(sew)everyday notions

Any day now, I'm going to become an Aunty for the first time! It's all pretty exciting and of course I had to make something for him or her. A baby quilt is always a winner, it looks like you spent a lot of time & effort on it (which I guess I did!) but it's also practical - something to throw on the ground for tummy time, take for play dates, and of course keep for always as a keepsake. I still have a few quilts my mum made when I was a baby and they are very precious to me. I tried to pick fairly neutral colours, although the peach colour probably makes it look a bit more girly than I originally had planned. I then found this cute rainclouds print for the backing (organic cotton on sale for a great price) and decided to add a small pop into the front of the quilt too. I did a very random strip quilt pattern, just chopping different lengths & using the width of the fabric.To break up the strips, I sliced one long edge off, then just inverted and sewed it a

A very practical toddler backpack that isn't covered in licensed cartoon characters is hard to find. So I made my own. I love the navy/orange combination & also the individuality of this bag (so you can't mistake it for anyone else's). Pattern: Penguin Backpack, Oliver +  S (obviously I didn't use the optional penguin styling pieces- although I think they are super cute). From Book Little Things to Sew Fabric: Navy-white stripe cotton canvas, IKEA. Lining, cotton chambray, Spotlight. (Both stash) Also used: High-vis neon orange bias binding (front stripe), orange travel strapping. White strap connectors. Navy plastic heavy duty zip. -Lincraft. Some notes: I found the Oliver + S book at my local library & traced the pattern. The directions were great & the bag came together very easily.  I added in a front hanging loop to make the bag easier to carry, and allow for less strain if there was just one hanging strap. Of course I end up carrying

a perfect little clutch. take it by itself, with a wrist strap, or across body. fabric outter: chevron cotton duck, black upholstery canvas, scrap  leather lining: quilting cotton Shoes & bags. Yep they're my thing. But I can't make shoes, so bags it is! I love to carry around a big hold-it-all tote, but find my purse/keys/phone invariably get lost. This is the perfect sized clutch for those necessities. Take it by itself or throw in in the tote & you're good to go. I winged the construction, it's just a lined zippered bag (and there are about a thousand tutorials on the interwebs if you're looking for one. I saw a free patter n on Craftsy by Pattern Runway that looked good). A few notes: I sewed the chevron & black canvas pieces together first & top stitched either side of the seam. I then interfaced it as one piece (basting stitches around the edge) , and did a stich-in-the-ditch through the interfacing & canvas t