Need a New Wallet?

If you don’t feel like using my tutorial to sew one yourself, I just added some to my Etsy shop.

It’s my 100th post!

Time for a giveaway!

In honor of my 100th post, you, my loyal blog-reader, will have the chance to win one of my fabulous quilted fabric wallets, at absolutely no cost to you.  Here’s how it will work:  All you have to do is leave a comment on this post, telling me what your favorite color is.  Next Saturday, I’ll choose one winner at random.  The winner will be posted on the blog, and I’ll e-mail you for your shipping address.  I get to choose your free wallet, but I know you’ll love it!  For those of you who read my blog daily and never leave me a comment (you know who you are) this is a good time to start commenting.

Not My Usual Kind of Craft

Have you ever decided to try to make something just because you have everything you need for the project?  This was one of those kinds of crafts.  “Hmm…I have hair clips, ribbon and a hot glue gun…Maybe I’ll make clippies!”  Here they are, minus the burnt fingers.  I added some buttons for embellishment.  When looking over what I’d made, both girls asked the same question:  “Why is there only one of those ones?”  The answer is simple, I didn’t have enough ribbon for another one.  The pink and purple pair of clips were missing from the photograph, they’d already found their way onto some little girls’ heads.  I guess the kids like them.

And, some more of today’s craftiness, this time more my style.  I made these three spring-y wallets.  Two of the fabrics you’ll recognize as being scraps from the girls’ Easter dresses, the other is a vintage-y orange label print.  I think the orange one turned out just right to throw into your tote bag on the way to the beach…totally cool!  Also shown is a bit of the bag I listed in the shop the other day.  Cruise on over to check them out if you have a chance.

Join me on Flickr

I’ve had several requests for a group in which people can share the wallets they’ve made from my tutorial, so I have created a Flickr group for this purpose.  Here’s the link:  http://www.flickr.com/groups/thatdarnkatwallets/.  I’m new to this, so please let me know if it doesn’t work properly. 

I’ve also created a group for those who’ve made my “coming and going bag” from the pattern available in my Etsy shop, the link for that group is here:  http://www.flickr.com/groups/comingandgoingbags/.  Everyone who has created items from my patterns is welcome to join, or if you’re thinking of sewing something, feel free to browse the photos for inspiration.

How Many Wallets?

Are in your scrap basket?  In mine, four so far.

 I’ve been trying to make productive use of all my scraps this week, and so far I’ve found the pieces for these four wallets in the scrap basket.  A wallet is a great project for scraps, as it is small enough that you don’t need much fabric, and it lends itself to patchwork designs.

My productivity this week is twofold in that it both decreases the size of my scrap basket, and increases the inventory in my Etsy shop.  Also, this batch of wallets is the first to be sewn on the Rocketeer, which did an amazing job stitching through all those layers!  She’s shown in some of the auction pics in an attempt to be artistic in my photography.

New in the Shop

In addition to the wallets I made last week, I have listed a new bag in my Etsy shop.

Here’s a photo of today’s project, which was a new shape for me.  I call it a “bucket bag” which may not be the prettiest name, but at least it’s descriptive.  Speaking of pretty, I love these fabrics!  They were just begging to be made into a lovely bag today, so I HAD to oblige.  (I can’t be the only sew-er whose fabrics talk, can I?)  This tote came out in a just-right size, big enough for what you need without being too bulky.  The shape is nice for putting things in and out.

And, just for you, my loyal blog-reader, a special offer this holiday season.  If you buy an item listed in my Etsy shop, just drop me an e-mail letting me know you read my blog, and I’ll throw in a little something extra to go with your purchase.  Consider it a gift from me to you.  So go, SHOP!

Time for a break…

Here’s my morning’s sewing so far.  When I got these three wallets finished, I decided it was time for a coffee break.  And after my coffee break, I need to run out to the fabric store for more supplies.  Somehow, seeing the three wallets lined up together makes me want to make more, like these guys are lonely without some friends.  So today’s exercise will be more assembly-line sewing of wallets, until I get tired of it. 

As I was sewing, I decided this is the perfect wallet for a new mom.  When you’re in that “I carry a diaper bag instead of a purse” phase, it’s great to have something pretty just for yourself, to drop into the diaper bag on your way out the door.  Each one is like a little quilted work of art, something to give you a smile every time you pay for your groceries.

Hedgehogs, Dots and Gingham, Oh My!

I finally got the courage to cut into some of my imported japanese fabrics, and the first victim project was the pink hedgehogs, which I turned into this purse and wallet set. 

 

I love the combination with red dots and brown gingham to set off the whimsical print.  And for once, I finished the project, and promptly photographed and listed it in my Etsy shop.  I think I was afraid I’d keep it if I put off selling it.  But, there is some more fabric, so I may make another one, or more likely, something different but equally adorable.

Take a look at the listing in my Etsy, and you’ll also find that I’ve listed the Moda Blossom Tote shown in a previous entry as well.

Quilted Fabric Wallet Tutorial

In an attempt to make the pages a little more user-friendly, I have moved my tutorials to separate pages accessible by the tabs at the top of the blog.  Hopefully, this will enable each page to load more quickly.  Thanks, and happy stitching!