CHICKPEA SEWING STUDIO

Sewing Again

It's been a long time since I felt the urge to sew, as knitting seemed to have taken over. But I knew it would be back again, the ideas nudging me when I least expect it. It did happen today, while rummaging through my bloated fabric stash. I know I need to deal with it and I am trying to figure out a way to do so. I am set on making kits that can be used with my students, I might even get a little of the money I spent back, although that is beside the point when I contemplate the overflow. I just can't see what I have when it's buried in all that stuff. Picking up a yard of blue bamboo sweater knit, I started something for The Sewing Republic. Here is a sneak peek!

a quilted pillowcase

Before I forget, I want to thank all of you, nice readers for leaving so many, so detailed, so good comments on the traveling post bellow. We learned so much from you and made a few adjustment to our plans, such as ditching the car seat idea. I have  been shopping with a completely new list, made from your suggestions. In that spirit I decided to sew Finn a travel pillow. So far I only have the top of the pillow case, but it's quilted and squared, so most of the work is done. I am going to add a large zipper on the side, because I can see Finn wasting time away opening and closing it. I could even hang a toy from the zipper pull.
Quilting pebbles is not very intuitive, but the result is certainly rewarding. Using the Bernina Stitch Regulator (BSR) has made the process a cinch, the tension and stitch length remaining perfectly balanced. My favorite part is that I don't have to use my foot pedal at all, when I move my quilt the foot starts sewing on it's own. A small scale project like this one lets you use the foot to its full potential and I will be very sad when I have to give it back. The Sewing Republic might have to bear with me for a while longer!

And the winner is....

Let see what the random number generator has to say...

44! who is forty four? I have to count. Here we go the lucky winner is Dawn, from UK lass is the US. Send me you address and your pick to claim your wristlet!

For everyone else, thank you so much for participating and maybe you can make one ( not just one!) for yourself using my pattern, it's free at the Sewing Republic.

I also want to share with you a tip or two concerning this project. I found the hardware on Etsy from Everythingribbons.  I bought a set of 10 kits which came quickly and was perfect. I must tell you that the webbing from this shop is so much better than anything they sell at Joanns, it's worth getting, absolutely. I would/will however order much more than ten next time. I would love to have lets say, hum... 100!
The kits recommend using plat metal plier, to secure the hardware. After going to the Home Depot, where all they had were $30 giant ones, I settled for a small teflon coated pair from Michaels. They worked perfectly and only set me back $4. They sort of look like this.

To answer some questions about the neatness of stitches while sewing through the fabric and webbing, I would give the follow thoughs. Use a thicker needle, size 90 or 100.  Sew with you needle in the middle position if you can, the further away from the middle position the hardest it is to keep the stitches neat. Use a longer stitch, 3mm instead of 2.5mm. Tighten the tension (higher number). Go slow, don't backstitch.
Those are all the little steps I can think of that make life easier when making the leash or the fobs. Good luck everyone!

Give Away!

My new free patterns is available right now for download at the Sewing Republic! I wrote instructions to make a key wristlet and a dog leash. They can be matching or not...
I have been waiting for the Bernina elves to post this in anticipation of a little give away!

So here you go, choose one of the following and leave in a comment:
Any of the wristlets on the picture or supplies to make one yourself.

I will pick a winner on Thursday morning, international entries are welcome.

The bag is complete! and other news...

I finished the Anna Maria tote bag yesterday afternoon, while Finn was napping (he was recovering from finally learning to walk on his own!). The size is truly perfect for a shopping bag or beach bag. I think this bag could be really useful. I would recommend using more interfacing though, or a canvas weight fabric. In fact that is what I will be doing next time I make one. you can still use a terrific quilting weight fabric inside. The lightweight interfacing I love most is called Stacy by Pellon. It looks like a piece of fine muslin with fusible glue on one side. It doesn't ever seem to bubble but it shrinks the pieces terribly. Plan accordingly and you won't be disappointed. In fact if you have a favorite interfacing I would love to read about it in the comment section (wink!).

 

I also wanted to assure you that I am still making new patterns and tutorials for the blog, but in a slightly different way this year. As some of you may know I have been a contributor for the Sewing Republic and that is where most of my new projects will go this year. I already have one "in the pipes" there and it should come out in July. I have become more and more excited about working with Bernina USA, they are full of energy and they get my creative flow going even when I am all covered in baby gunk. The only problem for me is that I get really impatient and want to see my tutorial posted right away, or talk about what I am doing here when I should be quiet! It's all worth it though, because they make beautiful pdfs and instructional videos that I would not have the skills or patience to even attempt. So in the end it gives me the best outcome in those troubled mommy times: I still get to share free fancy looking tutorials with you while I get help and (a gentle kick in the bottom to) get going.