Thanks so much to everyone who entered the Sitka Fabrics giveaway. I really enjoyed reading everyone’s comments. Don’t forget the discount code HAP10 good for 10% off until June 20, 2015 in the Sitka Fabrics online shop.

I used Random.org to help me select winners. Courtney’s comment won her the Heavy Metal from Camelot Fabrics FQ bundle. Congrats Courtney!

Gwen won the Acorn Trail from Birch Organics FQ Bundle. Way to go Gwen!

Thanks again to everyone else, stay tuned for another giveaway soon; they’re so fun! 

The Hyacinth Bag, bySew Sweetness, is the February bag from the Bag of the Month Club. I’m trying to catch up. The club has one more month, and I have 4 more bags to go, yikes, I better step it up! 

The Hyacinth has a front flap covering card slots and a zipped cash pocket. The flap is closed with a magnetic snap, and the pattern offers an option for an invisible snap, or the regular magnetic snap option. The pattern also has an adjustable strap so the bag can be worn over the shoulder or cross-body.

The bag is slim, but roomy, with a large divided interior pocket and a zippered exterior back pocket. 

I chose Melody Miller’s Mustang line from Cotton + Steel. The arrows and horses were from Fabric Spark, and the matching border print was a lucky find in my local quilt shop. I was also happy I had all the coordinating gold-finish hardware and zipper pull to match the metallic in the prints. 

The Hyacinth Bag is now available from theSew Sweetness shop.

What kind of giveaways would you like to see? Patterns? Fabric? Let me know in the comments. Are you in the Bag of the Month Club? Are you up to date, or behind, like me? I’ve already started cutting my Manhattan Mama, so watch for that soon.

I’m so excited to share my recent projects with you today, and introduce a new online Canadian fabric shop! I’m also hosting a giveaway and have an exclusive discount to share. 

Do you use Instagram? I find it’s a great way to get inspiration and to see what’s going on in the fabric and sewing world. I follow Camelot Fabrics on Instagram and saw a teaser image of the Heavy Metal line months ago. Immediately I knew I was going to make the Sew Sweetness Rockstar Bag with something from this collection; I just had to wait patiently for it to arrive in stores. I’ve had the Rockstar pattern for a while, but wanted the perfect fabric for it. I really don’t think I could have found a better match for this bag!

I didn’t make any interfacing changes on the bag, and used a mix of new and reclaimed hardware to get a perfect match to bronze-gold stars. I think the metallics match nicely with bright solids, but really you can do so much with them!

Lisa from Sitka Fabrics sent me some fabrics from the collection and gave me carte blanche to make some pretty things with them. It was so much fun!

I love making cup cozies and glasses cases, so I made one of each with the dots. I tried out a free pattern for the dumpling pouch and I love the bright pink peeking out with the silver stars. I also made some keychain wristlets and tried the contrasting strip on Dakota for the first time. I think the silver lattice was just the right touch for a fancy Coraline.  

Lisa at Sitka Fabrics was enrolled in private sewing lessons when she was 9, and “never looked back.” She’s made everything from clothes, to toys, to bags, and even her own ski bib pants! She also owns her own sewing business Kenzie & Co, so she understands what other sewists are looking for. She also understands that it’s not always easy to find exactly what we’re looking for locally, so wanted to have and create more options for Canadian sewists. She’s working on building up her stock, and would like to have a variety of fabric available. She currently carries some amazing Euro knits, and gorgeous wovens as well. Her plan is to have a good selection of “geeky” prints (don’t we love those?!) and Canadian fabric too. She’s open to suggestions, so send her a message, or even let her know in the comments on this post, which brings us to our giveaway!

Lisa is generously giving away 2 fat quarter bundles! One winner will receive a FQ bundle of Birch Fabric Acorn Trail prints, 100% organic cotton poplin. Another winner will receive a FQ bundle of Camelot Fabrics Heavy Metal prints. She has also given us a discount code, good for 10% off , just use code HAP10 at checkout. To enter, simply comment below, letting Lisa know what you’d like to see available in her shop: your suggestion can be a specific print or collection, or even just a type of material you’d like to use. 
Bonus entries for: 
following me on Instagram or Pinterest
following Sitka Fabrics on Instagram
please leave a separate comment letting me know that you follow for bonus entries to count.
Giveaway open to Canadian residents only. Giveaway open until Monday, May 25 at 10:00pm PST. 

I feel like the fabric world is exploding with fabulous new design and colour combinations and wonderful geometric patterns and shapes. Right now there is so much on my wishlist and in my virtual shopping carts. I thought I’d share some of my favourites with you.

I’ve only recently heard about Alison Glass, but she is quickly becoming one of my favourite designers. She has several current collections, with many prints available at Fabricspark.com, some are even on sale. 

Her latest collection, Ex Libris, is truly a stunning masterpiece of colour and shape. Keep watching Fabric Spark for it to arrive. 

Lizzy House is another designer that is relatively new on my radar. Her latest collection, Natural History is fun and pretty without being too cutesy. She also has another line, Mini Pearl Bracelets, which work perfectly for interior fabrics and offer a great punch of colour, or work as a low volume volume print, depending on which colour you choose. There is a good mix of availability for both lines at Fabric Spark online, and at Satin Moon Quilted Garden, either in store or by phone/email. 

I have been anxiously awaiting these since I saw my first peek at it on Instagram. Camelot Fabrics is a Canadian company, too! Keep an eye on my blog for an upcoming post using this line in a number of different items. They are so much fun to work with! Available now from Sitka Fabrics.

How could I do fabric post without mentioning the queen herself? I’m so drawn to Tula Pink’s artwork and her use of colours is captivating. Stay Home Fabrics and Fabric Spark both have large selections of her fabric from Free Spirit, including a few older collections. Here are some images of the Elizabeth collection. I cannot wait for True Colors, and then Eden! 

Cotton + Steel is a collection of 5 designers, each with their own fabulous style. The collections are too numerous to list here, but I have to mention Mustang, Playful, and of course their “basics” collection, which is my favourite basics collection ever!

I don’t think I’d describe my fabric taste as big on florals, but there are some florals I really love. I always love Joel Dewberry’s florals, whenever someone tells me they don’t have enough florals in their stash, he’s the first one I recommend. Bari J is another newish to me designer, and I really love the jewel tones she works with. This last print I’ve chosen is now out of print, but you can still find it and its coordinates around.

I love science!  I also love fabric, so science inspired fabric is right up my alley! Funky Monkey Fabrics has a great selection of fun geeky prints, and Fabric Spark also has some wonderful science loving prints available.

I don’t do a lot of sewing for kids, but these fun prints are so tempting and make me want to make more lunch bags, pillow cases and wallets. The new Color Me line from Michael Miller is amazing! Kids can actually colour it in! Funky Monkey has one of the prints in stock right now, and is expecting the other one in as well; I think it would make a great gift as a pillow case, or an art tote, with a set of markers to colour in. Some of the licensed prints out right now are a lot of fun too. Ann Kelle is without a doubt, my favourite designer of children’s fabric. She has such cute designs in a wonderful array of colours.

I’ve been a fan of Anna Graham of Noodlehead for a while now. In fact, the first PDF pattern I ever purchased was her 241 Tote. I love her elegant, simple style, and was so thrilled when I heard she was coming out with a line of fabric. It is not available for purchase yet, but you bet I will be filling my virtual carts when it hits online shops in a couple months. It’s called Rain Walk, and will be from Cloud 9. There will even be a few canvas prints available.

I think I may need to have a part 2, haha! See what I mean about all the amazingness going on right now?! Did I miss one of your favourites? Or did you discover a new love? Let me know what you think, and tell me your favourites in the comments.

I love taking usable pieces and parts of older items and turning them into something new and functional again. Here is a picture of my recent thrift store purchase. I bought these bags and belt for $5. My local thrift store has rotating sales and I can often get a really good deal. This latest score was to harvest the hardware. Just look at the antique brass clips, rings and slider on that bag! The buckles and rings from the small white bag are specialty items I don’t have the easiest time finding new, so it felt like a bonus finding them for such a great price. 

I know other people have great success buying old leather jackets and skirts and using that material as well. Sometimes it takes a bit of looking around, but there’s a sense of satisfaction in a great find. I also like that many thrift stores support good causes, so my purchase often goes back into my community.

Just make sure to inspect the hardware, and give it a good clean before using it on your bags. See below for how I used the belt. 

Recognize that buckle? This is my second Liliane Buckled Hobo bag from Delinda Boutique, and I think I like the pattern more this time around. As I mentioned in my initial review of the pattern, the instructions were a bit too detailed for me. Since I was more familiar with the construction of the bag this time around, I was able to just refer to the pattern instructions quickly for reference and not follow each individual step. The pattern really does create a great bag. So many great features! The roomy exterior pocket is so unique, and a defining style feature on this purse; a great place to stash quick-grab items like hair ties, lipstick, or pens. 

I added piping on the front exterior pocket. I think it adds an extra pop to the fun prints chosen for this bag. It only needed a small amount of piping and was an easy place to add it. If you’re looking for an opportunity to try piping for the first time, I recommend it here. This Timeless Treasures print was originally at Funky Monkey Fabrics, and is out of stock now, but Melissa from Funky Monkey is expecting more in stock soon, so keep checking; it’s such a fun print and works well with many bright colours. I was brave and tried white contrasting thread for my stitching; the effect was exactly the result I was aiming for.

For interfacing, I used Pellon Shapeflex 101 on my exterior fabrics and Pellon Craft Fuse 808 on my lining, resulting in a bag with body, but now quite stiff enough to stand up on its own: just right for a hobo bag. 

I found the handle on my first bag was a nice size, but I prefer to have the option of adjustable straps, so I added some O-rings and a slider, and changed the strap to create an adjustable length. 

The pleats on the exterior of this bag allow it to be a fancy purse with the right fabrics, but I think fun prints work too! 

Have you done any upcycling in your sewing? I’d love to hear about it!

Before I introduce my January bag, I wanted to share this little wallet I made for my son’s friend. He was turning 6 and my son still gets excited for me to make his friends gifts for their birthdays, so I’m more than happy to oblige while he still thinks I’m cool. It only has 2 card slots, just enough for a library card and a gift card, plus a bill slot. It’s nice and firm and closes with a snap because my son is always asking me for things with snaps. It was very well received by an excited birthday boy exclaiming “my first wallet!” So very worth it. Stay tuned for a free tutorial.

You may remember, I have joined the Bag of the Month Club, a collaboration of 6 independent bag designers, each taking turns releasing a new pattern a month for 6 months. Well, the first pattern is this Companion Carpet Bag, from Sewing Patterns by Mrs. H and it’s such a fun bag! I was a bit slow to get it started because the bag requires some pretty specific metal frames and at the time, I was only able to locate them in China, which took a while. Thankfully, the frames are now available at Emmaline Bags in Canada. 

This one is the large, with a 12″ frame, and the small is made with a 8″ frame. I used Joel Dewberry’s Birch Farm and Notting Hill Collections. The main Birch Farm print has such a large image, it demanded a large bag. I lined up the pocket on the front of the bag to match up with the main panel, and the pocket has a magnetic snap closure. The interior has a large divided slip pocket and a zippered pocket. 

This is my first time using premade handles, and I did not enjoy hand-sewing them on. I think next time, I will just attach the handles between the main panel and the frame channel, and skip the hand-sewing altogether. I’ve seen some tutorials on making your own vinyl/leather handles as well, and I may try that too. 

The pattern calls for purse feet, and they are actually used to attach the stabilizer to the bottom of the bag; I got to use these ones I got from a friend and I think they go with the fabric colours perfectly. I also had fun fussy cutting the front pocket to match up with the exterior panel. It was a bit challenging getting it just so, but I enjoy a challenge now and then.

I hope the rest of my bags for the club won’t be this late…I do have February’s bag cut, fused and ready to assemble, so that should be coming along soon. I’m still contemplating the fabric for March’s bag and I already know exactly what I’m using for April’s bag. 
Do you have a lot on your to-do list as well? How do you prioritize and organize? 

Discount Alert: Make sure to catch the discount code at the end of the post.
In case you haven’t noticed, I love testing bag patterns! I wouldn’t even know where to begin to design a bag, so testing a pattern still allows to be a part of the process, and I find it quite satisfying. My latest testing opportunity was for Blue Calla Sewing Patterns, to test the Rose Gathered Handbag. It features a large opening closed by a flap with a magnetic snap, interior zippered pocket, and large interior divided slip pocket. The defining feature is the gathered side, with ties you can cinch to increase the gather. It also incorporates some hardware to complete the fun retro look.

I used Pellon Craft Fuse 808 on my lining and it gives the bag a wonderful shape when combined with the fusible fleece and the gathers and pleats. 
The only tip I have for this bag is to use a binding maker, if you have one, for the ties. If you don’t have one, it might be worth looking into. I picked mine up a while ago for under $10; it’s such a great little tool, and prevents burnt fingers, ouch!

I found the pattern itself to be easy to follow, with many full coloured pictures and detailed instructions, including tips. Once everything was cut and fused, it was a relatively quick sew. 

To me, this pattern is such a summery bag, so I chose Anna Maria Horner’s Lou Lou Thi collection for it, with Summer Totem as my focus fabric. I think this line exudes summer! It makes me think of sunny days, fruity drinks and island getaways, and I think this bag showcases all the coordinates so well. I just love how the lining peeks out at the top; it’s too pretty to hide.

Update: the introductory discount is over, but you can always use discount code OKAPI10 to save 10%, even on sale items!

I’d love to hear your plans for the next thing you’re working on. Will it be a bag? If you don’t have any projects on the go at the moment (or even if you do), now’s the perfect time to pick up this pattern with the discount. 

I had the opportunity to test the final pattern in the Swoon subscription, the Evelyn Market Tote, and I was so thrilled at the chance. The pattern comes in 2 sizes, and I made the larger of the two: The Market Tote. I think it’s close to becoming my favourite! 

The design is a rounded, gusseted tote, with unique overlays and handle connectors, setting it apart from typical totes. I added piping to mine (not in the pattern) and I’m happy with how it makes the black in my fabric choices pop. The pattern is great without the piping too though, and I think the overlays would be highlighted more without the piping. 

The pattern also features a recessed zipper, and is done in a method not used in other Swoon bags yet. I love the result! The zipper panel has such nice, clean lines and the instructions for it were easy to follow. 

Inside of the tote is a zippered pocket. This bag is a great size for a diaper bag and could easily have more pockets added for extra storage and organization. 

The pattern suggests using foam interfacing on the exterior, and fusible woven interfacing for the lining. I have bolts of Pellon Thermolam Plus 971 and Craft Fuse 808, so I used that in place of the foam interfacing, and stuck with Shapeflex 101 for the lining. The bag stands up nicely on its own with this combination of interfacing. 

I’ve had these Riley Blake Designs, Andrea Victoria prints from Funky Monkey Fabrics for a while, and have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to use it. I think Evelyn was just the right fit. 
The Essex Yarn Dyed linen blend from Fabric Spark picks up the neutrals so well, and gives the bag a sophisticated feel. 

The black rectangle rings were from a friend and I couldn’t wait to pair them with the black piping. Both the top handbag zipper and the interior zipper are fromEmmaline Bags, and are wonderful quality.

If you have the subscription, the pattern should already be in your account ready to download. If not, you’ll have to wait for its release later this week at Swoon Sewing Patterns. Update: the pattern is now available for purchase, follow this link. 

I’d love to hear what you think, and if you’re going to make one, or two, or three…or more!