Sew Buttons on with your Machine

I made a short tutorial about sewing buttons on using your button foot and your sewing machine. This is such a time saving procedure and very easy to learn.
The tutorial is on my Doll Clothes blog here.

Happy Quilting and Crafting,
Val

Tickling a Tote Bag Design

The Two Button Two Tone Tote

This small tote has a handy outside pocket to stuff in that tissue you just used or pop your sunnies in while you have coffee. It also has a zippered phone pocket and two other inside pockets. Once you have done one inserted zipper pocket you will never look back.

My feature buttons are a work in progress but the handy badge pin backs mean I can work on making an even better set of buttons and swap them in a flash. I have made lots of patchwork and quilted totes and purses but they have all featured the fabric. It is like learning a new skill to make the buttons the feature while still using pretty fabrics. This is my first go. I can feel an obsession coming on :)

I have made a hugely detailed picture tutorial. I have been very impressed with the Sew4Home tutorials so I have followed their format. The only difference is that I have numbered from one to the end rather than in sections so it is easy to refer to a particular instruction if there is a question or problem. I have still put headings for each section like the Sew4Home tutorials.

I wasn't able to upload the tutorial as a PDF so I made a new page for my blog. The tab is at the top but you can see it here.

Linking up with Chris W Designs

Happy Quilting and Crafting,

Val

Short and Stout Tote

I have so gone off making quilts and have just gone crazy buying fabric to make little things. I originally bought the Short and Stout to make a quilt but I don't really want to start another quilt and I didn't want it to go in the cupboard so I made a tote bag.
I subscribe to Sew 4 Home and they had this pattern featured a few weeks ago. I added an outside zipper pocket and I made the phone pocket into a zipper pocket for extra safety. I also put a wider zipper pocket above the open pockets on the other side. I am quite an expert at inserting those pockets now.

Wouldn't you know that even though I have made lots of glass buttons not one was the right colours. I don't have too many glass colours but I thought this combination would look OK. The colours change slightly when melted. I put together a zipper pull for the outside pocket too. These are waiting until I get a few more pieces to fill up the kiln.

I am thinking I will make the fabric flower to put on the bag as well.
The link will take you to the page with the Tim Hiltz tote and a few other items. I also love the Eclectic Elements fabric.
Eclectic Elements projects

Happy Quilting and Crafting,
Val

Buttons or earrings???

I can't decide if I will make buttons or earrings from my projects. Maybe both. I love the feel of the fused glass. It is so much fun to make quilty looking jewellery and I can't wait to try some little dishes.

Maybe some brooches when I get a little neater with my piecing.

Linking up with SewDarnCrafty linky party week 124

Happy Quilting,

Val

 

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Beenleigh Quilt Show

Luckily I managed to remember that the quilt show was this weekend. I was sitting outside sunning myself when it just came to me. I picked up the phone and spoke to mum. She said she had seen it advertised and was going to ask me if I wanted to go but she had forgotten all about it. Between the two of us we manage to get things done :)
Before I rung mum I had checked if it was really on and wound up at Joy's Joypatch blog. She had a picture of her stand and some of the comments were from friends of mine. It never ceases to amaze me how intertwined the blogs are.
Anyway, we had a lovely couple of hours looking at all the quilts and tote bags and I chose some fat quarters and buttons. The buttons were on Joy's stall. They are designed by Nikki from www.handcraftedbuttons.com. Nikki also has a blog: http://nikkitervodesigns.blogspot.com

Here are my fabrics and buttons.

These are plastic ones from America. 2 sets here $5 each.

These ones are Nikki's made from porcelain about $4 each.

They are very detailed and so cute. I would have liked lots of others.

I nearly forgot - we bought three bundles of pre-loved craft magazines for $5.

Happy Quilting,
Val