2016 { looking back }

Wow!!! Last day of 2016! 

It feels like a recap of sorts is totally in order :)

Creatively, this was a good year for me. I tried new things, learned how to screen print on fabric, published a few new bag patterns, and generally enjoyed working on lots of different projects. Hope you'll enjoy this picture collage of my favorite makes.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! friends, for coming along on this creative journey with me.  I couldn't do what I do without your constant support and encouragement.

Wishing you all a happy, creative, and most of all peaceful 2017.

Svetlana

a christmas mini

Yesterday afternoon, completely on a whim, I started a Christmas mini quilt. Well, I actually didn't know it would turn into a mini quilt at a time. All I wanted to do is make a few mini tree blocks using Amanda Jean's pattern, beyond that I had no plan.

I made three blocks using red solid fabric from my stash (probably some Kona, not sure though) and a few different white-ish fabrics for the background. I do love this fabric combination a lot, I used it in my Christmas quilt last year and it felt wonderful to revisit it again.

At first I was leaning towards making blocks into a long, skinny pillow cover. As I was adding fabric to frame the blocks though, I realized it would make a lovely mini quilt. Strange, I must say, as I usually prefer pillows over mini quilts, but I went with my instinct and I'm so glad I did.

And, I hand quilted it, of course. I'm still obsessed with hand quilting, resistance is completely futile :).

I used this super, super adorable Christmas fabric for the backing. Which sort of doesn't make sense since no one will see it, but I loved the idea of using pretty fabric for the backing and knowing there are adorable gnomes hiding behind those trees makes me happy every time I look at this mini.

And, just for comparison, here's my mini next to last year's Christmas quilt (you can buy Trees! pattern in both sizes here).

QUILT STATS

finished size: 14" x 17.5" 

batting: Warm and White

thread for quilting: Clark bold hand quilting thread in white 

Thanks for reading, friends. Svetlana

improv strip placemats

I've been meaning to make new placemats for our home for quite some time now. I wanted something simple and uncomplicated and I'm happy I finally settled on these improv strip pieced placemats.

All the patchwork strips came from my scrap box, yay! It always feels extra wonderful to make even a tiny dent in the amount of scraps I own. I'm pretty sure they multiply every time I turn my back on them :).

I machine quilted my first placemat, but I simply didn't like the way it looked. I think I secretly really wanted to hand quilt them from the beginning, so I ripped all the machine stitches out, pulled out my hand quilting supplies, and got to work.  Oh, such joy! The finished mats do feel a bit luxurious with all the hand quilting, I love that.

 

I used some of my screen printed Essex linen panels for the backings and love the extra stability they add to finished mats. Oh, and I added one layer of cotton batting to the middle as well. Makes place mats soft and squishy without adding too much bulk.

Each mat finished at 12" x 16" and I'm super excited to start using them.

Wishing you all a beautifully relaxed and creative weekend. Svetlana

sew mama, sew! giveaway

Hello everyone, welcome to my Sew Mama, Sew! giveaway !!!

I'm super excited you stopped by. Want to see what you can win?

  I am giving away six of my very own screen printed panels to one lucky winner. (each panel measures about 12" x 16")

The winner will also receive three of my pdf patterns of their choosing. (you can browse all my patterns by clicking here)

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

 This giveaway is open worldwide (U.S. as well as international entries welcome). Mr. Random and I will choose the winner on Sunday, December 11th.

Here's how to enter:

 * leave a comment on this post letting me know what fun project you're working on right now
* to get a second bonus entry let me know you are my follower, or become one by clicking on the link below and then let me know

A big thank you to all who took part in my giveaway. I greatly appreciate each and every one of you and I absolutely loved reading what projects you guys are working on, thanks for sharing.

I'm happy to announce Kathy@KayakQuilting is out winner, congratulations!!

Please, please, please make sure to leave you email address if you're a non-reply commenter or I'll have no way of contacting you in case you win and will have to choose another winner.

Wishing you all a happy and successful day. Svetlana

vera slouch bag {new pdf pattern release}

Welcome, welcome friends!!!

I'm happy to introduce my newest bag pattern to you today.

♥ ♥ ♥ Vera Slouch Bag ♥ ♥ ♥

It's a perfectly sized everyday bag. Not too large, not too small, with two exterior slip pockets, one lining zipper pocket (I'm quite sure you'll enjoy this new way of installing a zipper pocket) and a smaller lining slip pocket as well.

See? Wonderfully roomy, isn't it?

Finished size of the bag is 11" wide x 11" tall x 4" deep.

It's not a very difficult bag to make, but it does look super chic once finished. I'd say an advanced beginner (some zipper experience is helpful) would be quite comfortable making this bag.

And, in case you're a fan of leather strap just like I am, I added an extra page of instructions on how to attach leather strap and D-ring tabs instead of making fabric ones.

Materials needed to make the bag

(fabric requirements are based on 42” wide fabric)

fabric A (main exterior fabric) – ¾ yard

fabric B (contrasting exterior bottom) – ¼ yard

fabric C (lining) – ½ yard

interlining fabric (canvas, denim, or some other heavier weight fabric) – ½ yard

SF 101 interfacing (or other medium weight fusible interfacing of choice) – 2 ½ yards

one - 7” long metal or nylon zipper

one - 14mm magnetic snap closure

two - 1” D-rings

two - 1” swivel lobster hooks

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

I've enlisted the help of some super, super talented ladies to test this pattern for me and I was beyond excited when I saw all the gorgeous bags they made. You guys rock :)

Mali made this stunning Vera bag. I'm totally, totally in love with the fabrics she chose.

 

I'm also quite smitten with Zenna's gorgeous bag. Such pretty colors.

Kati went with another beautiful fabric combo. She used some of her long hoarded Stamped fabric for the exterior and waxed canvas for the bottom of her bag. Perfection for sure :)

Rebecca's beautiful bag took me back to when I first started sewing. These Morning Glory fabrics by Amy Butler were my absolute favorites for years and I still have a few cuts saved and waiting for "just the right project".

I love Julia's use of leather for the bottom of the bag, as well as the sweet addition of leather tag. It's the little details that make a huge difference, don't you agree?

And then there's Vicki's gorgeous Vera. Yet another stunner!

Last, but definitely not least, is this fabulous quilted Vera by Elizabeth. I've never used cork fabric in my sewing before but seeing this beauty makes me want to give it a try for sure.

Thank you so much, ladies. You all did an amazing job.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

I hope you like my Vera Slouch Bag as much as I do. And, to celebrate the release of this new pattern I'm offering it at an introductory price of $6.00 for the next 48 hours.

You can buy the pattern by clicking directly on the button below or by going to my Etsy shop.

 

buy this pattern

scrappy, hand quilted 20-patch {a finished quilt}

 

My scrappy 20-patch quilt is all finished and ready for snuggles, yay!

I don't even remember last time I enjoyed making a quilt as much as I did this one. It wasn't a quick finish. I pieced the quilt top in October and have been slowly hand quilting it for about a month.

 I usually go with perle cotton #8 or embroidery thread when hand quilting my quilts. This time though I decided to use Clark bold hand quilting thread in white I had in my stash. And now I want to hand quilt everything using this thread. See this absolutely fabulous texture? I wish you could touch this quilt, it feels divine.

I took the inspiration from Rachel's beautiful Blue Phase quilt and quilted each rectangle using different patterns. Nothing too fancy, just my absolute favorite straight lines.

I chose dark-ish fabric for the quilt back and I just adore the way quilting looks on this side, as well. At first I wasn't sure how all those white stitches will look on such dark backing, but I'm super happy with the finish. 

And now I'm completely obsessed with hand quilting. OBSESSED!!! I tell you. Which is not such a bad thing, I guess. Hand quilting is pretty relaxing after all. I guess I'll just relax a bit more than usual in the next couple of weeks :)

 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

QUILT STATS

finished size: 48" x 69" 

fabrics used: favorite scraps + light colored solids

batting: Pellon's Nature's Touch Natural cotton batting

thread for quilting: Clark bold hand quilting thread in white 

Thanks for reading, friends. Svetlana

black friday sale

Hello, happy Black Friday to you all!

Ready to start tackling those Christmas lists? I definitely am :).

I hope you will like this special offer I prepared for you. All the items in both of my etsy shops are 20% off with coupon code THANKS16. This is the first time ever I'm offering not just my patterns, but also the kits, screen printed fabric, as well as all my handmades on sale. 

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

You can purchase my patterns, kits, and fabric panels here,

and my handmades (finished pouches, pillows, quilts, and more) here.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

And just a quick side note, I'm taking a break from offering screen printed panels and kits at my shop after this sale, so once they are sold it will be it for quite some time.

The sale runs through Monday, Nov. 28th.

Thank you for all your continued support and encouragement.

Svetlana

striped cats tote

I absolutely love this time of the year. I love all the hustle and bustle of preparation for Thanksgiving and then Christmas (oh, I do love Christmas so very much), and two of my children were born in November which makes this month extra, extra special. But, I also feel like a hamster in its wheel. Running at neck breaking speed yet feeling like I'm not getting anywhere, or many times even falling more behind. Gah!!! Totally frustrating!

I managed to do a bit of sewing the other day though. And it totally helped with my mood :). So I decided to try and squeeze in a bit of  "sanity saving sewing" into most of my days.

I usually make a bag, a pouch, or a pillow. Nothing too huge and time consuming.

This little tote bag was one of those super quick, super satisfying projects. I made it for my son's friend. It was her birthday and she likes cats, so he very carefully went through my stash choosing the best cat print he could find.  He chose well, I must say. I love these Cotton and Steel striped cats.

He also chose these Cloud 9 owls (from Joann) for the lining. I thought it was a bit too much and wanted to steer him towards a plain lining but he insisted they were too cute not to be included :). Oh, well! 

Once the bag was finished he was super happy with the way it turned out. And so was his friend. I'm totally calling this a very successful collaboration.

Wishing you all a happy day. 

Svetlana

21 free christmas sewing tutorials

I know, I know! Thanksgiving is just around the corner and it's a bit too early to go into a full Christmas mode, but I simply couldn't resist any longer and I started working on my Christmas sewing list.

And, in case some of you feel the same and would like a bit of Christmas inspiration, I put together a list of 21 free sewing tutorials for you. Enjoy :)

(click on the picture below to be taken to original tutorial)

diamond stocking	christmas tree skirt	merry and bright cushion
circle tree quilt	stocking advent calendar	a bit of cheer ornaments
mini christmas tree ornament	reusable gift bag	table runner
patchwork pillow	simple sixteen quilt	advent calendar
felt woodland ornament	spiral stocking	patchwork pillow
kitschy christmas quilt	tree skirt	bullfinch ornament
gift tag	potholders	tiny trees bunting

Wishing each and every one of you a creative and relaxed weekend.

 Svetlana