Back to work tote

I did mention I was taking a blog break didn't I? Back in August. Well Summer has come and gone but i'm still in vacation mode apparently.  I am not ready for the kids to be back to school, not ready for summer to be over, not ready for the warm weather to leave, not ready, not ready…..  Isn’t that always the way? Seems like every year goes by faster and faster. 

But it is time to go back to work and time to get this blog back up and running.  The first stop on this crazy train will be the “For the love of Solids Swap” item.  I’ve finally, (practically down to the wire this time) gotten my project done for my partner.

It’s a tote bag, ok you could probably tell that by looking.  I have had this circle piecing idea in my head for at least the last 5 years and finally there was a project to try it on.  The circle piecing I used exposes the raw edge on the outside of the fabric, creating a textural fabric.  The circles are pieced as squares leaving a circular seam allowance and lending this circular feel to the final fabric.  That’s what I was going for.  I hope my partner is ok with this look, because it’s a bit ‘un-orthodox’ shall we say?  The colors conform to my partners preferences.  I think the final project turned out  as I planned it.  The main body of the bag is Kona Charcoal offset with various selections from the Kona fat quarter bundle in grape. Lining is Michael Miller. Off to make a little extra and then it will be shipping its way across the pond??  Continent?  Region??......

Happy Sewing!

For the love of solids Swap

With the Pretty {little} pouch Swap project done, I've cleared the way for the next swap - For the love of solids. 

My inspiration mosaic




My palette for the partner assigned to me - which I quite like myself as it turns out...



I think I've got the design plan all wrapped up but you'll have to wait and see what comes of it in a few weeks. Meanwhile, I'm taking a blogging break for a few weeks.  See you at the end of August.

Happy Sewing!

Along the road to a new design

Introducing the Audrey pouch. A new design ~

This starts as an idea and gets (chicken-scratched) sketched.


Then it goes to a full-sized pattern trial.


It gets cut out and stitched and the final piece is subjected to my scrutiny to be sure that it looks like I intended it to look. If not, adjustments are made to the pattern and it goes back to the sewing stage.

This one miraculously managed to work out the first time.

That rarely happens.

Then it goes to the make up a bunch more stage.


One for my kiddo

and one for my Swap partner for the Pretty {little} pouch swap on Flickr.


And finally, it goes to the pattern which you can download here.  A big Thank-you goes out to Yeechi who digitized the pattern for me. Thanks Yeechi!


I hope you like it.  If you do make this pouch, please share your pics in the Trilliumdesign ~share it Flickr Pool.  Let me know what you think! I would love your feedback.

Happy Sewing!