Sew many books - The traffic light version (November 30)

Hi everyone,

It has been a LONG time since I did a Sew Many Books post...for those of you who don't know what my Sew Many Books initiative is, have a look over this post :)

A lot has happened and I have missed my Sew Many Books project and so I have decided to bring it back bi-monthy!

Here is a button and please feel free to share it if you would like too...

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When I decided to make this project - picture below - (from "Stop. Go. Quilt. Sew!"*) back in May, was going to make 2 traffic light applique squares to add into the T's quilt - which I had started in my head, but not in reality ;P  I was planning on creating small traffic lights, so, they weren't going to be as large as in the picture...

*affiliate links

(Source)

And a few weeks ago, I had some time to start working on this project again...

And I have managed to finish them on time, well, on time if you mean by the 30th November not the June 15th (like I was originally planning :P)  I also decided not to make them square and to just leave them as they are here:

Once I had finished, I decided to get out all the bits and pieces I have been collecting to make T his quilt...and so far it is looking pretty good (if, I do say so myself :P), but it needs widening and lengthening so there is more work ahead of me before I get this quilt finished.

I have also had a birthday since my last Sew Many Books post and there have been a few new additions to my book shelf:

More Softies Only a Mother Could Love*

Zakka Style* (PROJECT MADE APRIL 2014)

Stuffed Animals*

Fleece Dolls*

Patchwork, Please!* (PROJECT MADE MAY 2014)

Sewn Toy Tales*

Sew!*

Easy Sewing Stretch Fabrics*
Stop. Go. Quilt. Sew! * (PROJECT FINISHED - THIS POST)
Oliver + s: Little things to sew*
Stitch Zakka*

After having a flip though all my books, I have decided on this schedule for the next few months (incase you'd like to join in):

January 30
I will be revealing my version of the Penguin backpack from Oliver + s: Little things to sew*
T is due to start 3yr old Kinder in February, and he needs a cute backpack to take with him :)

March 30
I will be revealing my version of the shoulder bag from Sew!*
By March, I'll probably want another new handbag - right?! Actually lets face it, I always like and want new handbags ;) 

May 30
I will be revealing my version of Dinosaur from Stuffed Animals*
I might have to make 2 though as T and M will probably fight over it otherwise... 

Feel free to sew along with me on these projects or any project of your choice, oh and you don't have to make your item exactly as it is in the book to join in you could make an "inspired by" project too :)

I'll be sharing my next finished project on January 30 and I'd love to share some of your projects on my blog too so please join in!

To JOIN IN share your progress and projects:

Please use the tag #SewManyBooks on Instagram or Facebook

Or join the flickr group :)

If you decide to share your progress and projects via your blog please post a link to my Facebook page, email me at emma@formylittlemonster.com or leave a comment, as I would love to share your work here on my blog in its own special post :)

I look forward to seeing all your projects!
Emma

  

How to make your own see through pencil case...

Hi everyone

Am I the only one who has a 3yr old that seems to drop crayons (like rabbit poop) all over the house?
I ask him to leave them on his table so that they are available to draw with, but they end up lost all over the house and I always seem to find them when I'm doing my most hated chore - vacuuming :P

Now I have tried to get him to keep them in containers on his table, in zip lock bags and even in pencil cases...but some seem to work better that others at containing the crayons, but none are full proof.

So, I put on my thinking cap and decided to make my own containment device in the hope that it would work, because "mummy made it" ;)

Here is what I came up with...

 

I made a see-through patchwork pencil case!

After I got quite a few compliments on both IG and Facebook, and seeing as I needed to make a few more too, I thought I would write you all a tutorial to make your own!

So, would you like to make your own? Yes?!
Well keep reading, as I am about to tell you so you can do just that :)

Here is what you will need:
(2) 11.5" x 9.5" pieces of fabric (I have chosen to make patchwork panels as I have an over flowing scrap bin, you can choose to do this or to just cut some fabric to size :D).
(4) 12" x 3" strips of fabric
(1) 6" x 9.25" piece of see though vinyl (or you could recycle, and use a bag from a sheet set from Target, like I have {see pic below}, yes I have a problem, I KEEP EVERYTHING :D )
(1) 10" zip
A fabric marker (with removable ink)
A walking foot - not essential, but very helpful ;)
Your sewing machine and other sewing room essentials :)

 

Okay, now you have everything ready lets get started :)

Part 1 - Create your see-through panel 

**PLEASE NOTE: I found a walking foot particularly helpful for this part of the project.**

* Also, If you find the vinyl sticking to the base of the throat of your sewing machine, just lift it up slightly to reduce the contact between the two while sewing*

1. Take 1 of your 12" x 3" strips and place your piece of vinyl on top.  Stitch to join along the edge.

2. Using a zigzag/overlocking stitch, sew in your seam allowance to help reduce fraying over time.

3. Trim excess fabric.
4. Fold your fabric back and finger press the join.

5. Topstitch along the same edge you have just sewn - ensuring to catch your seam allowance so it is sewn flat on the reverse side, and can not be seen from the front.

 

6. Repeat 1-5 for the remaining sides. Then measure a 11.5" x 9.5" rectangle, ensuring that the vinyl is centred and trim to size.

 

*I sometimes find it easier to lay one of my 11.5" x 9.5" fabric rectangles on top of the vinyl panel so I can easily see the size it needs to be trimmed to :) *

Part 2 - Inserting your zip

You will need to attach your zipper foot to your sewing machine for this part of the project.

7. Place your vinyl panel face down on your zip - as shown in picture below.

 

8. Sew along the zipper tape to join your zip to the vinyl panel.

9. Using a zigzag/overlocking stitch, sew in your seam allowance to help reduce fraying over time.

10. Press and topstitch along the same edge you have just sewn - ensuring to catch your seam allowance so it is sewn flat on the reverse side.

11. Place one of your 11.5" x 9.5" pieces of fabric face up in front of you, then place the zip along the top edge.  Then place the other 11.5" x 9.5" pieces of fabric face down on top. (You might find it helpful to pin all your layers of fabric here - but ensure NOT to pin through the vinyl!)

 

12. Sew along the zipper tape to join your zip to the fabric panels.
13. Press and topstitch along the same edge you have just sewn.

Part 3 - Finishing the pencil case off

14. Open your zip.
15. Fold your panels so that the zip pull is on the inside.

16. Sew all 3 layers together with a straight stitch, on all 3 sides. Then using a zigzag/overlocking stitch, sew in your seam allowance to help reduce fraying over time.

 

17. To create your boxed corners, to do this you need to measure and mark a 1” square in one corner with an erasable marker.  It is helpful to use the seam stitching line as 2 sides of your square (as shown in the photo below).

18. Repeat step 17 for the remaining 3 corners.

19. Fold your corners out so that the lines of the squares match up, and sew along the line. Then using a zigzag/overlocking stitch, sew along your stitching line to help reduce fraying over time.

20. Trim your seam allowance to ½”

21. Turn right side out and press CAREFULLY - do not press the vinyl! It might melt!

And your finished :)

You can adjust the size of your fabric to make your pencil case smaller or larger if you like too! I might make some different sized ones as gifts sometime soon :)

I'd love to see any pencil cases you make using this tutorial, so leave a link, tag me on IG (@formylittlemonster) or send me an email: emma@formylittlemonster.com
Have fun :)
Emma

 

T and I built-our-own-robots

Hi everyone

When I was pregnant with M, I organised a bunch of activities for T to do while I was busy feeding/settling the baby once he arrived.  I have decided to share the best ones here on the blog occasionally, so others can use them too :)

Todays post is about the build-your-own-robot activity and free printable I downloaded from here.

I printed 2 copies and spent time cutting them out and laminating all the pieces - mainly so they were stronger and more durable to be used more than a once ;P

T and I have great fun building our own robots, he can use the activity on his own if he needs to, like when I'm called away to put a dummy back in M's mouth, or we can use it together.

For a kid who is robot obsessed, this has been one great activity for him and it has provided me with quite a bit of time to run around between children like a headless chook ;D

I highly recommend you spend the time organising your own robot activity, this has been a good one for us :)
Emma

TGIFF - The hat is finished and is being enjoyed...

Hi everyone

I finished the hat.

T loves it, and it has been worn a heap in our recent good weather.

I used the Oliver+s pattern from Oliver + s: Little things to sew*
(You can also download this pattern free...just follow the links provided by this Pin - told you I had an addiction :P)
*affiliate link

I made the medium, as I measured T's head to be 21" and it fits great, but I think he will only get one summer out of it, which means I'll have to make another next year...oh well, I'll probably end up making 2 next year as M will probably want a matching one ;D

The inside of the hat :)

Fabric:
Exterior - Batman (quilting cotton) a fat 1/4 I purchased form Gail B Patchwork and Quilting in July at the craft and quilting fair in Melbourne.
Interior - Robot fabric (poplin), I purchased at spotlight years ago...and I still have more to make many...many...many other robot things for my robot obsessed boy :P

I'm going to put it out there now...I suspect T's next birthday party will be batman/super hero themed, I dont's see him getting sick of them any time soon...
Emma

 

oh, and I'm joining in here today: