Popper The Penguin!

This cute little fella popped into my head a while back, and now I can share him with you all!

The remit from Popular Patchwork was a foundation pieced 'winter animal' cushion.  And so Popper was born!

In actual fact, when he first 'grew' on paper he was quite podgy, and so we affectionately named him 'Fat Boy'!!  I think he's been on the mince pies already!

You can find him in the December issue of Popular Patchwork. I hope you like him as much as I do!!

Also this issue is my Giant Log Cabin pattern, which Elizabeth, the editor, made up in beautiful Christmas Fabrics! Isn't it gorgeous, keeping Popper company there on the front cover!

And, the monthly 'Let's Visit' issue features Belfast written by yours truly!!  It was difficult to condense all the wonderful things about Belfast in just a few short paragraphs!

So now you can pppppppppick up a ppppppppppppppenguin in ppppppppppopular pppppppppppatchwork! (sorry, couldn't resist!)

Happy Sewing!

Jude xo

Key Fobs Tutorial

Keyfobs make for great wee gifts, for family and friends of all ages!

And they are super easy to make too!  Here's my tutorial on how to make them:

You will need:

8" piece of 1.25" wide webbing (or recycle a canvas/fabric belt)

1.25" metal keyfob and ring (available from here)

8" x 2" piece of fabric (or use 1" wide ribbon)

matching thread

fabric glue

small hammer

jewelry pliers

Method:

1. Press the long sides of the strip of fabric under (to wrong side) until you are happy with the finished width (a 2" wide strip will need pressed under 0.5" at each side). If using ribbon, no need to press under sides.

2. Place the strip of fabric right sides up on top of the webbing.

3. Stitch down both sides of the strip of fabric, close to the folded edges.  If you like, stitch a few more lines down through the centre of the fabric.

5. Bring the short ends together (with fabric facing out) and stitch across the top, through all layers. Place a little amount of glue along the top raw edges.

6. Place the key fob over the glued end of the webbing. You will want to cover the metal fob with fabric before hitting it closed with a hammer.

7. Finish clamping the fob with jewelry pliers, taking care not to mark the metal.

8. Finally, pop on the ring, and make lots more!

Happy Sewing!

Jude xo

Scandi Stocking

The lovely peeps at Sewing World sent me some gorgeous Makower Scandi fabrics to play with.

And if you pick up the December issue of Sewing World, you can see what I made with them!

I love how these fabrics, teamed with Essex linen, evoke the cosy Christmas feeling!

Have you started your Christmas sewing yet?  Only 5 more weeks to go!

You can find more stocking patterns here in my Etsy shop.

Jude xo

Aaaaachooooo!

Tis the season for snot and sniffles!!

So how about keeping those tissues at the ready in pretty fabric covers!

I like to keep a box in several rooms, in fabrics to match the decor. But wouldn't they also make sweet gifts too?

You can get the pattern for these in the December issue of Quilt Now, (however the cutting instructions for top and sides are the same for all layers (outer and lining fabrics, wadding and vilene) and not as listed).

These are great fun to make and I'm sure will be much needed this winter!

Happy Sewing!

Jude xo

Little Itty Bits!

I didn't quite make it in time to Scraptastic Tuesday with Leanne and Nicky, but here's my scrappy contribution this week!

I've made over 70 keyfobs to sell in Well Made, and a few as stocking fillers.

I'll have a little tutorial soon on how to make these wee gifts.

I also made 14 framed purses, but completely forgot to takes pics before they went into the shop! Doh!

Anyway, one last scrappy project to show you is my kids drawstring backpack, currently in issue 18 of Pretty Patches magazine.

If like me you have lots of little itty bits of fabric kicking around, and need a Christmas present idea for your grandchild, niece, nephew or friend, then a colourful and practical bag could be just the ticket!

Pretty Patches is a really sweet magazine full of cute and crafty projects, large and small. You won't be stuck for ideas to make this Christmas!

Jude xo

Brrrrrrrrrr!

Temperatures have taken a tumble here, with log fires and cosy quilts becoming more and more alluring!

Or how about a hot water bottle!

Wet and stormy days make great sewing days, so why not rustle up some comforting hot water bottle covers?

I'm sure you know by now that I can't resist a little patchwork porthole!! 

And a great way to use up those smaller scraps (that just seem to multiply when my back is turned!).

If you fancy making your own hot water bottle cover (fits standard size hot water bottles) then pick up the November issue of Popular Patchwork! (If you are local to me and have difficulty finding PP in the shops, email me for a list of retailers who stock it).

Stay warm!

Message for Sharon McCartney - thank you for your comment but I have no way of replying without an email address. Please leave your email address in another comment and I will get back to you. Thanks Jxo

Jude xo

Pink For A Girl!

This summer, the most beautiful and perfect little girl came into the world!

(Check out some gorgeous pics here!)

I wasted no time in ordering an uber cute bundle of pinkness from an equally cute shop called Pretty Fabrics and Trims and got a cot quilt made (eventually)!

I adapted a sweet pattern by Camille Roskelly called 'Dapper' (from her book Simply Retro, pg 45).

For the back, I used a soft lemon flannel, which I hope will bring many cosy nap times for this little princess!

Jude xo

Festive Apron Tutorial!

With only 7 weeks to Christmas (eek!) time to get started on some Christmas gifts!!

Here's a super easy project to get you started!

This fun and festive apron is made from 1m of Holly Jolly Gnomes by Michael Miller.

A great stocking filler for any member of the family!

Pop on over to the Fabric Yard blog for the full tutorial!

Ho ho ho!

Jude xo

Better Late Than Never!

The first of the month has been and gone, which is when I usually do my previous month's roundup!

But better late than never right?

You can probably see Christmas creeping in here, and a few sneak peeks too! 

And of course there were the monthly bee blocks:

It was my mum's birthday this week, and I made her this little 'mobile medicines' dumpling pouch!

I love how these cute little pouches fit perfectly into handbags, and can be personalised for all sorts of uses!

I hope to have more secret sewing reveals for you soon!

Happy Tuesday!

Jude xo

Today Was ......

.... serene!

Castle Espie Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Comber

 

A lovely way to end the weekend and start a new month!

Jude xo