sewtakeahike

flexing my liberty scrap challenge

I so appreciate the lovely Nova and Jo for allowing me to be a part of the Liberty scrap challenge.  Jo sent a beautiful parcel of liberty to me, including a mini scrap pack of liberty, and it took about two seconds for me to decide what to make.

btw, have you seen the liberty crack Jo offers in her shop?  If you want to just eat it up like I do, make sure you read to the end of this post!

On to the project!

 

 

Today I'm going to give you the basics for making this flex frame frosty bag.

What you will need:

• two liberty pieces 8"X 4 1/2" plus some scraps for piecing frosty
• linen 8"X4 1/2" plus some scraps for piecing frosty
• embroidery thread
• 1 flex frame (just search for flex frame on etsy)
• one Frosty pattern printed at size, no scaling

Directions:

1. Print your pattern and piece each section then sew the sections together, matching tick lines.  Make sure and leave 1/4" seam allowance around each section.  If you are new to paper piecing or need a refresher, here is a free download on sew-ichigo with lots of tips.

2.  Stitch around frosty with embroidery thread, within about 1/8".

3.  Layer the 8"X 4/1/2" piece of linen with the frosty block, right sides together.  Mark 2 1/4" from the top.

 

Pin and sew around the bottom of the layers, starting at the mark on the R side and ending at the mark on the L side, leaving the top section unsewn. Oh!  And make sure and backstitch at the beginning and end.

4.  Repeat step 3 with lining pieces, leaving a 2" opening in the bottom for turning.

5.  Turn the lining piece right side out and stuff down inside the outside of the bag so the right sides are together and the top flaps line up.  Pin each of the lining flaps to the linen flap it is right sides together with.

 

6.  Sew the pinned flaps together, starting and ending stitching on each flap as close to the center stitching as possible.

7.  Turn the bag right side out through the turn hole in the lining and push both flaps out, using a bone folder to get the corners turned.

8.  Slip stitch hole in lining closed.

9.  Push the lining down into the bag and then turn the back flap into the bag so the top seam of the flap is even with where the flap starts.  Pin in place and stitch down close to the flap edge.

10.  Repeat step 9 with the other flap.

11.  Following the directions on your flex frame package, undo one side of the flex frame, insert one side of the flex frame into each tunnel on each flap, and replace the pin for the frame.

 

And there you have it!  A little gift bag or ornament bag!

And now, for those that have made it all the way through, you have a chance to win a sweet liberty scrap pack (or crack pack as I call it) from Jo.  Just leave a comment on this post telling me if you've paper pieced before and if you haven't, what kind of pattern design would make you want to learn to paper piece and you will be entered in a the drawing.  I'll choose a name on Monday!

The giveaway is now closed!

Good luck!

xo,

Penny

project proud

It truly blesses my heart when I get the chance to see a project someone has made with a tutorial or pattern I've created.

And recently, I received two emails, one from the lovely Caitlin and the other from lovely Julia.

Caitlin made my green wool + brown plaid handbag.  This pattern is in my waaaaay back files and I have to say, the pattern itself is evident of my early pattern writing skills.  Anytime someone makes this bag, I am always impressed they were able to follow my directions! 

Very nice job Caitlin!  I love that wooly looking plaid you used for the outside and the leather straps give it such a professional touch.  I really heart it a lot!

 

And then there's Julia's Juice and sprouts quilt.

Wow.  So many tiny blocks in this quilt!  It's adorable Julia!  I love the flavor stamping you did under each sprout!

 

Well, I'm off to work on a few projects today.  And heads up, keep a look out for a new Sew-Ichigo pattern release in the next week or so!  This will be a Christmas/holiday pattern set and here is one of the patterns that will be in it, my Christmas dress:

Last but not least, have you seen this?

 

 

FaveQuilts.com compiled this free ebook a few months ago and that's my "a little help from my friends" quilt there in the upper left corner!  The download is fantastic!

 

Happy happy Monday to you!

xo,

Penny

 

Olive the Ostrich and her gear [a tutorial]

 

Good Morning my dears!!

Today, I have a very special someone I'd like to introduce to you.  Her name is Olive the Ostrich, and this is her gear.

 

The Olive wristie, complete with changing mat.

There's enough room in the wristie for the changing mat, a couple of diapers, some diaper creme, and a credit card.

 

 

The changing mat opens up to this 25X25" flower,

 

and folds down to this 5X7" rectangle and velcro closes.

 

 

 

So you want to make some Olive gear of your own you say?  Well then.  Let me tell you what you need to do.

First, I'm pretty sure that Laurie is going to have some Olive gear fabric sets here, which will contain all the Olive the Ostrich fabric you will need (and yay!!  There will be leftovers for scraps!  My favorite part!)  So go on over and order that.

And then..... follow these steps: 

To make your own Olive wristie and changing mat, this is what you will need:

• 2/3 yard Olive the Ostrich fabric
• fq heart flower fabric
• fq stripe fabric
• fq millefiori fabric
• 3.5" velcro
• 2 yard package of iron on vinyl
• metal clip part of a lanyard
• 3 inches cotton tape
• 26"X26" flannel
• contrasting thread
• petal template (cut out A & B and join at the dashed line to make the petal)
• wristlet body template
• wristlet flap template 

All seams are 1/4" unless otherwise specified.  When zig-zag'ing edges, make sure the "zag" doesn't go more than 3/8" into the project. 

When using laminated fabrics, I don't use pins since the pins will put holes in the laminate.  I didn't feel the need to use anything to keep the fabrics in place, but if you need to, use a spray baste to hold the pieces together.

Instructions:

1.  Cut your pieces:

• cut 2 petals each from the heart flower, stripe and millefiori fabrics.
• cut one 6" circle from the Olive the Ostrich fabric for center of changing mat
• cut one 26"X26" piece of Olive the Ostrich fabric and one of flannel
• cut 2 wristlet bodies each from the Olive the Ostrich (lining) and stripe fabrics (outside)
• cut 1 flap from each of the heart flower (lining) and millefiori fabrics (outside)
• cut the velcro into a 3" and a 1/2" piece
• cut a 2"X3" piece of strip fabric for velcro closure on mat
• cut a 4"X3" piece of heart flowers for pocket
• cut a 2"X12" piece of stripe fabric for wristie strap

 2.  Using the iron on laminate, and following the manufacturers instructions, laminate the26X26 piece of Olive the Ostrich, the millefiori flap, and the 2 stripe fabric wristlet bodies.

 3.  Make the wristlet

• Sew one of the sides of the 3" piece of velcro centered and 3" from the top edge of one of the laminated outside body pieces.
• Using a zig-zag stitch, and with wrong sides together, zig-zag stitch both "v" darts closed on both laminated outside body pieces. 

 

 

• Place the outside pieces wrong sides together, matching up the dart seams and pushing the seams up.  Place cotton tape 1/2" inside left seam and 2 1/2" from the top edge.  Zig-zag stitch around the sides and bottom of outside pieces.
• Center oned side of the 3" piece of velcro 1/2" from inside fabric flap bottom edge and use a straight stitch to sew. 
• Place flap fabrics wrong sides together and zig-zag around all edges. 
• Using a zig-zag stitch, place flap on the back side of the laminated wristlet body, line up the angle of the flap with the top edge of the wristlet body, and sew.

 

• Turn under 1/4" around pocket fabric.  Edge stitch the top (longer) edge.  Center the pocket on one side of the wristlet body lining pieces and 2 1/2" from the top edge and straight stitch around sides and bottom of pocket
• Using a straight stitch and with right sides together, sew 2 "v" darts on each of the lining pieces. 
• Place lining pieces right sides together and sew sides and bottoms together, making sure to line up dart seams and leave a 3" turning hole on the bottom seam.
• Place the right side of the outside pieces into the lining, which is right side in.  Push the flap down, into the lining, line up side seams and use a straight stitch and a 3/8" seam allowance to sew top edges together.
• Turn the bag through the hole in the lining then sew the lining closed. Zig-zag around top edge of bag, making sure to fold the flap back as you do this so it doesn't get in the way.
• Fold and press in 1/2" on long sides of strap fabric.  Fold in half again and zig-zag around edges.  Overlap ends 1/4" and using a straight stitch, sew the ends together.  Place strap in clip end of lanyard. 

4.  Make the changing mat

• sew the petals together in groups of 2, then sew the 3 groups together, to complete the flower.
• center the 6" circle in the middle of the flower and zig-zag edge stitch in place.
• Lay the flower on top of the 26" flannel square and use the flower as a template to cut out the flannel layer.  Repeat with 26" Olive fabric square.
• Layer the flower, flannel and laminated backing so the edges line up and stitch the layers together by stitching in the ditch from the center of each petal out to the edge.
• fold 2"X3" mat closure strap in half longways and zig zag around edges.
• Using a straight stitch, sew one  of the 1/2" pieces of velcro within 1/4" of one of the short edges.
• Place the velcro strap 1/2" in the seam and centered in one of the petals of the layered flower. Using a walking foot, zig-zag around edge of flower.
• Fold changing mat, mark where other end of velcro should go on the laminated fabric, and sew other side of 1/2" piece of velcro to the laminated side of the mat, through all layers.  (it should end up being somewhat centered in the flower)

To fold the mat, put the velcro strap at the top, fold both sides of the flower into the center, repeat, slightly overlapping one side.  Fold up about 6.5" starting from the bottom and repeat until the velcro strap can be closed.

 

 

I hope you enjoy using this pattern!

Happy Friday to you!

~Penny

hot chocolate mix

This last week has just been an amazing week!  I'm not going to bore you all with the details, but just believe me, I feel like I'm Gods' favorite for sure!  One thing I will say about it is yesterday was our 13th wedding anniversary and my husband surprised me with a marmot vest.  He was so tickled that he could surprise me (and so was I).   Since I am the one to take care of our accounts and bills, I usually know in advance when something is up.

A couple days ago, I was jonesing for some hot chocolate really bad but didn't have any packets on hand.  Instead of going to the store, I just mixed this recipe up very quickly which I found here, heated up some milk and had a really fabulous cup of hot chocolate. 

This recipe makes 5 3/4 cups dry mix or 92 eight-ounce servings  (I cut it in half).  The only thing I did differently was to add some cinnamon to the mix and used dutch-processed cocoa.

• 3 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 1/4 cups dutch processed cocoa
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1/2 - 1 tsp cinnamon *my addition

Mix one Tbsp. of mix per cup of hot milk.

 

I generally save the glass jars from mayo, pickles, jam, etc., so I'm storing the mix in this jam container and made up some labels and glued it to the jar and lid.  I think this would make a really cute and quick hostess gift in some little recycled jars from olives, preserves, or whatever you have on hand. 

Here is the pdf  for the labels if you desire!

 

Penny

olliephant notecard set

 

A little gift to you all just to say thank-you for all the support, encouragement and love you've sent my way this year.  I truly appreciate each and every sweet comment you have left!

Olliephant notecard 

Olliephant envelope seals

Olliephant envelope template

f.y.i.  I used a pair of scalloped scissors to make the edge on the envelope and I used a 1 7/8 inch scalloped punch to cut out the envelope seals.

*edit* although I did design the notecard set, the original design for the elephant is not mine