Tag Archives | accessories

SockSacks in Friedlander and Euclid.

By carolyn friedlander on April 13, 2017 in fabric, Featured on Home, loving, patterns, weekend projects | Comments: 3

I love a good gift-worthy project, and these SockSacks in my Friedlander and Euclid fabrics are some recent gifts that I made after being given one myself.

It all started when a friend made this one for me.

I was immediately smitten with the fabrics and quickly fell deeper for it when I realized how perfect it is for transporting a lot of things. Obviously, it’s awesome for knitting–there are two interior sections divided by a zippered pouch. But it also works well as a travel bag for other things–like snacks and tea–both of which I travel with often. The compartments hold what you need, while keeping them divided and sorted nicely. Plus, it’s so darn pretty! (Fabrics in this one that was gifted to me are Sevenberry and London Calling from Robert Kaufman.)

Since I’ve been loving mine so much, I decided that I needed to make a few more for some friends.

This one has some euclid on the outside…

Some of my newest stuff on the inside and at the top…

A little bit of carkai and more new stuff…

Here’s a better pic inside. You can see the snap tabs, which are really great for keeping your yarn in check. I’m working from 2 skeins with my current knitting project, and the tabs are keeping everything anchored and tangle-free. Yay. Plus, the zippered section. You know that’s handy.

Picking fabrics is always one of my favorite parts. This project is fun for that because there are places large and small, meaning plenty of possibilities for print and color play.

The other one that I made has this print on the outside, this one at the top, and this and this one the inside.

I followed the instructions for both without making any changes, including not using interfacing. In general, I like things to have structure, but I also liked the idea of making these first two as instructed to see how I liked the weight. Of course I knew that using Euclid in the first version would give it more structure–and it does, but the quilting-weight-only version works out just as well! It’s a soft bag that isn’t likely to be put under much stress, so it makes sense. I did, however, elect for lawn in both of the drawstring casings. Lawn was used in the version given to me, and I really liked how lightweight it made it. The cord cinches everything up nicely, and while I’m sure quilting weight would work well for that part too, I was eager to embrace using the lawn.

Pattern : SockSack by Ramona Rose (I made the largest size, but after making that, I realized the size that I was given is the medium size. Both are nice! I’ll bet the small size is super cute.)

Fabrics : Euclid, Carkai, Friedlander and Friedlander Lawn

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Friedlander Crew.

By carolyn friedlander on March 30, 2017 in fabric, Featured on Home, my patterns, weekend projects | Comments: 4

This fleet of Friedlander Crew pincushions was basically an excuse to play with my newest fabric / finish something kind of quickly, which is always satisfying.

I like making pincushions for many reasons. First, they and other small projects are perfect for playing around with fabric combinations. I get so many ideas after whipping out a few of them, which is especially helpful with I’ve got new fabric to mess around with.

Plus, pincushion making is quite productive. After making one or a bunch, they make great gifts. I also use them as pattern weights. Having a variety of shapes and sizes can be helpful when cutting out things that aren’t always the same size. For example, I like using the narrow guys for tighter spots like skinny shoulder pieces, and the bigger ones work well for the meatier bits like bodice pieces when I’m cutting out clothes.

In addition to fabric combos, these guys are great for testing out decorative stitches and other embellishments. I feel like a little bit of embroidery floss kicks everything up a few notches.

So many pincushions!

Fabrics : Friedlander, Euclid

Pattern : Crew Pincushion set

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Wildabon Market Tote.

By carolyn friedlander on February 17, 2017 in fabric, Featured on Home, my patterns, patterns, weekend projects | Comments: 3

Sometimes (/most of the time) I get stuck on an idea that I can’t wait to see through. This Wildabon Market Tote is one of them.

Wildabon has been such a fun project in every way, and I’ve been eager to appliqué it on to just about everything. Here’s my Wildabon Market Tote, aka a mashup of Anna Graham’s Market Tote (from her book, Handmade Style) and the designs from my Wildabon pattern with Leah Duncan.

With so many designs in the pattern, I like that you can pull one motif out and play with it on its own whether it’s in a bag like this or a pillow sham or anything smaller. Plus, if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by appliqué or taking on something large, this is a great place to start. And, if you’re worrying about handwork and durability, don’t. I’ve been appliquéing on to bags for a while now, and I haven’t had any issues yet. Even if you are a new appliqué-er, quilting over your handwork–just like I did here–adds another layer insurance.

This was my first time sewing with leather handles, and I have to say that I’m pretty into them after this adventure. I picked these up from Noodlehead’s shop, and they couldn’t have been any easier to work with. Plus, they are so pretty! I love how they kick the project up a notch. Installation wasn’t as scary as I imagined it could be. I used (my new) teflon foot, which made it super easy, as well as polyester thread as it was recommended in the pattern. Next time, I think I’ll be ready to give rivets a try.

It’s always fun mixing fabrics, and you’ll notice euclid on the outside (which is great, because of its heftiness) with lots of friedlander and friedlander lawn on the inside. I can’t tell you how much fun it is to appliqué with fabrics thick and thin, plus the options for mixing prints…yes, this is how I like to do it!

It was fun getting that print situated on my inside pocket. I love a project where you can play around with your prints.

When I was positioning the appliqué motif, I also thought about where I’d put the handle, how the side piece would be cut and how it’d wear. I like that the design spills from the top and spreads itself across the side.

By the way, this bag can hold a lot! Here it is loaded up with my scrappy collection quilt, which–by the way–I’ve been hand quilting on and off, more off than on lately. But it’s coming together!