One Little, Two Little, Thirteen Little Coin Purses

These were so fun to make!  I used a pattern I purchased on Etsy and unlike most things I sew, I couldnt just LEAVE THE PATTERN ALONE.  Granted I did make ONE *not shown* from the pattern and thought it was a tad too small and wouldnt hold enough, so I made it a little bigger. 

These are for craft shows, hence why there are so many!

Easy Mini Ruffled Purse Tutorial

Hey all!  Been awhile since I posted a free tutorial and thought I would share how to make this bag that I did for my Daughter!

Materials needed:

• 15.5 inch by 19 inch piece of woven for the body of the bag
• 4″ x 44″ (full width) of coordinating woven for handles/trim
• iron
• marking pen is really handy for this

Step #1 – After cutting the above pieces.  Take your strip for the trim/handles fold in half long ways and IRON.  Then unfold and fold both raw edges into the center and iron!   Pic here:

Step #2 – Cut this strip into 2 pieces.  One measuring 18 inches long for the trim, then whatever you have left (should be about 26 inches) will be the straps

Step #3 – Now I like to do french seams for the purse bottom since we arent lining this bag.   With french seams I sew on the RIGHT sides of the fabric using a 1/8″ seam allowance, turn my material with RIGHT sides TOGETHER and sew on the WRONG side using a 1/4″ seam allowance to enclose the raw edges as seen here:

Step #4 Now we RUFFLE the top edges of the bottom of the bag!   Here is what I do on my machine:  Turn your tension dial all the way up *mine goes to 9* and make your stitch length as long as it will go *mine goes to 5*   The using a 1/4″ seam allowance, stitch along the top raw edge.  I hold my finger behind the foot like so and then release every 3-4 inches sewn.  You can also pleat the top, use a ruffler foot, or even stitch then pull the threads to gather like many patterns tell you too

Step #5- Set that piece aside and pick up your long STRAP piece.  Stitch 1/8″ along both edges to finish the strap

Step #6 - Set that aside and grab your “TRIM” piece.  Open the ends and match them like shown below and sew 1/4″ away from edge.  I did farther in so I didnt include that selvage edge you see

Your piece should gladly go back to the “double fold” position when tucked back in so it will look like this:

 

Now with your seam in the center, use your marking pen to put marks at the “half way” marks on both ends.  These will be where we line up the straps and the side seams of the bottom of the bag!!!

Step #7 – Line up each end of your strap *making sure you dont twist it* with the marking pen marks you made.  Open your “trim” piece and fold the end of your strap into the inside of your trim piece and baste into place like so:

Step #8 -   Keeping your trim piece open line up the side seam of the main bag piece with the mark you made as well.  Tuck all the raw edges and stitching  you made to ruffle the bag piece well into the trim piece and fold the trim piece closed:

Step #9 – With your trim piece securely folded over all the ruffled raw edges of the bag piece, sew along the edge like so.  Make sure your strap is folded up and out of the way as seen above in the picture.  Tuck the edges in as you go.  When you get a few inches away from the other strap, be sure to line up the side seam with your strap & mark.

Step #10 – Now with the straps folded up, Topstitch along the trims top edge:

Step #11 – OPTIONAL   You are done at this point unless, like me you want to add a little more shape to the bag.  Here is the bag BEFORE SHAPING:

 Here is what I did to square the bottom a little.   Iron the corners of your bag piece FLAT.  Then open the ironed corner and match the side seam with the ironed line made at the bottom.  Measure in with your ruler 1.5″ from the tip and sew this line!

I then folded up the “triangle odd piece and tacked it to the side seam allowance.  DONT SEW THE BAG just along the seams   You could also cut the piece off and zig zag the edges but I wanted to keep the inside clean!

Here is the results with my 9 year old!

Crafters Swap follow up!!

Hey all!   If you are planning to send items in for the “Crafters Swap” below is the list i posted of what people are making and wanting!

Requested to receive *if you can make these items, they are WANTED*

• hair clips/bows
• Felt food (wool food)
• Fun bath soaps/melts for kids
• jewelry *silver, beaded, etc*
• Wood Toys
• Stationary
• Knit Items *boys-4 months/2 years, NOT scarves*
• chalk mats
• Pet Items
• Stocking Stuffers
• Flannel PJ pants *2T, 5T girly and 5T boyish have been requested*
• Crocheted/Knitted hats for 9 month, 2year, 5 year girls*
• Purse/Diaper Bag

Items that others have said they could send in so far:

• Doodle bags/cases and crayon rolls
• Womens D-Ring Belts
• Drooler Bibs/Burp cloths
• Find it (I spy) Bags
• Child aprons
• Denim overall Tutus
• Minky Blankets/Loveys
• GIrls and Adult PUrses, coin purses
• Sewn Baskets
• Stationary holders
• Lace Christmas Ornaments
• Soaps
• Earrings
• Kitchen Hanging Towels
• Therapy Bags *hot/cold flax filled, etc*
• Cloth Napkins/Placemats
• Boxer Briefs for kids?
• Tote/Library Bags
• Hair Clips/Bows
• Flannel Blankets
• Coffee Cozies

If you didnt officially post and “sign up” feel free to do so now! It isnt too late as long as you can still get your items & return shipping deposit paid by the deadline.  Here are the details and guidelines again:

Here is how it would work:

1. Read the guidelines below to see if you qualify
2. Reply to this blog post with what you can send/make *links are VERY helpful* and what you would love to receive *just to give others ideas of demand, etc.*
3. Email me at sthomp {at} verizon.net  so you will receive updates, lists of what is being made, what has been requested, etc. in about a week!  Put SUBJECT: Crafters SWAP
4. Start working on items you see requested that you can make and start making your list of what you see linked that you would like to have
5. Send your items to me with THIS FORM and $10 for your return shipping package.  I will refund any extra shipping to you. (You can send cash at your own risk, Money orders or send Paypal to stacy {at} appletreeboutique.com with your full name/crafters swap deposit in the subject by 11-25.)
6. YOUR ITEMS MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THEN NOVEMBER 25th, 2009.  If they are not RECEIVED by DECEMBER 1st, 2009, the sorting will start without you and if it is all sorted, your items may be returned to you.  SO THE EARLIER YOU CAN MAIL THE BETTER!!!!
7. You will receive items you requested at a value equal to what you sent in.  So if you only send $20 value of items in, you will only receive $20 value back!!!!  Then just Stalk your mail man for your return package full of items. 

Here is a form to send IN YOUR PACKAGE again just in case you missed the link above:  http://www.appletreeboutique.com/crafterswapform.pdf

Guidelines:

• Must be in the US to participate, sorry mamas packaging /shipping delays/etc outside of US is just too much for me to handle at this time
• Must be an experienced crafter at what you are sending in.  Please dont decide you will make your first ever SEWN item ever and participate in this swap.  Sorry to the newbies
• Please be respectful of those allergic to pets/smoke by making sure your items are free of hairs, smells, etc.  Send your items very clean and packaged neatly please.
• Please send items that you would be happy to receive. 
• If your item was made with a particular participants request in mind, please make sure to note that somehow. 
• If you item is a SIZED item, please bag/tie it and attach a description with the size so I will know what size it is.
• We will do our best to sort out and send you only items you really really wanted, but just by filling in extra items you help us sort things to people that can use them.  So if you have a few babies being born next year in your family, you could always add that you could use newborn items for showers or something.   Please be detailed in your requests and list MANY of them.  We might email you to try to fulfill some value if we have questions and want your approval.

Feel free to invite your friends!

New pattern for an “Easy As Pie Wallet”

Hey all!  I sometimes get these hair brain ideas at the oddest of times.  Inspiration that comes from who knows where, lol.    So this wallet was born into a pattern in just a few days. 

So this pattern is really easy!   I am even going to say that a “beginner” could make this pattern.   There are not a lot of pattern pieces, just ONE!  Your iron will be your best friend.  Also, you finally get to use some of your “measuring” skills you learned in grade school

The pattern will be available for purchase at You Can Make This as well in the near future hopefully.  But it is listed with all my other sewing patterns in my Etsy shop  right now!

Baby girl’s room spruce up.

So it seems like just yesterday this blog was all the buzz over “baby girl” who is now 19 months old already!!  Well, I am 27 weeks pregnant and due with our 5th baby, but our first SURPRISE!!  I wanted to keep things simple and not “redo” everything so I was going to keep the room the neutral green and just redo the bumper pads and skirt.   Well Baby Girl had these little cheap sticky “reusable’ decals next to her changing pad that she loved to look at and play with while she was getting her diaper/clothes changed.   She has since started peeling them off and with them came some of the paint that I just happen to NOT have anymore of!! 

So with this dilemna came this idea.  Dots/Circles (or “balls” as baby girl calls them…) in different shades of brown all over the 2 walls around the crib/dresser.  So I went to the store and got 2 shades of brown, knowing I already had a light tan, and some foam brushes.  Found some circle shaped objects (used tupperware lids, small cups and a few plates) and traced them all over the wall with pencil.  Then I went back and put L, M and D in them to represent whether to do Light, Medium or Dark Brown in that circle.   Started on one color and day.  This is day ONE:

As of today, all the circles are filled with ONE coat of their brown.  It was a great way to take 30-40 minutes for a week or so and finish a project instead of trying to move all her furniture out, work around her nap times and try to keep her out of there while coats of paint dried, etc.

I will update in a few days with a new pic, but today I need help finding a mostly cream with brown accents neutral fabric to do the bumpers and skirt in.   I want to forego green I think as I have a green crib sheet that matches the walls and the green is abundant already.  So some stripes, or cream with brown dots, etc.  would be great!!  Love to see some links of fabrics!

And just for kicks here is my expanding belly at 27 weeks!! 

My advice for cutting/sewing in bulk

As I get ready for shows, I sew my items in BULK.   I used to abhor sewing this way as it seemed you never finished the project the same day, but had piles hanging around for awhile.  But definitely a time saver in the long run!   Here are a few things I have learned along the way!

• Yes take the time to iron those wovens before you cut your items.  I use the “ruler fold” method of storing my fabrics and so when I unroll them I just unroll as much as I need, iron that end while it is doublefolded and then lay out in a stack.
• Take time to cut more then one item from the material.   When I am cutting doodle bags and cases, they both require the rotary/ruler and exact cuts.  So while I am cutting a guitar print case I cut a bag too! 
• If cutting out small items say 5×5 squares or something that need fusible interfacing *I use this stuff for LOTS of items*, fuse a large piece then cut your squares.  Dont cut 5×5’s of the woven then 5×5’s of the fusible fleece then iron each individual square.  It just takes too much time
• When sewing make room for stacks.   Do all one step together.  If you have to zig zag, then turn something then straight stitch it. I would zig zag and toss in the pile/basket the WHOLE STACK.  Then, I would go back and turn them all, then change my stitch and sew them all.
• And last but not least, it is ok to go ahead and finish one from the pile at 1am just to feel like something got finished before you go to sleep lol!

Enjoy your sewing!

Quick & Easy Gifts…

Hey all!    Just wanted to list some of my favorite saved tutorial links for gift ideas!! Hope you find them all very useful!

• Black Apple Doll - quite detailed but worth it.  It is a great pattern with a wonderful outcome!
• Craft Apron – this pattern is for a small half apron that ties that can also be made into a childrens size or a mans toolbelt or little boys toolbelt for play!!
• Baby Fleece Booties - I havent personally tried this pattern but it was on my to-do list that never got done, lol.
• Drawstring Bags – These bags could be made in about ANY size.  So you could use them for gift bags, laundry bags, etc.
• Tissue Box Cover – So simple to look at, but so glad she took the guess work out of the pattern for me.. 
• Fabric Basket – Cute basket with handles
• Pocket Tissue holder – so simple and cute!

Those are just a few I thought you might enjoy!!

Crafters Swap for Handmade Holidays..

As many of you probably do, I try to make things that my family wants as special gifts for Christmas.   I have an embroidery machine so I monogram.  I can crochet so I made a few scarves/hats.  I can sew so I give things I have made that they want,etc.

Every year I feel a little limited by my supplies/time/experience.   I know many of you have craft specialties of your own.  I would love to do a large Crafters Swap to swap things we have made between each other so I will have more variety to choose from to gift.  Even if some of the items are small, they can be stocking stuffers.  

Here is how it would work:

1. Read the guidelines below to see if you qualify
2. Reply to this blog post with what you can send/make *links are VERY helpful* and what you would love to receive *just to give others ideas of demand, etc.*
3. Email me at sthomp {at} verizon.net  so you will receive updates, lists of what is being made, what has been requested, etc. in about a week!  Put SUBJECT: Crafters SWAP
4. Start working on items you see requested that you can make and start making your list of what you see linked that you would like to have
5. Send your items to me with THIS FORM and $10 for your return shipping package.  I will refund any extra shipping to you. (You can send cash at your own risk, Money orders or send Paypal to stacy {at} appletreeboutique.com with your full name/crafters swap deposit in the subject by 11-25.)
6. YOUR ITEMS MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THEN NOVEMBER 25th, 2009.  If they are not RECEIVED by DECEMBER 1st, 2009, the sorting will start without you and if it is all sorted, your items may be returned to you.  SO THE EARLIER YOU CAN MAIL THE BETTER!!!!
7. You will receive items you requested at a value equal to what you sent in.  So if you only send $20 value of items in, you will only receive $20 value back!!!!  Then just Stalk your mail man for your return package full of items. 

Here is a form to send IN YOUR PACKAGE again just in case you missed the link above:  http://www.appletreeboutique.com/crafterswapform.pdf

Guidelines:

• Must be in the US to participate, sorry mamas packaging /shipping delays/etc outside of US is just too much for me to handle at this time
• Must be an experienced crafter at what you are sending in.  Please dont decide you will make your first ever SEWN item ever and participate in this swap.  Sorry to the newbies
• Please be respectful of those allergic to pets/smoke by making sure your items are free of hairs, smells, etc.  Send your items very clean and packaged neatly please.
• Please send items that you would be happy to receive. 
• If your item was made with a particular participants request in mind, please make sure to note that somehow. 
• If you item is a SIZED item, please bag/tie it and attach a description with the size so I will know what size it is.
• We will do our best to sort out and send you only items you really really wanted, but just by filling in extra items you help us sort things to people that can use them.  So if you have a few babies being born next year in your family, you could always add that you could use newborn items for showers or something.   Please be detailed in your requests and list MANY of them.  We might email you to try to fulfill some value if we have questions and want your approval.

Feel free to invite your friends!  And please rest assured that I will not steal your money or your packages.  I have been in business online for over 5 years.  I run large fabric coops, I do craft shows, I co-own a large diaper making business, etc.  I will make nothing off this swap except receive your lovely items in return for what I send out to you!!!

I am here to help anyone that needs it!  Post questions if you have them or email the questions to me

UPDATED List of Items people can send in & items they want to receive:

Requested to receive *if you can make these items, they are WANTED*

• hair clips/bows
• Felt food (wool food)
• Fun bath soaps/melts for kids
• jewelry *silver, beaded, etc*
• Wood Toys
• Stationary
• Knit Items *boys-4 months/2 years, NOT scarves*
• chalk mats
• Pet Items
• Stocking Stuffers
• Flannel PJ pants *2T, 5T girly and 5T boyish have been requested*
• Crocheted/Knitted hats for 9 month, 2year, 5 year girls*

Items that others have said they could send in so far:

• Doodle bags/cases and crayon rolls
• Womens D-Ring Belts
• Drooler Bibs/Burp cloths
• Find it (I spy) Bags
• Child aprons
• Denim overall Tutus
• Minky Blankets/Loveys
• GIrls and Adult PUrses, coin purses
• Sewn Baskets
• Stationary holders
• Lace Christmas Ornaments
• Soaps
• Earrings
• Kitchen Hanging Towels
• Therapy Bags *hot/cold flax filled, etc*
• Cloth Napkins/Placemats
• Boxer Briefs for kids?
• Tote/Library Bags

OK so if you want to post any other details, please do!!

Handmade Holidays, Craft shows and Things for kids…

Hey All!  Things have been crazy around here!  I wont go into the details as I know I would just BORE you to tears   I finally got around to finishing Doodle bags and Cases for my upcoming shows that have been cut for WEEKS!!  Here are some pics!

 

A few things missing but most of it is there so far!  I ran out of legal pads for cases, DOH!

Also, I am making a list of things to start on for the kids for Christmas!  Hoping I can make this list, check it twice and have plenty of goodies under the tree for the kids that I didnt have to buy!! Woohoo!!

Start of the list:

• New snow/ski masks for all!
• Boys love their boxers I made them last year in their stockings, so definately a few of those for each!
• Few pairs of Flannel PJ pants, last years are getting short
• Custom DS holder for each of the boys
• Custom Sketch/Artist Case for my dear daughter

OK I am sure I will add things to the list later as I think of more

And for my next challenge and solicitation of ideas, I want the kids to be able to handmake gifts this year as well.  I am searching for things they can do that will be special but USABLE!  I know I love handmade picture, but it soon gets put away or wrinkled, lost, forgotten in a chest, etc… so Please share some ideas of things could make this year for family!  They are 5, 9, and 10.

Peace and cant wait to hear from you all!

Yes, I also Crochet

I really do have a crafting disease.  I have done just about all kinds of crafts.  Jumped on board full force then quit several crafts that just didnt suite my personality/time/household/etc.

Crocheting was different for me.  Something Iwas taught on a small scale when I was 8 years old from my “Kinda Grandma” (lived with my Gpa for many many years).   I taught myself in early adulthood how to read patterns and do more with crocheting and since have picked it up consistently over the last 10-15 years.  But as a “paying craft” it isnt fast and most people wont pay the money a crocheted item is worth once you add in your time.

But I just couldnt resist picking up the hooks when I saw some cute beanies of a friend purchased the other day.   So viola,  isnt this just the cutest little beanie for a newborn??   The flower is tied on and comes off!! 

  

 

Anyhow… there are many many more beanie hats I have made but I need to get a few modeling shots.. these just dont do them justice.   In my “spare” time though I am working on Doodle Bags and Cases for the show, Woohoo!!!