Roses are red backpack

I fell in love when I saw this fabric - deep red chenille in a lovely sculpted rose pattern. Just right for this back pack pattern.
Gorgeous fabrics set off with a pewter Norwegian clasp.

Adjustable, padded cushion web straps. Tan leather base.

Four external pockets fastened with vintage burgundy buttons.

Red drawcord top, navy and burgundy stripe lining with two internal pockets.

This bag is as practical as it is gorgeous!

Recycled Denim and Patchwork Backpack

Made for a commission, I've been wanting to have a go at a backpack for a while. I'm pleased with the result!

The pockets and top flap were the fiddliest bits, making up the patchwork and doing the quilting,but it was worth it for the finished look.

I couldn't find any buttons that suited the colour and style so had a go at self cover buttons. I also couldn't find any cord stops to suit so I made little fabric bobbles to cover the knots. And I got to play with eyelets!

The base is spotty oilcloth for protection against dirty floors.

I wasn't keen on plain polyester webbing and managed to find some cushion web on ebay. It's used to make horse headcollars and lead reins and is much softer and more comfortable in the hand than plain webbing.

Fully lined with a zipped internal pocket (recycled jeans zip!)

All the fabric was recycled - jeans, a tablecloth, a pair of curtains and a few offcuts.

I took these pics before I'd added the clasp. It took me a while to find what I wanted - I'd never heard of a Norwegian Clasp! But thats what I needed!

It just finishes it off perfectly!
This is going to be my next one. I bought a jelly roll of these gorgeous olive greens and plums. The whole thing will be patchworked - these are the pocket pieces, quilted with gold thread!
I have a nice piece of soft leather that I plan to use for the base. I might have to keep this one for myself!

Luscious Lime

I've had this fabric for a while, but not known what to make with it. Inspiration struck yesterday and within the space of a couple of hours I had two new bags and two more on the way. First a couple of tote bags - these are slightly smaller than the normal (I wanted dainty not voluminous!) and the pocket is on the outside. This one is finished with a rosette and vintage button. The other one (not shown) is finished simply with three little vintage 'crystal' effect buttons on the edge of the pocket.

Then a couple more slouchy bags (I've given up on snowy bags - it just didn't sound right!)

No fancy embellishments on these, just that gorgeous lime linen and a couple of vintage maroon buttons back to back as a fastener.

Monsoon Snowy bag

Another snowy bag - Monsoon (made from repurposed fabric from a company of the same name!) This bag is in a lovely soft turquoise/teal tweed fabric comprising wool, silk and cotton.


Fastened with a teal button and hand finished with a subtle line of beads and sequins.
Lining is teal satin. Three internal pockets.

Orange Spice Snowy Bag

Another Snowy bag. Fully recycled fabic this time, including recycled beads.
Lined with slub silk effect polyester and red taffeta, with two internal pockets.

Botanical Tulips Tote Bag

A classy tote bag made from pretty linen fabric featuring blowsy arts and crafts tulips and thick conker brown chenille. Lined with plain taupe cotton, one pocket edged with tulip embroidery and a button closure.

Not very clear from the picture, but the linen is more of a creamy, buttery colour than the photo suggests. The button is wood grain effect and matches the shade of the linen.

Blue Rose Jean Genie

I've not been able to do much sewing lately - busy with the boys and the allotment.

But my friend wanted a Jean Genie so it was good to have to make some time to sit and sew again. This one is a pretty combination of stonewashed Levis and vintage chintz.

And I finally had some proper labels done, so this is the first 'designer' label!

I also realised it's the first to be made on my new machine. I am pleased to say it coped admirably with all the layers of denim! My last machine really struggled with these bags. Can't wait to do some more now!

New fabric, new bags and quilt progress

Look at this yummy fabric! I bought it from a french seller on ebay. There are 3 fat quarters of the blue chicken fabric; 2 each of the small chicken panels and one each of the large panels. What can I make with them though! I might just keep getting them out to look at.

This was from the same seller. It is a lovely, thick, tapestry weave fabric. I know exactly what I'm going to do with it though. It's going to be a cushion cover for my lounge!

Two green bags made as a special order for a friend: the dark green one was fabric rescued from a charity shop, and the lighter green is recycled, vintage Laura Ashley.

Progress on Mother in Laws quilt. I just need to add the fleece backing now! It's looking very pretty.

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Aga Top Pads & New Patchwork

When a friend talked about top pads for her new aga, I had to have a go! All these pieces of chicken fabric in my stash have been crying out for a kitcheny make! These are the first ones to go into the Folksy shop. I love this fabric in soft greens and creams with it's pretty chicken and egg design. I've used the insulbright wadding inside so they are good and heat resistent. And keeping to the recycled theme, the reverse is plain cream recycled cotton and the binding is hand made from recycled fabric.

My husband was moderately impressed with my last quilted fleece and commisioned one for his mother. I have to say I am impressed, he isn't normally known for inspirational gift ideas, but this is definitely one of his better ideas. So I chose some pretty soft greens and lilacs that I think (hope) Mum will love. I've also sourced a lovely soft lilac fleece for the reverse. I tried the colours in several different patterns, but finally settled on this one. Just need some border fabric now!

Purple Rain Tote Bag

I love the colours in this bag - plum with touches of red, mustard and green.

I only had enough fabric to make two, and used up the surplus chintz to put a couple of appliqued leaves on the fronts and backs. I don't know why, but the colours reminded me of a wet autumn - hence the name!

I have loads of this slub silk/polyester fabric, and it makes a lovely bag lining.

Mended Machine - New Makes!

Well! I rang the supplier about my machine and lo and behold, it was because I hadn't been threading it properly! How embarrassing!

Anyway, here are some bags I made from my recent mega fabric acquisition. There are some beautiful fabrics in there, the hard part is finding which ones go together! But these three were quite easy to make up! The first one in Antique Rose. The top is a gorgeous floral chintz in late summer/early autumn colours. And it looks just perfect with these fabulous deckchair stripes in cream and plum.

Another pretty floral print, this time teamed with a lovely, thick beige chenille - Briar Rose


Another favourite - I love this Vanessa Arbuthnot print of feathers in raspberry pink. I think it goes perfectly with this lovely, winter white, thick chenille. I couldn't think of a better name than Feathers for it!

These bags were all put onto my Folksy shop in the last couple of days and a very lovely lady bought all three!!! I have enough material left to make another one of each (two more of the Feathers one), so keep your eye on Folksy if you like them.

I have loads more to get on with, but you will probably have to wait until after Christmas to see those!

Cafe Latte Tote Bag

A sumptuous tote bag in gorgeous soft shades of coffee and cream. The outer is a heavily textured and woven floral fabric in pale gold and cream topped with a shimmery pale gold shantung silk.

Lining is a beautifully soft mocha satin. Comfortable, wide straps are just long enough to sit on the shoulder.

Bag is fastened with a button tab and pretty silver coloured filigree button.

15" wide x 14" deep, 5" gusset. 1 internal pocket.

Olive Grove Tote

Lovely rustic tote bag, reminiscent of an italian olive grove. In reds, golds and shades of olive green. The outer is a woven, leafy jacquard in antique gold, with hints of red and olive green, topped by a stripey red and gold chenille.

Lining is soft, olive green satin. Wide comfortable straps will just sit on the shoulder. Fastened with a tab and antique gold patterned button. 1 internal pocket. 15" wide, 13" deep with a 5" gusset.