Pretty Basket Box - Flower Show Spring by Liberty Fabrics for Riley Blake Designs

Hello! Welcome back! Although I miss the holidays, I'm over the chaos. I think I'm ready for Spring now how about you? Well, if not, Flower Show Spring by Liberty Fabrics for Riley Blake Designs will make you want the season to arrive already! 

I'm currently giving my sewing room a refresh and I've been on the hunt for vintage, timeless pieces, specifically in storage form. I decided to add some handmades to my refresh of the room as well. I wanted to make something pretty that could hold my vintage linens and be passed down as an heirloom eventually, so I created a handmade, weaved basket, using Flower Show Spring. I hand cut and sewed each fabric strip and created a weaved pattern to resemble a basket. I added a vintage battenburg lace doily to the side to give it a vintage look.  I added structure to the body by incorporating a layer for pellon foam as well as plastic cross stitch canvas to make it really sturdy. I added leather handles to the side secured with rivets. I really love this make and hope to make more storage vessels for my sewing room.

Here is what I made:

Pretty Basket Box Front - Flower Show Spring by Liberty Fabrics

Side of the basket.

Back of the basket.

Inside of the basket - holds my vintage linens.

Inside of the basket

Flower Show Spring is arriving soon, so check your local quilt shop/fabric store or online.

Flower Show Spring by Liberty Fabrics for Riley Blake Designs

Thank you for stopping by. See you soon!


Karen

Dreamworld Bag - Emily Winfield Martin for Riley Blake Designs

Eight more sleeps till Christmas friends! Which means eight more days of making handmade gifts in Karen/Santa's workshop. I've done double duty so far in making this Dream World Bag, a gift I hope a friend would love. Dream World by Emily Winfield Martin for Riley Blake Designs is beautiful, soft, and oh so dreamy. I've been a fan of Emily for a while when there was no Instagram and only her lovely blog. Years back, she use to make these cute dolls which I saw on the Martha Stewart show and I was drawn to her whimsical designs. I can say, that she inspired me on my sewing journey. I have since made my twins Dream Animal fans, as this was the first book I've read to them when they were tiny babies. 

When I first saw Dream World I was giddy. It is the softest, premium cotton, adorable prints, and uses gold metallic! I knew the exact materials I wanted to incorporate and gold was what on my mind. I used gold lame trims and gold thread. I'm not going to lie, it wasn't the easiest to sew with, but I like a challenge! I hope I did Emily's designs justice with my Dream World Bag!

Here's what I made:

Dream World Bag - Emily Winfield Martin for Riley Blake Designs

Close up details of thread and trims used.

Front Main Pocket

Optional  Removable Crossbody Strap

Materials used

Dream World is starting to arrive in stores, so check your favorite quilts/fabric shops or online.

Thanks!

Karen

On The Go Library Bag - Zakka from the Heart for Minki Kim

Hello friends! It's my stop on Minki's Zakka from the Heart Book blog tour. I'm so excited to share my project with you - On the go Library Bag. I made this version for my daughter's Christmas present (one of the many), so I adjusted the length of the handles to fit little hands. My daughter Rosalie is obsessed with those little surprise toys, so I thought this wold be a perfect vessel for her to store and carry her many little toys. 

This bag is perfect to make for Christmas gifts or for yourself. The project was fairly easy and is great for a beginner to an advanced sewer. Minki's directions are clear and clever as well. She never seizes to amaze me on her instructions and design. I will surely be making two more of these for my twin nieces birthday gifts too! 

Here is what I made:

Back of the bag:

Zakka from the Heart is out now so check your local bookstore or online.

Happy sewing!

Karen

Window Tote Bag - Pemberley for Riley Blake Designs

Hello! Today is my stop for Pemberley by Rachel of Citrus & Mint Designs for Riley Blake Designs. I am a huge Jane Austen fan, as I'm sure many of you are! This fabric is exquisite. The color pallette and designs are beautifully captured and make you feel like your in the Georgian era with Elizabeth and all her friends!

My window design for the tote bag was inspired by the house Pemberley. I wanted to create vignettes that make you feel you are looking into the house (or outside) and peeking into one of the grand balls thrown by Mr.Darcy. I hope this bag captured that for you while being functional as well! This bag will hold all my Jane Austen novels. Enjoy!

Here is what I made:

Window Tote Bag - Pemberley for Riley Blake Designs

I used Riley Blake Basics for the window trim. It paired pretty well with Pemberley.

Pemberley has started to arrive into stores, so check your local quilt/fabric stores or online.

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

Granny Style Bag - Vintage Happy 2 for Riley Blake Designs

Hello! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends. I was on a fun cruise with my family, enjoying beaches, ocean, and family. They even served us Thanksgiving turkey believe it or not! It was a lovely time, but I'm happy to be back from super traveling (planes, hotel stays, bus rides, boat rides - we did it all)! This cute project was waiting for me upon my return and I'm so excited to share it with you!

Many of you are probably waiting for Vintage Happy 2 by Lori Holt of Bee in my Bonnet for Riley Blake Designs. It releases this month, and I cannot tell you how lovely it is! Perfect low volume prints along with Lori's fabulous vintage style prints of florals, patterns, and sewing! I already knew what I had to make when I first saw it - a Granny Style Bag with classic wood handles. I've had these handles for awhile and I'm so pleased to have used them with this fabric.

When I first started making bags, Granny style was the first designs I used. Classic yet cute, it makes a wonderful bag. I paired it with hexies to showcase Lori's prints and used the Dressmaker low volume print as my background. Here is what I made:

Granny Style Bag - Made with Vintage Happy 2 by Lori Holt for Riley Blake Designs

I hope you enjoyed my Granny Bag! Vintage Happy 2 is arriving in stores soon so check your local quilt/fabric shop or online!

Thanks!

Karen