Mod Charms

 I am happy to introduce you to one of my new designs called Mod Charms.

 

This quilt uses bold geometric shapes to create a gender neutral design. 

Instructions to make three different quilt sizes are included in the pattern instructions.

The lovely Sarah from Patchworks Plus beautifully quilted this quilt for me

I was so fortunate to be able to play with Jodie's new fabric range for Ella Blue Fabrics called Rockpool.  It is such a sweet collection just perfect for both girls and boys.  

Seriously such a sweet collection  - I love those seagulls...

and those bubbles :)

Fabrics: Rockpool by Jodie Carleton for Ella Blue Fabrics

Quilted: Sarah Fraser of Patchworks Plus

If you would like to purchase this or any other Clare's Place pattern contact your local quilt store and ask them to get one (or more) in for you.  If you are a store interested in stocking Mod Charms contact Creative Abundance for wholesale inquiries.

Where I Now Sew

I LOVE sewing but must admit I have found it difficult since having Sarah to manage to find the time to do it.  To top it off I now no longest have a dedicated sewing room for my work and am often sewing on the kitchen table which means that while I am sewing we either live in a mess (you know how messy sewing can be - fabrics, threads cutting equipment and dust everywhere) and I have to pack up or move things so I can still cook tea without the accidental splash of spaghetti sauce bubbling onto the fabrics or quilt blocks as it cooks destroying all the work I had put in.

(This photo was taken after a good clean ;p )

With that said I am super excited to say I have managed to complete 2 1/2 quilts (my mum had already sewn 1/2 of a 'Best Friends' quilt up in 'Delighted' fabric by The Quilted Fish for Riley Blake).  I worked like crazy to meet the time I had arranged with my wonderful quilter and was stoked to complete them all in time to be all be taken to her.

I did have to order some extra fabric for the border which arrived just in time to finish the quilt from Sisters & Quilters.  I have ordered from them before and they always give FANTASTIC service.

I am so excited to see them quilted in a few weeks!  Sarah my quilter always does such a wonderful job! 

And what did I do for the few days after delivering the quilts you might ask?  CLEANED :)  Seriously the jobs around the home just seem to multiply when you don't do them when you are meant to!

What happens when left for 1/2 hour while I sew - there is more mess cut out of the picture :s

Now to work on finishing writing a new pattern, making what I hope are the last edits for another and spending some time with my beautiful girls.  What do you have planned for your time?

 Do you have a dedicated sewing space or use the kitchen table?

everyday happenings

If you are here for the giveaway go here.

I bought Chloe these jeans last season on sale and love the style and fit on her - that was until she decided to make a small hole in the leg massive by shoving her hand inside to keep it warm.  Rather than toss them out I decided some patches would look cool in some red fabric to coordinate with the button on the front and stiched detail on the back pockets. 

All I did was cut a patch larger than the hole, apply heat and bond around the perimeter of the front of the patch, place to the under side of the denim and stitch around the freyed edges.  I then stitched a rustic rectangle around the patch and decided it looked a little sad so added some more rectangles.  The other leg had a small hole starting and as I didnt want the same thing happening, so I decided I should add a patch to that side also.  I think the alterations make the jeans look more trendy and they have already been worn many times since (I am glad I patched the second leg as this girl is rough on her clothes when she plays!).

While I was at it I had some onesies to applique for pressies (which I forgot to take photos of - sorry!  I did manage to remember to snap this one before it was wrapped)

 

The best thing about sewing that day was that Chloe wanted to sew like mum too so I got some scrap fabric and sat her on my knee and let her guide the fabric through as I operated the foot control.  She did really well and when I stopped for corners - she lifted the foot turned the fabric until I said stop and lowered the foot just as I had shown her.

I am one proud mum!!!

Toddler Scarf Tutorial

With winter upon us (for us Aussies) I needed something to keep my little princess warm when we go out so I decided whip her up a few little scarves.

Materials:
5” (13cm) x width of fabric of polar fleece;*
5” (13cm) x width of fabric of cotton fabric, *
Sewing machine,
Pins,
Co-ordinating thread,
Cutting ruler,
Rotary cutter,
Cutting mat.

*I suggest purchasing a little extra fabric as I have found sometimes fabric off the bolt is not cut squarely
(To make a baby scarf I would suggest cutting your fabric to 4” (10cm) and cutting the length down from 44” to about 36-38”)

Instructions:
Cut your fabric (if you haven’t already done so to 5” (13cm) x the width of the fabric- usually about 44”)

Pin the two rectangles right sides together as shown.

Sew your pieces together using a ½” (1.5 cm) to 5/8” (2 cm ) seam (I prefer the 5/8”). Be sure to leave a 2 1/2” gap between the beginning and end of sewing for turning out.

Trim the corners on a diagonal being sure not to cut your stitching.


Turn the right way out and press on the cotton side of the scarf.

Close the opening by tucking the fabric inside the scarf and pin.

Topstitch ¼” (.5 cm) from the edge around the perimeter of the scarf.

Trim any stray threads.

You are all done! These are so easy you will be making them to give to everyone!

Feel free to use this pattern for personal use! Happy sewing!

Slumber Party Jammies

As said before I made these from some left over material from another project. I know they are more 'boyish' than 'girly' but I figure they can be unisex :) The top is from K-mart on sale for $4. Bargain!
For the top I used a square instead of a circle as in the slumber party jammies pattern and ran two rows of straight stitch around the edge