Christmas Gift Sewing (and a bit of knitting!)

Well, now that the big man has come and gone, I can share with you some gifts that I made for Christmas.

My lovely Sister-in-Law back is traveling back to the UK next month, and I thought that she could use a hand with her packing . . . . . so I made her a couple of the box bags that I am currently somewhat obsessed with:

And a cute little jewelry pouch based upon this free pattern in Craftsy.  The pattern was a little too big for my needs, so I made it smaller - opened up it is about 9" x 6". There are two zippered pouches, a piece of felt that you can use to hold your studs, and some ties for rings.  Pretty neat right?  It is a very clever design.

Miss Sharon also mentioned the other day that some socks that I had knitted for her (ages ago) keep her toes really toasty, so I managed to get a pair finished for her just in time for Christmas:

The colour of this yarn (Estelle Sockittome) is fabulous, and the dye pattern is very pretty, but boy, this yarn is splitty. I was constantly having to drop stitches, frog back, and then pick them up again as this yarn does NOT play nice with 2.5mm needles. Funnily enough I am knitting a cowl on larger needles in another colourway - and that is fine, but these socks were a NIGHTMARE because of the yarn. Such a pity as the colours are gorgeous.

The stitch definition is good, and has a lovely twist - which is just as well as the yarn is a single ply. I’m not to sure how long these socks will last - only time will tell … .

Next up was a pair of socks my Mr. for Christmas:

This time I used Knit Picks Felici - a lovely soft yarn that Knit Picks are no longer making/selling.  If you can't have Christmas coloured socks at Christmastime - I don't know when you can!

Finally, I made some fabulous little holders to hold your hot bowls when they come out of the microwave:

I'm not sure if you can see in these pics, but there is a dart on each side of the square that pinches in the fabric, making a bowl shape.  The above musical holder was a gift for my Dad, and the Christmas fabric ones are for my brother and SIL.

All the fabric, batting and thread are cotton, so the holders can be microwaved with the bowls on top of them.  I made another black/red/white musical one for Mr. SDSC and he has been using it all week for his Weetabix in hot milk every morning . . . . . much better than a folded up tea towel!

I've also made a couple more waistcoats - a black one with red lining for my father (forgot to get a pic of that, and he now has it at home) and a black/brown houndtooth for Mr. SDSC - photos to follow.

How about you - did you get any Christmas sewing/knitting in this year?

Bras & Bags

So. Winter has arrived in these parts, and that means lots of indoors activities . . . and sewing! And knitting! Hurrah. First, let me show you the weather evidence:

Very pretty, that's for sure!

I thought hat it was time to make some more undies, and two more bras have made their was into my lingerie drawer.  Who doesn't need a new white bra?  This was made using the Shelley pattern from Bra-Makers Supplies in Hamilton, Ontario.  With the exception of the lace, all the fabrics and notions were also from Bra-Makers Supplies.  The lace was already in my stash, and actually started off as a gathered lace.  I took off the band that gathered the lace, gave it a good pressing - and voila - some fabulous flat lace for my new bra!

Next up was a racy, red one.  Again, all supplies as above.

I also made a couple more box bags for my sock knitting.  And yes I have that many pairs of socks on the go!

The bag above is a bit more peachy in colour, and looks so delicate.

And who can resist the sausage dogs?  The lovely dotty lining matches perfectly and I am very pleased with these. . . . and I have some socks to share with you next time as well! 

How about you - do you have 'cold weather' projects that you are working on - or 'hot weather' projects for my Southern Hemisphere buddies?!

2 x Fat Quarters + 1 Zip = ????

Why, lovely project bags of course:

They are just the perfect size for my yarn and needles for sock knitting, but I have also made them for family members who use them as washbags, makeup bags etc.

 They measure about 9" long x 4.5" x4.5".  I like to add a co-ordinating zip (it is a great way to use up odd zips that I don't know what else to do with!) and a zipper pull made with beads.

I absolutely love these - I have another (cough, cough) six cut out and ready to sew, and more than twenty (what??  How many??) matched up pairs of fat quarters and zips.  It's an addiction I tell you.  I can't help myself :)

Box Bags

I love bags - handbags, shopping bags, wash bags - they all hold some inexplicable excitement for me, so I thought that I would make up a couple for my travels.  I find them so useful - they hold my knitting (I am a sockoholic), wash kit, electronics etc., etc.,!

First up I thought that I would use one of the fat 1/4's that I received from the lovely Phillipa of Gloria & Me as part of the Spring Swap this year.  I couldn't resist this gorgeous seaside fabric:

And this is what it became!  

A lovely little 'box bag' with iron-on batting for structure, 

And fully lined in a great, co-ordinating Amy Bulter fabric.

As you can see I bound the inside seams - I have seen (and made) some of these bags with overlocked/serged seams, and that seems such a shame - if you are going to line the bag - let's make it look good inside too!

And then I made another one.  From some more Amy Butler fabric

Love it!

I showed these to Mr. SDSC and he laughed.  Somewhat perturbed, I asked him what the problem was, and he said that he found it funny (and endearing) that I never make just one item - I make multiple versions of the same items.  Now then, let's think . . . . Sorbettos, 4-gore skirts, Singer Shapely Blouses.  OK, he may have a point!!  Oh, and I have since made another 4 of these cute bags - two I have given away, and two more are tucked away in my suitcase . . . . .

How about you - are you a 'multiple maker'?