I love to sew, mainly quilts and bags. I am 66, married to Fred and have one son, Matthew, who is 27. I enjoy embroidery and applique and prefer to machine piece and quilt my projects. I love my vintage Singer sewing machines especially my Featherweight 222K. I’m enjoying treadling on my 201K Singer and I collect Miniature Sewing Machines and currently have three Essex , one Singer 20, one Singer 40, two Vulcan Miniatures and my latest, a Grain. My love of sewing I believe comes from my Grandmother - I still have the drawings she made for me to embroider on tea towels many many years ago!

Sunday 4 October 2015

YES, I'M A BAG LADY.......

Some recent sewing and happenings .....

Vintage doilies turned in to a small tote.

the other side.

pockets inside too!

A friend asked me to make this bag.  She had seen one just like it and sent me the photos.  I really enjoyed chopping up my old doilies (I have a huge drawer full of them).  I use vintage linens in my home but I have a rule now.....  once a hole appears or the crochet edge becomes tattered, into the sewing drawer it goes!  The bag is just a simple nine patch on each side with the lace/crochet edge showing on the bottom row.  I used Calico for the background and added a fusible interfacing and fusible Pellon to give the bag some body.  A big pocket on the inside and handles that make it a shoulder bag if needed.  Done!

I am making a Teddy Quilt for my ODIBAG stash
(One day I'll be a Grandmother) stash
The whole block needs to be constructed so the Teddy
can sit in the window with his paws hanging
over the edge.
The Teddy is then finished with hand blanket stitch.


I have now completed all of the hand stitching, just need to build the flimsy.

This would have to be the cutest needle book I have ever received!
My sister-in-law was cleaning out her Mum's things and this
little gem was in amongst all sorts of sewing stuff!

It's like a pop up card!!  love it!

Hubby and I had a week away - once again up in Elliott Heads -
it is just so lovely up there.  Naturally I took my hand sewing!

I've been making these little Key Chain Pouches
Free tutorial by "Dog Under My Desk".. Neat
and Tidy Zippered Pouch
These make lovely gifts. 

Two more!
I made all of these on my Featherweight 222K

Figured I should make one for myself.
I used up the last teeny bit of this vintage green fabric and
a re-purposed metal zip.
September 11 was my birthday - the big 60 this year!

Okay, that's it for now.  I have other sewing to share but it's a secret :-)  I can show you next week!

This Friday my friends and I are going to the Craft Show here in Brisbane.  So excited!  YES.... I do have a shopping list!

Happy Sewing,
Cheers from Helen



4 comments :

  1. Aunty Henny, you are such a dear! Love the tote made from the vintage doilies. I did find the information about the zippy little bags. So cute. If I have not wished you Happy Birthday, Happy Belated one! You are looking good. Have fun at the craft show.

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  2. Sorry I think I missed your birthday Hope it was a good one The doyley bag is lovely and I love those little zippy things So cute I cannot put in a zip to save myself

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  3. Happy Birthday Helen! My sister Helen also turned 60 in September! Her birthday is on the 10th!!!! I love the doiley tote bag! What a great use for them....

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  4. Lots of inspiration and those Teddy Bears are adorable!!

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