e-reader cover

 I sewed this cute cover over the week end for my sister, she has a small e-reader (French size, not compatible with US cover). She gave me the dimension and I made a simple tight fitting cover, similar this one from this tutorial.

To make it my own way, I sewed the cover using a quilt-as-you-go technique. It is easy and fast.

Here is how I made the cover:

I started with a piece of cotton batting, larger than needed, and put down the 1^st piece and quilted it. Then I added another piece, and with right sides together, I sewed the seam between them, through the batting. I ironed the new piece flat and quilted it. I continued this way until the entire batting was covered.

I trimmed it to size, and cut the lining the same size out of another print.

I added a little stamped applique, a little trade mark of mine.

I attached a hair elastic on the top, in the center of the back side, I love this closing technique and I have been using it successfully for many years, like on my little girl purses and other pouches.

Then I sewed the quilted fabric and the lining together along the top side.

I folded the combined fabric in half and sewed all around leaving an opening along the side of the lining (I do not like to leave the opening on the bottom).

I turned everything inside out and closed the opening on the lining.

I stuffed the lining inside and top stitched the edge.

Now all that is left is sewing a button on the top to close with the elastic, which I forgot to do before taking the pictures, but not before sending it to my sister!

Oh well!

Happy sewing!

Sewing configuration book

Every year for my Mom’s birthday, I have fun coming up with some sewing related present, and this year, I think it is another great one: a book.

Not any kind of book, not one of these boring book with words (!) but one full of little trinkets and mementos! I started out with a Tim Holtz configuration book and collected treasures to fill it all. Besides all the sewing related items I was able to find to decorate the box (scissors, initial, bobbins, thimble….) I was able to use copies of a true family heirloom: my grandmother pattern drafting school drawings. I have her notebooks from her classes, they probably date from before WWII.
I scanned a few pages and printed reduced versions to use in the book. 

so cute, right?!

I covered the box with scrapbooking paper, and I used some linen for the spine. To decorate the cover of the book,  I started with a mini version of my grandma’s page, and layered gently with some lace, linen spool, stamp, buttons and mini cardboard tiles spelling sewing studio in French.

I used various paper inside the individual boxes, I only covered the back and bottom

and used washi tape on the edges as suggested by Tim Holtz.

It finishes everything very nicely.

I dye cut a dress form out of cardboard, linen and wood veneer,

and layered them. I added a little French lace to the collar,

leaving the rest just simple.

I used one of my stamped sign on some felt, and glued a little bobbin.

The scissors are not real, they are just the right side for that little cubby!

For the inside page, I used another copy of my grandma drafting drawing,

attached to the page with washi tape.

A little lace and a tiny cupcake finish the page,

keeping simple.

Here are some of the other sewing related presents I made for my mom's bday

over the last few years:

needlebook; little quilt; sewing kit.

Bon anniversaire Maman

Happy day!

sewing room

Over the last few weeks, I have been putting some order in my sewing room.

After all the Christmas sewing and crafting, there was a major need for some TLC.

It has been a couple of years since I have shared my special place.

It has changed as I have moved the table from the middle of the room to just under the window.

While it only allows one person to work (versus 2 in the other configuration),

I was able to add a day bed, great place to relax, to do some hand work,

but mostly perfect to have company.

Miss C. enjoys coming in and reading there,

Malou joins me also if she gets some helps with the stairs

(she is scared but that's a story for another day!)

On the left side of the table, I just installed a peg board (from Michaels) 

where I store my scissors, rotary cutters and my main rulers.

Just above, there is an old pin board with various and precious things:

pictures, cards, design and small embroideries.

Next I have a bookcase full of fabric and books/magazines.

One shelf is used to store most of my fat quarters, my kona solids

 and my Liberty of London collection.

The one above is for larger quantity of prints and some Japanese linen prints.

Since I enjoy sewing, quilting, embroidery,

I have books for all of these hobbies in that bookcase.

The rest of my crafting books are on the bottom of these cub shelves.

I have had those for many years (at least 3 houses ago!)

In the many boxes, I have all of my sewing patterns, arranged in 4 categories:

adult, children, costume adult, costume children.

There are also boxes fro embroidery, serger supplies, stamping, and a few of scrap fabrics.

On the top, there are a lot of threads, various souvenirs and some dress forms.

The day bed takes most of the wall, with an heirloom quilt just above.

Underneath, I store a lot of fabric in under-bed storage containers!

It is perfect for larger yardage of fabric and/or bulky fabric like fleece and fake fur.

In the armoire, there are more supplies and a few machines:

Miss C.'s sewing machine, my serger and a little embroidery machine (4 x 4 field),

and a sizzix cutter (low tech but very good!)

On the right side of the table, in the small closet, I store some more paper and fabric,

and some pretty clothes I have made for Miss C. that she does not wear anymore,

some are just too cute to give away, like the panda jacket.

I hung some pantry door shelves on the door to store paints, ribbons,

and various supplies.

Now it is all looking pretty, time to go mess it up with a cool project.
Happy sewing!

Bonne annee 2015

Happy New Year 2015!

No grand plan yet for this coming year,

just going with the flow for now.

Here is the last of my silk-Liberty of London butterflies,

this is one is more like a moth,

I called it a night butterfly,

perfect for the evening, as the silk is silver.

Happy sewing!

a year in review

This year was not the most productive year, there was less crafting and sewing than usual. The kids are getting too old to sew clothes for them, Miss C. plays less with her dolls, I was quite sick for a good part of the summer, and I went from part time to full time in the last 4 months, to project leader this month! I do not want it to sound like a list of excuses, just a view of what is going on outside of this little blog.
Now here is the top post of the year, like last year and the year before: the Brownie vest for doll!

Here are the dolls clothes for this year:

Brownie vest, undergarments, vet, shorts, dress form.
And let's not forget my favorite: the advent calendar!

Santa hat, outfit1, apron, Disney, Nutcracker, spa.
Of course I cannot finish without some house project and some little sewing...

backyard halloween decor, shed, cocoa bar, Christmas quilt, sewing kit.
Farewell 2014!