It’s Family Day this weekend in BC, so I took the opportunity to do a Valentine’s Day craft with the kids. I’ve seen these heart shaped crayons on Pinterest, and figured I’d give it a try. I also saw these make-your-own wax paper bags and thought I could combine the ideas. It was such a hit with the kids (I had lots of fun too). The great part is I didn’t have to buy anything at all for it. I had an old inexpensive silicone mold that I’d never gotten around to using, so finally put it to use. 

The first step is gathering all the broken crayons and peeling all the paper off. Of course, they don’t have to be broken to start with, but it’s a good way to use up the bits and pieces that are getting too small to colour with.

Then the kids had fun filling in all the hearts with the crayons. You don’t need to treat the mold at all, the crayons will just pop out after they’ve cooled. We had to break them up a little to fill in some gaps. I’ve seen some tutorials suggest cutting with a knife or smashing them up with a hammer, but we didn’t find that necessary; the crayons broke pretty easily with our hands. This really is the creative step, where you can decide what colour combination the hearts will have.

Once you’ve filled your tray, pop it in the oven, preheated to about 225 for about 15-20 minutes. After they come out of the oven, let them cool for about 45 minutes- 1 hour, then just push the mold from the bottom to pop them out. Repeat all those steps until you have as many hearts as you need. 

I cut out some hearts, this part would have been so much better with a Silhouette, but that’s on my wishlist 🙂 
Then I cut a 4-5″ wide strip of wax paper, folded it (I used wonder clips to hold the sides in place) and sewed the 3 open sides, with the crayon hearts inside and the paper heart on top. For the final touch, I found a cute saying on Pinterest, mostly so people would know that they were crayons. We received some Christmas Tree shaped crayons in December and thought they were soap, so I wanted to make sure the recipients knew what they were. I used my Brother labelmaker, which is pretty easy and the kids liked pushing the print and cut buttons. I found a couple phrases, but my kids liked 

Happy Valentine’s Day, for “crayon” out loud!

Once everything was sewn up, we put the labels over top of the finished bags. 

The best part of this whole craft was that the kids really enjoyed doing it. I’m pretty pleased with the end result!

I love Swoon Sewing Patterns! Most of my bags are Swoon patterns. Today it was announced the original subscription is no longer available, but that a Swoon Favorites Collection and a Swoon Vintage Collection (Subscription) are now available, both at really great prices. Go get yours today, you won’t be disappointed, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a better value for such quality patterns. You’ll still be able to buy patterns individually in the pattern shop, but I really recommend one (or both) of the bundles.
Also, have you checked these awesome sewing tees?! I have a couple and I just love them, they’re super soft and comfortable and let everyone know I love to sew.

In continuing with my Everything Else Series, today I’d like to introduce a wonderful Canadian online shop, Flare Fabrics at www.flarefabrics.ca . Flare Fabrics specializes in Batiks and carries an impressive selection of quality fabrics. I’m very excited about finding a Canadian shop that carries so many bag making supplies, and I’m happy to have a chance to share it here. 

You can find all the different types of batting and interfacing you’ll need for bag making, including Soft and Stable, which I’ve been using a lot of lately. If you’re the type who likes to stock up and save, you’ll be happy to know you can even purchase interfacing by the bolt. There is also Bosal In-R-Form foam stabilizer, which I’ve yet to try, but I hear it’s great for bags too. Check out all the different interfacings here. There is also a nice selection of zippers in many colours, and even a few fun patterned ones! If you don’t see what you need, Marlene is happy to custom order if she can, just send her an email.

You can also find some hardware for bags here, some great items, like invisible magnetic snaps, and these beautiful twist locks. Wonder clips and frixion pens are some of my favourite notions and are stocked at Flare Fabrics as well. 

I can’t forget to mention the fabric selection! In addition to the Batiks, Flare Fabrics carries many other fabrics, including a variety of Kona Cotton, in precuts and yardage. Check out the precuts too! I love this Birch Farm Charm pack.

The icing on the cake for this store is FREE SHIPPING in Canada for orders over $75 (free US shipping for orders over $150)!
Marlene has also offered an exclusive discount for my readers! Use coupon code HAPPYOKAPI to save 15% on all orders until the end of March, 2015!! 

Some gorgeous new Art Gallery prints have arrived at Stay Home Fabrics and they’re on sale today and tomorrow only. Save 20% using promo code ARTGALLERY. I adore these bright, cheerful designs. 

Lindsay at Stay Home Fabrics will be handing over the shop soon, so watch their facebook page for the announcement of the new owner. 

Today I’d like to share with you my very first tutorial. It’s for an insulated lunch bag, with a zippered top. If you’re a beginner, don’t let the zipper scare you. It’s actually quite simple, but the finished product looks great! I started making these because I found all the store bought lunch bags were too small to fit all my reusable containers, so this bag is bigger than the average lunch bag, but I think it’s the perfect size (about 12″ tall, by 10″ wide and 5″ across/deep).

All the materials in this bag can be found at Funky Monkey Fabrics, including this adorable superkids cotton. My youngest son picked it out and he’s thrilled to have his new “super” lunch bag. Melissa, of Funky Monkey Fabrics strives to carry fun fabric at competitive prices, and I think she hits the mark. She’s even offering kits that include everything you need to make this lunch bag, how great is that?! 

 Materials needed: 

• 2 each of 13″ x 16″ cuts of insulbright, PUL, and cotton (for ordering purposes, 1/2 yard of 42-44″ cotton and Insulbright, and less than 1/2 yard of 60″ PUL should be more than enough)
• 14″ or longer zipper
• 2x 16″ pieces of 1″ wide webbing (be sure to heat seal the edges so they don’t fray)
• Coordinating thread, sewing machine, zipper foot, sewing shears or rotary cutter, and other basic sewing supplies

Note: Jersey/ballpoint needles are recommended for sewing PUL. I also use clips instead of pins when sewing with PUL; these are also available at Funky Monkey. Also, I pieced some red Kona cotton onto the superkids, feel free to use one piece for the panel, or do any type of patchwork you like, as long as the finished panel sizes are 13″x16″

Attaching handles:

Pin one end of webbing 3 1/2″ from side of one cotton panel onto the right side of the top 13″ edge, then pin other end of webbing 3 1/2″ from other side of panel, so the inner edges of the webbing are 4″ away from each other. Machine baste in place with a 1/4″ seam allowance. 

Repeat with other cotton panel and piece of webbing. 

Zipper:

Place zipper with teeth up, and line up top 13″ edge of cotton, right side down onto zipper, sandwiching the handle between the outer cotton panel and the zipper, clip/pin and machine baste in place using zipper foot at a small seam allowance. 

Now with zipper teeth down and cotton right side up, layer PUL (shiny side touching zipper) and insulbright onto back side of zipper, clip/pin in place, flip over (so you see your basting stitch) and sew together right over basting stitch. 

Now fold back, so wrong side of cotton is touching insulbright, and materials are out of the way, and repeat above steps to attach remaining panels to other half of zipper, making sure to match up sides of panels. 

Assembling bag

This part is almost like sewing 2 bags. Line up cotton right sides together, and align insulbright and PUL, with PUL right sides together, the zipper will act as a divider between both bags. 

Pin in place all around and make sure zipper teeth are facing in to the lining side (PUL). At this point, you’ll want to make sure your zipper pull is inside the seam allowance and that the zipper is opened at least half way. 

Starting along one side of the lining (PUL/insulbright), using a 1/2″ seam allowance, sew down toward the bottom of the lining, around the perimeter, leaving a 4″ hole for turning, making sure to backstitch at start and end. Trim seam allowances and zipper if applicable, but leave seam allowance over turning hole intact. 

Tip: try using a 5/8″ seam allowance while sewing the lining, but taper to 1/2″ toward zipper and use 1/2″ throughout cotton, then taper back to 5/8″ for remaining lining stitching, this will make the lining fit better inside the exterior of the bag. 

Boxed corners

To make boxed corners, while wrong sides still facing out, pinch a corner seam, matching the side seam and bottom seam, mark a line 2″ in from corner point, and stitch along that line. Repeat for remaining 3 corners. Trim corners

Finishing bag 

Turn bag right side out through turning hole. It may help to reach in and undo the zipper all the way. At this point, you might be questioning whether you left the turning hole big enough…hang in there! Just go slow, and you’ll get there!

Tuck seam allowance in at turning hole and finger press the edge, clip in place and sew with a very small seam allowance, or hand stitch using blind stitch if you prefer. 
Tip: you’ll need a Teflon foot or walking foot for this step, as you’ll be sewing the shiny side of the PUL, or you could use freezer paper, wax paper, or even tissue paper over the seam with your regular presser foot, and tear away after you’ve sewn the hole shut. I’ve heard putting scotch tape on the bottom of the presser foot works well too. 

Push the lining into the outer bag, and voila: your bag is done! 

If you have any questions, feel free to comment below or send me an email. I’d love to hear if you end up making your own!

Wow! Thanks for the great response to my first ever giveaway! Through the magic of random.org, Fiona has won the $25 Gift certificate to Stitch in the Ditch. 

Nulagh left a comment on the blog, surprising me with some extra fun:

Woo! Great comments! Ladies sign up on the www.stitchintheditch.com website and send a mail telling us you are from this great blog and you will receive a gift certificate to use with your next purchase.

So for everyone else, go sign up for the newsletter, set up an account, and then send them an email letting them know you came from here, to get yourself a gift certificate too! The gift certificates will be good for a month. You can email them here: info@stitchintheditch.com

Update: Nulagh wanted me to thank everyone for signing up, and she’s decided instead of gift certificates to activate a discount code reece6 to save $5 off any order, since this makes a bit less administrative work for her.

One of my favourite online shops now has their own website! Until now, Funky Monkey Fabrics has only been on Facebook, which made it hard for users to see everything available. Now that there is a dedicated website, with full search function, we can see all the wonderful items for sale. The new website can be found at www.funkymonkeyfabrics.com and to celebrate the launch of the website, Melissa is offering 15% off your total order with promo code ILOVEFMF until February 1st.

There are many licensed cotton prints.

There are also some really pretty fabrics, like this Andrea Victoria from Riley Blake.

Be sure to check out the Notions section, where you’ll find webbing, zippers, and even Kamsnaps and pliers, and then the Batting and Stabilizers section has a great selection, including fusible fleece.

If you haven’t already, make sure you like the Funky Monkey Fabrics Facebook page, because you’ll still see any sales going on posted there, and all the gorgeous fabrics coming in.

We’ve been getting so many grey and cloudy (and wet) days lately, so I was happy to work with this Beyond the Backyard collection from Camelot Fabrics, that I got from Stay Home Fabrics.  I love the little bees in the tossed Tiny Blossoms print, and the Daisy Mosaic on white was the perfect pop for the lining. This Orange leaves print is different than my usual style, but I’m glad I ventured out of my comfort zone. All of these gorgeous springtime lovelies are available (on sale) from Stay Home Fabrics right now. 

This bag is Swoon Sewing Patterns’ January pattern, and her name is Vivian. I have the Swoon subscription and it is such a great value. It’s so much fun waiting to find out each month what the next pattern will be. 

I also made Vivian some matching accessories: a cup cozy, a couple key fobs, and a glasses case. 

Now is your chance to get a great price on these fabrics from Stay Home Fabrics, as they are having a “Going out of Business Sale.” Lindsay has really enjoyed interacting with everyone with her shop and loved the work, but her and her family have made the decision to pursue other life dreams. The store will officially close at the end of February. All stock will be marked down, so head on over and take advantage of the sale to build your stash. She still has a great selection of quilting cottons, Essex linen, and fleece. Here are a few from collections I love. 

Update: The store will have a new owner, which means it will stay open, yay! It also means sale prices will end January 30, 2015 in preparation for the new owner, so stay tuned to see what’s in store.

Nulagh also mentioned one of her tips to a “professional looking bag” is to use Shape flex, also one of my favourites. I use Pellon Shape Flex 101 in nearly every bag I make. Stitch in the Ditch offers it in many different quantites, from yard to bolt! In addition to Shape-flex, they also carry a vast selection of interfacing and fleece.

On my last post, I introduced my “Everything Else” series, and this post is the next instalment and there’s a giveaway! 

Nulagh at Stitch in the Ditch offers so many bag making supplies in the online Canadian shop. Remember when viewing the site, prices are listed in Canadian currency! I asked her if she had some favourite supplies and she listed a few great ones. I’d love to try this Zippers by the Yard kit, to make my own zippers any length I want. The site offers many options, but this By Annie one with the multi-coloured pulls looks like a must-have.

Some other goodies pointed out were the covered buttons, for adding a unique touch to bags, webbing for handles, and leather handles. 

I’m very excited to see so many essential supplies from one shop. Check out the hardware section too! So many options in many different finishes.  

Now for the giveaway: Nulagh has generously offered up a $25 gift certificate for me to give away! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post, telling me what you’d spend your $25 on from Stitch in the Ditch. Contest closes at 11:59 pm PST on January 28, 2015. 
Bonus entries for following me on 
Instagram or Pinterest 
Just be sure to leave separate comments letting me know you’ve done so for the entries to count.

Many of the recent bags I’ve been making have been calling for Soft and Stable, which is a really great product that adds shape to bags, but it’s not very easy to find. Connecting Threads carries it though,  and they even have it on black or white!

Today I’m very excited to start a series here that I’ve decided to call the “Everything Else” Series. The typical scenario I see amongst fellow sewists goes something like this: 
“I found the perfect fabric to make this purse I have a pattern for!” 
*Runs off to look at pattern again, only to discover the fabric itself is actually just a small part of the bag*
“huh…where I do I find everything else?”

I buy almost all of my fabric from Canadian online shops; there are actually many really great ones, like Stay Home Fabrics and Fabricspark.com, and many more featured in Thread Riding Hood‘s series found here. So, finding fabric in Canada is getting a lot easier, but I find that locating everything else can still be a challenge.  I hope this series, featuring shops that carry some of these harder to find items, will help ease the challenge.

The series will actually start with an American online shop, Connecting Threads, and I’m featuring them because unlike many American shops that ship to Canada, this shop actually has the items shipped from Canada, so you aren’t hit with any surprise custom/duty fees. They even offer free shipping to Canada with orders over a certain amount from time to time (like, right now actually) 

In addition to their high quality, affordable thread, Connecting Threads carries a large variety of items.

When working with Soft and Stable, I find that Wonder Clips are much nicer to use than pins. Connecting Threads has a big selection of notions, including Wonder Clips. They’re even on sale right now. Have a look through their tools section for lots of fun tools that make the job easier.

In addition to all the great tools, thread and other extras, they have a pretty great selection of fabric too! I picked up some of the new Cotton + Steel Tokyo Train Ride.

Are there any really great Canadian shops I should know about? Send me an email, or let me know in the comments. 

Just a quick post to let you know about a great sale from one of my favourite places to shop. Stay Home Fabrics is having a Buy More Save More sale. You can save up to 20% off plus free shipping! Check out the site for more details. There’s a wonderful selection of top quality quilting cottons, plus some fleece, minky, and even Essex Linen! Essex Linen is a staple in many of my bags; such a nice weight to it. Here are some of my favourites from the site. Which ones are yours?