Zig-zag Table Runner

I came across a pattern that I thought would compliment my Rail Fence chair pads and placemats. There's minimal piecing to do but the resulting interconnected look of the pattern appears quite intricate. A simple gridline machine stitching and a narrow binding makes quick work of finishing the runner. It's a project that can easily be completed in an afternoon.
I like that kind of project!

Rail Fence chair pads and placemats

 For years, place mats and chair pads such as these were being churned out of my sewing room on a daily basis.  While local stores were the primary destination for them, I also sold many sets online through eBay. But the gradual but consistent climb in postage rates put an end to that! So now, while I still make these for craft sales and have one local outlet, these items are only made now and again. Browns and tans seem to be the most popular colour choice.

Sewing Accessories

I really need to get my sewing area cleaned up and organized! I'm working on it....well I'm working on the organizers, thread catcher bags and pin cushions.....

A return to sewing

We just spent 3 weeks away on vacation. It feels so good to get back to my sewing studio again. 

This camera bag was ordered before we left but I didn't have time to start on it until after we returned home. It just went out in the mail today. I'm confident my customer is going to love it!

First Day Back...

It's back to school and time for a new pencil case!

Even David wanted one to match the cover of the field guide that he will take with us to South America this fall.

The Bag that Glitters

Most photographers carry more than a single lens with them, so this bag is perfect for them. With camera in hand there is room in this bag to have 4 lenses close at hand while shooting. Or by simply repositioning the  inserts along the velcro strips you can place your camera in the bag along with a couple of lenses. Two small attached, but removable, pouches are the perfect place for all those small items that are needed when photographing.... flash cards, extra batteries, lens cover, cleaning cloth, business cards.....

Thankfully, that boring black camera bag is now a thing of the past!

Just Duckie!

A birding friend of mine asked me for a pillow for a friend of hers who is also a birder. I started going through my fabrics pulling out everything with a bird theme to it. That included a bunch of vintage panels with ducks featured on them that another friend of mine had found at auction.

I made up one into a pillow cover, picking the Wood Duck since it's a favorite of mine, but there are still a few more options.

There Are Quilt Patterns Everywhere

We are hosting an international student from Italy for 3 weeks and are taking her around to as many of the local points of interest as we can. On a visit to a Mennonite farm, this large wooden wheel used for pulling wagons up off the barn floor when not in use, caught my eye. I immediately thought about adapting it to fabric. 

Here's my first attempt. I think there are possibilities here.......

Cooler weather is coming.....

It might be the hottest day of the year but I've been trying to figure out how to keep your tea piping hot! These new tea cozies are sure to do that for you. I like the fact that they can be placed over the tea pot with the handle and spout extending so that you don't have to remove the cosy to pour your tea. Since the tea cozy doesn't have a base I have made a matching hot mat on which to set the pot.

One more thing..... they are completely reversible. A whole new look with just a flip!

Waste not, want not!

Revamped Purse

A few months ago I started designing camera bags. My first attempt was not a resounding success! It's been sitting on a shelf and every once in awhile I'd take it down and look at it. I liked the fabric but it was a bit flimsy and the inside compartments weren't exactly right. My father's voice...."waste not, want not...." would enter my head but I wasn't sure how to salvage this bag. A purchase of a new pair of sandals gave me an idea. Just remove the inner pockets, add some padding to the front and back of the bag, sew a buckle to the strap to allow it to be adjusted in length, and I had a summer purse, just perfect to wear with my new sandals!

Original Camera Bag with inner pockets

The "Executive" bag

Erin bought these two fabrics for me not knowing that I already owned a pair of pants in that exact same grey stripe and I have a pink shirt. I think I will keep this bag for myself  but would I really want to carry it when dressed in a matching outfit?

Camera accessories

I enjoyed designing Erin's camera bag and have gone on to create a few more items with the photographer in mind. Of course there are other applications for all these items. No need to limit the padded bag to just your camera and lenses. Why not carry it as a purse? The padded strap cover would work just as well on binoculars and who couldn't find many uses for a drawstring bag?

Reusable Grocery Bag

I dislike the look and feel of the reusable tote bags sold at grocery stores so I am forever making ones to use. When I saw this pattern I knew it was just what I had been looking for. It's roomy, sturdy and attractive. Because it is cut in one piece it uses quite a bit of fabric but there are then fewer seams to "give way". I sewed using a french seam to encase the raw edges and to provide more strength. The added bottom panel also provides extra reinforcement.

The only problem I can foresee is putting more into this bag than I can comfortably carry!

Fabric Flowers

Erin recently asked for some fabric flowers made from scraps of fabric. These were fun to do but now I just need to come up with a use for them!

Camera Lens Bag

My daughter Erin is a photographer. She does amazing work. Some of it has been showcased recently on the ultimate wedding blog "Style Me Pretty". She has also been doing a lot of work for the Stratford Festival and is shooting a white attire garden party and some of the opening ceremonies this weekend. She needed to get dressed up for this honour and wanted a camera lens bag to match her new dress. I was pleased when she asked me to make one for her! And I was pleased with the result. 

A rainy thursday....

It's Thurdsay. It's raining. I just finished up a couple large sewing orders. We're going away for the weekend. I can't get motivated to start anything new.

So, I started looking through photos of items I made, in some cases, years ago. Maybe time to try these again?