Reversible ‘Poppy’ Bag…

Designed by Debbie Shore  from her Half Yard Home book.

Pieced by Michelle Roberts at creativeblonde

http://www.creativeblonde.co.uk

Grab a copy of Debbie Shore’s book to make your very own reversible bag. Below are my photos to show you how I used the poppy and denim fabric from Craftcotton to create my version of the bag.

Materials

   Two 20” x 10” pieces from the denim fabric

Two 20” x 10” pieces from the poppies on white fabric

Two 13” x 3” pieces from the denim fabric

Two 13” x 3” pieces from the poppies on white fabric

Two 20” x 3” strips from the poppies on black fabric

Aurifil threads

Haberdashery items

• Quilter’s ruler,
• Rotary cutter/scissors
• Iron
• Cutting mat
• Basic sewing supplies

 

Lets get sewing…

(All seam allowance is ¼”)

Using your rotary cutter and ruler, create the handles

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Take your time when creating the pleats, to make sure they are all in the same place on each fabric bag piece.

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Shape the bottom corners of your bag pieces.

Pin the handles in place

The two pieces are then sewn together. Remember to leave a gap for turning

Turn right side out and press

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What will you use yours for?

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To see more of my tutorials, you can follow my blog www.creativeblonde.co.uk and/or Instagram page www.instagram.co.uk/michelle_creativeblonde and www.facebook.com/creativeblonde66

Stockist for Fabric

www.visagetextiles.com

www.hobbycraft.co.uk

Sew Useful…

I’ve been busy working on this really useful Chair back caddy, I’m really pleased the fabrics I chose, they are from the Makoti collection by Stuart Hillard for CraftCotton, using Debbie Shore Pattern from her Sew Useful book.

I fussy cut the panel for the smallest pocket, to really show off the fabric.

I made my own bias binding, from the Makoti collection

I also decided to make my own bag straps from the Makoti colletion and Vliseline interfacing

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This bag is great if you’re short on space, and with all the pockets of different sizes, its so versatile

I used Aurifil thread to make this bag, with Vliseline Interfacing and In R Form as the fusible batting, to give this bag extra strength.

Follow me here on my blog, and share with friends, you can also find/tag me on Instagram and Facebook with your makes.

‘Do what makes your heart smile’
Happy Sewing

Michelle

Country Cottage Pot Holder…

I’m so excited to share with you my latest pattern.

Its a super cute, country style pot holder, perfect for saving your worktops from heat damage.

The Bosal wadding I’ve used, can withstand temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

I’ve used the adorable ‘Sweetheart’ collection from Tilda.

Head over to my ‘Patterns’ page to download my PDF Pattern ‘Country cottage’ Pot Holder.

Follow me here on my blog, and share with friends, you can also find/tag me on Instagram and Facebook with your makes.

‘Do what makes your heart smile’
Happy Sewing

Michelle

Pinwheel Pincushions, plus a chance to win one…

Today is the day to show you my pinwheel pincushions – its all part of the ‘Blog Remix Season 2’ hosted by The Fat Quarter Shop.

There is so much eye candy, here is a list of the events:

• Milk Cow Kitchen Towel – February 28, 2019
• Fab Five Ruler – March 28, 2019
• Picnic Time Pillow Ruler – April 25, 2019
• Pinwheel Pincushion – May 23. 2019
• Road Trip Pillow Bag – June 20, 2019
• The Patchwork Christmas Stocking – July 18, 2019
• Jolly Braid Tote Bag – August 15, 2019
• Sewing Machine Accessory Pouch – September 12, 2019
• Trick or Treat Bag – October 10, 2019

I was lucky enough to receive a beautiful charm pack from @honeybeecloths.

A collection called SunnySide Up by Corey Yoder for Moda

These are the perfect little scrap busting project and so useful, you can never have enough pincushions – they make lovely gifts too

 

 

 

***I got slightly carried away making these, as they are so adorable, so I’m giving one away to a lucky winner, plus some Sunnyside Up fabric, so you can have a go making one yourself ***

To enter simple leave me a comment, telling me which one you would like; See photo below

Top Left, Top Right,

Bottom Left or Bottom Right,

 I will choose a winner at random on Sunday 26th May

***Best Of Luck***

 

The winner is… @lindabick who entered on my Instagram page @creativeblonde66 ❤️

Head over to the Fat Quarter Shop page to follow the beautiful video tutorial to make your own https://blog.fatquartershop.com/new-video-how-to-pinwheel-pincushion/

Follow me here on my blog, and you can also find me on Instagram and Facebook

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle @creativeblonde66

Mystery QAL, plus a chance to win some Vlieseline Wool Mix Batting…

 

This quarter I joined the #mystery_qal hosted by Tracy @itsatsweetsday.

The mystery is seeing what everyone will create using one chosen piece of fabric, which can be incorporated with other fabrics…

This quarters fabric was this adorable mouse fabric available @lewisandirenefabrics

I paired it up with this beautiful pink solid available @stoffabrics and the navy floral.

The mouse fabric was screaming out to be fussy cut. I had the perfect paper pieces – from Tilda, called the mini flower…

In the middle of creating my mystery item, I was asked by my husband’s Gran to make her a tissue pocket – have you ever heard of one? She doesn’t like to stick a tissue up her sleeve, cause it causes havoc if left in the wash… so this is it, a mini apron. She also uses it to hold her phone, so its with her at all times, which is perfect for anyone elderly.

 

 

I love this Jacquard fabric available from @Stoffabrics, I was keen to show off both sides, so i reversed the fabric on the straps and for the lining…

With only a few weeks left before the mystery quilt-along was due to end, I got busy making my mystery item… I wanted something soft and cosy for my laptop. So I made a laptop case, which has been quilted with Vlieseline Wool Mix batting – my laptop is now super comfy and cosy when I’m not using it 🙂

 

I love this wool mix batting, I used it in my latest quilts, it really is so soft and cosy, and lovely to quilt

 

This batting is so gorgeous

I want to give one lucky winner a lap size piece, perfect for your next quilting project.

Find out more about this product here…

www.vlieseline.com/Products/Battings/266-Wool-Mix

To be in for a chance of winning, just leave me a message here or on my Instagram page, telling me what you’re currently making…

Good Luck

I will choose a winner Saturday 6th April…

Check out the other bloggers taking part this quarter here…

Edith @ ediscraftinglife.blogspot.com
Desert Suz @ DesertSky Quilting
Michelle @ Creative Blonde
Moira @ Quilted Snail
Shirley @ https://mountainbuttons.wordpress.com/
Tracy @ It’s a T-Sweets Day!

You can follow me here on my blog, and you can also find me on Instagram and Facebook

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle @creativeblonde66

Sofa Sewing Caddy…

Yeah we made it through Monday – happy dance.

Today I wanted to share with you a pattern I designed a couple of years ago, a tutorial I wrote especially for ‘Overdale Fabrics‘. Head over to there online store for all the products used in this tutorial.

The perfect accessory for anyone who loves to craft, whether it be, sewing, quilting, knitting or needlecraft, this is must have. Ideal if you like crafting whilst watching TV.

 

The great thing about this sewing caddy, is all the parts are removable, which makes it easy to interchange pockets, depending on the craft you are working on. Plus, it makes emptying the thread catcher, so much easier.

Materials 
Fat Quarter bundle of ‘Garden at Dusk’ by Overdale Fabrics
Half meter of ‘flower Stalks’ by Dashwood Studios available at Overdale Fabrics
Gutermann thread colour 660
Half meter of H640 fusible wadding by Vilieseline
4” square of Vilene light weight interlining
Few handfuls of ‘toy’ stuffing for the pin cushion

Haberdashery Items
Iron-away marker pen
10” and 7” circle template
4” circle template
Quilters ruler, rotary cutter/scissors
Iron
2x 1” wooden buttons
½” wooden heart button

Download you’re free print friendly tutorial here…

sofa-sewing-caddy

Be sure to leave a comment and don’t forget to show me your creations

Follow me here on my blog, and you can also find me on Instagram and Facebook

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle @creativeblonde66

 

 

Happy New Year…

Welcome to 2019! Isnt it exciting to think about what the year might have in store for us…

After having a full house for a couple of weeks, its going to feel awfully quiet when everyone returns to school and work next week, thankfully I have sooooo much to catch up with, and Im excited to get started – bring on 2019!

I got so wrapped up with Christmas I forgot to share my Christmas Hexi Tree cushion, so for anyone with some left over Christmas fabric, or you simply cant get enough of Christmas, you can download it here…

Glitter Hexi christmas cushion cover

 

 

On the 8th January, its my day for the Island batik Ambassador Blog hop, the blog hop begins 7th January through until the 1st February. Its a great blog hop because not only is if full of inspiration, but also showcases all the very new island batik fabrics, so be sure to stop by…

If you’re looking for a new table runner for the new year, grab this months issue of quilt now magazine, where you can find my spring time floral table runner, with the cutest quilted bumble bees

photo taken by Quilt Now Magazine

I love looking back through the year, seeing what was most popular… insights on Instagram tell me this was my most popular post of 2018.

Using beautiful fabrics from Dashwood Studio – flowerstalks and butterfly flower garden collection

My pattern is still available here…

www.overdalefabrics.com/make-sofa-sewing-caddy

Thanks so much for all the lovely comments you’ve left me during 2018, Im so looking forward to 2019 – wishing you all a very happy new year

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Check out my Instagram and Facebook page @creativeblonde66

~Michelle~

x creativeblonde x

 

an extra hour…

Hi, thanks for stopping by this week, as the clocks in the UK go back an hour, i thought what better way to spend that extra hour, but to write my blog. Can i just say i really do appreciate each and every comment that you leave me 🙂

This week, was half term and also the week our very and manky (my sons words) kitchen got taken out, and the new one installed. Surprisingly i wasn’t worried about the fact i wouldn’t have an oven for the week, but the fact my conservatory was out of bounds! My conservatory is where i take most of my photos, it gives the best light with the least amount of shadow – who knew

I finished my valentine quilt, and oh my goodness, how lovely is double gauze to work with, i will be totally honest and let you into a little secret, i’d never heard of it, but i LOVE it, and its definitely something i will work with again and again.

I love the soft and cosy feel to it, and using it for raw edge applique, i think gave my quilt a real shabby chic feel.

Click here to see the huge range by  Higgs & Higgs

“Double gauze is, very simply, two layers of gauze that are tacked together at regular intervals with little stitches that are undetectable from the right side of the fabric. Soft, airy and slightly crinkled for a casual look these textiles make fabulous fashion and nursery items”

Gutermann threads were beautiful to work with for this fabric too

I was so excited when i was asked to make some wash bags, the fabrics i chose are from Gutermann from their Marrakesch range, and i LOVE it, definitely going to have to fill my stash with more of this beautiful fabric. I was also given the chance to try out a sample of Vlieseline Lamifix – my conclusion… FAB!! The two wash bags below are both lined with Lamifix, the pale green is covered all over, and the navy piece is just fabric, with base covered in Lamifix. Its so versatile and i would recommend the product. Ive almost finished a toiletry roll which i lined with Lamifix, I will share with your next week

 

In honor of my new kitchen i have made a table topper, i hoping to get round to making matching seat covers too, the cat thought this one was for him 🙂  These beautiful fabrics are by Moda from the caroline collection designed by Brenda Riddle, Kate and Birdie and Tilda and all available for Honeybee Cloth  and if you head over there this week, dawn is offering 10% off EVERYTHING in their shop, use the promo code CREATIVEBLONDE

 

They have a beautiful range of the most prettiest fabrics, each and every piece of fabric is cut and packaged in the most adorable way, makes an idea gift for someone or just a well deserved treat for yourself

 

Next month brings new and exciting fabric from Craft Cotton – its their new ‘Winnie the Pooh’ range, isn’t it adorable. I will be making a quilt and some coordinating bunting – its the perfect fabric for anyone expecting a baby in the new year. Pre-order yours now  – click here

That rounds up another week, I would love to hear from you, please leave me a comment  🙂

Many thanks for reading, have a lovely week ahead, until next time… happy sewing

Check out my Instagram and Facebook page @creativeblonde66

~Michelle~

x creativeblonde x

Have you seen…

Hello, thanks for stopping by, for us mum’s in the UK, we are almost ready to celebrate making it through the 6 weeks of school summer holidays – we did it !! cheers to you!

I’ve been trying to keep up with a few things that i’m involved in, in the sewing/quilting community but the ‘muuuuuum’ voice beside me does make it a little difficult to concentrate sometimes, don’t get me wrong i love them being at home, but i am secretly also looking forward to some peace and quiet 🙂

I did make a bundle of ‘milk and cookies’ mats, especially for the kids, when they get in from school, I’ve just got to work on making the cookies now …

 

I just love the cute fabrics available from Craft Cotton – ‘little forest’.

You can download my free pattern with tutorial here…

milk and cookies mat

I’ve also managed to keep up to date with the #sweetestthingssampler I am co hosting along with Dawn from Honeybee Cloths, i had to complete Dawn block  – number 6, i really enjoyed making this, and it was mostly hand sewing, which i could do whilst watching a movie with the kids, talking of movies have you seen ‘Peter Rabbit’ or ‘The Greatest Showman’ – both movies we’ve all enjoyed this summer.

I was also able to try out the new metallic effect threads from Gutermann, to add detail to the block, I love these threads

And the last on this months list was number 3 of the #sew6organizers, these are taken from a book by Aneela Hoey – Stitched sewing organizers. this month i chose to make the ‘storage boxes’ – and i can already see myself making more of these for every room in the house – just too cute!

If you’re looking for a bit of sewing inspiration, this months issue of ‘British Patchwork and Quilting’ Magazine is out now. Inside there are loads of great projects including my ‘clamshell’ tote bag

Bring on September, I have lots going on, and I’m super excited to share all with you soon, happy sewing…

Don’t forget there is still time to enter the beautiful batik giveaway, just tap on my link below

https://creativeblondeblog.wordpress.com/2018/08/05/all-a-flutter-inc-giveaway/

Thanks for reading, would love to hear from you, if you have a few minutes to leave me a comment ♥ check out my Instagram and Facebook page @creativeblonde66

Happy sewing

~Michelle~

x creativeblonde x

Bittersweet…

I’m so excited to tell you about my Butterfly Peg bag tutorial being published in this month Popular Patchwork Magazine,  I even made it to the front cover 🙂 Sadly its the last PP mag EVER to be published…

 Fabrics are from Craft Cotton.  All sewn together using Gutermann threads and using interfacing and batting from Vlieseline 

I was so pleased with the cute butterfly I added, I really enjoy watching the butterflies visiting my garden

This peg bag is reversible too, as all the seams have been cleverly hidden away…

The best part is still to come… buy this last issue of Popular Patchwork AND get a previous issue of British patchwork and quilting magazine FREE!! 

To see more of my tutorials, you can follow my blog www.creativeblonde.co.uk and/or Instagram page www.instagram.co.uk/creativeblonde66 and www.facebook.com/creativeblonde66

Stockist for all the fabrics found in this tutorial

www.craftcotton.com  0161 832 9431

 Stockist for Gutermann threads

gutermann@stockistenquiries.co.uk 01453 883581

Stockist for Vlieseline Wadding

https://ladysewandsew.co.uk/