by Sherri Sylvester | Apr 21, 2015
It’s that time of year again. Creativ Festival Spring 2015 is almost upon us! April 24 & 25, creative people of all kinds will descend on the International Centre in Mississauga. As usual, I’m headed over. My goal is to meet as many lovely Thread Riding Hood readers as possible.
With that in mind, I’m pretty sure I’ll be there Friday afternoon and I’m definitely going to be there all day on Saturday. I can’t wait! If you see me, pretty please, come over and say hi! You will honestly make my day. (Yes, Really!) If you want more reasons to go to Creativ, check out these posts: Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014, Fall 2014.
This spring Country Clothesline and Fabric Spark, two of my sponsors, asked me to create two new tutorials – both will be kitted and available at the show! I’m really excited about the projects I’ve made with them. Deadlines seem to produce great projects around here, Go figure! I’ve also got quite a few sewn projects that will be featured at the Fabric Spark booth. Two new ones and two oldies-but-goodies – see sneak peeks of the new fabrics below.
Since three of my sponsors will be at the show, I asked them each to write up a few words about what you can expect at each of their booths, and they kindly agreed. I can’t wait to talk to them in person again. (And see the fabric in person… lots of fabric!)
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“We have been waiting for Spring, and Country Clothesline has it! Kits for the “Pretty Floral Divided Tote“, “Cushy Quilted Cushion” and the “Charming Picnic Quilt” as well as a great selection of our Fresh & Pretty Fabrics! See you at Booth #364.” ~ Country Clothesline
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“Hi all, Fabric Spark is excited to be back at Creativ Festival this spring with new fabric, pre-cuts, kits, and new bundles. We loved the shot cotton pillow Sherri made with the Kaffe Fassett charms so we’ve planned another project with her that we’ll be showing off in the booth – and will have kits available. We’d love to hear what you’re working on, come find my sisters and I in booth number 264. Sewists Unite!” ~ Fabric Spark
And for your sneak peek… check out these fabrics! The Wee Gallery is SO CUTE, and of course, Tula Pink… how could you pass up that one. I can’t wait to show you what I am making with them. (If you can’t wait to get some, find Wee Gallery here and the Tula Pink here!)
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“Sew Sisters is busy preparing for Creativ Festival and we’re looking forward to meeting all our friends and customers at the show! We’ve got lots of fat quarters, yardage, new kits, books, patterns, and are featuring the very popular Creative Grids Stripology Ruler by Gudrun Erla. So stop by Booth #103!” ~ Sew Sisters
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How’s that for a line-up?! My favorite thing about going to Creativ is meeting you (real, live and in person!). My second favorite? Touching the fabric. Something you really can’t do when you buy most of your stash online!
If you can’t come and want to see what I’m up to, I’ll try to post on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as I go. Hopefully I’ll do a good job and not get too distracted by everything going on around me! Follow along here:
Reader Feedback: Are you going to be at Creativ Festival?
by Sherri Sylvester | Apr 15, 2015
I’m happy to be able to give you another tutorial today! This is one of my many Creativ Festival projects. I’ve been working with my sponsor Sylvia from Country Clothesline to create this tutorial and she will be selling kits for it at her booth next week. She has provided the fabric for this tote – isn’t it amazing? It just screams warm spring and summer days! The perfect bag for adding a little floral accent to add to your daily life. It’s right on trend too!
The inspiration for this bag came from thoughts of trips to the Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings. Trips to the cottage, or the beach! For that you need some way to divide your towels from your sunscreen, or cucumbers from your fresh strawberry jam!
With that in mind, I decided to make this a divided tote – and then I had to figure out how to do it! Thankfully a few mini-mockups sorted it out quickly enough and I’m so happy with the result. Anything you put into your tote will look 100 times better next to that lovely yellow lining. And your life is a little bit more organized too!
This tote is generously sized at 14″ wide, 5″ deep and is 13″ tall. It only uses 1 yard each of outer and lining fabric! And, despite my convincing speech about the divider, you can make this tote without it. I’ve included a section in the directions below to tell you how to do that.
The lovely pink bouquet fabric is Olivia in Pink. And the yellow (and fast becoming my favorite!) is Olivia Floral in Yellow. I’m loving the pop of the blue on yellow!
As usual, please feel free to use my patterns/tutorials for your personal projects and gifts and for charitable fundraising events. Please do not sell anything made with this pattern. If you are interested in making this item for sale, please contact me and I will set up a license for it in the shop. Thank you!
Seam allowance 3/8″ OR 1/4″ as noted throughout the tutorial.
Materials:
Printing the Pattern:
- Download the Pattern Pieces using the link in the Materials listing. Print out all 4 pages of the pdf on letter size (8.5″ x 11″) or A4 paper. Important: Do not select “fit to page” when printing, make sure you print at the original size. Once you have printed the pages, measure the 1″ test square to ensure the pattern is the correct size.
- Cut the pages on the outer gray lines and tape/glue the pages together, matching the letters in the gray half-circles.
- Cut out both pattern pieces – now you are ready to cut!
Make the Tote without the Divider:
- Do not cut the divider as noted in the cutting layouts & measurements.
- Follow Steps 4 and 5 for sewing the outer tote to stitch the lining.
- You will need very marginally less interfacing, all other yardage stays the same.
Cutting:
- Pre-wash your fabric if desired and press well.
- See below & pattern pieces for fabric cutting layouts and measurements for cutting fabric that does not have a pattern piece.
- Lining – Divider: CUT 2 – 15″ wide x 10 3/4″ high, Strap: CUT 1 – 2.5″ x 42″, Pocket: CUT 1 on fold, Body: CUT 2 on fold
- Outer – Strap: CUT 1 – 2.5″ x 42″, Pocket: CUT 1 on fold, Body: CUT 2 on fold
- Interfacing – Divider: Cut 1 – 15″ wide x 10 3/4″ high, Outer Pocket: CUT 1 on fold, Lining Body: CUT 2 on fold
- Fusible Fleece – Strap: CUT 2 – 1″ x 21″, Divider: CUT 1 – 15″ wide x 10 3/4″ high, Outer Body: CUT 2 on fold
Prepare your Fabric:
- Fuse Interfacing to: 1 Divider, 1 Outer Pocket, 2 Lining Body
- Fuse Fusible Fleece to: 1 Divider, 2 Outer Body – NOTE: DO NOT fuse fleece to strap yet. We will do this later.
Here we sew!
Handles:
- Pin & stitch the two strap pieces together lengthwise with a 1/4″ seam. Press seam allowance open.
- Fold each side lengthwise to the centre seam. Fold again at the centre seam to make a 1″ wide strap.
- Cut the strap into 2 pieces 21″ long. Now you have two straps.
- Open the folds on each strap, place fusible fleece on outer strap fabric within the folds next to the centre seam.
- Re-fold each strap, press well fuse the fleece.
- Top stitch about 1/8″ away from the edge of each strap and once in the centre.
Pocket:
- Place pocket outer and lining Right Sides Together (RST). Stitch pocket with a 1/4″ seam allowance, leaving a 3″ opening at the bottom.
- Trim the corners. Press the seam allowance up along the opening.
- Turn the pocket right side out through the opening. Press well. Top stitch the top curved edge of the pocket.
- Centre the pocket on the Outer Front, 3 1/2″ up from the bottom. Pin & stitch the sides and bottom close to the edge. This will also close the bottom opening.
Divider:
- Place divider pieces RST. Mark the left and right bottom corners 1″ from each corner. Draw a diagonal line to connect the marks.
- Pin and stitch along the marked lines and along the top edge with a 1/4″ seam.
- Trim corner seam allowances to 1/4″.
- Turn the divider right side out. Press all 3 seams well. Top stitch the top edge of the divider.
Lining:
- Layer Lining/Divider/Lining, with the divider centred on the bottom edge of the lining pieces. Lining will be RST.
- Pin and stitch the bottom edge with a 3/8″ seam.
- Fold the lining back, away from the divider on both sides. Pin, this allows the sides to be sewn without accidentally sewing over the bottom edge.
- Match the bottom lining side with the side of the divider. The lining will extend 1″ below the divider on the bottom edge.
- Match the other lining side. Pin, stitch with a 3/8″ seam. Un-pin the bottom pulled back fabric from step 3.
- Press seam allowances away from the divider on the sides and bottom edges.
- Open and align the corner raw edges of each side so the side seams align with the bottom seam. This creates a boxed corner. Pin with seam allowances open.
- Stitch the two pinned edges with a 3/8″ seam.
Check out your awesome divided lining. Almost done now!
Outer:
- Align the outer edge of each strap with the outer edge of each front pocket. Place the outer side of the strap RST with the outer tote. Pin.
- The inside edge of the end of the strap will be at the top edge of the bag and the outer edge will be parallel to the outer edge of the bag.
- Use the outer front of the tote to find the placement for the outer back strap. Pin. Baste the ends of the front and back straps to the bag with a 1/4″ seam allowance.
- Place outer front and back RST. Stitch the sides and bottom with a 3/8″ seam. Press seam allowances open as much as possible. Note: It helps to turn the bag right side out to press, then turn inside out again to continue.
- Open and align the bottom raw un-sewn corners so the side seams align with the bottom seam. This creates a boxed corner. Pin with seam allowances open. Stitch with a 3/8″ seam.
Finish the Tote:
- Turn outer right side out. Place outer inside lining with RST. Align top edges and pin.
- Find the relatively straight area at the top edge of the tote – next to the side seam. Mark a 4″ opening.
- Stitch around the top of the bag with a 3/8″ seam, leave the opening un-sewn.
- Clip and notch the top curve. Press the seam allowance open along the opening.
- Turn your tote through the opening. Press and pin the top edge with the outer turned slightly toward the lining. This helps the lining not to show on the outside of the bag.
- Top stitch about 1/8″ away from the top edge of the bag. This will also close the opening.
- Note: If desired, use matching thread to hand stitch the lining to the outer bottom edge at each end of the side seam/divider. This will keep the lining in place. Feel through the fabric and stitch the lining to the outer side seam allowance – do not stitch through the bag to the outside.
Give it a good press and you’re done!
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I’d love to see your project! You can share your tote on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (links below) using the hashtags #alongforthreadride and/or #threadridinghood. Thank you!
Disclaimer: The fabric used in this post was given to me by my sponsor, Country Clothesline, for use in this post. I always share my honest opinion about sponsored products. Thanks for reading!
by Sherri Sylvester | Apr 14, 2015
I’m excited to be sewing SO MUCH these past few weeks. I can’t wait to show you all of the projects I’m working on towards Creativ Festival – but today, I get to show off the Finlayson Sweater from Thread Theory. Yesterday we went out into the finally-Spring weather and I got a few outdoor photo-shoots taken as well. It’s very nice to mix work and play on a sunny afternoon!
I’m so happy to have a go-to pattern for my husband. In fact, I have made two somethings – two of these sweaters! This is the first one, the other was in the wash, or we would have photographed it as well. Good sign, it being in the wash, since both of these have been worn at least once a week since I made them early this year. Hooray! I would definitely make more, and I don’t think my husband would protest. He really likes them both!
Here are a few things I love about it:
- My husband loves to wear them! It’s comfortable and still looks nice.
- The hems are all banded – easier than hemming.
- It’s fast! Especially with a serger (though you don’t need one).
- I love that it’s made from knits – the fit is simpler.
- Lots of variations – shawl collar, decorative neck facing, overlapped lined hood, kangaroo pocket.
Thoughts on the pattern:
- The instructions are well written.
- The steps are drawn – not photographed. And well illustrated.
- It includes Body measurements and Finished Garment measurements. Super helpful when choosing a size.
- Includes tips for more professional finish, like using clear elastic on the shoulders.
Thoughts on the fit:
- The pattern includes a good range of sizes, XS-XXL.
- Based on the measurements, I made a large graded out to an XL at the waist for comfort.
- I also shortened the length of the sleeves according to the measurements and it worked out great.
- The finished size and fit was consistent with the measurements given.
Things I might change next time:
- In my second sweater, I made the bottom of the arms a bit thinner. We liked how it turned out, but the knit was not as stretchy as this version so it’s a bit tight on the lower arms.
- I’d like to try the shawl collar, but I haven’t found the right fabric yet. Plus it’s finally becoming spring – so maybe we’ll see more of them in the fall.
A note to Thread Theory… Please Morgan, could you design an awesome current-style dress shirt? I’d love to make one!
Reader Feedback: Do you have a favorite Men’s go-to pattern?
Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post, and I did not receive this pattern or any compensation it, it’s just really great and I wanted to let you know.
by Sherri Sylvester | Apr 9, 2015
Have you ever fed elastic or ribbon through a casing, then run into trouble when you tried to pass the seam allowance? I know it’s “easy” to baste the seam allowance down or adhere them with fusible tape – but it’s even easier with this little trick from Granny! (Find out how this series started.)
Within all Thread Riding Hood patterns and downloadable pdf’s, I’ve included “Notes and Tips from Granny’s Sewing Basket”. Granny capitalizes on the story of Little Red Riding Hood and takes creative license in proposing that Granny loves to sew! Throughout the patterns, these Notes and Tips are included to make your sewing go more smoothly. This series includes tips I’ve found helpful in my personal sewing. Find them pinned here: “Sewing Tips & Tricks” Pinterest board.
When sewing pajama shorts I am always looking for “faster and easier” ways to make them. They get used a lot and the quicker they are to make the more likely it is that I will make more in the future! My elastic generally gets stuck in the seam allowance while I feed it through because I’m too lazy speedy to bother basting or fusing them down. It’s irritating and then I get to fiddle with it until I find the correct place to feed it through.
This time I used my school glue stick to temporarily glue down the allowances before stitching the casing. It holds them down just long enough to get the elastic through. Once the shorts go through the wash the glue will come out – but that’s after I’m finished! Perfect!
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CONGRATULATIONS to the winner of the Kaffe Fassett Charm Pack from Fabric Spark! Jo from the UK was the lucky winner as chosen by the random Rafflecopter widget. She was so pleased because she had already pinned the Charm Pack tutorial for my Spring Charming Throw Pillow – Hooray! Maybe she’ll make one?!
Would you like your own charm pack? Get one from Fabric Spark – Kaffe Fassett Woven Cotton Charm Pack in Light
Hope you’re having a great week! I’m off to the library with my little monkeys – getting some reading for the weekend. See you again soon!
by Sherri Sylvester | Apr 6, 2015
I hope you enjoyed your long Easter weekend! We had a lots of good cousin and family time. Today we are relaxing before heading into another short week.
I started this as a tutorial, but along the way my careful embroidery got derailed by some water, causing fangs and crazy eyelashes… not so good for a white shirt. Of course, a shirt with a mind of it’s own has to be dealt with harshly, so it sat by itself in the corner of my sewing room for the better part of a week! The day before it was needed I gave up and covered the mess with a circle. Thankfully, my youngest still likes it!
The main idea for this shirt was to make a dolman tee with lengthened arms. Similar to the one I made myself, so I could post the sleeve tutorial I’ve promised – or so I thought. I guess I’ll have to make another shirt for myself instead, I’m not complaining about that. *insert cheering here!*
Oh, and did you sort out the arms yet? They’re the bunny ears! It’s a bit of a stretch, but it works in theory – and it’s good enough for my almost-5 year old. Though she did very dramatically proclaim after school that her arms got tired from being held up for “sooooo long”. She’s got a lot of visible personality, this little one!
As far as fabrics, I am happy to have de-stashed my way through this one. Some natural coloured sweatshirt fleece for the body, and cream terry for the sleeves, collar and bunny face. They both have a slight stretch and it fits perfectly! The pattern is the Skipper Top – the kids’ version of the Seafarer dolman tee from Sew Much Ado. I LOVE her patterns. They are so simple to make, and very clear. I’d really recommend them. I’ve reviewed the Skipper top for the pattern tour as well, and wrote up a tutorial on gathered shoulders as well.
I’d better go, we’ve got plans to head over to the grocery store for some sale Easter candy. I’m hoping to throw in a little trip to the fabric store as well – supplies for the many projects I’m working on for Creativ Festival. (Maybe a little bit of bribery for them on their day off!)
Reader Feedback: Did you sew anything for Easter?
