's is completely enclosed all the way round where as mine is open at both ends.

And there it is. I definitely want to make another one of these in the future.

~ Maria ~

Bread Basket

It was so much fun making the little round gathered basket yesterday that I decided I needed to make another quick project. I know I should be sewing up my orders but this was an experiment. The lady wanted some nesting baskets and as I can't get hold of brand named fusible fleece and interfacing like Pellon, I have to try out different one's they sell here to see which is the best for what I need. I wanted to make it as firm as I could and this is what I came up with. This one's for me.

 

 

I used the tutorial for the SMS Happy Hostess Box here. Of course that one was too small so I enlarged it and mine measures 10" x 10" when made up.

The other thing I did different on mine was to sew the center square and then sew a cross, it makes the edges crisper.

 It's so satisfying making quick projects. Now I'm off to make some more of these.

~ Maria ~

Gathered Round Basket

I went over to Pam's blog, Threading My Way, where she had made a cute little gathered round basket. I left a comment and Pam wrote back saying it only took half an hour.

So I dropped everything and made one. It really does only take half an hour.

These cute little baskets can be used for so many things other than sewing supplies. Maybe jewelery or loose change.

If you'd like to make one go to Pam's blog where you will find the link to the free tutorial. I'll definitely be making more of these.


~ Maria ~