Floating Triangles Bag

I'm a bit late with this announcement, but you can find my pattern for this Floating Triangles bag in the Winter 2015 issue of Modern Patchwork.  (You should still be able to find the issue on newsstands.  But if not, you can purchase a copy from the Interweave store.)

I really enjoyed designing this bright and colorful cross-body bag.  The angled front pocket is essentially a tiny quilt -- and a fun study in half square triangles.  The bag measures about 10-inches wide by 13-inches tall, and the strap is adjustable up to 53-inches long.

Modern Patchwork is one of my favorite quilty/sewing magazines, and, as usual, there are some great quilts and smaller projects in this particular issue.  I'm thrilled to be sharing the pages with some of my maker/designer idols, including Rashida Coleman-Hale (Her Modern Hexies quilt is gorgeous!) and Malka Dubrawsky (Don't you think her Mod Ovals Quilt makes a beautiful cover photo?).

{top right photo courtesy of Interweave}

Speaking of cover photos (and publications), I'm super excited that my Above the Curve table runner made it on the cover of the Spring issue of Stitch!!  What an honor... and a surprise!  I haven't received my physical copy yet.  When I do, I'll be sure to post more about that design, and the inspiration behind it.

{photo courtesy of Interweave}

And, if you sew your own version of the Floating Triangles bag, or any of my patterns, I would LOVE to see it!  Tag me on Instagram (@formwork), post a comment here, or email me to let me know.  Thanks so much!

Roly-Poly Pinafore: pattern test

When Rachael from Imagine Gnats asked me to test this new pattern she's developing -- called the Roly-Poly Pinafore -- I happily agreed.  I'd never tested a pattern before, but last year I made Rachael's madeleine bag (from the free tutorial on her blog).  I found the instructions to be well written and easy to follow; plus, I love the bag and use it daily!  I've also now written more than half a dozen patterns myself for Stitch magazine and Martingale Press, and, although none are garments, I thought I might, possibly, be able to offer feedback from that angle.

I was so happy with how this turned out!  I'm also grateful to have a willing model who's not the least bit camera-shy.  Ellie chose the outer fabric from my stash, then she and I went fabric-shopping for a lining fabric to match.  After choosing the lining fabric pretty quickly, Ellie spent at least 20 minutes at the wall 'o fat quarters, desperately trying to choose one print to take home for herself.  In the end, I put her out of her decision-making-misery, and let her pick two!

The Roly-Poly pinafore has a wonderfully wide size range (sizes 1 through 8), which I think is fabulous.  I made a size 6 for Ellie and it fits her well.  She adores it and, after convincing her (it didn't take much!) to do a photo shoot this morning, she asked if she could please wear it to school, which she did.  Other pluses to the pattern are that it's reversible, it has an adorable box pleat at the neckline, and -- my favorite feature -- it can be made with pockets!

The pattern provides instruction to make it with integral pockets (cut as part of the main pattern pieces), with separately cut pockets, or with no pockets at all.  I chose the variation with the separately cut pockets so I could add the surprise element of a third fabric print.  See the cute little pink grid fabric peeking out?!  Honestly, I think just about every garment should have pockets -- especially ones made for little girls (or boys!) who find treasures everywhere.  Where else will they put that feather, or bottle cap, or precious penny?

Rachael has a call out for more pattern testers; go here to see the details if you're interested.  And, if you're not already following Rachael's blog, Imagine Gnats, you should be!  If you're more the facebook type, you can find Imagine Gnats there, too.  You may also want to check out her craftsy pattern shop and this shop (where she sells her embroidery kits).

In other news, I'm auditioning for Family Ever After's Sew-vivor sewing competition.  You may have noticed the button in my sidebar.  The rules are that you can enter only one project for the initial audition, so I chose this appliqued messenger bag from the past.  I thought it showed technical and design skill more obviously than some of my other projects.  It seems a far stretch to actually be selected, but if it does happen, the challenges need to be done quickly!  So I've been sketching an idea for an Easter dress for Ellie to meet the first challenge requirements.  And if I'm not selected... Ellie might still end up with a kick-ass dress!

A few things

First: what's on my cutting table (otherwise know as my dining room table):

Newly received fabric ordered from SewMamaSew!  Isn't it lovely?  I have purposes for some of these, but not all -- for now, I'm just gazing at them.

Making Ellie this Emerson tunic.  Tutorial and pattern from luvinthemommyhood.  It was fun picking out the fabric from my stash with Ellie.

Making the cover dress/tunic (Style E) from the Stylish Dress Book for myself.  I'm thinking of using the text fabric for the neckline facing, and maybe the pocket lining.  What do you think?

And this is an in-progress secret project for a book.

Next: a couple of swaps.  I've really been enjoying swaps!

There's still time to sign up for Handprinted: a fabric swap, hosted by Leslie of maze & vale.  If you've ever wanted to experiment with any kind of printing onto fabric, plus get some amazing handprinted fabrics in return, then this is for you.  I participated last year and am very much looking forward to doing it again this year.

Sign ups are also open for the Covert Robin mystery gift exchange.  This swap has multiple hosts, including Rachael of imagine gnats. Make a gift, get a gift, and blog about the gift you made or received for a chance to win fun prizes.  I didn't participate last year, but wish I had.  So I'm excited about taking part this time!

Finally:  here's a sneak peek at two projects I recently sent off to Stitch magazine for their Fall 2013 issue.  I also have a project in their soon to be released Summer issue.  More on that soon.

What's on your cutting table today?

What I'm doing instead.

I'm supposed to be finishing up sewing instructions for a tote bag for Stitch magazine.  Here's a sneak peak at the project.

...And finishing my daughter's werewolf costume for Saturday's Halloween parade.
...And starting my son's Gogo Crazy Bones costume.  He wants to be Targy.  That's this one:

I still haven't figured out exactly how I'm going to make it, but I'm pretty sure it will involve pleather.  Yes, pleather.  Because it's shiny... and, well, I just like to say, "pleather."

...Finishing a pin cushion for this swap.
...Making gifts for this secret santa exchange.
...Stitching a placemat for this sew along.

I'm behind on all of this because I had my first ever allergic reaction to food this week.  Some really yummy Thai food I ate Sunday evening, in fact.  I ended up in the ER on Monday, and have been in a fog of Benedryl and Prednisone ever since while I wait for whatever it was that my body didn't like to work it's way out of my system.

What I'm doing instead of all these "supposed to's", is sewing a little zipper pouch of hot pink corduroy with a cute little appliqued cloud and raindrops.  Because I felt inspired and it's making me happy.

Stitch, Winter 2012

I'm so excited to once again have a sewing project and pattern featured in Stitch magazine.

In this Winter 2012 issue of Stitch (a quarterly special publication of Interweave Press), I'm delighted to share with you a pattern for one of my wool and felt owl softies.  The pattern is for the larger owl with the appliqued cotton print wings.  I've been making these owls for a couple of years now to sell in my Etsy shop and at craft fairs.  You won't find them in the shop right at the moment (per my contract with the magazine), but now you can make one yourself!

Mr. Owl is featured on the Table of Contents page, and here he is (on the right) in his full page spread!

He (and I!) also got a lovely little write up on the Cloth Paper Scissors blog -- the post even shares the instructions for how to stitch up this little guy.  So, although I recommend buying the magazine for all the other fabulous patterns and projects, you don't need to just to make an owl.

When I made the first owl (my son and I designed one together for my daughter's second or third birthday -- I can't even remember which now!), I never would have believed that he'd be published in a hip sewing magazine.  Whoo knew?!