Thursday, 25 December 2025

Quilted Tweed Christmas Stocking Bags

I decided to make Mr W a quick handmade gift, well 2 days! He liked the zip detail on the white oilcloth version, so I added to his. I used 1 layer of prewashed cotton flannel for batting, and quilted all 4 pieces with a grid straight stitch following the white lines. I used some more EU handmade jeweller, I haven't worn for 4yrs: Jule et Lily grapes (France) and Tatty Devine Christmas pudding (2020 unworn). I added 2 gp jump rings to both.







Wednesday, 24 December 2025

Dog Jacket Upcycled to Craft Bag

Craft bag and coin purse made out of Fallon's jacket I made her 5yrs ago (wasn't warm) from Cath Kidston cotton duck, 2nd hand quilting cotton lining, leftover oilcloth cotton, UK made Tatty Devine earrings also from 2020 never worn. I boxed the corners on the craft bag.  I'm sad I gave away all my cotton canvas fabrics around that time, I was collecting Cath Kidston cotton duck since 2014 and similar, metres ans remnants gone and can't purchase more CK now the shop is closed down, but I was able to save a small amount from the dog jacket! It fits my zips and zip tape & pulls much better. 

Halloween zip pouch from the scrap strip piecing from a charity pet quilt. The wheat charm is a once worn earring (2018 Tatty Devine). Moda jelly roll strip piecing offcuts, these are Halloween themed and I must have kept them to make a purse. Lining cotton was scrap too and even the batting (1 layer of prewashed cotton flannel cut off). 


Tuesday, 23 December 2025

Christmas Stocking Project Bags

Cotton Christmas stocking - as project bags! Cambridge Stitches stocking pattern, added a zip and sewed slightly differently, like making a coin purse. 

There are 3 sizes, I think I made M & L.  Lined in Liberty quilting cotton I've had for years. I used a water resistant coated cotton for both sides. Then on the zip I added an earring pendant and 2 gp jump rings (I don't wear earrings anymore so going to use the UK/EU handmade pieces for crafts). 

Thank you Cambridge Stitches for the Cambridge Stocking pattern for pattern testing -  I made two children's print patchwork and linen binding/backing for charity and wanted some to keep. 

For batting, I used 1 layer of prewashed cotton flannel. Prewashed the other cottons too so they won't shrink or crinkle in subsequent washes. 

Oilcloth cotton: Rico Fabric. My dog's wicker basket cushion is also made from this, used the same beige zips stash as the L. I also backed a charity throw quilt in this same cotton for a large picnic blanket. And I made drawstring gift bags! 

Earrings: Jennifer Loiselle 2020 I think. Lining: Liberty.

A project bag for sewing is for things like binding and threads for that quilt, or patchwork squares or strip piecing.  I think other DIY enthusiasts could use too.

I've put both on door handles.

You can make these as gifts if your recipient likes handmade items, and they are good for "wrapping" a bottle too. 

There is a patchwork option on the pattern. I gave the M in 2.5 inch squares and the L in 3 inch squares and linen backing and binding to charity. quilted both sides.




Sunday, 14 December 2025

Drawstring Bags

All made in one weekend from scrap fabric I had in the quilting cotton donation bags.
Water resistant coated cotton, with cotton poplin lining (used up the 1 metre).

They're the same size, but I started the top of the casing 1 inch down on two of them for a ruffle with visible lining. Corners are boxed. Cotton twill 0.5 inch ribbon from stash. 
Glazed cotton 2nd hand fabric, I think this was a fat quarter, I made 2 sunglasses cases. Self lined so pretty water resistant.

Drawstring bags made in 1 weekend from scraps, the fir tree was a gift bag I made last year upcycled to use for individual Christmas decorations, which I'd made from (sadly unworn as I'd purchased for sewing photos) UK or EU handmade brooches, pendants, earrings and hemp twine*.

Wednesday, 10 December 2025

Saltillo Grapes Quilt

Grapes in wood boxes. I chose the print first for this one, then the pattern. I thought it would look like fruit baskets. Instead of using the fruit for the border, I used a lighter woodgrain. It has a lot of 1/2 square triangles.

Pattern: Saltillo from Fabric Cafe added 1 inch to the border. Woodgrain 1: Maywood studio. Woodgrain 2: Makower fabrics. Grapes: kanvas studio. Batting: Hobbs polydown. Quilting: straight-line in beige Gutermann thread. Backing: green Moda fabric.