I have two friends with birthdays over the holiday season, so I decided to make the holiday babies matching altar mats. Inspired by fractals, I used some of my batiks as a base, and then broke things up with strips and triangles from different fabrics to (hopefully) create some evocative fractal patterns. I also used some upcycled silk sari fabric for the border, and made some matching binding. I quilted both mats with loops and swirls to contrast with the angular fractal piecing design. I backed Jenn C.'s with some of my urban city scape fabric, and Katherine K.'s with some of the batik elephant fabric I have in my stash. I really enjoyed experimenting with the piecing for this project, and love how they came out in the end!
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My sister Leah B. fulfilled one of her life dreams this year and got a 'real' piano for her home. And so I made her a little piano seat cover for the bench! Palate of her favourite blues, and used felt for the backing to provide a bit of light grip--- hopefully it will inspire many a tune in the coming years!
I always feel mildly awkward about taking things from the curb, but my sister saw this footstool out on the curb during her run and texted me to go grab it. I did (since I have been wanting to get a stool for my little balcony), but with much reluctance-- not because of its condition but because I am always nervous that people didn't actually leave it there to be taken and they still wanted it.... But in the case of this beaten up stool, in the end it was a pretty safe bet.
Obviously was in rough shape, from the "before pictures"--- so to transform it, I basically used a butter knife to remove the finishing nails and took off the trim, and then slowly pulled out all the staples and removed the existing covering. The foam and springs underneath were in not too bad of shape, so I just used what was there. Luckily I had a weird piece of graphic broccoli canvas fabric that I wasn't sure what to do with... so voila! I cut it to fit and stapled the new piece on to the wooden frame as before, and hammered back in the finished brads with the old trim--- why not! My sister is disappointed in my fabric choice, but I think it is a charming (if slightly unattractive) upgrade. And my balcony is a lot more comfortable as well! It is not weather proof of course, but since it was free, I am not too emotionally invested in its long term beauty-- as long as it stays comfy to use, I will be happy. Using this helpful video as inspiration, as we are now in COVID mode, so I have started making some of these fabric masks for people to wear. They are only about 50% effective compared to official ones, but those are better used by medical professionals. And the fun fabric choices can be a small silver lining. This was an easy pattern, and includes a pocket to insert a filter if you can get your hands on some. Threading the elastic through the binding was the most tedious part, and even that was not a big deal. Made a couple of Abe G. for his COVID-themed isolation birthday. We do our best to celebrate in these chaotic times!
Abe G. gave me some ridiculous Trudeau socks earlier this year. So for the holidays, I decided to turn these socks into cool wrist bands and re-gift them back to him with a new, more useful purpose. So now he can wipe his dainty brow with our nation's leader. Enjoy the sweat-mopping power of Trudeau!
I have made lots of japanese knot bags since initially playing around with the design. But am documenting this one as it was a joint effort with Katherine K., with some fun embroidery included as a going-away present for our friend Marjie F. before heading off to Peru. Basically I cut out and assembled the bag as usual, but after sewing the two sections of the lining together, I gave it to Katherine who embroidered a nice message into the inside handle. When I got it back, I sewed it up as carefully as I could around the embroidery, and bob's your uncle! And even if he is not, it was finished and Marjie will hopefully get lots of use from this little bag during her travels.
I made the full transition to reuasable grocery bags many years ago, but wanted to experiment making some reusable produce bags to cut out another weekly plastic source. And so here is the result! As a first attempt, I made 5 bags in three different sizes (finished dimensions 17x13 (1), 14x10 (2) and 8x6 (2)) and have found that a pretty useful grouping. Since I used hole-y fabric, I used a tight zigzag stitch for the seams and finishing which worked well.
In researching a basic pattern, I was inspired by this video by Crafty Patti (please watch-- the first 5 seconds of the intro are the BEST!!). Found it to be a helpful guide if you want to take a stab yourself. And if you want to use my dimensions, just multiply by two (since the fabric is doubled over along the bottom) and add about 4 inches to the length (first number in the dimensions above) and 1/2 inch to the width (second number) for seam allowances, and then get sewing! Next round, I will play around with the dimensions a bit more (but I am satisfied with what I have for now). I also will experiment with recycled fabrics and materials (ie: old sheer drapes, etc...) Lots of opportunity for variation! A tea cozy to mark the birthday of my tea-and-honey-loving friend Emilie C. in March 2019. I love the color combo, and the teaspoons floating in a background of honey-yellow seemed especially apt. Hope it gets lots of use!
I was casting around for a new easy-sew lunch bag, and happened upon The Chilly Dog's pattern for a Japanese Knot Bag. I had not encountered this design before (it seems I am very late to the game), but was thrilled at how quickly this charming bag came together. There is a little bit of fussing to get a few of the elements to come together (particularly at the end with the short loop and closing everything up), but the guidance provided in the blog post was really helpful, and I was very happy with the result.
BONUS#1: I finally got to use the charming cabbage-themed fat quarter I had picked up many moons ago! BONUS #2: Enjoyed making and using it so much that I whipped up another one for Anne-Marie B. who was leaving the Refugee Hub to move to the federal government. Made her a lunch bag with an urban/bureaucracy vibe to it--- I hear it is used frequently, so am glad she is enjoying this little gem of a bag as much as I am. Will likely be making more of these in the future. Fun pattern to bump into-- thanks internet/ The Chilly Dog! A quick but fun little set of bunting as a gift for Anne L., a colleague who just welcomed her second daughter into the world. I went with a gender neutral theme and (as usual) colorful palate. So I dug out my outer-space-themed fabrics (astronauts, aliens, and planets) for the flags, and used some primary colored binding for the trim/ ties (which was left over and much treasured from this baby quilt earlier this year). I loved how it came out, and hope Anne and her family enjoy the pop of color for the baby's room!
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January 2024
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