Twenty Patch Scrappy Quilt

 

You guys, I made a quilt!

I used to make many, many quilts when I first started sewing 9 years ago, but lately I haven't been in any kind of quilting mood at all. So, having this quilt all finished feels like a huge accomplishment. Especially since it was over 1 year in the making :).

I started making this quilt in October 2019 as a way of using up some of my ever growing mountain of scraps. I cut my fabric to 2.5'' squares and just started piecing them together into these lovely, scrappy 20-patch blocks. I wasn't too particular about fabric placement but I tried not to put too many fabrics of the same value together. 

Also, before I started cutting my scraps, I decided on a color scheme for a more cohesive final look.

I used 1/4'' seam allowance to piece my scrappy blocks and they each finished at 8.5'' x 10.5''. 

I decided to add Kona Snow and alternate scrappy and white blocks. I love how the addition of solid blocks makes the scrappy ones shine a bit more without the finished quilt feeling too overwhelming.

I used Warm and Natural batting and a flat sheet I had on hand for my backing and since I was in no rush to have this quilt finished, plus I wanted it to have a lovely sort of vintage feel, I decided to hand quilt it.

I won't lie. It was demanding and quite a commitment. I actually put the quilt aside for months at a time because I needed a break for all this stitching :).

But, I'm totally smitten with the finished look and I think it was worth all the effort!

I marked my lines before I started quilting and I used cotton thread I found at my local haberdashery shop (similar to sashiko thread) for my quilting. I think Perle Cotton or Embroidery Thread would work equally well.

At first I thought I'd do a scrappy binding but I'm glad I decided to go with a striped one in the end. I think it frames all the scrappy goodness well without making the quilt too busy.

The quilt finished at 60'' x 80'' and I'm super excited I got to share it with you at last.

Wishing you all a happy and creative week. Svetlana

Devon Pouch (a fabulously handy zipper pouch)

 Hello lovelies, happy Monday to you all!

If you've been following me for a while you would have noticed how much I enjoy sewing up zipper pouches :). It's one of my favorite projects to work on and today I wanted to talk a bit about one of my most favorite pouch ever, the Devon Pouch.

Here's just a little sampling of the Devon Pouches I made over the last year or so :).

I love putting these sweet fabric combinations together, matching them up with metal zippers, and whipping up these super useful pouches. I especially love having the extra zipper pocket on the front as it helps me keep things a bit more organized in my purse.

As you can see, I'm quite a fan of combining floral prints with Essex linen (yarn dyed linen in black is my favorite). And, because I know many of you will ask, I buy my zippers from Zipit or Needled Boutique on Etsy. 

You can purchase the pattern for this pouch here if you'd like to give it a go.

And, in case you're not sure about the whole working with zippers thing, I put together a time lapse video on how I sew this pouch for you to see.

Happy sewing, friends. Svetlana

Boxed Zipper Pouch (how to)

Hello everyone, happy Saturday to you all!

I'm super excited to bring you a new video tutorial 😀. 

I'm a huge fan of boxed zipper pouches as they make such useful pencil or make up bags, or they can even be used as small project bags.

These pouches are fully lined with no exposed raw edges. I think you'll like how stylish and beautiful they look not just on the outside, but on the inside as well. And, to top it off, the pouch is given its shape by folding the edges of the pouch instead of needing to cut and then sew all the corners, definitely a time saver.

DIMENSIONS: 3'' wide x 7'' long x 2'' tall

*  *  *  *  *

I made my pouches using quilting cotton for both the exterior and the lining of the pouch, but you could use canvas or some other slightly heavier weight fabric for the outside of the pouch if you wish.

I also used Pellon SF101 interfacing for both the exterior and the lining of the pouch, but Pellon Fusible Fleece could be used for the exterior panels instead if you wish your finished pouch to have a bit more structure.

CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS:

Main Exterior: (2) - 5 1/2'' tall x 10'' wide panels

Lining: (2) - 6'' tall x 10'' wide panels
Inner Binding: (2) - 1 3/4'' x 5'' strips
(2) - 1'' tall x 10'' wide strip

Contrasting Exterior Strip: (2) - 1'' tall x 10'' wide strip

Interfacing Cut: (2) - 5.5'' tall x 10'' wide panels

(2) - 6'' tall x 10'' wide panels

(2) - 1'' tall x 10'' wide strip

YOU WILL ALSO NEED:

(1) - 9'' long metal or nylon zipper

(2) - 2'' long ribbons

Let's get sewing, shall we? 

Here's the video tutorial for you, enjoy!

Long Time No See

 Hello lovely makers, Happy New Year!!

It's been way too long since I was last here but I miss this place so I thought I'd pop in real quick to say hello to you all.

How have you been? What have you been up to?

I've been sewing up a storm, working on some new patterns as well as free video tutorials over the last few months and I can't wait to share then with you all. Did you know I started my very own YouTube channel where I share free video tutorials as well as teach different sewing techniques? I hope you'll check it out, here's the link for you :). 

Sotak Handmade YouTube Channel

Happy Monday, friends! I'll be back soon to show you my new finished quilt. Yay!

Svetlana