Frilled Coat Hanger Cover Tutorial /Pattern and lovely Birthday flowers





Frilled Coat Hanger Cover

The Rescued  Embroidered Section

When  I was making the embroidered apron last weekend I had a bit of a mishap with the first embroidered section that I did. One of the designs on the end was upside down so I started again and successfully made the section that  I used for the apron. I hate throwing out embroideries I have done and try to think up projects for them. This coat hanger cover was designed to make use of that discarded section.

The tutorial for the hanger cover can be found here and the pattern can be found here.

Today was my Birthday (21 of course) and my fantastic secret buddy gave me these gorgeous orchids. Aren't they just divine?

Crossover Bib Apron-new pattern and tutorial

Crossover Bib Apron 1

Crossover Bib Apron 2

I have been designing and making this new apron over the weekend. The pattern can be found here and the tutorial can be found here.
I have used the one of the weekly free designs generously being given away at the moment at BFC Creations. If you have missed out collecting them they are going to be put up for sale I believe at the end of the give away period.

Today also marks the 57th wedding anniversary of my parents. We had a lovely roast lunch with them today.

Jelly Roll Quilt Pattern- Missouri Star Quilt Co

Have a look at this jelly roll quilt pattern. Jenny from Missouri Star has done a version originally designed by  3 Dude's Quilting. What a great idea for a quick and easy quilt. Make sure to go the 3 Dudes' Quilting website and have a look at their free patterns for download.

Heirloom Garment Cover- Tutorial and Pattern

Heirloom Garment Cover

I have just uploaded the tutorial and pattern for the heirloom garment cover featuring lace cathedral windows. You can find the pattern here and the instructions here.
It is a glorious morning here today so I hope it continues. I am working on a new apron pattern with a band of embroidery and hope to have it done over the weekend. I am using my favourite project colours of red,black and white.

Lace Cathedral windows-tutorial posted

Lace cathedral window technique

Heirloom Garment Cover

I have posted the tutorial for the lace cathedral window technique used in making the heirloom garment hanger which was taught in my class at the sewing convention last week. The technique is a specialised one and I will be posting the tutorial for the garment hanger at a later stage. The tutorial can be downloaded from here

Sewing Machine Needle Organizer- Tutorial

Sewing Machine Needle Organizer

Sewing Machine Needle Organizer folded

When I was teaching at the Australian Sewing convention last week quite a few of the ladies had these fabulous sewing machine needle organizers.You can easily find your needle type and they are kept secure.They are great for taking to classes and also just to have in your sewing room. I have made a version of my own and documented the instructions in a tutorial . You can download the tutorial from here.

Once you get an idea of where things are it would be easy to put a machine embroidered design on your backing piece if you wanted to. You can also mix and match various colours of fabric and this would be a great project for fat quarters.

Australian Sewing Convention

Got home last night after teaching at the Australian Sewing Convention in Launceston for 2 days. The students were very friendly, enthusiastic and talented .We had a lovely view outside the window we were having our workshop in and were able to watch swans and pelicans in the river as the tide came in during the day

"Turnover" Zippered tote bag- free tutorial and pattern

Turnover Zippered Tote

Turnover Zippered Tote 2

Turnover Zippered Tote pocket

I have just uploaded the tutorial and pattern for my latest creation, a zippered tote bag that looks like an apple turnover. The circle on the front of the bag has a zipper stitched around the edge. It is open a little way around the top to provide a pocket when it is fully unzipped and being used.  The embroidery design I used was one from BFC Creations  Turkish Delight Quilt Circles .

This is the same design set I used for the Chic Scrunchie Bag. The black bag has been stitched using a cotton Valdani thread. It gives a lovely handwork finished look.

The tutorial can be found here.

Spectacular Magnolia

Thought I would share with you some pics of my magnificent magnolia. You can also just catch a glimpse of an exquisite camellia in the first photograph.I have spent the day doing my final preparation for the Australian Sewing convention.Trying to remember to pack all the little essential pieces of equipment for use by the students when the majority have flown in is a bit difficult. The convention started last night in Launceston(Tasmania) but I am not teaching until Thursday and Friday. I have been preparing some "here are some I have prepared earlier samples".

I also have another folded grocery bag planned, got the idea when eating a taco so stay tuned!

Versatile Extendable Tote Tutorial and Pattern uploaded

Today has been the most beautiful of spring days here in Tasmania, a fitting day for this most reverent of days as we reflect upon the tragedies that have unfolded around the world both on and since September 11 2001.

Lest We Forget

Versatile Extendable Tote

Versatile Extendable Tote 2

Since yesterday I have been working on this new bag. I started off in one direction and finished in another. I am very pleased with the way this bag turned out. I based it on my Versatile Tote pattern where you can showcase embroidery designs but of course it would be just as spectacular if made from fat quarters.The  main feature of this tote is the zippered section that can be undone extending the depth of the bag much like an expanding suitcase.

I have used the free cat design  FBFC121 generously provided by Suz from BFC Creations and used the small sized design and combined it with the medium sized design. I have combined them in my 140x 200 hoop (5 ½ x 8) inch hoop before stitching out.

You can find the tutorial and included pattern template for the base of the bag here. The pattern and dimensions do differ from the Versatile Tote pattern.

Photo book

I have spent most of the day today scanning old photographs and uploading them to a company that prints bound photo books. I am particularly fond of one photo of my sister and I taken when we were young and we are both on the wrong side of 50. The other is my grandmother, no prizes for guessing who I take after in the looks department.

Tomorrow I will get stuck into designing and making the tote bag that extends.

Versatile Tote- Tutorial Uploaded

Versatile Tote 1

Versatile Tote 2

Versatile Tote 3

Versatile Tote Interior

I have finally made the tote bag that I had every intention of making last weekend. If you remember I discovered that one of our cats had made rather a large hole in one of our lounge chairs that had a throw over it so he was hidden from view in his pursuits. I used two of the designs from If Cats Could Talk V from  BFC Creations 

 The tote is called Versatile tote because you can use it in two ways,with the width fully extended or drawn in with the tabs on the inside. 

The tote measures 14 inches (36cm) high and is 20 inches (51cm) across at the top when it is opened fully. Closed it measures 10 inches (26cm). The tote has an oval base which measures 11 inches (28cm) across at its widest point. The lovely handles are from Posh Pendants.

The tutorial and included template for the base of the bag can be found here.

Three Months of Blogging and Heirloom Table Runner

Heirloom Table Runner

Last Saturday marked 3 months since I started blogging. At the beginning I often wondered if I would ever run out of things to write about but this has been far from the case. I have spent the day finalizing the writing of tutorials for the heirloom table runner and heirloom garment hanger that I will be teaching at the end of next week at the Australian Sewing  Guild convention in Launceston

Once the convention is over I will put the tutorials up on the blog for another online class. The picture of the table runner does not do it justice. I spent an hour trying to take a good photo of it and gave up. Think it is the yellow tonings.

Sewing with Nancy -videos to watch online

Nancy Zieman is one of the most well known and respected sewing personalities in the USA. For those of us who do not live in the USA and have access to their many cable TV stations, we are now fortunate to be able to access the many Sewing With Nancy videos from Wisconsin Public Television online. This free resource can be accessed from this link

Bag Handles- Posh Pendants

I have mentioned before that the young ladies behind the Posh Pendants business here in Australia are innovative and enthusiastic in what they do. They go around the major craft shows both here and in New Zealand which is where they are headed this coming week for the Hamilton Craft and Quilt Fair. Niki sent me the latest handle catalogue so thought I would share it with you.
The handles are very well priced at $7 each pair or 5 pair for $30. You can get quite a few pair in a post pack bag for around $10 postage. Just use the Contact Us link on their website to find out more about their bag handles.

Horror day of sewing - no new cat bag- and the new Janome Horizon 12000

Saturday was the first day of my two week school holiday/vacation. As the Australian Sewing guild convention is next week I thought I had better get a wriggle on and write the tutorial for the projects I am teaching. I started and finished with the heirloom table runner in the bin, it is such a disgusting mess. I cut the lace so many times and then discovered I had used two widths of lace in the one shape.No wonder I was having trouble . I was up to the stage of adding the borders when I called a halt to it and threw it in the bin. Will start again tomorrow.

I did plan on doing my black/white and red cat bag today but thought it was tempting fate. Hopefully after a visit to the dentist and optometrist tomorrow I might be in need of some sewing therapy.

Just looked at the video on the new Janome 12000, an impressive looking machine. I have the Horizon 7700 and 2 11000's. Still need to see more details but thought the embroidery hoop may have been a bit larger.

BFC Creations Free Designs and two weeks holiday

Be sure to keep collecting the free paisley design set being offered by BFC Creations. I have a rough plan of a quilt I plan to make with these designs using a jelly roll. The first two designs are being removed from the download page on Tuesday.
I ma now also on two weeks of holiday from school. The winter term always seems long so it is a welcome relief when spring arrives in all its glory.

First Day of Spring and another Free Online Quilt Magazine

We have had a glorious day here today for the first day of spring  in Tasmania. There has not been a cloud in the sky. Isn't it amazing how much more energy and enthusiasm we have when the sun is shining. The daffodils are just delightful, being a little larger than true miniature daffodils. The magnolia is just about to burst into full bloom and when it does I will post a photo of it looking from my kitchen window.

Another free online quilt magazine I subscribe to is Online quilt Magazine. It has a new edition out so go to this page to sign up for it if you have not already done so.