today i shall create – sewing kit

today i shall create… something. what will you create?

wrap up: {art} {create} {inspiration} {kit} {sewing}

happy september, friends! as i hinted at yesterday, we’re starting off september with a bang. i am so excited to share with you that the lovely gals from city chic country mouse are sponsoring a giveaway for one of their adorable ironing board covers! you might remember that i ordered one from them a little over a year ago, and it is still one of my most favorite features in my sewing nook. just think how one of these beauties could spruce up a drab laundry room or bring a splash of color to your sewing area!

here’s how you enter:

visit city chic country mouse and pick out your favorite ironing board cover. come back here and share with us which one is your favorite, and maybe why it would bring a little extra joy to your ironing. one comment per person, please. giveaway will end on thursday, september 8th at midnight pst. one winner will be drawn randomly and announced on the following friday. good luck!

want to learn more about city chic country mouse? visit their blog, like them on facebook and read their sweet mother daughter story on the storque!

wrap up: {city chic country mouse} {cover} {giveaway} {ironing board} {laundry} {sewing} {win}

a handmade gift from my mom- the perfect yoga bag! it’s also a free sewing pattern from amy bulter (sa-weet!).

wrap up: {bag} {free} {nigella yoga bag} {patter} {sewing} {yoga}

i remember seeing this project way back when on the farm chicks blog and have kept it in mind all this time! with a simple magnetic knife strip and some cute fabric, you can have a sewing room catch all in no time.

supplies:

- magnetic knife strip (mine is from ikea)

- spray adhesive (optional)

- glue gun

- scissors

- fabric to recover with

directions:

cut the fabric into a long rectangle big enough to wrap around the edges of your magnetic strip. spray with adhesive and tack into place. using a hot glue gun, secure the fabric to the back side. mount according to instructions and voila!

what do you think? a magnetic strip next to my sewing area has been the most useful thing. it not only holds scissors, but spare needles and seam rippers, too!

wrap up: {diy} {holder} {knife} {magnetic strip} {needles} {organize} {scissors} {sewing}

happy monday, dear friends! i told you i was going to make a hammock this weekend (remember?), and i did! it turned out great and i’ve been enjoying it all weekend. here’s how i did it!

for the most part, i just followed these great instructions from outside mom.  i had two yards of this striped linen fabric, so first i hemmed each of the long sides. then i hemmed each of the short sides by first folding over a 1/2 inch and pressing, then folding over again about 3 inches to create a sleeve for my rope to go through (see picture below).

i used a tight zig zag stitch with heavy duty polyester thread to make sure the seams were really strong. i then threaded some rope through each end that i found in my mister’s tool box (hehe) and tied a secure not to each of my posts.  you could also do this around a branch or a tree trunk.

isn’t it lovely? it’s super sturdy and comfy, just right for an afternoon cup of tea and a good book. :)

wrap up: {craft} {diy} {easy} {hammock} {make your own} {project} {relax} {sewing} {summer}

 
time for an inbox inquiry! this one comes from my good friend, tammie. make sure to share your suggestions in the comments section!

hi tammie! i am so happy to hear you’re getting into sewing! i think you’ll love it. :) i don’t often use traditional ‘patterns’ but i do have several favorite pattern books, here they are!

simple sewing by lotta jansdotter. this was one of my first ever sewing books, and i loved every pattern in it! it holds a collection of 24 of her most popular sewing patterns with each pattern neatly tucked into a folder inside. you can use them over and over!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
weekend sewing by heather ross. creative projects for clothing, accessories, and home items that can be made in a weekend or less. the sewing instructions are beautifully illustrated, and patterns for the projects are included on pullout sheets.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
in stitches by amy butler. my all time favorite designer! in this pattern book amy brings her fresh, modern style to the timeless craft of sewing. she presents more than 25 charming projects ranging from cushy floor cushions to smart aprons to stylish handbags.
 
 
 
 
 
 
bend the rules sewing by amy karol. a great book for novice sewers who are seeking something a little more modern. this book has a clear, down-to-earth sewing guidebook that includes 30 great projects.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
seams to me by anna maria horner. illustrated in glorious color and sprinkled with her vibrant energetic fabric designs, this book explains sewing fundamentals in a refreshing style.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
sew and stow by betty oppenheimer. 30 exciting sewing projects – including grocery totes, lunch bags, aprons, dog beds, laundry bags, and yoga mat totes. these projects will help you get organized and help the planet with a wide assortment of reusable totes, carry-alls, and shopping bags.
 
 
 
 
 
 
readers: do you have any favorite sewing patterns or books? we would love to hear about them!

wrap up: {beginner} {books} {craft} {inbox inquiry} {patterns} {quilt class} {sewing}

ya’ll are all most likely familiar with amy butler’s fabric design, right?  anytime i walk up to a new fabric that i love, i’m not surprised to see that it’s usually from amy.  my home, sewing room and etsy shop are all full of amy butler fabrics- and just having them around seems to inspire my space and my creativity!  my only problem is that i often have a tough time finding matching fabrics to use in my appliques.  often, if i put pattern on pattern it’s too busy for the eye, or it just doesn’t look right. so, you can only imagine how i was excited to see this:

amy butler solid fabrics!  my sweet momma brought me  a stack of her beautiful solids yesterday and boy did i swoon.

see what i mean?  now i can use solids on prints and they don’t get all lost in the mix.

you can find them online, or call my mom’s quilt shop, a stitch in time, to order them directly!  they’re by far the most beautiful solids i’ve ever seen- and she’s got just about any solid you would need to match any amy butler fabric!

wrap up: {amy butler} {fabric} {sewing} {solids}

i’ve always loved city chic country mouse, and this time around i’m excited to introduce them to you as a ghtr advertiser!  whether it’s the dishes, laundry, cooking or ironing, this mother-daughter team has a special way of turning household chores into a time to look forward too.  remember my new ironing board cover? it makes my room an inspiration and my time at the ironing board much less daunting.  with a new line of organic ironing board covers, you’ll enjoy browsing their shop and learning more about these fun gals, enjoy!

interested in advertising on going home to roost? click here to find out more!

wrap up: {chores} {city chic country mouse} {household} {ironing board cover} {sewing}