by Sherri Sylvester | Jul 8, 2016
We are on vacation! I’m excited to have visited Chicago early this week and now we are relaxing in Minneapolis with family. Know any good quilt stores over here?! I’m trying to get a few photos on Instagram if you want to follow along.
When Brenda contacted me to see if I wanted to make the Sweet Talk Phone Bag pattern we were in vacation planning mode, and my kids were on my mind. This bag looked like the perfect size for a kids’ purse, and I had grand plans to make one for myself as well. I got the kids’ bags done at least – they love them – and they really are the perfect size! I got to use some fabric that I had stashed “for forever” waiting for the right project – and I’m so pleased with how they came out.
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. Among Brenda’s Quilts and Bags sent me the Sweet Talk Phone Bag pattern to use in this post and this is my honest opinion about it.
This pattern makes a cross-body purse with two zipped pocket areas and one front open pocket. It is interfaced with Bosal In-R-Form or byAnnie’s Soft and Stable to create a super sturdy bag – originally intended to carry your cell phone safely – and a great way to keep a nice shape in a purse. The pattern also includes instructions to make a card holder with clear pockets. I didn’t figure the kids needed one quite yet, so I skipped that part.
The instructions are well explained and easy to follow. The pattern pieces are cut out using measurements. It is fully illustrated with photos and lots of text to help explain everything. Plus I like that it was a paper pattern, so everything was already printed out and ready to go!
The original bag has options for a front flap or bow, which I fully intended to use for one of the bags. Plans were waylaid when one girl got word that the other one was going to have ruffles on the front of her bag. So it was settled, the ruffles had to be on both – of course! It was simple to add, I shortened the pocket by 2 inches and then cut a piece of fabric 4″ x double the width of the bag front. Folded it in half, gathered the raw edges and set them into the top edge of the front pocket/pocket lining. It’s pretty cute – but I have to admit I really wanted one to have a bow! Next time… these would make super-cute Birthday gifts too!
The cross-body strap (that I shortened to a 36″ kid-size) is perfect for touristing. No complaints from the kids, who are usually not very excited to carry their own things. They filled them with sunglasses, tiny clipboards and markers to keep them entertained on our Chicago Architecture Boat Tour. My youngest also wanted to bring her mp3 player with her and the front pocket was perfect for the earbuds.
They also like having multiple zippered pockets for organizing their things – so cute! I love the back pocket. I put one the “right way” and flipped the other one to better fit beside the horse on the back of the purse. #fussycut everything!
I checked to see how the bag would fit my extra-large cell phone, and it works great! I’m really excited to use some of my hoarded Japanese fabrics to make one for myself. It would be so useful for running into the grocery store – or to carry my phone and cash on summer walks with the kids. I think I might attach the straps with rings and swivel snap hooks so I can take them off and use the bag like a wallet as well.
Brenda also has lots of other really great patterns, plus she sells kits or the notions, batting and stabilizers to go with them. I really like the Voyager bag and the Around the Block Bag too. I’d really recommend that you check out this Canadian shop!
I’m back to vacation mode for a few more days, but I have more fun things next week and I’m so excited for a special bloggy event – coming super-soon! (Hint, hint… It has something to do with this!) Plus, I’ll be speaking at Quilts at the Creek on July 23/24th in Toronto – so if you are in the area I’d love to see you there.
by Sherri Sylvester | Jun 30, 2016
Wow – time flies! Says everyone every year, right?! It’s the kids’ last day of school today, and we are so ready for some down-time this summer.
As is the custom, here are the comparison shots – first day of school, last day of school. I’ve officially got two kids in “real school” now – meaning they are both in a grade level. Wow, a first grader and a 4th grader in September – yikes! (BTW, Did you see their pink hair?! They’ve been patiently waiting for their promised “summer hair” for months and they are SO excited about it!)
Our back to school gifts have been sent to school with hand written notes and will hopefully be happily received. A one-hour baby blanket for my youngest’s pregnant teacher. It’s made from the cutest fabric I got from the now-closed Double Decker Fabrics last year. The characters actually shape the letters of the alphabet. I’m so excited to finally use this one. (and excited that I have a meter or so left in my stash!) I shared a photo on Facebook and Instagram this week.
I totally forgot to take photos of my oldest’s gifts. #bloggerfail She chose fabrics so I could make some Sunny Glasses Cases for her teachers. These are my go-to teacher’s gift since they are (hopefully) universally useful and can be made in about 1/2 an hour. Blue and cameras for the French teacher and Reds for the English teacher – apparently their favorites. I hope at least! It’s always a guessing game with end-of-year gifts. I’d love to know what your favorite teacher gift is. Or, if you are a teacher – what would you like to receive?
On a fabric-lover note, I’m so excited for my latest happy mail that came in earlier this week! Fabric Spark has asked me to curate a fat quarter bundle for their Monthly Sparks fabric subscription. As always I am humbled to be included in such an amazing list of bloggers that curate these bundles. Wow! It’s been sent out early to avoid our possibly impending postal strike… argh. So I get to share it with you today!
This bundle started when I noticed a lack of yellows in my fat quarter stash. Seeing as how my oldest has decided her bedroom redo will be a mix of turquoise, yellow and pink – I thought maybe it was a good time to replenish the stock – plus, isn’t yellow a nice fun summery colour? Mixed with the pinks I think it’s my favorite of the bundles I’ve put together so far. #funinthesun
I built the bundle off of the multi-colourful Andover Hothouse Flowers from Mo Bedell. The small splashes of greens in the pinks and yellows make me happy! Plus, who could be sad when there are cats and yarn involved. It’s my current favorite Cotton & Steel print. 🙂 Fabric Spark has a waiting list for the Monthly Sparks subscription bundle, and if you can’t wait, there are 4 other amazing monthly subscription bundles you can sign up for! And, have you heard of their fun Summer of Fabric Love? They have a new giveaway, deal, promotion or surprise every week, all summer!
I’m off to finish up some deadlines and plan the last details for our Canada Day/End of School pool party tomorrow. Have a wonderful weekend, Canada Day and/or Fourth of July!
by Sherri Sylvester | Jun 27, 2016
I made hats – real hats – Fedoras, even! These were sewn as part of the Canadian Sewing Blog Hop, a collection of Canadian bloggers gushing about the amazing Canadian resources we have available – and giving 3 huge prizes away ! (Find the giveaway below and click here for more great Canadian Discounts.)
I wanted to feature a Canadian pattern designer (similar to this hop last year!) and chose Elegance and Elephants – who graciously sent me the Fedora Hat pattern I’ve been dying to make for years. My girls love the results, and I’m trying not to make about 17 more of them. (Attempting to learn how to slow down, right?!) E&E Patterns has a great collection of children’s patterns. (Epic Bubble Shorts!)
My girls are wearing two of their eight+ Bohemian Babydoll dresses in these photos. The one my youngest has on was a pattern test that used to fit my oldest. It’s by far one of my most favorite kid-friendly woven patterns – meaning I love it as much as my kids. It’s a quick sew, twirls and has ruffles – what more could you want?! Right now you can get a discount on anything in the E&E Pattern Shop during their Summer Sale. Just use the code SUMMER to get 10% off from June 27-July 4.
Back to the hats… The blue denim embroidered hat was the first one I made and it took only about 1 1/2 hours, start to finish. Such a quick, easy sew! Love, Love, Love. (All the heart-eye emojis for this one!) The pattern pieces were spot on, and since there aren’t many of them it was fast. The stashed denim is from at least 7 years ago when a fabric shop near me was going out of business. I’ve been trying to use it up ever since!
The second one (no fault of the pattern) took me about 4 1/2 hours. Lesson learned – stick to the recommended fabrics! This hat really is best sewn up in a thicker fabric with more body. The poplin I used for the pink hat just didn’t go together as easily, and you can see it in the wavy and puckered seams. While I know it does still look ok, I’m a still-recovering perfectionist, remember?! I added a little Liberty of London (dismantled from this never-worn scarf) around the crown and a twill bow, because my oldest originally wanted a white band like her sister. #keepingtheyoungunshappy
Putting a hat together is really not as hard as it might seem. I had everything I needed in my stash already. I would recommend that you are a very confidant beginner, or intermediate sewer – since making sure the curves are sewn without puckers is important. Other than that it’s very straight forward. It’s even fully lined with the same fabric as my faux-leather Marmalade jacket. (of course I forgot to photograph the inside, argh! There are good photos of the inside on the pattern listing.)
Please be sure to check out the other Canadian blogs below for more Canadian content and supplies. And, if you need any fabric, I know a great Pinterest board with over 60 Canadian shops on it. *wink, wink* I’m so proud of us – the Canadian shops have really stepped it up over the last few years and can now supply pretty much everything we need! Bonus – if you are from the US – your $$ go really far up here!
Canadian Sewing Blog Hop Schedule
Visit each of these blogs for more on our outstanding Canadian designers and suppliers, and be sure to enter the giveaway for some amazing prizes!
June 24: The Tour Starts at Happy Okapi ~ June 25: Celine guest posts on Happy Okapi; Marsha @ Seam of my Pants ~ June 26: Fiona @ Tangled Blossoms Designs; Carla @ Half Dozen Daily ~ June 27: Sherri @ Thread Riding Hood; Reece @ Happy Okapi ~ June 28: Nicky guest posts on Seam of my Pants ~ June 29: Daniela @ On the Cutting Floor; Reece @ Happy Okapi ~ June 30: Michelle @ Canada Day–June 31*: Ula @ Lulu & Celeste ~ July 2: Marsha @ Seam of my Pants ~ July 3: Keshia @ Sand Dollar Design Studio ~ July 4: Wrap Up @ Happy Okapi ~ July 6: Giveaway winners announced ~ * Yes, we know!
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Thanks for reading Thread Riding Hood. Don’t miss a post – come #alongforthreadride!
Today’s #RandomFunFact: Since styling my oldest with boots and knee-high socks for this photo shoot, she has decided that this is her new style and wears it everywhere. We really need to get this girl some Dr Martens! Can you tell I went to high school in the 90’s?!
Disclosure and Privacy Policy: The Fedora Hat pattern from E&E Patterns was sent to me free of charge as part of this blog hop. As always, my opinions are my own.
by Sherri Sylvester | Jun 20, 2016
Good Monday to you! I’m happy to introduce the 19th Canadian Online Fabric Store in this series to you today! Monica from Earth Indigo will be joining us for an interview, a little bit about her shop and a giveaway & discount for you!
Earth Indigo is not the “typical” quilting cotton online shop I usually interview. I’m excited that they carry handloom and hand printed fabrics from all over the world, batiks, organic cotton and hemp based fabrics, jersey and tencel knits and chambray. When I talked to Monica she mentioned that she loves minimalist draped clothing, so she stocks linens and knits too!
“The idea of Earth Indigo was conceived in October 2015 and my etsy store started in January this year, with the online store starting a month later. I was a full time stay at home mom taking care of my twins for 18 months and I started craving something else to focus on in my life. I love fabric, even more than sewing itself. I also started to get into weaving. I can’t help but want to give other weavers in the world a channel to get their crafts out to crafters in this part of the world.” ~ Monica, Earth Indigo
Thread Riding Hood: What was your main goal when starting Earth Indigo?
Monica: I love ethnic fabric and would like to introduce beautifully handcrafted fabric that reflects cultural beauty to the craft community in North America. Also I believe crafters are kind-hearted – that we can contribute to make this world better by using ethical and environmental friendly fabric.
Thread Riding Hood: What is your favorite type of sewing project?
Monica: I like making clothing as well as some other useful gift items, eg. nursing cover, eye pillow, cushion, pouch etc.
Thread Riding Hood: What is something coming up in the near future that you are especially excited about?
Monica: I have some beautiful fair trade handwoven fabric from Guatemala that were woven on backstrap looms coming up soon. I’m also exploring handprinted fabric from China and India that hopefully will see them at the store in the summer.
Thread Riding Hood: Thanks Monica!
Hooray! Earth Indigo is offering a discount at their shop until July 31, 2016!
Use the code TRHCHEERS15 to get 15% off your order.
I’m so excited, Earth Indigo is giving away this gorgeous hand printed batik fabric – one roll each to two lucky winners! It is a fair trade vintage styled batik printed by North Thailand Hmong Hill Tribe artisans on cotton fabric. So pretty! Each winner will get one roll of fabric 12″ wide by 5 1/2 yards. Think of all of the amazing things you could make with that much goodness!
This giveaway is open to everyone world-wide, from today (June 20th) until midnight June 27, 2016 (PST). Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter – and if you don’t have Facebook to sign in with, just use your name and email address. There’s a “click to enter”, no social media login entry too!
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Thanks for reading Thread Riding Hood. Don’t miss a post – come #alongforthreadride!
Disclosure and Privacy Policy: Earth Indigo contacted me earlier this year and I like what they are selling! They provided fabric, a giveaway and are a blog sponsor as part of our collaboration for this interview series. I won’t promote a shop that I do not love, and my opinions will always be my own. Thanks for reading!
by Sherri Sylvester | Jun 17, 2016
It’s taken 3 years and 341 days, but we got here and this is the 500th post I’ve written for Thread Riding Hood! I figured I should make a big deal about it since I’m feeling like it’s kind of a big milestone. Crazy things have happened over the past almost-four years. I started this blog as a place to write about my sewing and it has turned into a real job. I’ve met amazing people, made great friends and worked with people I never thought I’d meet!
It’s been an amazing ride, thank you so much for coming along with me! #alongforthreadride
Just in case you are curious (like me!) here are the Top 5 Most Popular Posts EVER on Thread Riding Hood. After you peruse the list (hee hee) you can enter for your chance to win my celebration giveaway!
I’m giving away a scrappy fabric bundle of some of my favorite blues. The winner will also receive a copy of each of my PDF patterns! That includes the Forest Glen Satchel, Reusable Lunch Bag, Fabric Gift Bag patterns, Super Hero Cape and Cat-Eye Zipper Pouch pdf’s. Whew!
It was so hard to choose the bundle! I wanted to share some of my favorite fabrics, but didn’t have full fat quarters of all of them. Plus they didn’t all make a nice matchy bundle! So I started with a scrappy cut of my long-hoarded Tula Pink Octo Garden and chose some other favorite blues from there. Lots of them are fat quarter or 1/4 yard cuts. Also, being truly scrappy, some are pre-washed – but wanting to share my favorites, that’s the way they come! I also added a set of fabric quilt labels for good measure. I hope you like it!
This giveaway is open to everyone world-wide, from today (June 16th) until midnight June 23, 2016. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter – and if you don’t have Facebook to sign in with, just use your name and email address. There’s a “click to enter”, no social media login entry too!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
