Adding detail and pride to your sewing

So I love to sew and I have pride in my projects

Being prideful is not a bad thing when it comes to using your talents, because believe me there are plenty of things I'm not good at.

I started sewing very early on and it's a story you hear often, I learnt at my grandmothers feet. This is so true and she was an amazing seamstress, a tailoress and there was no garment she couldn't make.

She made most of my clothes when I was a child and even when I started High School she stitched my uniform including the school blazer, I was pretty tiny in those days and the smallest ready to wear size just swamped me.

And that's how it started although it's only in recent years I started craft sewing or 'sewing small' as I like to call it.

So lets see the details that bring that lift to your craft.

This was the bag I made about 18 months ago, I'd never attempted something like this, it had a foam-like stabilizer instead of quilters batting... a game changer as it holds it's shape beautifully. I quilted it diagonally and lined it with a patterned cotton fabric that was not too busy.

I added a panel of simple stitched flowers with a small fold of the lining fabric and finished it off with leather handles.
This is the link to this bag pattern 'round-travel-bag'  It's  reasonably simple and easy to follow and check out all Minki's other patterns while your'e there...I just love her work.

 Do I use it ? Well yes I take it to my weekly embroidery club feeling very glam, filled with threads, needles and everything you could possibly need for a fun morning of stitching.

Zipper pouch and pincushion, well it's all about the details you add..sometimes you don't notice what makes something special. It's about adding layers that build to create interest, a bit like interior design.

The little pincushion is fun, the oblong shape allows enough room for two different fabrics.

Divide with a ribbon trim, I always use cotton lace if I can, much more organic.

And did you notice it's also quilted in a half inch grid, building detail and texture again.

The zipper pouch is a flat simple oblong shape which I prefer for holding sewing notions etc, it's quilted on the diagonal, lace added, and the little fun fabric stamp... don't forget the striped corner detail.

And when I'm not sewing I love adding details everywhere.

Happy creating

Glenis

Sewing Small.

Small Projects to delight or distract...

Love sewing small

Love new fabric

Love a new project
Love books that inspire

Well so do I

I am greatly inspired by what I see on social media, I love it..
BUT     I have to question my motives at times... mug mats that are too precious to use, gorgeous bibs with food catching frills and more pincushions than any woman could ever want.
This is the the realm of small projects, please don't get me wrong I enjoy making them immensely after all I am Gee's Projects.
BUT    in this era of on-line stimulation its easy to be caught up in a frenzy of must makes, new lines of fabric just begging to be sewn, new books with gorgeous little projects and stunningly staged images absolutely everywhere.

I wanted to write about this to see what others thought but I was also hesitant because it's our industry, patterns, books and tutorials, mine included...so what do you think?   do comment.
This last year I have been very prolific in 'sewing small' I think to the detriment of some larger projects that need finishing.

Well in the past I had always been so practical... my sewing ninety percent of the time had been clothes...for clients, for myself and my family.
All cushions, drapes etc were made by me and there really was no time for just the pleasure of a        Small beautifully crafted little project.

Well I've made my point...so what am I saying... maybe just balance.
I've promised myself to finish three large projects, practical, washable and useful before I allow myself   the sweet treat of  'Sewing Small'.

My inspiration for the bibs is from a lovely book 'Sweetly Stitched Handmades' by Amy Sinibaldi, I changed the shape slightly to suit my own style.
The rabbit quilt I made using my own embroidery pattern 'Ollie's Washing Day'  and a few tiny patchwork squares, really simple.
The pencil case and bookmark inspired by Minki Kim .

Happy sewing

Glenis