Curved Flat Bag with Some Shine

... and sew it seams that there is no end to the ways one can embellish a bag ...

This is NicoleM's Curved Flat Bag - stylish and simple in denim and ...

Angelina (Fusible) Film and Lamifix ..... this is fun ..... get some online from The Thread Studio in Perth....

The films are fusible -just cut and fuse - I popped a few little bits of fabric in between some of the layers, and then stitched them on with 2 embroidery variegated threads on the top of my machine. The colours in the Angelina Film range are wonderful .... and they reflect the light beautifully ....

Magnetic catches keep the whole thing together when required.... plenty of room inside....

I just hand stitched the flap to the lining on the inside - quite firmly - rather then stitching through all layers and having the stitching show on the right side - sew far sew good ....

Want to learn to make one???? If you live within kooee of me (Newcastle, Central Coast - a great day out for Sydney siders) check my website for my current teaching timetable ....

Fresh and Fun

Busy, busy , busy - lots of sewing going on around here ..... Sewing Basics 1 Class - here are a couple of fresh new recruits .... this is Liz' drawstring backpack in elegant blue with an iris print applique .....

And the photo doesn't do this green bag justice - it is actually a pistachio green with the lovely French speech bubble .... great work Brooke!

Speaking of fresh ...... today's Sewing Basics 2 class was fun with some Scottish lasses ... the lovely and very clever Ann and Alison ....

Here is Ann's bag - bright and vibrant striped corduroy......

And Alison's bag is a cool and floral hip little number ...... great work girls!

Equally clever and lovely (though camera shy) is Nicole ..... she made a bag in lightweight denim with a lovely floral lining ...

This Swing Bag was designed by one of my wonderfully talented colleagues (who lets me know when I take too long a break from blogging!!!!!), our Yr 8 students make this bag as well!

And a little Coin Purse using Nicole M's pattern in some Tula Pink fabric ....

Well done Nicole!
All in all, a productive sewing morning ... what better way to spend a rainy miserable sport cancelled Saturday morning?

Foiled!

I was inspired by Alison Willoughby's Book: 49 Sensational Skirts ....

I adapted her splat design to fit my silk screen ..

I screen printed foil adhesive along the wrap around skirt (pattern from the book) ...

I then ironed on the lovely silver metallic foil ......


wait for it to cool .... then peel off the plastic and foil remains!

It has a lovely soft feel ....

I lined the skirt with a red homespun - just sewed multiple rows of straight stitch for the hem - leaving the edges RAW...

Popped in a couple of Slide Adjusters - memories of netball skirts ....

Here she is ....

I made the top as well - New Look 6729.

You can get metallic foils here - I'm experimenting with adhesives- some are better than others - this technique is fun and super effective - I shall be foiling some more!

Sewing Basics 1

I spent a thoroughly enjoyable Saturday morning with my Sewing Basics 1 students. Here are some nice and easy drawstring backpacks ......

This one is Julie's....

She appliqued a linen piece onto some great silk / linen blend fabric .... and finally she appliqued a lovely pink suede Breast Cancer Ribbon - looks great!Nicole brought some great Michael Miller Fabric for her bag .....

She made this as a gift for a new mum with a brand new baby ..... aren't those animals just too cute!

A Cushion for Kai and Nicole's First Skirt

Liz E had her first sewing lesson this week ..... she made this extremely cute cushion for her son Kai ....


She did a great job and I think she already has a stash at home to continue with - a new sewist joins the team!!!
And Nicole has completed her first skirt. She used a lovely grey wool, and we traced off a Lutterloh A Line Skirt pattern. It looks great!


Nicole is now struggling with sew many ideas ... what to do next???? Sound familiar?