The Great Granny Bag:
I've been dying to make a bag with bamboo handles for a long time.  I don't really care if they aren't trendy or in style, I just kinda like them and I wanted one.  I love the light feel of the bamboo rings in my hands, I love that handmade, "basket-ish" look, and best of all, I love how EASY and FAST they are to make.

Bag #1 made out of Ty Pennington's Decor Fabric

I made my first one, with wrong dimensions, out of Ty Pennington decor fabric and it was a bit thick in the gathered areas, but keeps it's shape very well.  The second bag, with the dimensions worked out, is made from a modern Moda print quilting cotton, and it turned out rather nice.  Note: If I were to use home decor fabric again, I would cut the exterior fabric at least 1.5 cm or 1 inch longer from top to bottom so that I would have a bit more fabric to wrap around the handles.  Also, a thimble is necessary to do a small bit of hand sewing through decor fabric.

Bag#2 is made of Quilting Cotton, and a bit easier to work with.

I found a pattern in a Japanese magazine, but it was Japanese.... and I don't read Japanese.  I think with the very few diagrams and instructions they gave, anyone who spoke or read Japanese, might have issues too, but after some trial and error (Bag #1), I managed to make a very passable fabric bag with bamboo handles (Bag #2).  Bag #1 is now my knitting bag, perfect for holding my scarf projects, and Bag #2 might end as a gift to daughter #1, who has started to knit herself.  She is not knitting herself, she knits ALSO! 

Makes a great knitting bag!

Ok, enough silliness, on with the tutorial:

I've just listed a few items on my website, yay!  I love new stuff.  After a few requests, the Emmaline Bag Hardware Kit is now available in Antique Brass.  It's going to make some very classy looking Emmaline Bags.


Also, I've added 2 more sizes of nickel swivel snap hooks, they will make some awesome removable straps for that handbag, duffle bag, or purse.  I ordered them especially for a my next handbag pattern, so watch for that new kit coming as soon as the pattern is ready.


You can also buy your antique brass rectangular rings separately too, in packs of 2, 4 and 10, and with a discount when you purchase a 10 pack.  In hindsight, I should have taken this picture with a bit more sunshine!


I have a few more items coming soon, so stay tuned.  I'll have some 1" adjustable sliders for your skinny adjustable straps, and some cute little purse feet coming.  They should be posted by next week.


I just love handbag hardware.  It adds such a classy professional finish to your bag.  Now, back to the drawing board.  Thank you so much for reading, and shopping at Emmaline Bags & Sewing Patterns!

 

Why a Minecraft Block? 

On a recent trip to one of my area quilt shops, I gave my seven year old son the usual pre-shopping talk about him not touching anything and me promising to be quick.  Of course, neither happened.

I took much too long and Jace touched a lot of things.  He was especially taken with the fat quarters and was oohing and ahhing over all of the bright colours, mixing them quite nicely.   He came running up with a fat quarter of bright blue.  "Lapis Lazuli!  Lapis Lazuli!"  To which I replied something like, "Huh?  Go put that back and stop touching things."  He continued to tell me all about a block I needed to make for him and this was the perfect colour for Lapis Lazuli, and we had a little discussion about how confused I was about what he was talking about.  He told me it was a Minecraft block, "you know Mum, it's just a 3-D cube, you can make it."  After confirming that all I had to do was make a 3-D cube, we bought his fat-quarter and he was thrilled.  (Minecraft is a computer, ipod, or xbox game where you build mines, build houses,  and grow plants, etc. - It's actually quite creative, and he is quite addicted.)

Sew.... I made his block.  First though, I had to Google Lapis Lazuli to make sure I knew what it was.  Luckily it was very easy to find, Lapis Lazuli on minecraftwiki.net. 

The boy was thrilled and screamed with delight over this cube.  I asked him what he was planning on doing with it, and he just said "Play with it!!"   It's been on his bed ever since.  He tried to use it as a pillow but it didn't work too good, but all of the doggies and bears have had a turn.  Jace says it's just a big party on his bed and no one gets left out, so they are all taking a turn.  (A block party?)  It's Chickie the Penguin's turn tonight.   So why did I buy him Christmas presents anyway?  He likes a cube!

Make a 3-D Block:
I didn't refer to a tutorial for this, as I already knew how to sew a cube, but if you'd like to learn how to make a cube, or baby blocks and do great 3-D corners, HERE, is a great tutorial for you.

On another note, even though it's -28 outside with a -43 windchill, it's Spring time in my house.  I picked up some crocus, and hyacinth's at my Safeway and they are blooming.  They make me smile when I see them.  Bring on Spring!


 

As some of you know I made a Lego sewing machine last week, you can read the post and see where I go the idea from HERE.

Since then, it's just been getting shuffled around on my sewing table from here to there and back to here again.  It's been lost in scraps and found again, dusted and repositioned.  Still admired, but not very useful.  I like useful things.

While I'm sewing my handbags, I am often switching presser feet from one to another, mostly back and forth between my 1/4" foot, 1 cm foot, and my zipper foot.   I just chuck these to the side and then can't find them again when I need them (creativity is messy business).  I tried putting them away every time, but that's just not working for me.  I need to switch often; I need them handy!  I was just thinking that I needed a little tray for them, and it occurred to make my sewing machine useful!!!

Complete with a thread guide, bobbin winder and turning wheel!

Jace kept putting bits of fabric in my machine and was pretending to sew, so I carried on with the idea and added a bit of stitched fabric and the thread leads up to the spool.  There is a thread guide and the wheel on the right really turns.   I can't thread the needle, but oh well, I will tie it on there somehow.  Jace was pretty impressed with Mom's creation too, and now he plays with it when he comes in to check on my project progress.  We both love our toys.


Always play!
 

My WIP Wednesday, proved to be a work in progress of it's own.   I've been working on this all day, and just getting it in under the wire.

A) Finished this week:  Um.... almost but not quite anything!

B) Working on this week: 

1)  Hex on the Beach, a hexagon quilt made from Tula Pink's Saltwater fabrics, as mentioned on the blog yesterday.  I was very excited to get these precut hexagons jumped right in following Jacquie's tutorial.  She mentions that you should try piecing them one by one and move to sewing column to column as you get the hang of it.  Well I am(was) pretty darn impressed with my sewing skills and went straight to sewing column of hexagons to column of hexagons.  Okay, it didn't go so well.  When working with 2 1/4" hexagons, an 1/8th or a 1/16th of an inch really puts things out of whack.  These little things are so fiddly!  I cursed a bit at my non-perfection, and toyed with the idea of ripping it all out and changing to hand sewing.... then tried stitching them on one at a time.  That's going quite well!  This is going to take a long time.  Stopping and starting at each point/seam and doing a tie-off and a scissor snip of threads, it's tedious work, but I'm in for the long haul.  I pieced 58 blocks in the last few days, but that nonsense can't go on, I have other sewing to do so... with 1008 blocks in total, 950 left - if I do 5 per day, I will be done in 190 days!  That's not too bad.  It's a labour of love.
Here is what I've done so far.  Keep in mind please, they are not pressed!

Hex on the Beach Quilt

 2) My latest handbag pattern, will be a bowling bag style bag.  I don't have a name for it yet and I'm not sure I even want to show pictures of it because I haven't finished them yet, obviously, but here is a sneak peek.  They will have piped handles and a detachable shoulder strap.  I love the shape of this bag.  I love the wool plaid the best, and I've cut a very bright and fun Alexander Henry print with roses and funky skulls for the lining.  My daughter, Steph, saw it tonight and already claimed it for her own so it looks like I'll be making another.  The red bag is also an Alexander Henry print, and it's interfaced with byAnnies Soft and Stable which makes it very soft and sturdy.  This bag stands up straight and tall, with no stuffing inside for the photo.  Okay, I'm loving this bag so far and I think it would be great in a larger, travel bag size.

The Bowls Club Bags?

3)  I've done some straight-line quilting on a Christmas table runner that will have to be for next Christmas ;)  I just need to pick up some binding for it.  I made it up from a charm pack I got while living in Australia, and I believe it's called Holly Jolly.  I used linen on the back side and some remaining charm squares.  I hope to buy some binding for it soon!  Or maybe before next Christmas.

A Straight-Line Quilted, Reversible Table Runner

Other Stuff:
January BOM's Done
Hemming all the curtains in the house - not started!

I thought I'd share some Northern Alberta vistas with you.  The weather today is dreary, the wind is bitter and cruel!


My devoted companion in the sewing room, Toohey won't stay out from under the sewing table.  This is him with hurt feelings because I made him move for the 10th time.


Thank you so much for reading, here is some sewing advice:  Don't sew with your presser foot on backwards, it's not awesome.
 

Amongst all the handbag pattern making this year, I'm taking on some seriously fun and challenging quilting projects. I've been away from quilting for awhile and it feels so good to get back into it.

I've already shown you the two "Block of the Month(s)" I'm doing this year, but I also indulged in a precut hexagon kit out of my most favorite fabric at the moment.  I am absolutely gushing over Free Spirit's "Saltwater" by the very talented designer, Tula Pink.  I just fell in love with her hexagon quilt done in a chevron pattern and had to order it.  Isn't this beautiful?  Sunset on the sea.

Source: Tula Pink

My kit arrived today, and I have to admit - I am big time scared.  What have I gotten myself into?  I am planning on machine piecing, using THIS awesome tutorial by Jacquie at Tallgrass Prairie Studio.  I actually didn't think the hexagons would be so small.  YOINKS!!  They are 2 1/4" cut and will finish at 1 3/4" wide.  I hope to do 1 row per day.... maybe?


I purchased my precut kit from Pink Chalk Fabrics, but now I see they are out of stock.  No worries, if you are interested, Hawthorne Threads, as well as quite a few other shops, have them.  The best part - no cutting!!  Wish me luck.
 
 

I have always wanted to participate in some Block of the Month clubs hosted by quilting blogs, but have always remembered about mid year.  Too late!  This time January came around and I didn't waste any time signing up.  I'm doing two this year and I'll have two great quilts to show for it around December.

The first BOM is hosted by Elizabeth at Don't Call Me Betsy, a wonderful quilting blog.  Hers is a paper pieced star quilt that will roughly be about lap quilt size.  I'm using my latest favorite quilting fabric, Saltwater by Tula Pink, and I've added some Flea Market Fancy, and random reds.  I've also ordered some blues to coordinate.

Here is the January star, Funky Star:



The second BOM is hosted by Gen X Quilters and is called the Sisters' Ten quilt.  You make two blocks per month, for a total of 10 blocks and spend the last two months of the year putting it together.   I love the traditional blocks set in a modern layout.  I think my very bright and happy Amy Butler fabrics, from her Lark range, are a perfect choice for me.   Set against the white background, they really pop and make a nice fresh look.  Those fabrics are quite daring for me, but do make me smile every time I see them together.

Here are the January blocks, called Grandmother's Frame:



I am doing the larger version of the quilt, which is an oversize twin, but I will probably add a white border around the whole thing to make it much larger.

To see the finished layout of either quilt top, click the link buttons that are found on my right side bar.  I can't wait to get started on February.  Now enough fooling around, I am trying to make handbag patterns, but I keep getting distracted by this gorgeous quilting fabric! 


Thanks for looking!
Janelle

It's been a busy few days of WAITING for my fabric orders to arrive so I can get my handbag patterns, January Block of the Month(s), and other little mini projects started. I'm glad to be finally at it though, most of my fabric arrived in the mail this week. Yay!

What I'm working on:
I filled some time waiting with Lego, after seeing the cute sewing machine Carrie from Such Designs did, I just had to make a mini Pfaff so after asking my son if I could borrow some legos, I made this little cutie. My son was so thrilled, and loved our little lego session so much, that I have to think of other little projects to make so we can have some more of that lego bonding time.

My Lego Pfaff

My January block for the Lucky Stars BOM hosted by Elizabeth at Don't Call Me Betsy (cute button links to this on my right side bar) was just finished this morning, so I can officially call this quilt a WIP. This star is called the Funky Star and I used some of my precious Saltwater fabrics from Tula Pink, some Flea Market Fancy and a few random reds. I'm loving January, but not sure what fabrics to choose for Feb yet...

January Lucky Star Block

This is the fabric I've chosen for my other BOM, and I hope to actually put the two January blocks together today - after I finish my vacuuming.  And maybe the mopping.  It's all Lark fabric, by Amy Butler and I'm going to put it together with a white background for the Sister's Ten BOM by Gen X Quilters.


Knitting!  It's been a while since I've done any knitting, but my daughter wanted to knit together and wanted me to show her a how... Yay!  I bought some beautiful Italian wool at our local wool store and started working on a scarf and hat set for myself.  I am finding upon returning to Canada, I have not nearly enough scarves and hats, so this is a perfect knitting project for me - nice and small.  We had our little knitting session, but was a little impressed/disappointed that I couldn't help her knit much because she had already be taught by youtube!  She's using circular needles for the first time and didn't know how to do that, so I was able to show her that at least.  I like to spin in circles....

Hmm... the colour is brighter in person.  Must take better photos!

Handbag Patterns!  I have three on the go, but you'll have to wait for the sneak peak photos - I am not ready, but I'm focusing on one with piped handles, detachable strap, and cute little bag feet first and I'm thrilled with how it's turning out.  Stay tuned!

Thanks for reading.  Remember to take time to play with Legos, so fun!
 

A of couple months ago (October 2012), I was eager to try out my new sewing machine, a Pfaff Ambition 1.5, but I didn't have any fabric or projects available.  My meager stash was still - stashed - away in boxes from my move home to Canada and wasn't to be opened until moving into our new house in November.  My good friend, Sheila, invited me over to sew and raid her fabrics.  I could use anything I liked. Yay!  So I brought over a pattern for a paper pieced owl found on Shape Moth here, and my shiny new machine.

Here is Joanne's, from Shape Moth, Otis the Owl Pattern.  How does she get her trees straight?

 
I decided to make my Otis a Snowy Owl, in honor of my return to Canada, and found all the necessary fabrics in Sheila's overflowing sewing room.  I sewed most of the block that afternoon, but we ended up upstairs eating Scout popcorn and drinking tea so it didn't get finished.

After I got into my house in November and finally set up my sewing room, I finished piecing it, and only just yesterday I did some quilting and turned it into a little art quilt for my sewing room wall.

This was just the project to put my new sewing machine through it's paces.  I learned that the STOP/START button is exactly where my Needle up/down button was on my Janome so at the end of a seam when I would normally put my needle up or down to turn a corner, I would press the START button by accident and take off like a bullet - as I always keep it on high speed.  It made me scream every time and Sheila would come running... A very frustrating habit to break!  I am not happy with the reverse buttons either, it does permanent reverse and I always seem to start out in reverse when I don't want to.  Also, I'm not sure the IDT is that great on this machine for machine quilting.  It seems to push the top layer a little, so I will have to work out how to manage that.  Perhaps letting up my presser foot pressure will work?  Oh, I also got to try out my alphabet for the first time too, what fun!


I also learned that it's been way too long since I FMQed and I SUCK at it.  I may need to learn to draw my pattern on with erasable marker instead of trying to do it 'freehand'.   I may need to rip out all of the quilting in the white areas of the owl because I went a little crazy with the cheeze whiz and overdid it by a mile.   But for now, it is done... so it will stay as is.

The background is a nice blue/grey with gold. Click to zoom!

Hop over to Shape Moth and see her beautiful projects.  Joanne is a very, very talented sewer and her quilts and projects are very inspiring.  I had the honor of having her review my Emmaline Bag pattern for Purse Palooza 2012 and it turned out beautifully.  You can see that post here.  Oh and check out this and this!

Thanks for looking, and always press to the dark side ;)

A long time ago, as a new mother of 2 daughters, I had daydreams and wondrous plans of sitting down to the sewing machine to teach my Barbie playing, dolly dressing, girls to sew baby blankets, clothes and the odd pretty pencil pouch.  While my oldest girl dabbled only a tiny bit in sewing, my youngest daughter - who just turned 20 - has never touched a sewing machine.

I, long ago, gave up these sewing dreams and pursued my own craft.  More time for me?!  I love to quilt, sew handbags and clothes.  I also know how to knit, crochet and do embroidery.  "Handiwork", as my Grandma called it, will always be a part of me and I love knowing that my Mom taught me and I wouldn't have these wonderful hobbies without her.  Why can't these girls let me pass some cool and not so nerdy hobbies onto them?  What's wrong with them?? Whatever.  I gave up.