scraps + improv

Lately I've been feeling incredibly overwhelmed and exhausted, finding myself with a mile long to do list and very little energy to tackle it all. So, the other day I decided to forget about all the urgent stuff and indulge in some much needed "scrap therapy" instead.

I dove into my scrap bin and improv pieced these random blocks.

I knew I didn't want to commit to any large project, so I simply turned some of them into coasters.

And then I made more coasters, of course :)  These were super fun to make and I greatly enjoyed adding little hand stitched details to each.

And, after spotting Chase's adorable scrap pouch I decided I needed to make one, too.

I love how it turned out and I can't wait to do some more scrappy sewing soon.

How about you? Do you enjoy sewing with scraps? Or do you prefer using your stash?

Wishing you all a lovely and creative day. Svetlana

pattern sale (30% off discount code)

 

Hello everyone!

 

Let's celebrate the beginning of summer with a little sale, shall we?

Use code SUMMER30 during checkout to get a 30% discount on all sewing patterns at my etsy shop.

 

(discount code valid through Friday, June 23rd) 

Happy sewing! Svetlana

sawtooth star quit (all finished)

I finished my Sawtooth Star quilt and I'm completely in love :)

This quilt is special to me not just because sawthooth star block is one of my most favorite quilting blocks ever, but also because I screen printed the fabrics I used and it feels amazing to see them turned into a quilt.

I used a mixture of Kona and Cirrus solids for my blocks. Each block measured 12.5" unfinished, sashing was cut at 2.5" wide. (click here to read more on how I make my blocks)

When it came to quilting, I wanted just a simple design so the stitching wouldn't compete with the blocks. I think this grid quilting does the work very nicely.

And the stripes for the binding, of course. I don't think I will ever tire of adding striped binding to my quilts.

 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

QUILT STATS

finished size: 40" x 54" 

fabrics used: Kona + Cirrus solids, screen printed fabrics (can be purchased here)

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

Wishing you all a happy and creative day. Svetlana

Linking up to Finish it up Friday over at Crazy Mom Quilts.

my new beach bag

Summer has arrived in full force. It's hot and muggy and the kids are on their summer break, so we try to make the best of it and go swimming as often as we can. Which of course means I needed a new beach bag :).

I've gone back and forth on quite a few designs but in the end I decided to make myself a Market Bag from one of my most favorite sewing books Handmade Style by Anna Graham.

This bag is fabulously roomy (it fits at least three beach towels easily) and way more stylish than most beach bags one can buy at the store, I think ;)

I used yarn dyed Essex Linen in black for main body and a mix of my own screen printed fabric as well as some adorable prints I bought from Krista (spotted stones) for patchwork bands.

I went with olive green canvas for lining. It's wonderfully sturdy and there was no need to add interfacing which is always nice. 

I followed directions in the book to make one zipper pocket and then I added an extra zipper and slip pockets to the other lining as well as a snap hook for my keys to make this fabulously large bag more functional.

I love how it turned out and I'm quite sure this bag will get used a lot over the next few months. Yay for stylish and useful projects !!!

Happy summer to you all! Svetlana

Sylvie and Devon

Hello friends!

How are things? Are you enjoying some lovely summer weather these days? My kids have been out of school for over two weeks and we're now in full summer mode. It's fun being able to spend more time with the kids and take things easy, but it also means a lot less sewing time for me. 

So far though I've been pretty successful in squeezing a few quick projects here and there (you know, to keep my sanity intact) and it seems to do the trick :).

 I made this Sylvie Tote as a gift for my mother in law and I absolutely adore the combination of this long hoarded cotton print by Jeni Baker for AGF and yarn dyed Essex linen. 

I made an 'everyday size' and went with slightly shorter handles than the pattern calls for as my MIL prefers her totes this way. And, I added rivets and magnetic snap closure to make it a sturdy and functional tote. I hope it will be loved and used a lot.

And then I made myself a new Devon Pouch. I think this is the fifth or sixth Devon I made in the last few weeks and I still didn't get tired of making them. That's definitely a good sign :)

How about you? What have you been working on lately?

Svetlana