Mini Sew Together Bag

I happened to see a blog post about Quiltcon earlier this week by OPQuilt.com which was really an interesting read. Her next blog post was about a mini sewtogether bag she made. Super cute right? Go to her blog and download the worksheet here: http://occasionalpiece.wordpress.com/2014/12/03/mini-sew-together-bag/

You will still need to buy the actual Sew Together Pattern from Sew Demented, only the formula for the dimensions is given.

I absolutely love this size bag and it was so fast and easy to make! It only has two pockets inside but is still fully functional!

Teacher Christmas Gifts

christmas sewing: teacher gifts #lineddrawstringbag #sew #sewing #tulapink #incolororder #handmade

A photo posted by katrina (@khcalgary) on Dec 12, 2014 at 6:52pm PST

A friend of mine in our guild showed me the most beautiful bags she had made for her family for Christmas. She used a pattern from In Color Order blog, which also has a free tutorial which I used to make my bags.  It is a very simple pattern to follow with excellent instructions and photos. I added a layer or fusible fleece to the main print of the bag so the bag would stand up on its own when not filled. I am really pleased with the results.

so much cuteness at @outofhandyyc today! #outofhand #fabriclove

A photo posted by katrina (@khcalgary) on Dec 12, 2014 at 3:49pm PST

Of course I had to use some super cute Tula Pink fabric for the bags. I also made myself a bag from my precious Parisville fabric with a splash of Moonshine.

Lined drawstring bag (tutorial from incolororder.com) #tulapink #lineddrawstringbag #incolororder #sew #sewing #tulatroops #handmade #parisville #moonshine

A photo posted by katrina (@khcalgary) on Dec 12, 2014 at 6:37pm PST

Just listed in my etsy shop!

If you are looking for small cuts of Nightshade by Tula Pink Coven print in all three colour ways, I now have them listed in my etsy shop!

Nizhoni Workshop Etsy Shop Open!

I finally listed some small zipper pouches in my newly opened etsy shop I'm happy it's finally open.

Mail/Card Organizer Finished!

This week I finished a card/mail organizer. The pockets were paper pieced from a pattern in Love Quilting Magazine. The paper pieced shirt pocket was made from a pattern in Patchwork 318. I used a cute post it note fabric for the background that my mom gifted me last month. I really love this and can't wait to use it to organize all my thank you cards!

Tree of Life Quilt

Here is my newest quilt, the Tree of Life Quilt. It is my modern interpretation of a traditional Navajo rug design. I paper pieced many of of the elements and machine pieced the top of the quilt together. It was quilted by my friend, the talented Andrea Harris of Urban Quiltworks, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It will be on display at the Calgary Stampede 2014 Western Arts and Crafts Showcase.

Cargo Duffle

I finally made a Noodlehead Cargo Duffle, so much fun! I made some mistakes like pre quilting all my pattern pieces before actually reading the whole pattern. Make sure you read the pattern so you understand that it's sort of a quilt as you go project. But I made a few adjustments and still have a result that I love. The patchwork was some improvisational piecing I did and wasn't sure what to do with. It was actually the exact size I needed for this project. I added some Mirror Ball to the mix and I love the result!

I used grey Kam Snaps for the closures and left the coverall zipper (purchased at JoAnn Fabrics) the way it was instead of turning the zipper pulls around to the center since I was lazy and don't have pliers for the job.

This is a free pattern on the Robert Kaufman site or use the link through Noodlehead!

Noodlehead Road Trip Case

Here is the roadtrip case I made, a pattern from Noodlehead. I think it's so cute in the washi fabric! I just need to add kam snaps to it and it will be finished! I'm going to buy long clear cases to use in the long pockets for all my sewing odds and ends.

PS Bella Pouch

How delightful is this little quilted pouch? I finally found the wavy stitch button hiding on my machine and decided to make this. I saw a friend on instagram mention that this pouch fits her instax mini perfectly. And since I've been dying to travel with mine, I need a case! 

The pattern is from Pink Stitches and doesn't call for batting but I quilted each piece (lining and main) with batting so there would be extra padding for the camera. So basically there are two layers between the fabric. It makes the bag sturdy and soft!

I added a large denim pocket to the back of the bag to hold extra film, and only made a small pocket for the inside since I am not planning to keep much inside with the camera. I used a KAM Snap for the closure instead of velcro. I hope you enjoyed my project! Here is a link to a flickr showcasing the other bags made from this pattern!

101 zipper pouches!

So February and March were spent making zipper pouches. I don't know exactly why I felt like making so many,  but I love them all! I hope you enjoy them too! (Yes, that's Pendleton wool!)

Sew Together Bag Maddness

If you haven't already made a Sew Together Bag, you really should try it! Personally I wasn't interested in making one until I saw my friend Mandy's Nightshade version and had to make one myself!

I only used one cameo on the whole bag and added my machine embroidered name to the backside.

And then I thought wow, how fun would those typewriters be on the side? So I made another...
 And I made a southwestern print with black applique for my mom's easter basket.


An inside look at all the zipper pockets!

The pattern was purchased on Craftsy.com and I highly recommend it!

Seven Point Star

Here is my latest project, a seven-point star! I'm really enjoying the EPP (English Paper Piecing) technique and sewing the pieces by hand.

I am excited to add some small applique details as I go, I hope they will add interest and help me make this truly one of a kind.

I had to piece three small scraps together to finish one of the navy points. I don't think it is too noticeable. Thankfully I had just enough!

I was questioning the scrappy pink center, but am loving the choice more and more. I think it helps add some movement. Thank you for looking!

Hexagon Hot Pad

Yesterday I was a little restless and instead of working on my big quilt project I decided to use one of my Sweetwater patterns I got as a subscription to their label crew. I really love how cute and happy this fabric is!

Boxed Zip Pouch Tutorial

Hi! I'm Katrina from Nizhoni Workshop, the small blog where I share my projects. I'm a mother of three young children and I love to sew and create. My passion is patchwork and I'm a member of the Calgary Modern Quilt Guild. I love bold pattern on pattern, anything Tula Pink and am currently in love with medallion-style quilts. I enjoy creating designs which incorporate my Navajo heritage and love of modern quilting.

Today I'd like to show you my method of creating a boxed zip pouch. There are many ways to achieve a similar result and I won't be recreating the wheel. This is simply my way of sewing that takes minimal effort to achieve a great result.

The supplies you will need for this tutorial:

Fabric (for this tutorial we will be using Sew Sister's November 2013 Kona Cotton Solids Grouping)

Lightweight Fusible Interfacing

one 14" to 18" zipper

Warm & Natural Batting (or similar)

3" of woven tape or ribbon for tabs (not shown here)

Basic sewing notions and tools

 Please start by pressing your fabrics. 

Choose one fabric as your lining. Cut a 10" x 11" piece. Cut and fuse a 10 x 11" piece of lightweight fusible interfacing to the wrong side of lining fabric using the fusing instructions for your interfacing. Set aside.

Stack remaining lining fabric with the other three solids, cut strips of random widths using your scissors or rotary cutter. Cut three or four strip stacks.

Randomly choose strips and sew together. Keep sewing together until you are satisfied. Now, try cutting the piece in half and sew back together so you have more of a "rectangular" shape.

Now try adding strips going different directions. Using small bits of color here and there can make it interesting, you could also use small fussy cut pieces of fabric to showcase. However, for this tutorial I am using solids.

Keep adding until your rectangle is a little larger than 10" x 11".

Lay your interfaced lining piece on top of your patchwork and trim patchwork down to size. Using a couple pins helps keep the materials from slipping. Set aside your lining piece again.

Take your patchwork rectangle and lay down on a small piece of Warm and Natural or similar batting. I trim to about 1/2" on each side. You can choose to use basting spray but since this project is so small, it won't be necessary.

Randomly straight stitch up and down and across your patchwork to quilt. You can also free motion quilt if you prefer.

After you are happy with the quilted lines, lay your lining piece back on top, right sides together, of your quilted patchwork and trim to size of lining.

Keeping your zipper closed, lay zipper facing down on top of the quilted patchwork top edge (10" side).

Lay the top edge of the lining, interfacing (wrong) side up, on top of the zipper and patchwork piece. Pin at ends and once in the middle at least. I also like to use a JEANS needle in my machine because these layers are bulky and I hate finding skipped stitches. Using a zipper foot is not necessary as the layers are quite thick and you will hardly notice a difference.

Take your time and sew a 1/4" seam. Remove pins as you sew.

Open your seam and press open. Be careful not to melt your zipper.

Top stitch close to the edge, about an 1/8th of an inch away.

Now fold over the quilted patchwork layer so right sides are facing each other, fold the lining to the back, right sides facing each other. Align all edges to the top of the zipper.

Pin on the ends first so the edges are aligned. Pin middle area.

Sew a 1/4" seam, removing pins as you go.

Open zipper and open seam and press carefully. Top stitch and 1/8" away from edge like the other side.

Close the zipper (lining facing out) and use a pin to hold place and make with a water soluble marking pen or chalk. Or finger press. Do the same for both sides.

Lay your zipped bag so the zipper pull is on your left side, we will work with the right side (with the zipper stop) first. Take your woven tape or ribbon and cut to 1.5" length and fold in half. Center the tape on the mark and pin.

Make sure the cut edges are aligned with the edge of the bag. Stitch in place 1/8" away from the raw edge.

Align the mark over the top of the zipper and pin along the edge. (Make sure that the first side you sew is the side WITHOUT the zipper pull)

Sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge. When you sew across the top of the zipper go very slowly and back stitch a couple times. Cut off the excess zipper. Zigzag your raw edges so they are nice and neat.

Now, working on the other side, slightly pull the zipper open.

Holding the zipper as closed as possible, stitch SLOWLY back and forth across the zipper about 1/8" away from the raw edge of the bag.

Trim the excess zipper end. Repeat the steps for attaching the woven tape again for this side. OPEN your zipper now. Align the zipper over the middle of the tape and pin. Before you stitch the seam, please ensure the zipper is open. Sew the seam as you did for the other side.

Here is your pouch! Now to box the sides.

Using a temporary marking pen or chalk, carefully mark about 1.5" from the edge along the folded crease for all sides of the bag.

Open one side of the box like the photo below. Align the pin on the front with the mark you made on the back.

Using a cutting mat or ruler, align the point of the triangle like the photo below shows. The line I drew with the marking pen is 2" long.

Sew on the marked line back stitch at beginning and end. Trim excess fabric about 1/4" away from seam. Zigzag raw edges. Trim threads and remove the temporary marking pen or chalk lines. Repeat for all sides.

Your finished boxed zip pouch! Now turn the right side out.

Finished boxed zip pouch!

Please share your finished project pictures with me, tag me @khcalgary on Instagram or on flickr!

Beaded Framed Purse

I finished sewing this framed purse at Sewing Summit last year. But it felt really plain and unfinished since we used only one fabric for the outside. I decided to add some beadwork to it and make it a little more special.

The beads I am using are low quality. I am excited to start using my real beads soon when I start a pair of moccasins. Higher quality beads are more uniform and hopefully will enhance my designs. 

Reversible Sunday Sling

i love pictures of babies in bags! #amybutler #sundaysling #sew #sewing

I love pictures of babies in bags, so here is my littlest in the bag.

Today I finished my Reversible Sunday Sling, a pattern by Amy Butler. Compared to the Weekender Bag pattern, this was really easy. The pattern pieces themselves can be a little confusing at the beginning but once you understand the process cutting is easier. I used warm n natural instead of fusible fleece.

I only had one yard of the main home dec fabric so I used the lining fabric for both sides of the handles. I think it helps to quiet the print. I had to piece a small portion to make one side panel for the bag. Otherwise, the yard was just enough.

There is a small cell phone pocket hidden inside one of the large pockets. It is one of my favourite details of this bag. I made the large version of this bag and it is really really big!

Patchwork Tsushin Magazine Vintage Girl Zip Pouch

 Here is my finished Vintage Girl Zipper Pouch. This was a project featured in Patchwork Tsushin 6/2013. The yellow leaf fabric and blue fabric were provided with the magazine. I was fortunate to find a generous instagram friend who sent me the yellow First of Infinity word fabric by Kumiko Fujita which is really a hard fabric to find! I didn't use the Suzuko Koseki newspaper print for the back strip but rather used more FoI which I think looks amazing!

 

The front view

 

The back view

 

Inside view

 

As you can see the directions are shown in the drawings to the left. But it is written in Japanese and not too complicated if you go slowly and have previous experience with zippers.

 

Quilted Zipper Pouch

I just received some half yards of Tula Pink's Fox Field fabric yesterday and knew I had to make some thing fast!. I loved a small zipper cross-body pouch I saw in Patchwork Tsushin and decided to make a simpler version as a zipper pouch. I used fabrics from several Tula Pink fabric lines and paired them with a beautiful Kona Cotton. I won't ever be able to give this away. I love it so much!

Mini Camper Pincushion

How much do you love this pincushion? It's one of three mini camper patterns in Fresh Quilts Magazine Spring/Summer 2014 issue. These are really cute. While reorganizing my scraps I thought I should use some Tula Pink scraps to make this. A little bit of denim cut from jeans alterations made this a little more durable. I also lined the cotton side panels with a lightweight fusible to make it a bit more sturdy. All I need to do is search for some coordinating buttons for wheels and attach a handle for the door.

The pattern was a little confusing but I made the best of it. I absolutely love it!!!

A mini pincushion

Today I made a mini pincushion for one of the small compartments on my Poppin tray organizer. These desk accessories come in the most wonderful colours and this blue was my favourite. I decided to use scraps to make this.

I really love how the random patchwork makes an impact!

Of course my favourite part of the whole process was machine quilting the top. Thank you to all my new followers! xoxo

Sew Sisters Tutorial

Sew Sisters (an online and retail quilt shop located in Toronto) invited me to make a project using one of their featured Kona Solids Club Fat Quarter packs. I chose a pack from November 2013, which included 4 shades of beautiful Kona Cotton. Their Kona Club is available on a subscription basis. Each month you will receive four fat quarters of Kona Cotton, for $10.99 per month, which includes postage within Canada. How amazing is that? If you really want to build your colour stash, you can opt for the half yards of Kona Cotton for $21.99 per month. A great investment!

The project I decided to make and teach to you is my version of the boxed zip pouch.

This pouch can be made in a variety of different sizes, what I'm showing you is the basics of how to assemble it in the easiest way possible. 

Please visit the Sew Sister's blog here to find all the details and instructions to make your own boxed zip pouch. Also, leave a comment on the Sew Sister's blog post to win your very own fat quarter pack that I used in this tutorial!

Please share your boxed zip pouch creations with me on Flickr (tag kcalgary) or on Instagram (tag @khcalgary), I'd love to see them!

Seminole Patchwork

I've been playing with different Seminole Patchwork designs lately. I think I want to do more of this style.

Here is some work on a larger scale patchwork design.

As I was cutting the strips for this smaller design, I kind of liked the bottom layout. After a quick instagram vote, I decided to keep with the original layout with more black in the center.

My finished block.

Quilted fabric project

I took Angela Walter's craftsy class called Machine Quilting Negative Space and I loved it. I practiced my swirls and leafs on this piece of fabric and decided to make a zip pouch with it. I had a vintage metal zipper that fit perfectly and I really love the look. I won't be scared to try out new quilting styles on swatches anymore, now that they have found a use!

Parson Gray Quilt

I pieced this quilt top together using Parson Gray's Seven Wonders fabric. This was a fat quarter bundle I won from 100 billion stars blog last year. And of course in the eleventh hour began quilting it...

Hand sewing binding into the night on the 24th of December...

Finishing just in time for my brother to open on Christmas morning! He loved it.



My finished quilt...