by Sherri Sylvester | Mar 7, 2015
Oof! I’ve found it so hard to stop and blog this week! I’m in a mood to just sew, sew, sew and not stop. I’ve made a muslin of the Sailor Top and Bess Top, started finishing my quilt, worked on my CBC logo pillow… Tonight I’m trying to sew up a quick Seafarer top, after I blog this of course (and I know, it’s late here!). Anyhow – the purpose of this post is to show you some pretty fabric and prod myself into getting started on yet another project (see below) – ‘cuz that seems like a good idea too!
For two months now I’ve been aiming to follow along with the Simple Simon and Co. monthly block tutorials. Since I’m a newbie at quilt blocks I figured it would be useful to practice making some of the more common ones. And, since I’m a creative person with too many “good” ideas, I’ve been trying to do that since January!
The good thing is, though, that I picked out a group of fabrics right away to use for this. I’m hoping that I can make 2-4 of each block and then put them together at the end of the year to make a semi-random quilt top. Who knows, maybe I’ll even get it quilted before Christmas?! (Just don’t hold me to it!)
The farther I get into these tutorials, I’m finding that it is a super-beginner friendly process. January – Half Square Triangle (HST) Block. February – Rail Fence Block. March – Square Block. Maybe too beginner-friendly for me? Not sure, but I’m excited to see what comes out at the end of the year. It’s very mysterious not knowing what’s coming next month!
I pulled out the Tula Pink fat quarter bundle I got from Fridays Off Fabric Shop at Creativ Festival in November 2013! Some solids and a few stashed fat quarters got added in as well. I happened to have a large cotton tablecloth that was gifted to me in a box of random fabrics to go with it. I’m excited to use the white throughout the quilt, I love how it makes the colours brighter.
So my quilt “sampler” will be a random bunch of fabrics from all over the place sewn from a bunch of random quilt block tutorials! If you are looking for something a bit more advanced, Caroline from Sew Can She has posted monthly blocks as well. You can find her tutorials within the others she has written, look for the words “Classic Quilt Blocks” on the photos.
I’m off to sew… again! I really hope to have lots of clothing for myself soon. It would be great to have a more handmade wardrobe!
Reader Feedback: Do you sew a lot of clothing for yourself? Do you have a favorite pattern you’ve used a lot?
by Sherri Sylvester | Mar 4, 2015
Wow – it’s been a long week! I feel like I haven’t been back at my computer in ages. I’ve used this time away to think about lots of things that are going on over here and re-calibrate. It’s been nice to plan a bit about how best to move ahead. Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere – things have just been a bit disorganized lately. I’d like to be scheduling things early instead of writing them at the last minute.
I’ve written up a mini tutorial today! A few people have asked for the measurements I used to make my girls’ Cargo Duffle Backpacks last year.
Before we get to that I wanted to congratulate the winner of the Meerkat Shweshwe Fat quarter bundle! This unique fabric was so well received – I was excited to introduce it and hope you like it as well. The winner of the bundle was Erin A. – who already received it, despite it’s being mailed yesterday! You can head over to this post to find out where you can get the fabric and to find out more about it.
I wasn’t too sure how much to include in the mini tutorial. So I’ve taken some straight forward photos of the bag, and listed the measurements and a few simple instructions below. I can’t put in a full tutorial, since I’m not making another one at the moment, so I’ve left quite a bit up to your interpretation. Please note that the photos are of a bag that’s been used for the past year and a half, so please excuse wrinkles and threads. I’ve also included lovely shots of my super hurried inside binding (yikes, how embarrassing). Lucky you! #justbeingreal
The construction is basically the same as the Noodlehead Cargo Duffle, free pattern from Robert Kaufmann. I’d recommend that you have experience sewing one before tackling this. Either way, please use your intuition, judgement and sewing experience to help you take these measurements and sew up a backpack of your own! I am always available for questions – so don’t hesitate to ask. Just click the envelope button at the top of the blog to email me, or find my email address in the “About” section.
Helpful Notes:
- Please use the photos as reference. Especially if you use the “Extras” section.
- Use the Cargo Duffle seam allowance, as noted in the instructions.
- Cut the batting smaller all around, as noted in the Cargo Duffle instructions.
- The width of the zipper gussets should be trimmed (once sewn) to match the width of the bottom gusset as noted in the Cargo Duffle instructions.
- Gusset length measurements are approximate. I’ve re-measured the bags, but without making another one I can’t confirm that the measurements I wrote down when I made them originally are correct. If the gusset loop doesn’t fit around your bag, un-stitch it where the zipper gusset connects to the bottom gusset and adjust it as necessary to fit.
You might find these other posts I’ve written helpful for the construction:
A note about the “lining”:
- This bag does not have a true lining. I have simulated a different inside print by cutting an extra layer of fabric (the “lining”) and layering it over the canvas before quilting the layers together. My goal was to cover the canvas with something a bit more fun! Of course, you can leave the canvas interior as is – it looks great too.
Main Piece Measurements:
- Front/Back: (Cut 2 Outer, Batting & Canvas, Optional: Cut 2 Lining) – 12″ wide x 15″ tall
- Exterior Bottom Accent: (Cut 1 Outer) – 12″ wide x 2.5″ tall
- Bottom Gusset: (Cut 1 Outer, Batting & Canvas, Optional: Cut 1 Lining) – 5″ wide x 28″ tall/long
- Zipper Gusset Sides: (Cut 2 Outer, Batting & Canvas, Optional: Cut 2 Lining) – 2.5″ wide x 22″ tall/long
- Front Pocket & Flap: (Cut Outer/Lining/Interfacing for each) See printable pattern pieces in this “Add a Pocket” post OR Add a zipper pocket (change the width to fit the backpack)
- Straps: Make as per the original Cargo Duffle, add strap adjusters etc. as desired
- Binding: about 3 1/2 yards of double-fold binding (1/2″ wide)
- Zipper: 24″ or longer (See how to change the direction of your zipper pulls in this post.)
Extras:
Handle: Cut 2 aprox. 6″ x 1.5″ in outer and interfacing
- Stitch the two pieces right sides together, leaving an opening. Turn, press the seam allowance along the opening to the inside. Stitch on the back-top zipper gusset after finishing the bag.
Luggage/Name Tag: Cut 1 Outer 5″ wide x 3″ tall, Cut 1 Clear Vinyl 4″ wide x 2.5″ tall
- Stitch vinyl to outer on 3 sides. Finish edges of tag backing with a zig zag or pinking shears. Stitch to the inside-back of the backpack or mesh back (if using) Note: stitches will show on back of bag/inside of the mesh
Mesh Back Pocket: Cut one layer of a zippered mesh laundry bag to 15″ x 12″ (same size as the back of the bag). Baste to the backpack back before stitching the gusset. Finish stitching when finishing the gusset and adding the bias tape.
Water Bottle Pocket(s): Cut 1 piece 8″ wide by 8″ high for each pocket.
- Hem the bottom edge & gather to 5″ to match the gusset width. Match the width of the top edge to the 5″ gusset by applying fold-over elastic to the top edge (or create a casing and insert 1/4″ elastic). Stitch the bottom of the pocket to the gusset at the bottom corners of the bag. Stitch before the gusset is sewn to the front/back. (Note: stitches will show on the outside of the gusset) Baste the sides of the pocket to the gusset. Finish stitching when stitching the gusset to the front/back and adding the bias tape.
I hope that helps! I love these bags and we’ve used them so much that the bottom gusset is wearing through on the corners. Time to make some new ones perhaps?! (Or maybe try something new this time!)
by Sherri Sylvester | Feb 24, 2015
See that pile. That’s my stack of things I’d like to properly photograph and share with you. Add that to the envelope full of ideas I’ve got written down and “in general” things to do this week and I’ve decided to take the week “off”! (Yup.)
I’ve been trying to plan a week to go through (absolutely) everything in our house since September. Sort, give away, throw out, re-organize… I’m so excited that the time has finally come! In fact, I’ve been trying to sew clothing for one entire week as well, but that hasn’t worked out as yet. We’ve been in our current home for just over 7 years now and we’ve done this once before – but not on such a large scale. Since it’s pretty quiet around here it seemed like a good week to do it.
I worked hard yesterday and now my basement is filling up with an ever-growing array of baskets and boxes full of “similar things“, and “things that go together” and “things that don’t go anywhere“. The plan is to go through the whole house this way. Empty every drawer, closet shelf and box in storage. Only keep what is most important – then put them away at the end. That’s going to be the hard part! I’m excited, though, that there is likely going to need to be a trip to IKEA for some organizational shelving and boxes when we are done – hooray! (Something, anything, to keep me going….)
I hope you have a wonderful rest of your week. I’ll see you next week with the shweshwe winner (Last day to sign up is today – Feb 24, 2015) and I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to post a new tutorial for a cute zippered-something I’ve been working on. (YAY!) If you want to follow along I’ll be posting on Instagram, and I’ll try not to scare you too much with crazy photos of piles of things everywhere!
by Sherri Sylvester | Feb 19, 2015
I love the chance to use a new pattern, and this one is no different! It’s my stop on the “Extraordinary Girl” pattern tour, and I get to review both the women’s and girl’s version of this pattern from Filles à Maman. This post is also a futile attempt to show you all 5 of the shirts I’ve made without over sharing and too many photos! (These shirts are addictive.)
Hang in through everything and there’s a list of blog tour stops for more inspiration, and a giveaway! {Disclaimer: I received these patterns as part of this blog tour. All opinions are my own, I wouldn’t have made 5 of these if I didn’t like the pattern! Thanks for reading.}
I love the name of this shirt. I thought it was strange at first, but when I wore it I thought about the name and it actually changed my mood, for the better. It seemed the perfect thing to put on my kids too. They are extraordinary in so many ways! I decided to focus on my youngest today, but I did make a fifth shirt for my oldest as well that you can kindoff see on Instagram (it’s behind the flowers).
I haven’t used a pattern from Filles à Maman before, and I was so happy to find it was well laid out and easy to follow. The instructions for the girl’s and women’s patterns are the same. By the 3rd shirt I got the time to make one (with a serger) down to 1 hour. I can’t complain about that – it included cutting time!
I did use my serger for every seam, except the black one I made for myself. That was the last one I made, and the seams are more precise so it fits much better than the green and gray one. I will likely use the sewing machine for each seam, then serge to finish my edges on my shirts in the future. The serger works just fine for the girls’ clothing, since the fit doesn’t need to be as exact.
Both patterns cover a wide range of sizes. The women’s pattern is sized XS to XXL. The girl’s comes in sizes 12 months through 14. All steps in both patterns are well illustrated and the instructions are very clear. If you have a good handle on sewing knits you will not have any trouble with this pattern.
The sizing is true to the measurements as well. My 4 1/2 year old daughter is wearing a size 5 with the sides graded out to a size 6 to better fit her frame. The length is a 6, since she wears a lot of leggings, I like longer shirts! My shirt is a size small with the sides graded out to a Medium through the waist to the hem, and I used the Large length – again with the long shirts! Though, I think we are long-waisted, so the extra length adds just enough extra to compensate. This shirt also has a slight high-low hem, super comfortable, and I love how it looks.
I managed to use only stashed fabrics and my shelves are a little bit more empty as a result – hooray! I finally got to use the castle scene knit I let my 3 year old pick out over a year ago. It arrived and was so bright I couldn’t bring myself to use it. Now that I have I wish I had made something with it sooner – the shirt turned out just right to match her happy personality! The gray and green in my shirt are solid jersey knit from Jo-Ann Fabric. The purple print is as well, it’s slightly sheer and works perfectly with a tank top underneath. I really like how the three-quarter sleeves turned out on that one.
Apparently, we were supposed to look serious in this photo. #whenkidstakeover
The Ann Kelle mermaid shirt was a bit of an experiment. Actually, I had totally different knits pulled out to make her second shirt – but I wanted to try something. Something that incorporated this sewing trend to add a bit of gold to everything! I decided to make the back and top yoke panel out of a woven fabric. And I used a stretchy gold fabric for the front and back neckband. SO much more fun that way! The green striped fabric is a woven I up-cycled from a large t-shirt.
Since the pattern calls for knits I was nervous that it wouldn’t fit, so I added 1 1/2″ to the centre back when I cut it out. Amazingly, and hooray, it worked. Though I would cut at least one size larger through the top of the shirt if I did it again. The shoulders really are too small because the woven fabric doesn’t stretch like a knit would.
Summary? Buy the pattern (it’s only on sale until Friday the 20th!). It’s great and I really like it a lot. I’ve already got another one waiting to be cut out. It’s purple, with bunnies – for my 7 year old , ’nuff said!
Find more inspiration from the other stops on the blog tour here:
The Extraordinary Girl Shirt Patterns are on sale during this blog tour – February 16-20. The Girl’s or Women’s Pattern is $9.79 $7.00, the Girl’s & Women’s bundled together is $19.58 $13.00.
There are two prize bundles full of patterns for you to win! Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter, the giveaway is open until February 20, 2015.
Bundle #1:• Filles a Maman 2 patterns winner’s choice
• Sofilantjes – 1 pattern winner’s choice
• Julie pattern by Muffin Head
• AimeLea & Finn – 1 pattern winner’s choice
• FABulous Home Sewn -1 pattern winner’s choice
• Fancy Schmancy – 1 pattern winner’s choice
• E+M Patterns – 1 pattern winner’s choice |
Bundle #2:• Filles a Maman 2 patterns winner’s choice
• Sofilantjes – 1 pattern winner’s choice
• Fancy Schmancy – 1 pattern winner’s choice
• MCM Studio Designs – 1 pattern winner’s choice
• MandyK Designs -1 pattern winner’s choice
• Striped Swallow Designs – 1 pattern winner’s choice |
a Rafflecopter giveaway
by Sherri Sylvester | Feb 17, 2015
I’m excited to bring you a fun and different installment to our Canadian Online Fabric Shop interview series today! When I was at the Creativ Festival last fall I found a booth for Meerkat Shweshwe – I was super curious about their fabrics (you’ll see why later), so I stopped to talk to them. Turns out they are a wholesaler for imported shweshwe fabric from South Africa.
I was drawn to their booth because of the unique selection of fabric. Nothing like you’ve seen before. Unless of course, you’ve got some shweshwe in your stash! Today I am interviewing this wholesaler and linking over to 4 shops that carry their unique fabric. There’s a discount for one of the US shops and a giveaway too!
I’m so excited to interview Céleste, the owner of Meerkat Shweshwe, today. We’ve been working back-and-forth for a month or so to get you some great information about this unique fabric. Including lots of photos, where to get it and how to care for it!
Thread Riding Hood: How did you get connected to selling shweshwe?
Céleste: I was born in South Africa, the home of Shweshwe, and brought up in a family of sewing and knitting enthusiasts. When my family moved to Canada in 2001 I could only get hold of Shweshwe on trips “back home” or when we had visitors from South Africa. In 2013 I visited Da Gama Textiles in South Africa to investigate becoming an importer and distributor of Shweshwe.
Thread Riding Hood: What is a bit of the history of this type of fabric?
Céleste: The history of all modern printed cottons starts with indigo dyed fabric. Indigo is a deep blue plant dye that originated in India and made its way to Europe in Roman times. Shweshwe’s history is connected to indigo dyed cotton prints in Europe, called “Blaudruck”. The name “shweshwe” comes from King Moshoeshoe I, who was given a gift of indigo printed cotton by French missionaries during the 19th century. When European settlers moved into Southern Africa, they introduced these indigo prints to the ethnic groups they met, who assimilated them into their culture. Although fashions changed and technology improved, Shweshwe has remained in demand in South Africa until today. It is sometimes called the “tartan” of South Africa. Click here for a more detailed history.
Thread Riding Hood: Why is shweshwe unique?
Céleste: There are quite a few differences between shweshwe and other fabrics.
- The designs look like reproductions, but they are authentic classics from the days of the early development of automated cotton printing in the 18th century.
- Shweshwe is still produced using an old method of discharge printing dating back to the days of early industrialization.
- The fabric is only 90cm/36″ wide, because it is printed using technology from a time when all fabric looms were that width – think of original Liberty Lawns.
- Shweshwe has a distinctive smell and stiffness from the dressing still used as in days gone by when this was protection for the long sea voyage from England to the colonies. One wash and the fabric is soft and lovely to use.
- Shweshwe has an authenticated backstamp.
Thread Riding Hood: What do you love most about working with shweshwe fabric?
Céleste: First, Nostalgia. It harks back at the classic fabrics I grew up with, in terms of old fashioned quality, versatility and a 100% cotton with a good hand. Second, Innovation. Besides producing the blue, chocolate and red classics, they keep adding modern designs in vibrant colours to their collection. Third, Social Conscience. Working with Shweshwe connects me to creating employment in South Africa, and keeping this historic fabric alive.
Thread Riding Hood: What types of projects would you recommend using shweshwe for?
Céleste: It is super versatile and can be used whenever you would normally choose 100% cotton prints. It was traditionally used for dressmaking in South Africa, but nowadays you can find it used for quilts, home decorating, and crafting. It has become a popular item on fashion runways with South African designers for both men and women, even for weddings and shoes. Check my Pinterest boards for inspiration.
Thread Riding Hood: Anything else we should know about working with this fabric? Prewashing? Ironing? Care?
Céleste: You have to prewash to get rid of the dressing and then it will shrink a little, as the threads settle after the dressing is washed out. Thereafter you treat it like all other 100% cottons. You don’t have to iron it, but if you want that crisp look of ironed cotton, you’ll get it in spades from Shweshwe! It is very durable: I have a dress I still wear that is 25 years old.
Thread Riding Hood: Do you have a personal favorite story that involves a particular shweshwe project that you wouldn’t mind sharing with us?
Céleste: In 2002 as a new Canadian I stumbled upon the Quilt of Belonging at the Waterloo Regional Quilt Festival. I volunteered to make the block for Namibia, because the South African block was already made. I used Shweshwe in the border of that block, never knowing that about 10 years later I would be importing it. You can see the block here.
Thread Riding Hood: How can we get connected to buying some of this fabulous fabric?
Céleste: At present there are four stores in Canada and the USA that sell Meerkat Shweshwe: Hyggeligt Fabrics, Greenwood Quiltery, Yardwork-Etsy and Whitby Fabrics Sewing Centre. I am a wholesaler and I do not do direct sales except for an annual promotion at Creativ Festival in the Fall.
Thread Riding Hood: How can retailers arrange to order this fabulous fabric for their inventory?
Céleste: I invite retailers to contact me if they would like to carry Shweshwe in their inventory. Minimum order is 10m and minimum cuts are 5m, but for a first time order I will make 2m cuts. I also invite anyone who uses 100% cottons to produce clothing or any other items to contact me if they want to place wholesale orders for their use. My email address is celeste@meerkatshweshwe.com
Meerkat Shweshwe (from Da Gama Textiles) is available at the following shops. Yardwork (below) has given you a discount to use in her entire shop! Check the locations – there are three in Canada (2 selling online) and Yardwork is in the US!
Yardwork on Etsy (Brooklyn, NY)
Get 15% off orders from Yardwork using the discount code “REDTHREAD”! This coupon applies to any order over $8.00 and is valid until April 17, 2015!
Hyggeligt Fabrics (London, Ontario – available online)
Greenwood Quiltery (Guelph, Ontario – available online)
Whitby Fabrics Sewing Centre (Whitby, Ontario)
Here’s your chance to enter to win eight fat quarters of Shweshwe contemporary and classic prints!
This giveaway is open to everyone, internationally from today (Feb 17th) until midnight on Tuesday evening, February 24, 2015. 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
Disclaimer: I asked Céleste to be a part of this interview, I have not been compensated by Meerkat Shweshwe to write this post. I find this fabric type interesting and thought you might too. Thanks for reading!
