Wind Drifter

 I recently tested another new pattern. This one is for a quilt.

The pattern is called Wind Drifter and the cover is shown in the photo above. The pattern includes instructions for two sizes of finished quilt: 32.75" by 32.75" and 65" by 65". I made the smaller one for a shop sample and to test the pattern.

The pattern uses fat 1/8s and yardage for background. I made the smaller size because it is so much easier to display in my shop. There is really nothing very difficult about this pattern. It is mostly rectangles and half square triangles. The center is a quarter square triangle and the quilt goes together using partial seams. If you have never tried partial seams it isn't very hard and is a good skill to have. Basically, the first seam you sew only part way (hence the name "partial" seams). Then you sew the remaining seams as normal. Once they are all sewn you go back to the first one and finish the seam.

I like the way the pattern shows you a diagram of the fabric with all of the pieces you need to cut from the fabric shown on the diagram. This makes it so much easier to know that you are cutting your fabric correctly. I wish the pattern had better pressing instructions but not many patterns have good pressing instructions so I won't hold that against this one.

Just like the bag I shared with you last time, I've ordered copies of this pattern for my shop, but they won't be here for another week or so. That seems to be the way it goes for me: I find a pattern that looks interesting and order one copy. Sometimes it takes me a little while to find time to try the pattern. Once I do and like it I order copies for the shop but often they are backordered by the time I get around to ordering them! Oh well! At least I know that when they do arrive I have a sample already made. More importantly, I know that the pattern is a good one.

Stella Bag and Wallet

 I'm always on the lookout for a good, new bag pattern. This one caught my eye and I finally had a chance to test the pattern.

The bag has a top zipper closure and customizable interior pockets. 

The handles can be made short like I did or longer to go over your shoulder. This is a shop sample and short handles are easier for me on a display bag so I went with the shorter handle length. If I was making this to use myself I would make them a little longer.

The wallet has plenty of pockets for your cards, a pocket for bills and a zippered pocket for change. It has a magnetic snap closure.

I have ordered patterns but they won't be here until next week sometime. When they arrive the patterns will be available in store but also in my online shop. I also went ahead and added this to my shop class calendar too. If you are an experienced bag maker then this pattern is very easy to follow. If you aren't an experienced bag maker you might need a little help but don't let that discourage you from trying this pattern.

Daphne Bag

I tried a new-to-me bag pattern. It's called the Daphne Handbag by Sallie Tomato.

It has two interior pockets, a zipper pocket and a slip pocket.

The bottom has a rectangle of Peltex between the layers for added stability as well as metal feet.

The hardware kit came with a metal zipper tab although the pattern also includes instructions for how to make and attach a fabric zipper tab if you prefer. I couldn't resist trying out the metal one.

I also splurged and purchased separately these metal fabric covered strap connectors to try them out too.

I was a bit frustrated that they didn't come with any installation instructions. However, Sallie Tomato has the instructions posted for free on her website. Once I located the proper instructions they were very easy to follow with lots of photos (which is probably why there aren't instructions in the package - it would cost too much to add them).

The pattern is well-written with good diagrams. However, if you are not an experienced bag maker I don't recommend attempting this one. I haven't even decided if I want to teach this pattern as a class in my shop or not because of it's difficulty level. There are also a lot of layers to sew through in several places. You need a really good quality sewing machine to tackle all those layers. 

Petite Stitched Purse

I'm a bag pattern collector! I have every intention of making every bag pattern I buy, but it doesn't always work out that way. Now that I own a fabric store it's even worse. I see a cute pattern and buy one "to try out for the shop." I have quite a collection going now.

Recently I decided that I really need to make a commitment to make up some of these patterns. I'll file the ones I don't like and order more for the shop of the ones I do like.

I picked the Petite Stitched Purse from my pattern stack to try out over the weekend.

It's a simple clutch style bag. There is suppose to be a small pocket inside, but I couldn't figure out the directions for it. There aren't any diagrams for the pocket and the written instructions just didn't make any sense to me. I started to try to wing it, but wasn't sure where the bottom of the pocket should be. So I just gave up on the pocket all together. I don't think it really needs a pocket inside. The bag isn't very big. The strap closure is pretty interesting and it has some hidden magnetic snaps too.

The idea for this bag is that you can customize it with a bunch of quilting or decorative stitching. The photo doesn't really show the simple quilting I did following the print of the fabric. I didn't want to do too much work on this one since I was just trying out the pattern. Despite not being able to figure out the pocket, I like the pattern. I'll need to figure the pocket out at some point. I think this would be a great pattern for featuring some of the many decorative stitches we all have on our sewing machines. The pattern gives good directions for how to mark your fabric for doing some decorative stitching. I'll try that on the next one and get that interior pocket figured out too!

Fabric Basket

I found a new basket pattern.

I put the spool of thread in the photo for scale.

Unfortunately, I didn't really like the pattern. It wasn't particularly difficult, but the results were less than stellar. This side looks okay, but the other side ... not so much. Oh well! Sometimes that's what you get with a free pattern. At least I didn't spend any money a pattern I don't like.

Show & Tell Bag

I've been testing bag patterns recently. This one is called the Show & Tell bag.

It's a huge bag with an outer pocket on each side. The pattern calls for using leather on the bottom but I used some of the new cork fabric I recently received in my shop. It worked great for this project!

I actually made this bag a few weeks ago and have been using it to haul of my Sue Spargo BOM stuff around until I can get my Allium bag finished.

While I really like the finished bag, I'm not as thrilled with the pattern. The bag is fairly simple and straight forward to make, but the pattern leaves out quite a few things. For example, at one point the pattern tells you to put two pieces right sides together then goes on to the next step without telling you to sew the seam. I caught this right away and sewed the seam before proceeding, but I think a beginner would get confused and possibly discouraged. 

So I don't know if I will order this pattern to sell in my shop or not. If I do, I'll need to make sure all of my staff are aware of the shortcomings of this pattern so we can warn folks before they buy it.

Churning Fourteen Progress

The top is almost together.

The top section is sewn together but the rest is still in pieces. This goes together in sections, not rows which makes it more interesting in my opinion.

For the pattern info see my previous post about this project.

Churning Fourteen

I love the Churn Dash block. I've also been on the lookout for good fat quarter friendly patterns. I came across this one recently and ordered a copy to try it out.

I picked fourteen Australian Aboriginal Designs fabrics and Grunge fabrics to test the pattern. So far I've only made four of the larger blocks.

I love the pattern and will be ordering it for my shop soon. In the meantime, I am working on getting the quilt together.

Jenna Tote

I was fortunate to be chosen to test another pattern for Svetlana. This is the Jenna Tote. 

It has a large exterior pocket on the front and a concealed zipper pocket on the back.

The interior is roomy with another pocket and the top is closed with a zipper.

As you should know by now, I love to make bags. Some bags are just cute and fun to make. Others are also very functional. This is one of those cute, fun to make and functional bags. It is a great size at 12" wide on the bottom/15.5" wide on the top by 12.5" tall by 4" deep. It will hold a lot of stuff. I really like the zipper closure on the top. Many of the bags I make have no top closure or just a magnetic snap closure. 

As with the other pattern I tested for Svetlana, this one is well-written and easy to follow with lots of pictures of each step. Svetlana rates the difficulty of this pattern as "advanced beginner, prior experience with zippers is highly recommended." I have to agree with that. There was nothing tricky about the construction. An advanced beginner may not be able to see ahead to how the bag will come together, but if you follow the directions step by step you can be successful. 

The pattern was released yesterday. Click here to go to Svetlana's blog to see the bags the other testers made and for links to this pattern as well as the other great patterns Svetlana has available.

Sophia Pouch

I gave you a sneak peak of this project a couple weeks ago. The pattern was revealed yesterday so now I can show it to you. 

The pattern is called the Sophia Pouch by Svetlana who blogs at s.o.t.a.k. handmade. This is the first pattern of Svetlana's I've used and it will not be the last. She has some really cute patterns in her shop. I recently got the Helen Shoulder Bag and will be making it next.

This pattern is well written with good photos of all key steps. In this bag I learned a new-to-me technique for installing a zipper and learned how to make bias piping. The instructions for making bias piping are not in the pattern but since I didn't have any pre-made packages I had to make my own. I found several good instructions by doing a simple search and had no trouble making it. You do not need to use the piping in the pattern. In fact one of the other pattern testers didn't and her bag is just as cute as mine.

Be sure to visit Svetlana's blog post about this pattern release to see the Sophia Pouches made by the other testers. And check out her shop if you are interested in purchasing a bag pattern.

Sneak Peak

I am currently working on two things, neither of which I can show you just yet.

The first is the mystery quilt I am hosting with my scrap group. We met on Wednesday and I gave them the last block/unit clues. Next month I will give them the final clue. I am working on getting my top together so they can see it finished when I give them the last clue. You'll have to wait until the third Wednesday in October to see it.

My second project is pattern testing for a new friend. She said I could show you a sneak peak so here it is

The pattern calls for bias piping, not something I typically stock in my sewing room. The closest store that might carry this is 40 miles away. I was just there on Wednesday and didn't feel like making another trip this week. Had I read the pattern before Wednesday, I could have looked to see if they have some, but I didn't so I didn't.

Not to worry. I just looked up online how to make piping. It really isn't hard. I had everything I needed to make enough for this project.

Now that my piping is made I need to get back to the project. When the pattern is ready to be released I will be able to show you the rest of this adorable project.