Hugs from Helen

Sew Pink 2021

I'm proud to be a part of the third annual Sew Pink blog hop run by ByAnnie – to focus on Breast cancer for the month of October. Although its important every day of the year, I've taken part in each of these initiatives now as I believe in the importance of this raising of awareness – and funds to beat this thing!

This year when I went in for my bi-annual Boob check I ran into a friend coming in as I left. Not surprising – we’re all around the same age and demographic in a smallish town, so often you see someone you know. Little did I know that she was there for a dreaded callback – which resulted in a positive result and weeks of surgery, chemotherapy and years of anxiousness and checks to come.  What surprised me most when we next caught up and discussed it was that it was the first time she had had a breast check. (she is early/mid 50’s). This is despite having family history - and it being free to have Breast screens here in Australia from age 40.

Why wouldn't she do it? because, like me, she is a busy small business owner, a mum, a wife, a charity organiser and everything else she cannot say no to. She provides to, mentors and coaches hundreds of children a week in her business and she didn't have the time to think about herself – only others. She knows she should have, she knows its easy and free, she knows everything she could have done – but we, as working mums and business owners just tend to put ourselves last on that ever growing list.

You know I preach about the therapy of stitching, and I get so many messages of personal stories saying how stitching my patterns has helped people get through traumas, challenges and life events, including cancer journeys – I can’t stress enough the importance of taking that time out for ourselves, to smell the roses and – get the boob check! Before you have to go through the journey that so many of our friends and family have endured.

This year I have stitched the simple and of so useful ByAnnie Pocket Packer project using the wonderful Tula Pink linework fabrics we have instore at Quarter Inch.

But instead of a mesh on the outside pocket, I've used our EPP Iron-ons to make an English paper pieced ribbon in honour of the SewPink initiative. It’s quick and simple – but it sends a message – a reminder, to us all.

And I'm imagining that those are zebra unicorns there giving hope to all!

Here’s a quick little step by step of my ribbon process.

Take 18 diecut EPP 1” diamond papers (60 degree) and fuse them onto the wrong side of your chosen fabrics – I used three different Kona solids I had in my stash.

Remember to leave a 1/2” of fabric between them for seam allowances.

Cut them out keeping that 1/4” seam allowance on each one.

Next we use a fabric glue pen, a small line of glue along the edge of the paper and fold over that seam allowance onto the glue.

I arranged them onto a printout to see how I wanted to spread my colours around. (you can download that pdf here if it helps you)

Then you simply whip stitch them together as you would for any EPP. The difference with our EPP Iron-ons is you leave them in – yes they iron on, and stay in – if washed they’ll semi dissolve and just stay in as nice soft fibres.

Next you’ll cut a piece of cotton fabric (we used the zebra print) the same size as the mesh measurement in the pattern. Glue baste (we use small dots of Roxanne’s basting glue) it into place and then hand or machine stitch it down tucking in those tails as you go.

Then you’ll just continue to make up your bag as per the pattern.

I made Style 3 – with three pockets, splitting the bottom one.  You get a voucher code with each pattern to watch the Add-on videos by Annie. They take you through step by step with so many tips to perfect her zippers, mesh, vinyl and more.

If you’ve never done EPP before and would like to try this checkout my YouTube channel for some help using our method.

If you’d like to make your own version, we’re including enough EPP Iron-on precuts to make your ribbon with each Pocket packer pattern ordered on any of our websites.   We can also put together kits in the same fabrics we used – or of course you may have our own favourites.

We have a Giveaway

As part of the blog hop I have a $30 digital coupon to give away to one lucky reader – you just need to pop over to my Instagram feed and find the Sewpink post and enter to win. And remember, we’re giving you the EPP Iron-on 1” diamond papers when you grab the Pocket packer pattern.

Don’t forget to checkout the other amazing sew-leb-rities participating and see what they have on offer during the month of October.

BLOG HOP 2021 SCHEDULE

✂ Oct. 1 (Fri):Fat Quarter Shop - The Jolly Jabber

✂ Oct. 2 (Sat):Sallie Tomato

✂ Oct. 4 (Mon): Hugs ‘N Kisses

✂ Oct. 6 (Wed): Sewfinity

✂ Oct. 11 (Mon):Beyond the Reef

✂ Oct. 13 (Wed): Great Heron Thread Co.

✂ Oct. 15 (Fri): Love You Sew

✂ Oct. 15 (Fri): Emmaline Bags

✂ Oct. 16 (Sat): Meadow Mist Designs

✂ Oct. 18 (Mon): OklaRoots

✂ Oct. 20 (Wed): Suzn Quilts

✂ Oct. 20 (Wed): Teresa Coates

✂ Oct. 22 (Fri): Knot and Thread Design

✂ Oct. 23 (Sat): Shannon’s Studio

✂ Oct. 25 (Mon): The Littlest Thistle

✂ Oct. 27 (Thur): Mister Domestic

✂ Oct. 27 (Wed): Sookie Sews

And Don’t forget to go have that Boob check – no matter how busy you are.

happy stitching,

Helen

 

The #SewPink Initiative was created by ByAnnie.com LLC to raise awareness for breast cancer throughout the year. Our efforts culminate in an annual blog hop during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month to promote self-care, awareness, early detection, and support for those affected by breast cancer.

To learn more and see the calendar of events visit: https://www.ByAnnie.com/SewPINK

To find screenings available near you:

● Breast Screen (Australia)

● CDC.gov (US)

● WebMD (free screenings)

In addition to participating in the #SewPINK Initiative, Fat Quarter Shop invites you to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation with the goal of raising $10,000.

To find the Fat Quarter Shop fundraiser visit: https://fundraise.nbcf.org/FatQuarterShop

 

To learn more about the Breast Cancer Research Foundation visit: https://www.bcrf.org/

It’s all about Maths!

Time for a little maths lesson.  Do you love English paper piecing but ready to move on from just hexies..

We have lots of die cut EPP Iron-on shapes being added to our inventory with our next order coming soon. So I thought it was time to have a little lesson on how they work together.

English Paper piecing is basically using paper templates (we use our Applique paper for our unique easyepp method) and folding fabric pieces over the paper to make perfect shapes.

Generally (although not always) the shapes tessellate to make a solid piece. This means that the shapes fit together perfectly with no gaps in between.

For this to work however, they either need to be all the exact same shape with an equal amount of sides or shapes in the same angle and size group.

So if you can remember back to school here is the basics of maths:

We’ll start with the simple hexagon. It has six sides. A full circle is 360degrees = so divide that by 6 and it gives us 60 degrees.

 

 

 

So shapes that will tessellate with a hexagon generally all need to be based on 60 degree angles (or could be 30, 90, 120 degrees).

These include:

And all of their derivates (as in you can chop a hexagon up into many smaller shapes.)

Just look at all the ways you can cut a hexie apart and put it back together again!

Of course you need to choose the measurement to match also (we’ll talk more about how to measure epp shapes in another post)

You can always start with any shape, cut it apart and know that it should go back together again, but what if you want to use different starter shapes and design a new motif or block with them?

 

 

 

Well just look at those angles and see if they might work together.

For example a jewel shape will work with the 60 degree hexie shapes.

 

 

 

But what about other angles you may ask? well back to maths and your 360 degree circle. What else can it be divided into?

 

An Octagon is a 45degree shape (8 sides 360/8=45)

and therefore works well with honeycombs and 90 degree squares.

and 45 degree diamonds

 

A pentagon is not so pretty to use – on its own it does not tessellate (ie: there are gaps)

but combine it with 72 or 36  degree diamonds and it can work.

 

See if you can work out the maths in these In The Round blocks below:

 

If you’d love to learn more about English Paper piecing and our unique Easy EPP method checkout our tutorials

here.

 

Or you may wish to take our Scrappity Doo Dah 26 part EPP program.

That's enough for one maths lesson – happy epp’ing

Hugs, Helen

Do you struggle with wavy borders on your quilt tops?

Do you often  end up with wavy borders on your quilt? Is your quilt often not square?

Here’s some hints and tips to get a perfectly flat border and quilt top - which your longarm quilter will love you for.

How to measure and attach borders to your quilt top to end up square!
It's not unusual for the four edges of an unfinished quilt top to all be slightly different lengths because the edges
of quilts are often stretched out of shape a bit during construction and pressing, or if you have many seams even
the slightest difference in seam allowance can make a big difference.
If the quilt is skewed a bit and you measure the sides of the quilt to determine the border length, the quilt will be just be out of square as it was before borders were added. Never just cut a strip of fabric, start sewing at the top and trim off the leftover at the bottom.
If the border is too long, then the sides of the quilt will be puckered or wavy, and if the border is too short or tight, the middle of the quilt will bubble. If the border is not sewn evenly along the whole edge of the quilt, it will cause waviness in some places and tightness in others and just will not sit flat.

These instructions for measuring and sewing straight borders to a quilt can be used to add any type of border, plain or pieced/appliqued.

Straight sewn quilt borders, also called butted borders, are quick and easy to sew—that's probably why they are the most often used borders for quilts.
Borders are usually sewn to the two longest sides of the quilt first and then to the remaining two sides with the final two extending straight across the ends of the first borders.

The steps are:
1. Measure the quilt from top to bottom through the vertical centre.
I like to also measure at both side edges - add the three measurements together and divide by 3 to get the average. (a+b+c /3)

2. Cut two border strips that match the measurement exactly, using the average width you've just determined.
Borders made with crosswise grain strips can be more stretchy than lengthwise grain border strips, but either type is suitable. if you need to join strips to get the measurement, do this first, press seams open (or use a bias seam to reduce bulk) and then cut to size.

Extra Tip: Sometimes you will find that it's best to add top and bottom borders (or shorter borders) first to avoid the need for piecing those border strips.
Use the same method, but measure horizontally first and start at the Short sides. Determine which borders to sew first to make the best use of your fabric.

How to Sew the First Two Borders to the Quilt
1. Fold one of the borders in half crosswise to find its centre point, using your fingers to crease it slightly at that spot.
Do the same with your quilt to find the centre point. Finger press. (You can use a pin or marker to mark them also)

2. Place the border along the side of the quilt, right sides together and  centre points matched. Pin through both layers at the match to keep fabrics from shifting.
If the quilt is quite large I would also mark the 1/4” and 3/4” marks along both the border and quilt top. Do this by
folding in half and then half again to crease these points.
3. Match and pin the bottom end of the border to the bottom edge of the quilt with raw edges even, then match and pin all of your crease marks until you reach the other end of the border pinned to the quilt.
4. Add extra  pins at close intervals in between your quarters and ease in any fullness to coax the two lengths
to match.  Raw edges should be aligned along the quilt's entire side.
5. Sew the border to the quilt with a 1/4 inch seam allowance, removing pins as you approach them to avoid bending pins and breaking needles. If you have extra fullness, sew with the longest piece next to the feed dogs and this will really help to ease it in without puckers.
6. Press the seam allowance towards the border.
7. Repeat for your opposite border.

Sew Remaining Two Borders to the Quilt
1. Measure the quilt from side-to-side through its horizontal midpoint and top and bottom edges, including the
width of the first borders. Find the average and cut or piece two borders that length.
2. Fold a border in half (and quarters if large) crosswise and crease. Pin again matching all of your crease marks.

3. Continue as you did with the previous borders.

If you are adding more borders to your quilt repeat the process above.
Using this method will give you the best chance of a perfectly square flat quilt top - even if your piecing was not
perfect.

Go forth and make square flat  quilts!

happy quilting

hugs from Helen

What a simply Splendid day it is!

How exciting is it that I was invited to be a designer in the second series of the Splendid Sampler?

And I even made the cover! so yes, you get my block for free to get one step ahead before the book ships!

We are taking preorders for these books at Quarter Inch - and we'll send you them as soon as they arrive in October  - you can order the first one too if you'd like.

The lovely team of Pat and Jane sent me a bunch of fabrics from Moda

and Erin at Aurifil some threads to play with.

We could use any method, design or technique we wanted so of course I included two of my faves…..

 embroidery….. (note: I used Presencia Finca Perle#16 threads for the embroidery)

and English Paper pieced clamshells

Of course many people may not have tried these methods before (and I always like to teach something new to even one stitcher out there) so I won’t leave you in the cold…

You can join in my FREE series of embroidery lessons and learn every hint and tip I can give you (just click on the pic below)

and if you need help with clamshells?  well I have a unique product for English paper piecing – they are EPP Iron-ons – yes, iron on leave in epp templates… They are cut from my Applique paper which is a semi water soluble paper with a fusible on one side. So you just iron them on, and leave them in!  You can see the step by step tutorial for clamshells by clicking on the pic below.

If you’d love to have the EPP Iron-ons to make your block you can get them here. (and why would you do it any other way!)

And for even more information and free help on my paper and method subscribe to my Youtube channel where there is a ton of information and technique how to’s for you.

To celebrate my day, let’s have a little competition! Over on Instagram…. Follow me (on IG) and share a pic of your version of my block….(don’t forget to tag me so I find it @helen_stubbings)

 

I’ll choose two new followers over the next two days (for those quick off the batt) – and one tagged pic (per week on Fridays) over the next month to send a free pack of EPP Iron on Clamshell papers to..

I do so hope you love my block, learn a new tip or technique and keep on stitching along with the Splendid sampler team….

can’t wait to see them all appearing!

what to do now?

Sign up for free embroidery lessons

Order your clamshell EPP Iron-on papers

Watch the tutorial

Gather your fabric and threads

Follow me on Instagram

Post your block to win! (and you have to tag me! @helen_stubbings)

 

happy stitching

hugs from Helen

The Leah Day Project

Whilst testing my blocks for my latest Block of the Month Project ‘In The Good Old Days’, I decided to use one right here to send to Leah and see what she did with it! 

and here are the results! Pop over to her blog to see what and why!

so here’s a quick tute on how I made it..

 

Make four A/B and eight B/C half square triangle units.

Place the squares right sides together with all edges even. Use a Clearly Perfect Angles tool to eliminate the need to mark diagonal lines. Check out this video for help on the tool – it is brilliant and will give you accurate units every time.

So to make half square triangle units you are going to line the point up with that grey line and stitch 1/4” either side of what would be a centre line. Chain piece all the units through and then turn them and stitch down the other side.Then use scissors or your rotary cutter and ruler to cut them apart down the center of the two stitch lines (point to point)

Press them all open. You will have 4 corner blocks and 8 blocks which go on the 4 sides of your finished block.NOw take your D squares, right sides together and make four half square triangles as before.You are then going to use your ruler and cutter and cut them in half point to point. And discad the four top halves (use them for something else one day)Next we find the four C triangles (we cut our squares in half earlier). Place right sides together and stitch along the long edge-  you need to take care not to stretch this bias edge.Press open carefully.

Now lay all your units into rows and stitch together matching all points. note: if you press the seams in each row in opposite directions (ie top row to left, 2nd row to right) then they will butt up nicely and make for easier seam matching.

To complete my block I added corners to put it on point (note: this was testing my measurements for my BOM quilt side and corner set triangles)

Cut two squares light fabric 5 3/4”

Cross cut once to make four triangles

Cut one strip red fabric 1 1/2” x wof

Lay the triangles right sides together along the long cut edge on the red fabric strip. Stitch taking care not to stretch the bias edge. Leave space in between each one for turning and cutting.

Press red strip outwards and use a ruler and cutter to trim the red strip at an angle in line with the edge.

Attach a triangle to opposite sides of your block. press open. Attach remaining two and press out. Trim your block and then see what Leah does with her amazing quilting!

This is where and how I used my block! can you spot it?

hugs for today

and thanks Leah for the invite to work with you.

Helen

Who’s coming to Salt Lake City?

With only four sleeps until I leave and a very long list of to dos still I shouldn’t be here, but yet again its been so long and just in case any of you are coming I wanted to let you know of some of my movements so we can say hi if its possible.

So, Spring Quilt market – the International Quilt trade show (trade customers only this time sorry) is on next week at the Salt Lake City Convention centre downtown SLC. Sue and I fly out Monday to start the long journey and then the long setup ready to open next Friday.

 

of course I have three schoolhouse sessions first on Thursday as follows:

Have Much More FUN with
COSMO! – Im doing this one for Lecien

                                  Room 253a 1.20-1.50pm

Want Cash to Walk In Your Door
Monthly? We’ll Tell You How!  Room 250e 3:30 - 4:00

 

Calling All Hexie Addicts! EPP the
EasyWay                              Room 250e 4.05-4.35

 

 

Then I have two Take & Teach Classes again for you to join in and learn to take back to your students and stores:

Friday 8.00-9.30am

310. SIMPLY REDWORK EMBROIDERY—THE HUGS ‘N KISSES WAY $10

Simple embroidery stitches are ever popular! Introduce them to your students and expand your range of embroidery skills and inventory with simple stitcheries, red work, and more. Make the first block in the Razz-a-Dazzle BOM quilt. (*; 6in embroidery hoop)

411. FROM HEXIES TO CLAMSHELLS— EPP THE HUGS ‘N KISSES IRON-ON WAY $10

Using the new EPP Iron-ons™ extend your knowledge of English Paper Piecing beyond hexagons. Clamshells are the next big thing! Make this super cute purse/cushion and take it back to wow your customers. (*; Sewline fabric glue pen or similar)

I will also be doing demos on demand in my booth daily showing the Easy English paper piecing method using iron on, leave in papers that is going crazy.And 4pm on Saturday I’ll be demoing and book signing on the Landauer Booth #1243  on my Gluestick applique method..

Phew, Im tired just thinking about this…

But wait! there’s more… This year a group of your favourite Aussie designers are grouping together to form the Aussie Aisle!

We’ll all be there in aisle #1800 – right inside the entrance doors next to the quilt exhibit!  You’ll see our aussie bunting for sure… we have some exciting things in store for you….

Each designer will be doing their demos of what they do best!

We have a gorgeous Koala coming with us all the way from Australia – she is very excited, and also very friendly and would love to have her photo taken with you all.  Then you can try and guess her name and go in a draw to win a fabulous basket of goodies from us all.AND

we are having free vegemite tastings too!

Come join all the action in aisle #1800  but before that join our new group – Aussie Designers on Facebook, you’ll see what each of us are doing now and into the future and have us on hand to answer questions etc ongoing.

 

of course, after market brings more excitement as I rush to the airport to travel to Minnesota to teach for the Hayward Quilt guild.. maybe I’ll see you there – there might be just 1 or 2 spots left if you are close by….

 

okay, back to my list now…

hugs for today

Helen

Easy English Paper piecing on Craftsy

My first Craftsy class is now live!

You can view the trailer here

……and for my special blog friends I can offer you a launch special of 50% off for one week!  Click on this link to access the special price…. (sorry discount now expired)

If you’ve never tried English Paper piecing before – or even if you have but perhaps not the way I do it and you’d like to try it out, please go take a look… I hope I have made everything easy to understand and in simple terms – but never fear, if not, I'm right there on the Craftsy forums to help answer your questions.

And the winner of the free class is:

cdel9419jaffa!!!  I will be emailing your link to claim your free class very soon – Congratulations…

hugs for today, from Hobart at the bottom of Australia

Helen

Craftsy excitement!

Remember my whirlwind trip to Denver just before Christmas?

Well I'm excited to say now that it was to tape a Craftsy class!

What an experience. This was the most professional platform I’ve worked with before – but it was also a lot of fun. The whole team made me feel so welcome and the whole experience was wonderful.

To back up a bit, I had met the Craftsy girls at a party in Portland years ago – their first year at market, and was given a card and asked to submit proposals. Of course, it dropped down the list and it took me a few years to find the card, go through an extensive submission process and put a class in. They were immediately interested however I couldn’t make it to Houston to discuss it further and the opportunity disappeared. A whole year later I finally got around to submitting again, I spent a day putting the first technique submission in and planned to do three more the next day… however I woke up to an acceptance that morning – my class was accepted!  If I could fill a very short notice cancellation….  of course I said yes…

So now its official, by this time next week……

So after a lot of prep work, many hours of Skype calls in between dance concerts, end of year assemblies and Christmas parties, I hit the skies and headed to Denver.

Had hair and makeup done each day…..(thankfully!)

and the nails done before I left! – just as well, look how close they got?

and hopefully everyone will understand my Aussie accent and ‘foreign’ language.

now, if you’re not familiar with Craftsy – it is an online platform for education classes – In actual fact Craftsy is the fastest growing crafty community on the web with over 5 million members in over 200 countries worldwide.

With a Craftsy online class you can take it as many times as you want, whenever you want and access never expires.  Craftsy’s platform enables you to take virtual notes while watching a class and the HD quality video and audio make it easy to see exactly how the instructor is creating the craft, with close-ups of the different steps. Instructors and other students will answer your questions and give feedback. 

So now that I’ve told you my big news, I have more to tell…you can win a free class  - just click on this link and enter..

http://www.craftsy.com/ext/HelenStubbings_Giveaway

Of course I’ll be back to tell you more when the class goes live next week….

 

so don’t miss out – click to enter and

hugs for today

Helen

Scrappity Doo-dah online QAL

Are you on the EPPQAL Facebook page?  There is so much activity there as they await their next installment for the online quilt a long mystery… lots of different fabrics being used..

Did you miss out- or think you couldn’t fit it in?  well now we are ready with our Scrappity Doo Dah version – you can join at anytime. Just purchase your pack and then you will be signed up. Now of course eventually you might start seeing finished quilts (which may spoil your mystery) but you still have the fun of wondering what comes next! so what’s it all about?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Learn the joy of English Paper piecing the Hugs ‘n Kisses way!

Join with us on this 26 part Quilt along – learn many shapes, techniques, a little gluestick applique and more.

$112.00  includes paper pack and the full set of patterns over approximately 5 months

This is now an Online quilt-a-long BOM type program. You can sign up here for a paper pack to join, and an optional fabric pack- or you can sign up with your favourite store and choose their fabric kit choices.

There are 26 parts to the program which will be delivered by electronic mail and download. The finished quilt measures approx 48" x 48"

What fabrics did you use?

I have used my Fancywork Box and Basically Hugs fabrics for my quilt version –which is what you will see on each email. The design is based on a scrappy layout and we have a fabric pack available to help you start – 8 fat quarters and 16 fat eights – this will be plenty to make your quilt top.

Hugs fabric pack – (optional)

Viewcart

$90 + postage. (please select other for postage- if more is required we will contact you before processing)

Other things you would have in your sewing box – but if not they are available from here.

Sewline Glue pen & refills

Hugs ‘n Kisses applique needles

Roxanne’s Glue baste it

Karen Kay Buckley perfect scissors

Bottomline sewing thread in neutral colours

Inkjet printer or Sewline ceramic pencil.

To sign up to the program you must purchase the Paper pack above.

Once you have  purchased your starter kit from us you will be subscribed to the program and you will get an email each time a new part is released. (approx every 5 days)

It will contain a link to download the pattern.  Please download and save this PDF pattern

to your computer or device. The emails are automatically generated and cannot be re-sent

if you lose them so please take care to save and file carefully. You will require a free Acrobat

reader to print the pattern files - available from https://get.adobe.com/reader/

I am sharing this journey so that you may get to experience the pleasure of using our unique method of English Paper piecing and needleturn applique. It uses our EPP iron-ons which are cut from our wonderful Applique paper. You can read more about this here 

http://www.hugsnkisses.net/index.php/shop/other-thingys/applique-paper-precuts

with many tutorials on my blog at http://hugsnkisses.typepad.com/hugsfromhelen/

or videos on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/user/helenshugsnkisses

I just know once you try these you are going to love them and never look back to removing sticky  papers again.

hope you can join us – and the several hundred others making this around the world!

hugs for today

Helen

Market tag thingamajig–free project

Very soon I am off to market again, this time in Minneapolis –

are you coming?

If so you might like to make one of these thingamajigs!  I have made it to hold the little plastic tag holders they give us each year (lets hope they haven't changed the size) – so you can just slip it right inside the front pocket.

But also, I always need to carry around business cards – and I am ALWAYS losing my phone, so I have included an inside pocket with a spring clip closure so it won’t fall out when I bend down (which happens often), with plenty of room to collect others cards, brochures and more..

Then of course there are the pins! this year a group of us are participating in a great booth pin hop – yes like a treasure hunt..

So where do you put your pins? onto the nice wide strap of course.. can you collect them all?

Of course if you are not coming to market – these name tag thingys are very common at all shows both retail and trade – so you will surely need one one day…

 

So here we go….

You will need:

one skinny quarter fabric (10”/25cm x wof)

a bit of heavy fusible interfacing &

a bit of lighter weight fusible interfacing

one 15cm 6” spring clip bag closure (optional)

Cutting:

a.Cut one @ 1 1/4” x 6 1/4”

b.Cut one @ 2” x 6 1/4”

c.Cut two @ 6 1/2” x 5 3/4”

d.Cut two @ 6 1/2” x 5 3/4” (lining)

e.Cut two @ 3” x 3 1/2”

f.Cut 4 @ 2 1/2” x 6 1/8” (tabs)

g.Cut 1 @ 4” x 28” (neck strap) (join strips if necessary)

 

Fuse fairly heavy fusible interfacing to the wrong side of a, b and both e pieces.

Fold e pieces in half wrong sides together and press.

Place a and b right sides together with both of your folded e pieces with the side raw edges even. Stitch across long edges using a 1/4” seam allowance.

Press outwards.

Press a 1/4” seam over on the edge of the larger (2”) pieceFold over again until the fold meets the stitching line. PinEdgestitch top and bottom edge of the folded strip. Edgestitch just the top of the bottom strip.Fuse a lightweight fusible interfacing to the two ‘c’ pieces of fabric. Place your ‘unit’ onto the right side of one piece with the bottom raw edges even. Stitch to baste around outside edges (just a small 1/8” in from the edges). Stitch a row of stitching through both layers about 1/2” from the bottom edge.Place right sides together with your other (interfaced) ‘c’ piece. Stitch around outside edges using a 1/4” seam. Clip the corners, turn through and press out those seams well.

Neck strap – pin holderFold the ‘g’ piece in half along the length and press to crease the centre line.

Open and fold both edges in to meet the centre fold. Press.Fold in half again and press.Edgestitch down both sides.

 

Spring clip tabs – note if you don’t want to include a spring clip just skip this step and you’ll have an open top pouch/bag

Place two piece ‘f’ right sides together and stitch down both short ends.

Turn right side out and press out seams well.Fold in half and press.Place one right sides together with top raw edges even on the front of your thingamajig. PinOn the back side first position your neckstrap then the tab over the top with raw edges even and pin. Roll up the neckstrap and pin it out of the way of the edges.Make lining by sewing the two ‘d’ pieces right sides together using a 1/4” seam and leaving a 2” opening in one side. Clip corners, but leave wrong side out.Place lining bag over the top of your thingamajig. Line up the side seams and top raw edges and pin well.Place over your machine arm (it fits over mine, if it doesn't you’ll have to manoeuvre it around) Stitch around the complete top edge removing the pins as you go.Pull the inner bag to the outside through the opening in the lining Press out the seams well and then slip stitch that opening closed. (and yes if you know me you’ll know mine isn't done - do as I say, not as I do)

.Insert the spring clip through the top tabs. Put the little dooverlackie (metal pin) in the other end and use pliers to bend over the little metal flappy bits to hold..

Another version – every girl needs a spare, or maybe one for each day..

And you are ready for market – when you register and get your name tag – take one of the plastic holders and pop it straight in..

Then come and find me to collect your limited edition pin!

hope to meet you there..I’ll have lots of goodies to show you…

hugs

Helen