Bonbon Purse

Hello, hello, sewists!
Thanks so much for stopping by today.
The pattern and instructions for these sweet little purses
is in the Spring issue of 
Classic Sewing Magazine

This green version was my first attempt and,
as you can see,
the monogram is oversized for the purse flap

The flap is is an in-the-hoop design and the fabric measures 5″ x 5″
I’ve completed enough in-the-hoop embroidery projects to know that the finished
design will be less than the 5″ x 5″ size,
but I threw caution to the wind, and just added a 2″ monogram – don’t do that!
By the time the design finishes stitching around the edges and the flap
is sewn onto the purse and curves slightly over the top of the bag,
a good portion of the embroidable space is consumed in the construction process

I changed the size of the monogram to 3/4″ on my second version:
much better!

Soft and stable foam is used to give the purse body and structure,
so these binding clips are more effective than pins at
holding those layers together
One change I made to the original instructions was to add ‘D’ rings
on which to attach the handle
The ‘D’ rings allow the handle to hang nicer
and they give a more polished look to the purse than just
sewing the ends of the handle into the side seams as instructed in the pattern

Assembly time on these little sweeties is about 2 hours each
and they are very, very small
A perfect size for your little toddler to store her
miniature toy figurines or other valuables
Have a terrific stitching week, my friends.

Summer Playmat

If you’re looking for a quick, quilted, coverlet for your little one,
then
“Help is on the Way”

 that’s the name of this fabric line by
Jennifer Pugh for Wilmington Prints
the play mat pattern is free
and the center piece (with all the roads) is a panel
which makes this one a winner for quick piecing
there are lots of added details for this imaginary little town
it took less than a day for cutting, piecing, and quilting

Vroom! embroidery file for purchase here

the next day, I set to work ‘producing’ little vehicles
via my embroidery machine

the pattern calls this a play mat
but it would serve as a great picnic blanket this summer

and when you’re not using it at the park or the beach or on your little’s bed
just fold it up nicely and keep it within easy reach for all the summer fun!
my play mat is on display at Nuttall’s here in Layton
and if you are in the local area, be sure to sign up for the 
go ahead all you talented, sewists,
make one of these and go play with the littles in your life

“It is a happy talent to know how to play.”  Ralph Waldo Emerson

 Thanks for stopping by, my sewing friends

Ring Bearer Pillow

“Here Comes the Bride, Here Comes the Bride”
We are in the throes of wedding season, my sewing friends
The instructions for this beauty are in the Summer 2016 issue of Classic Sewing Magazine
For subscribers, designer Sonia Showalter,
also includes the machine embroidery lattice file as a free download
No, there is not a bride in my life,
but
I’m putting together a few decorations for an upcoming
marriage conference hosted at our church
I used two layers of wash away stabilizer and some gold thread that I had on hand
Once the embroidery is stitched out and the stabilizer washed away,
the four lattice panels are ready to be joined together with some ribbon
The outside edges of the lattice overlay are then stitched down to the pillow
and the machine embroidered flowers are stitched on by hand
(yes, the flower design file is also a free download for subscribers)
This is such a quick project with lovely results
I highly recommend it for anybody who is looking for a ring bearer pillow
Can’t you just see that lattice in beautiful colors to match any bride’s wedding?
I also made some cute little treat bags using my paper crafting supplies
I filled these with Hershey’s Hugs and Kisses
They will make the conference that much sweeter!!!

Have a lovely week, sewing friends, and treat that bride in your life to a beautiful,
handmade ring bearer pillow
(or . . . contact me and I will make it for you – you can tell her you made it, it will be our secret)