Simplicity 8418

My new favourite jacket - Simplicity 8418 in barkcloth by Leah Duncan for Cloud 9. 

I didn't make a muslin for this one, and luckily it fits perfectly. The fabric is a little heavier than what is normally used for a bomber jacket, so it doesn't have the best drape, but combined with the lining it is a very warm jacket. Perfect for the middle of winter here. 

The instructions were not bad, but I still couldn't work out how to finish the sleeves properly and I didn't want to take too much time to do it, so the seams are not inside the lining, but they will never be seen so it's not worrying me. I'm also not a huge fan of the pockets in the side seams - if I made this again I would definitely do welt pockets towards the front more. 

I am happy with it, I've worn it a few times and the fabric makes me very happy!

Ready to Roam Rucksack

 The Ready to Roam Rucksack by Merchant and Mills has been on my list of things to sew for a while, but it did look a little daunting so it kept being pushed down the list. Wanting to make something interesting for Chris's birthday was the push I needed to give it a go.
I'm glad I did - it was a very satisfying project.
I had some oilskin/waxed cotton in my stash which I think might have come from fabric.com (that or eBay) and I ordered a kit that included Ann the leather for the straps, and the fastenings.

If you are a beginner the Merchant and Mills instructions are not as 'step-by-step' as some other patterns, but shouldn't be a problem for anyone with experience. I did make a couple of errors which involved trying to remove rivets (not easy and not fun) but that was my fault for rushing and thinking I knew what I was doing.

Other than that this was a really fun project. The fabric was a lot easier to sew than I thought it might be and I've learnt some new skills. In fact I loved the finished project so much I bought another kit from Fibresmith to make myself one to cart my marking to and from school.

Radiate Quilt

Introducing the Radiate quilt!

An interesting, fun quilt to make that only needs two fabrics. Use two solids, two prints or one of each!

You can find the pattern in my shop. 

Simple Medallion Quilt

New pattern!!

The Simple Medallion Quilt is the perfect weekend project. Choose four fabrics and a background and get sewing! The finished size is 65 1/2" x 65 1/2" (159cm x 159cm) which is such a versatile size. Great on a bed or perfect on the couch as a lap quilt. It would work in any fabric or colour combination. The strips are wide enough to work with a bigger scale print, or use small prints or solids. It would also make the perfect gift for any occasion. 

You can find the pattern here on Etsy. 

Some different colour combinations I'd like to try. I really love this grey, yellow and orange version! 

Contour Quilt

This quilt top started as a quick sketch on some graph paper and a stack of pretty Art Gallery Fabric Solids. I worked on a block at a time and didn't put them all together until this weekend. I love it when a little idea comes out even better then you hoped it might. 

Rainbow Flower Quilt

Rainbow Flower mini quilt. I think this might be the happiest quilt I've ever made. 

Butterfly Paper Pieced Pattern

Butterflies (or moths) paper pieced PDF pattern!

I couldn't decide on a size so the pattern contains four different sizes: 6"x8", 6"x10", 8"x8" and 8"x10".

You can find it in my Etsy shop here. 

Macro Flower Quilt

I'm really enjoying having a slow stitching project on the go. I started this one in March after playing around with some simple collage ideas. I did not plan ahead and cut out each block as I went.

It was quite relaxing to know that I didn't need to have an idea of the finished quilt before I started it. After I made 12 blocks I sewed them together and hand quilted with two strands of DMC embroidery thread. 

I've already started a new slow stitching project and I'm excited to see what it becomes. 

Wattle Skirt

The Wattle skirt by Megan Nielsen in Outback Wife barkcloth. The perfect fabric for this skirt. A great pattern - excellent instructions and quick to sew. 

Foundation Pieced Orange Peel Blocks

I've been slowly working on these foundation pieced blocks over the last few months. I drew up this block in Electric Quilt based on the classic orange peel block and then pieced four of each before going them together with a little square in the middle. One more to go and they will be ready to sew into a quilt top. 

Foundation pieced Pineapple Blocks

I've been trying to find a little bit of time each week to try new things. Either a new technique, make a new quilt block or try a new sewing pattern. A few weeks ago I tried a wonky pineapple quilt block. I was not happy with it when I just tried making an improv one so I drew a few up in Electric Quilt (well 6 different blocks, I do go overboard sometimes) and this is the result. 

I used a stack of Heather Ross Kinder fabric and I love them! There will be more blocks, possible to make a lap quilt!

Elephant Lino Print

A little lino printing from a few weeks ago. A super simple design to practise using two colours.