Scrappy Simple Pin Cushions

Sewing:

I realised over the weekend I don’t own a single pin cushion – I have needle cases, tins full of pins and snap lock bags full of pins but don't posses a single pin cushion. 

How had this escaped me? 

A perfect reason to make myself some and use up more scraps I thought!

I pulled out some of the cut-offs I had from my made in cherry quilt. 

I made up 3 sizes in a simple 4 patch pattern and backed them with the sweetest aqua spot flannel I had left over from Thom's Baby-in-the-hood jacket (except for the largest one) – the smallest measuring just 4cm squared and the largest 8cm squared.

I even stuffed them with leftover cut-offs of wadding from my quilts. To make them nice and firm I secured the centre of each pin cushion with a button.

These are just so cute – easy to make and make a great little present for anyone you know who loves to sew!

Happy sewing!

Caity x

Make Your Own Reusable Carry Bag

Sewing:

I try as much as I can to always have a reusable carry bag on me when I do my shopping – but these great bags pack down into such a small space it means you can always make sure you have one or more in your handbag!

You can make these bags in a variety of sizes just by increasing or reducing the width and lengths – I’d say my bags are a medium size. The dimensions for this bag are roughly 18" wide by 22" in height for the body of the bag, plus add whatever strap length you like, mine are 10" long.

So far I’ve only managed to make up 2 bags – but I think I might need to pick myself up some more pretty voiles over the weekend and make some more!

Caity x

Simple Hexagon Zippy Bag

Sewing:

Delving into my scrap bag this week I was wondering what I could possibly make from what I already had in my cupboard. As much as I love to shop, sometimes I surprise myself and come up with far more exciting ideas when I challenge myself to use only things I already have.

I love all the hexagon quilts around at the moment and as a distraction to finishing my own hexagon quilt I thought I might make up some small hexagons from my scrap box. 

These cute little hexagons measure 1 inch wide.

Sewing all these hexagons was a great project while watching the tv. For the main body of the bag I used a great natural linen I had for ages and used for quite a few of my projects over the last year or so - my 'little bit of love' cushion and 'Family of Birds' cushion. It's a great colour that really makes the bright hexagons pop.

Once I had sewn the hexagons onto the linen I added a bit more excitement with a couple rows of simple backstitch down either side and chose a bright green zipper to complement the greens in the hexagons.

Granted the sewing of the hexagons made this project take a couple nights of casual sewing, but I didn't have to buy a thing and I really enjoyed the hand sewing. 

This bag is going to a good home - my good friend Lissy who's birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks - I hope she likes it!!!

Caity x

Bear and Pup Soft Toys

Sewing:

I finally got around to making some new soft toys this past weekend. These are simple little toys you could make as a great gift for a little one - you can make them geared for a boy or girl just by choosing the base fabric. 

The differences between Bear and Pup are the placement of their ears and also the length of their legs - Bear has short legs and Pup has longer legs. 

I hand appliquéd their faces and for the eyes I used small buttons I already had in my collection of 'extras' from clothes I have collected over the years.

The paws are simply a little back stitch.

Happy creating!

Caity x

Sweet Heart Drawstring Bag

Sewing:

Remember a few weeks ago when I made my 'Little Bit of Love' cushion and got distracted? ....well this is what I ran off to make. A sweet little draw string bag with an appliqued heart.

I trimmed the top of the bag with ric-rac which looks really cute. This pattern would make great little gift bags for a girl's party, or just use in place of wrapping paper for a special gift. 

Mine is going to use as a new little travel cosmetics bag!

Caity x

'A Little Bit of Love' Cushion

Sewing:

This week I thought I might get back to some basic embroidery. I used to embroider all the time when I was younger - but I guess now working and having a little boy to look after there isn't as much spare time anymore...but I miss it.

So I thought I would start small. I made this cushion by first embroidering in chain stitch the word 'love' onto a nice natural linen. 

To get the lettering looking nice i just tried out different fonts on the computer and then printed one off in the size i wanted and traced it onto the linen with a water soluble marker.

To make this into a cushion I used the following:

• a 16 inch zip
• 2m of 20mm white ric-rac
• 1m of this cool flora print that coordinates with my aqua 'love'
• 1 - size 18 cushion insert

I won't go through the detail of how to assemble the cushion - it's a pretty basic process and there are many blogs that already go into the tiny details. But I will pass on some of my tips I found useful:


TIPS
1. If you want to have cushions with that nice plump look always buy a cushion insert one size larger than the finished cushion size you want to make. 

2. When assembling the cushion if you are a little nervous about the rid-rac ending up where it should be just sew it onto the reserve side of the front cushion piece first just inside the edge. Then when you assemble the cushion if you follow just inside the line you have already attached the binding with it will be in the perfect spot.

3. Make sure you use colours that contrast well for the font and the background - you want your text to stand out!

4. Before turning the cushion to the right side clip the seams around the corners at 1cm intervals - this will help them achieve that nice soft curve you are hoping for on the ric-rac corners.

5. When you choose backing fabric you don't decide halfway though that you'd actually like to use this fabric on the front of a cushion and wander off and start another project like I did(results to come soon!).

Enjoy your sewing....I know I will!


Caity x

Simple Bunting T-Shirt for a Girl

Sewing:

In case you haven't yet noticed, Em and I LOVE bunting........ over the last year or so of us blogging we have made your no sew  bunting, bunting cards, bunting from Christmas paper, bunting from paint samples and so today I happily add to our bunting collection - the bunting t-shirt!


It was really simple to make - just follow these simple steps:


1. Chose fabric (from your scraps is perfect for this!)


2. Iron scraps onto vliesofix and cut out 5 triangles from your scraps.


3. Set your sewing machine to a close zig-zag or satin stitch.


4. To ensure the fabric doesn't stretch on the front when you are sewing iron on a rectangle of interfacing on the inside of the t-shirt to cover the area of your bunting.


5. Layout your bunting pieces across the t-shirt and iron in place.


6. Secure fabric with a zig-zag or satin stitch.


It makes a great present for a little girl...I think I'd even wear one myself.

Caity x

Easy to Make Covered Notebook

Sewing:

Mother's Day is only a few days away now - if you are looking for a simple and personal gift to give your mum this project might just be for you.

     

It's so cute and I'm really pleased with the end result.

      

Wishing all the mums out there a lovely Mother's Day and I hope you get pampered as you will most definitely deserve!

Caity x

Simple Pretty Covered Coat Hangers

Sewing:

I've been having a bit of a clean out of my wardrobe lately - getting rid of the old and trying to make it a little more tidy so  I can actually find things in it!

But once that part was done I decided it needed a bit of prettying up! So I got to work making up a pile of pretty covered hangers with some left over fabrics I had.

These are really simple to make and you don't have to do much sewing at all!

These would make a great Mother's Day present (only 3 weeks away now) or just a lovely gift for a friend who enjoys the pretty things in life!


Caity x

Simple Zipper Bags

Sewing:

Gosh this week has flown. I had lots and lots of sewing planned and... well..... by the time I've got home from work, got Thom fed, bathed and to bed.....I just want to lie on the couch!!!!

But I did manage to get this cute little bag made up - I used the brilliant and super simple pattern for an oil cloth box bag from the amazing OneShabbyChick. Go take a look at how beautiful they look in oil cloth, not to mention all the other great things she is always making! 

Since I was using normal fabric and not oil cloth like the pattern I gave the bag a bit more strength by padding it with some left over wadding and did some simple straight line quilting. 

This project is REALLY quick - if you were using the oil cloth it would take no time at all! It only took about an hour from start to finish!

Happy sewing for the coming weekend - I hope you get as many projects done as I hope to!!!

Caity x

Simple Summer Shorts for a Toddler

Sewing:

I can barely believe it - but winter is all but over here and summer is surely on its way again.

This weekend I knocked up a few pairs of shorts for my little man. The pattern is a Burda pattern (Pattern number 9793) which is nice and simple to make.

The London Shorts

I’ve made a few pairs of these shorts before, and each time they seem to look a little better.

Cute Summer shorts - on a grey yucky rainy day!

These will be a great addition to the little man's summer wardrobe!!

x Caity