So Hot Out...

It continues to be well over 30ºC during the day so I've been huddling inside. Yesterday I found a bunch more batting in my stash so thought it would be a good day to make a retreat mat.

I took a look at what was being sold on Etsy and determined that 19" x 14" would be appropriate dimensions. 

Basically a retreat mat is a large-ish placemat that protects your stitching from whatever table surface it's on. I previously made one with some Peanuts fabric.

I loved the inspirational interior fabric. Basically it's a big placemat and it has certainly served its purpose.

I noted other creators added pockets and a magnet/needle minder under a thread bed. Once again I agonized about what fabric to use, deciding on this big print .

and plain, white inside. The thread bed is just a piece of batting with a trim. The little magnet (under the needle) is loose  under the thread bed but easily felt with the fingers. I could stitch it in place if I need to later.

For the simple 30º quilting I used the lines on my cutting mat to draw an initial line in each direction using blue tailor's chalk; then set the guide on my walking foot at 2 1/2" for the rest of the lines.

On the Charlie Brown mat, I added the border separately and hand-stitched it in place after folding it over to the other side. On this one, I just made the exterior fabric 3/4" bigger on all 4 sides and folded it in half then over to the inside, sewing it in place. The corners were mitered and for extra security, I did a couple of machine stitches at a 45º angle. I also added my little sunflower 'logo'.

The right side and bottom of the pocket were secured when the binding was sewn. I didn't realize I was playing 'thread chicken' but this was all the white thread that was left on the spool when I was finished.

Yikes! Note to self: buy more thread.

This project could be done with 2 fat quarters. 

A couple of my windows are being replaced today.

Hopefully the house can get closed up again soon.

The air quality is so bad. The skies are yellow from the haze - a NW wind blowing forest fire smoke our way. From the current Ontario Forest Fire map: (I'm just east of Toronto)

It's like the filters used in dystopian movies. I had to use filters to brighten my photos when editing for this post.

Another good day to stay inside...

Quaker Star and 6 x 6

I finished stitching this a couple of weeks ago. It was one over one on some 28ct Monaco from my stash.  Surprisingly it was a LOT of stitching.  The incomplete motifs are beyond the confines of the star shape.

On the back, I drew the stitching lines. I used an old, striped pillowcase for the backing fabric on which I'd fused some interfacing to give it a bit of heft. Then, with right sides together, I sewed along my drawn lines, leaving an opening on one of the bottom star legs for turning and stuffing.

I used to stitch a lot on 28ct Monaco but on this project, found it to be too thick for stitching over one.

After stuffing it  (it took a surprisingly large amount of stuffing), I added an afterthought hanger with some beading wire, a bunch of seed beads, a pearl bead and crimping bead at the top.

I mostly aligned the stripes vertically.

It looks pretty spiffy on my fridge. 

It's quite small - only about 3 1/2" across. I may stitch it again over 2 and use it as a tree topper.

I made a bigger checkerboard, zipper bag yesterday with quartered charm squares from the Promenade collection from 3 Sisters. There were more than enough charm squares for this project.

This time, 6 squares by 6 squares were used. Doing the math, 6 x 6 x 2 sides equals 72 total squares divided by 4 quarters of a charm square = 18 charm squares. I tried to balance the different colours.

I didn't quilt it this time as the fusible batting adhered nicely to the outer fabrics. I didn't round the top of the bag either. These two omissions made it a much faster project. I love how precise the squares are using this gridded interfacing method.

There wasn't enough companion fabric left to do the lining so I just used plain white. It measures about 12" x 9 3/4".

I simple, little zipper pull finishes it nicely.

Zipper Pulls

I feel a zipper is naked without a zipper pull so I hauled out my beading supplies and cranked a few out.

The canvas bag got one.

as well as the Spring Brook checkerboard bag.

And a cute one for this bag.

They're so easy to make with beading wire (I use 7-py Beadalon wire) from Michaels.

crimping beads,

and small lobster claw clasps.

Any beads work fine. I like to coordinate at least one bead with the fabric, use seed beads as spacers then others for balance. I had a bunch of key charms so I usually put one at the end of the zipper pull.

On the left, I used a heart-shaped clasp that was in my stash. These are ready to attach to any new bags.

I used to use nylon line and thin wire but they would break after moderate use so the beading wire works very well.  There are various thicknesses but the 7-ply wire is pliable enough to work with (having to bend it back under the crimping bead), yet strong enough to hold. I've never had one break.

Spring Brook Zipper Bag

In an attempt to use up some of my 5" charm squares, I created two checkerboards with 5 squares by 5 squares to make another zipper bag.

I had the remnants of a Spring Brook charm pack - most of which I'd previously used on a project bag.

There was a coordinating zipper in my stash (yay!), and enough of the companion fabric for the lining.

Finished dimensions are 10" x 8" with the bottom being about 6" by 4".

Another one with 6 x 6 checkerboards would also be a convenient size for cosmetics or knitting projects.

Once again, I've had an issue with an online seller and had to lodge a dispute with PayPal. The seller tried to upsell when I was trying to order one thing and much to my horror, after I paid for what I wanted, all the upsold goods also were billed to me. I immediately contacted the seller to cancel the items I didn't want but they said it was too late and that the order would be processed right away and couldn't be called back. I said this was bad business practice and that I would be returning all unwanted items and to not bother shipping in the first place. Interestingly this transaction took place on June 22 and the items weren't shipped until July 1. (grrrr!)

Long story short, all the items arrived in yesterday's mail and the one item I did want wasn't the right size. When I contacted the seller to see about getting my 100% refund and instructions to ship their items back, they gave me a runaround. First they offered a 20% refund and I could keep the goods. Then a 45% refund, then a 70% refund, and still no instructions about returning the items.

At this point, I contacted PayPal and lodged a complaint, explaining all I had done to try and return the unwanted items for a refund. It is now in their hands. 

Last time I had to file a dispute  via PayPal I got my refund within 24 hours. Hopefully this time will be the same.

I need to learn the lesson NOT to order any more stuff online except from well-known sellers.

Another One

I found some canvas fabric in my stash and thought it would also be good for a zippered bag. I think I bought it at a remainder store during one of our South Padre Island visits almost a decade ago. 

I found lining on a knitting theme that coordinated with the green accent colour and a coordinating zipper.

Initially I thought the canvas would be sturdy enough for it to stand up firmly on its own but before closing everything in, added batting between the lining and canvas.

I have a LOT more of this canvas fabric so will be thinking of projects for it. I welcome any ideas.

Working With What I Have

Inspired by the road trip to Chloe's Quilting this week, I had the urge to make some more things. I do like to create items that will be used and not just looked at or put away.

I thought I'd make a brightly coloured luggage tag. It was ridiculous how long I spent looking through my stash for cute fabrics that would go together, only needing a fat quarter each of the outer and inner fabrics; also planning to make a zippered bag for either cosmetics or knitting projects.

Then I happened upon a cute print that I must have picked up pre-COVID at JoAnn's - it was in a bundle of 10" squares - 5 patterns with 4 squares for each pattern.

First, I made a luggage tag. I had to look up my old directions for a reminder. Then, to work.

Folded up and ready to attach to a bag, backpack, or piece of luggage, the name and address are hidden.

I also had to refresh my memory on how to use the semi-automatic buttonhole feature on my sewing machine. 

A business card is slid behind the vinyl window inside the folded tag. 

Once the strap is pulled through the buttonhole, it goes around the strap or handle, and the rest of the tag goes through, too. The bright colours make it easy to spot luggage on an airport carousel. The reinforced stitching makes it very secure and almost impossible to remove with regular (ab)use.

I took a break for lunch then went out to do some watering and weeding in the garden. A squall was predicted so I finished up and came back inside but we only got a short rain shower.

Next, I made the zipper bag. I have a bin of odd-coloured zippers so I figured with all the colours in the fabric, I could find one that would work OK. An olive green one fit the bill. 

Since the outer fabrics were already cut into 10" squares, I cut the lining and batting the same dimensions. After adhering the outer fabric to the fusible batting, I stacked all the items and cut a slight curve on the top edge.

Everything went pretty well except I made the rookie mistake of not opening the zipper part way before sewing all the edges. I had to pick out the stitches near the zipper tab to slide it into the confines of the bag. I left an opening on the side seam of the lining for turning everything right side out.

The corners were boxed 1 1/2" creating a 3" deep bottom.

I glued the seam allowances on the side of the lining to close the gap.

Ta da!

I love all the crafty motifs.

The yellow lining will make spotting things inside very easy.

Because of the boxed bottom and batting between the fabrics, the bag stands up on its own quite nicely. And the olive green zipper looks great - if I do say so myself.

I wish I had more of this fabric but I have lots of other patterns in my stash to choose from.

I know I'll never use up what I have but I'm very pleased to adapt projects to accommodate the materials and supplies that I already have.

Another Blue Project Bag

I've had this checkerboard ready to go for months. On Monday, I finally collected the appropriate zipper (ecru from Michaels), fabric for the back from my stash, and vinyl (running low) to make it into another project bag.

I'm going to have to make a run to Fabricland in Pickering to stock up on some more vinyl and zippers.

I also ordered a small rolling utility cart with 5 drawers from Amazon last night 

Photo from the Amazon listing

and it was delivered today before I even got out of bed. It was assembled fairly easily and I've already filled most of it up in an attempt to get my dining room in better order. Doing so only made me realize how many more sewing projects I have fabric for so plan to start making some zipper and drawstring bags for knitters and maybe a few colourful luggage tags.

Jen1 and I decided at about 11pm on Monday night that we'd venture to Chloe's Quilting in Grafton the next day (yesterday). It was a beautiful day for a little road trip. We had heard about this place via a card I had picked up at their booth at the Muskoka Yarn and Fibre Festival a couple of weekends ago.

Ernest and Thomas take turns sitting up front.

The shop is down a long forested road. Once there we were greeted by two huge, friendly dogs who vociferously announced our arrival. The flower beds around the shop were well tended and beautiful.

Inside is literally crammed with bolts of fabric. I was very impressed that they keep a very current inventory - Tilda, French General, William Morris, etc. etc. It was very tempting to indulge myself but I held off. I really liked this fabric - Poppy Dreams by Clothworks

but I held off. But I know where these fabrics are if I have a change of heart. 

We stopped in at Annie's Quilts in Orono on the way home. It was Jen1's first time there since they moved a couple of years ago.

Again, I left without purchasing anything. By this point we were quite hungry so we made for Mexico Lindo back in Whitby. The Egypt/Argentina game was on the TV on the TeleLatino channel so you could hear the rapid-fire Spanish commentary then 'Gooooooooooooooooooooooool'. There was a large group of diners in the same room so it was quite loud but fun nonetheless.

Back at home, I relaxed on the sofa and conked out for about an hour nap. 

All in all it was a very fun day.

Today we met at The Courtyard for lunch - a get-together organized by Jeanette to celebrate Shelley's retirement from teaching 

and to bid farewell to Sue who is moving to Napanee. 

Again it was really loud in there as there was a large group above and behind us but it didn't deter us from a good gabfest.

This evening I crocheted a few more Mystic Lanterns. I only thought I had done 84 but in fact I've completed 105 out of 158. There's going to be tons of yarn left over so if I'm ambitious I'll make more lanterns - if I can stand it.