June 8, 2017
Canada 150 – Speaking (and Sewing) Canadian
Hi! By now you’ve probably had a chance to learn about this tour I’m participating in, but if not, feel free to follow along with the schedule at the bottom of this post, including the intro post to find out more. Make sure to check out all the makes so far, I love that all the bags are unapologetically Canadian (is that an oxymoron?) Oh! Don’t forget to enter the giveaway too. I also have a separate giveaway, so keep reading to find out the details.Â
I wanted to combine my love of language and love of Canada in this post and was so happy to find this article (don’t click on it just yet!), highlighting the updates to the Dictionary of Canadianisms on Historical Principles. This is an actual book, which now I simply must obtain! Anyway, I thought it would be fun to pepper some of these terms and other Canadianisms throughout my post, and see if you can pick them out as I talk about the projects I did for the Canada 150 – it’s in the Bag Tour. So grab some Timmies and snuggle up in your housecoat, and let’s go!
For my projects, I wanted to try out a new pattern designer, because I always think it’s great to keep learning and trying new things. Â I chose Carla of Carla’s Creations. When I first started sewing, I followed Carla for all her amazing fabric combos and sewing inspiration. She’s always come across as very organized and her projects turn out beautifully. Â The pattern I’m sharing today is the Mini Slimline Wallet, by Carla’s Creations; you could win a copy too, just keep reading to find out how.Â
I chose Libs Elliott’s fabric because Libs is Canadian too, but also because her fabric is completely amazing, I want to fill a whole cube van with it and take it home. In fact, I need to take a little detour here and tell you how skookum Libs is. Â She not only designs fabric (her 3rd collection is due later this year), but she designs quilt patterns using a unique process. I have to share this video showing the collaboration between Libs and Absolut Vodka to celebrate Canada’s 150th. Â
Is that not the prettiest twenty-sixer you’ve ever seen?Â
Back to the pattern: I made 3, but I messed up on one, it was a bit hooped, but it still looks nice when it’s closed. The Mini-Slimline has 3 card slots and a small zippered coin section, plus pockets behind. It folds in half and then the flap closes over with a slim magnetic snap. They were pretty quick to sew up, and even though I tend to avoid “production line” sewing, I did with these ones, and they were still quicker than a single larger project, like a bag.
The pattern reads like a tutorial and lists measurements to cut, rather than pattern pieces. My curved flaps were made by using a rounded edge I traced out. I like that the squared flap is a bit more masculine, so it works for a boy too!Â
Each of my magnets were different finishes: copper, antique brass, and nickel, and were all from Emmaline Bags.
Since the name of this tour includes “In The Bag” I figured I’d better put the wallets in something so I made a bag to match. The Castell Day Bag is the latest pattern from Emmaline Bags and uses the C-frames, also from Emmaline Bags. Â Look how wide it opens!Â
I think of mine as the alldressed version, with its mixed coordinates and tons of bling.Â
I used my very basic backup machine to sew this large, structured bag, while my main machine was getting repaired because it had completely had the biscuit.Â
The inside pockets are really cool and I’d never done anything like these before, with their gathered bottoms and zippered tops, tons of room!Â
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I have one more bag to share with you. I originally had this one planned for closer to Canada Day, but after seeing all the amazing bags so far on this tour, I felt like a keener and decided to just give’r!Â
I used the free Emmaline Bags pattern, Miss Maggie’s Handbag as my backdrop for a single red maple leaf.Â
The Edgewena strap anchors allowed the front of the bag to stay blank other than the leaf. I just love this bold red on white. Of course I added a “Made in Canada” label; I chose the back for this sleek addition.
So how did you do? Did you learn some new words? To enter to win a copy of the Mini-Slimline pattern from Carla’s Creations, leave a comment telling me a favourite Canadianism, or Canadian food. I’ll draw a random winner after June 10, 2017, so make sure to enter your email when you comment, otherwise I won’t be able to contact you. Make sure to also enter our big giveaway through rafflecopter at the bottom of the post. Good luck to everyone, and thanks for stopping by, eh?Â
Each blog has an exclusive giveaway, so be sure to visit them all.
Tour Discounts
- 10% off! Tangled Blossoms Design is offering 10% off anything in stock for the duration of the tour. Offer expires June 10, 2017. Use discount code HAPPYBIRTHDAYCANADA
- 15% off! Bringberry Handbag Hardware and Design is offering 15% off anything in stock for the duration of the tour. Offer expires June 10, 2017. Use discount code LOVECANADA150
Tour Stops
(These links will be active on and after the day they are scheduled.)
June 4
June 5
Tangled Blossoms Design â—Š With Love in Every Stitch â—Š Happy Okapi
June 6
Michelle’s Creations â—Š Barabooboo â—Š Soca Sewing
June 7
Glitter in my Coffee â—Š Michelle’s Creations â—Š Seam of my Pants
June 8
Seam of my Pants â—Š Creative Roots Sewing â—Š Happy Okapi
June 9
June 10
Giveaway ends at midnight EDT (North America)
July 1
CANADA DAY 150
Giveaway Prizes
- Grand Prize: 2 PDF patterns from Blue Calla Patterns, $50 voucher from Bringberry Handbag Hardware and Design, $40 voucher from Fabric Please
- Second Prize: 2 PDF patterns from Blue Calla Patterns, $35 voucher from Emmaline Bags, $25 voucher from MM Cork Supply
- Third Prize: $50 voucher from Blackbird Fabrics
- $30 voucher to spend on any in stock fabrics from Tangled Blossoms Design, 1 Pattern from Thread Riding Hood
- $25 voucher from Fabric Please, 1 Pattern, plus hardware kit from Emmaline Bags
- $25 voucher from Fabric Please, 1 PDF Pattern from Thread Riding Hood
- $25 voucher from Fabric Please, 1 PDF Pattern from FABulous Home Sewn
- $25 voucher from Fabric Please, 1 PDF Pattern from FABulous Home Sewn
- $30 voucher from Sitka Fabrics
- $25 voucher from MM Cork Supply
- Ooh La La Jewellery* bag pattern & hardware kit from Among Brenda’s Quilts (Includes shipping within Canada & USA.)
- A selection of items for bag making from Flare Fabrics (Includes shipping within Canada.)
- $25 voucher from Stay Home Fabrics
- $25 voucher from Funky Monkey Fabrics
- Store credit for 1 yard of custom knit from Crookshanks Custom Textiles
- Store credit equal to one meter of custom knit plus one meter of solid from Midnight Mountain Fabrics
Canada 150 — In The Bag Giveaway
 Please join us in thanking our tour sponsors by visiting their websites.
* Jewellery is the Canadian spelling. Â
