The crochet hook holder - finally!

This project is long overdue! We bought a set of crochet hooks off eBay ages ago and whilst they are very useful, the plastic sleeve they came in was very basic and had one fundamental flaw! The crochet hooks weren't secured in it, so the little blighters kept mounting an escape mission! So finally, after finding all the crochet hooks emptied out at the bottom of a bag for one more time, we decided to make our very own crochet hook holder.

We decided to interface all the materials, as what we didn't want, was a floppy holder!
 

As always, we learnt a few things making this project! Firstly, before we even picked up a pair of scissors this time, we drew out a plan of what we were trying to achieve - with little diagrams with measurements on! This made a huge difference to me, being able to picture in my mind what we were aiming for!

Secondly, velcro! A few very valuable lessons learnt on this one! The crochet hook roll is secured with a velcro tab. To position the velcro, rather than use pins (which are almost impossible to get through the velcro anyway!) we draw around the velcro where we want it to be. Then I use that as a guide to sew the velcro in position. So off I went to the sewing machine and sewed around the edges of the velcro. For some strange reason I thought I'd sew around it twice to make sure it was secure enough. What I'd actually effectively done, is created a perforation all the way round! When we stuck the two velcro bits together and tried to pull them apart, they stayed together and the velcro just tore off from the material, leaving just the edges in position! Hmmm! We also wondered if this whole velcro disaster was in part due to the fact we hadn't changed back to a normal size needle from our last project - we still had a heavy duty needle in the machine which no doubt creates bigger holes when you sew!

We changed to a regular sized needle and then, we then dug out some more velcro, which was wider than the first but that was good! That would cover the mess that was left from our first attempt! So off I went to the sewing machine again. This time, when I started to sew, something wasn't right! The cotton looked like it was flapping in the wind. I checked whether I'd threaded the machine correctly etc and I had. Hmmm, what could it be? So I sewed a few more stitches slowly, then we realised all the cotton was doing is wrapping itself around the needle. Then we realised. The needle was sticky! The velcro we were using was the sticky backed one! We'd bought it from LIDL's ages ago and we hadn't realised it had a sticky backing. It does say on the packet that it can also be sewn but we certainly won't be using it again! So we then routed around to find some more velcro. We only had black left, so black it was! There is a black stripe in the patterned material, so we didn't think it'd look too out of place.

Talking of stripes! We also made sure when we were chopping out the materials, that all the stripes matched up. So when we placed the binding on the pocket and the top flap, we made sure all the stripes matched up with each other. This might sound basic but we feel it made a real difference to the overall appearance of the holder.
 

As for crochet? Nope we don't crochet! We use the crochet hook for everything but! We find they are invaluable for reaching those hard to get corners when turning things the right way round. We also use them for assisting in stuffing those hard to reach areas! 

Turtle-y gorgeous!

We are overrun with turtles! We think they're breeding! These are what we've been working on behind the scenes as it were. My friend over at Indianna Dreams made the small turtle pin cushion for someone in a swap and she linked back to this turtle tutorial from Craft Passion in her blog. We fell in love with it immediately and knew we just had to make them for ourselves.

These creatures were a challenge to us because we had no idea what paper piecing was. After much research, we decided to make our hexagon templates out of card, not paper. That's because they were soooo tiny, we didn't think we could cope with flimsy paper! The finished turtle shells look amazing but this definitely isn't a quick technique! In fact the turtles in total took us so long, we think we even turned into turtles in the process!

As we went along, we amended the pattern here and there! We didn't put magnets in the bottom of the large turtle's front feet. Instead we put a magnet in the middle of the upper shell of the large turtle and one in the bottom shell of the small turtle. This way the stay together but you also have a magnet to hold your pins or of course to use to find your pins! We didn't fill the back flippers with anything other than stuffing either.

Under the top shell we have made two pouches. The larger one is for a pair of scissors and has an elastic/button closure. The smaller pocket has a popper closure and we'd store buttons/eyes inside. Under the bottom shell we put the felt needle holder. We made it of two layers of felt, instead of one.

Trivet's revisited

 

We wanted to have another go at the trivet we made a few weeks ago, to see if we could improve on our first attempt. The main thing we struggled with last time was the edging. I think we were more confident this time but we still haven't figured out the perfect corner! Don't get me wrong, we managed OK corners but we just wonder if there's a knack to it that we haven't figured out yet! Answers on a postcard please!

Coasters revisited!

What do you do when you have a spare few hours in the afternoon but you don't have enough time to tackle a large project? Make something you know won't take too long and isn't very mentally taxing - and no I'm not talking about taking a NAP! Once you've made something before, the second time is easier and we find, we also then do things differently to improve on the quality of the finished item.

 With our first coasters, we noticed that the intersection of the four squares didn't end up exactly in the centre of the coaster. This was quite noticeable when we top-stitched the coaster with squares. So this time, once the layers were all assembled and pinned together ready to sew, we drew around the template on the reverse of the quilted piece to make sure the middle was in the correct place. Then of course, we used that line to stitch around. Last time we just used the magnetic seam guide placed at 1cm and just sewed. Logically of course, had we cut the pieces out exactly and sewed exactly on the seam allowance, when all the pieces were assembled, sewing exactly in 1cm should result in the perfect placed middle! But I guess we're only human and try as I might to be a robot, I simply am not.....so I have to make allowances for that! Erasable ink pens are the perfect solution!

Talking of erasable ink pens, wonderful as they are - we discovered the other day that using one on a solid colour such as brown, is not so good! When we ironed the mark off, it left a very visible line. I guess I should have figured that out. Ironing the mark doesn't make the ink evaporate, it merely turns it translucent, hence, why it is visible on dark fabrics! Note to self: use chalk for marking on dark colours.

Parrot, Mouse and a Koala!

A strange little trio there are! More animals from the Misfits book. I had trouble making all three for differing reasons! The parrots beak was way too huge and I been concentrating, I would have noticed that BEFORE I sewed it on! The next day I decided I couldn't live with it, so he underwent a little operation (not a nose job....more of a beak job!). Off came the beak, out came a lot of the stuffing and then I snipped off the excess, then re-attached what was left! He didn't seem to mind! Mind you, if you remember the Muppets show, then you'll remember Gonzo and his nose - this parrot has a Gonzo beak!

As for the mouse, well his body is quite long, probably the longest body in the book. Yet his head turned out quite small by comparison - like, really small! So I decided the mouse needed a much smaller body. Upstairs I went and ran one up on the sewing machine. I mustn't have been concentrating (again!) coz as you can see, the stripes are the wrong way round. I decided it didn't matter at the time but now, when I look at the mouse, it looks like he's got pyjama's on...hmmm.

Now of course I was left with one long gangly body and no head! So I went through the book looking for an animal with a large head - bingo - the koala! I really like the koala but I wouldn't have chosen to give him a brown stripey body but hey-ho, they are called misfits for a reason! The ears by the way on the koala, are made from a fluffy grey glove - recycling at it's best!

My new messenger bag

Have you ever bought some material, not because you need it for anything in particular, but just because you like it? Well, when we went to Fabricland last time, it was just after my birthday and so luckily, I had some birthday money to spend. We saw this flowery material. I fell in love with the colours and when I touched it and realised it was a canvas weight material, I knew I just had to have it - and at £5.99 a metre it would be rude not to, wouldn't it?!! I remember the lady at the till asked what we intended to make from it and I said "we don't know yet but I'm sure we'll find something!"

I've spent many a thought thinking about it since then! And I came upon a eureka moment! A bag! That was the easy bit! Then came the task of research! We had to research types of bag, styles, sizes, materials, handles, pockets etc. After all the research and pondering we decided that we liked the ideas on quite a few bag tutorials but non quite fitted the bill. So we set about creating a bag that would fulfil all my wishes!

 

The brown material is quite thin material compared to the patterned one, so we decided to interface it. The whole inside lining of the bag is brown. The outside gusset is also brown - we thought that was both decorative and practical, as that would be the bit touching the floor! Inside we made a practical pocket which we divided into two pen holders and two nice sized pockets. We used the flowery material to create a bias binding strip along the top edge of the pocket.

The cream shoulder strap took some finding. Most 40mm wide strapping was either polypropylene webbing (which is course and stiff) or herringbone tape (which is good for apron straps but too flimsy for bag handles). After much searching I sourced our strap which is a heavyweight cotton webbing. It's not cheap especially as our bag requires a fair amount of it! But this bag is for me and I wanted it to be just right. We also wanted to make the shoulder strap adjustable, so we had to source both a triglide and a D-ring to make this possible. We decided not to go with plastic ones, as we thought that would detract from the appearance of quality! 

Once we'd made the bag, we also decided to set about making one of our triangular pouches! Why? Because I keep my iPod in my bag and every time I try and fish it out, the earphone wires get tangled around my keys! Very annoying! So this was the perfect excuse to make a little one of our triangular pouches, with a zip and karabiner to keep it all safely tucked up in. Then we hit upon another idea! Why not make it to match the bag, then to attach a loop inside the bag to clip it to! Result! 20 mins later, hey presto, a matching iPod pouch! 

 

We think we surpassed ourselves this time! I adore my new bag - pretty, practical and unique - what more can a girl ask for!

 

 

 

A little kitty cat!

He looks a little on the cold side being made of an old blue t-shirt but he was quick to run up! I think he looks a bit strange and every time I look at him, he reminds me of batman! So to rectify this problem, I think a long tail is in order! Will run one up for him later!

A lion and a butterfly!

 

They make an unlikely pair but I made these today. The butterfly's striped body is part of the leftover tube of a long pair of socks, the rest of which if I remember rightly was made into a sock monkey! The butterfly and the lion are from the Misfits book but I ammended the lion pattern to include a mane made of orange felt. I think it makes him more authentic looking!

More dog collars!

 

The black webbing is 20mm wide and I used various sized ribbons to create these three dog collars. The pink paw prints one is grosgrain ribbon. The other two are woven ribbons. The blue and green floral one has travelled many miles - it is Jacquard ribbon all the way from china! Yes really!

And in the process of making these....look what I did to my sewing machine needle!

Impressive isn't it!  It was caused by a rookie sewer, who bent it by yanking too hard on the webbing before the needle was fully removed!  I live and learn - hopefully!

Claude - sock creature!

Being struck down with a cold is the perfect excuse to treat myself and make another sock creature - this one is Claude! He is from the Stupid Sock Creature book by John Murphy. He is made from one pair of girls High School Musical socks! Don't worry they weren't mine! I got them from a shop for just 20p! He has four legs as well as a long tail and the author says few have attempted him! When I read that, that was like the gaunlet had be thrown down - I like a challenge!

I managed to sew everything with the sewing machine except when it came to inserting the ears. The circumference was too small, so had to be hand sewn. And of course, his rubber-look lips, made from the heel of the sock, is also hand sewn. He took a lot of stuffing to fill him enough, so he could stand tall! He took about 3 hours to make - quite the little character!

Monty the Giraffe!

 

Look at that neck! Monte the giraffe, made from both an orange and a cream t-shirt. The dickie bow was just two rectangles sewn together, turned the right way out, hand sewn closed and pulled together with yellow embroidery thread - simple, but looks effective.

Yet another misfit I know! Sorry if I'm boring you with these but I just love making them! Just as well, as there are 35 to create and I've already made 23! I've also got a few ideas of my own for future animals too, so watch this space! 

Mabel the Duck - simply quackers!

Here's another creations from the Misfits book. Mabel the duck made from my friends dad's stripey polo shirt...or should I say...ex-polo shirt! Her head is made from a strappy vest top and her beak, from a yellow t-shirt. It was tricky sewing her head on, the last thing she needed was a nodding head. I tried to pin the head and body together first but they just kept popping off. So I had to adopt the 'wing it' method (excuse the pun!)....just start sewing and hope that by the time you get to the other side, she's still looking forward!