Back in November I was excited to share with you that I had an article in One Thimble, a digital sewing magazine. Now, I’ve joined a blog hop to show some of the great patterns from Issue 9.

As I mentioned in my November post, I’ve been wanting to try FMA – Free Motion Applique (or free motion embroidery, as far as I know they’re the same thing, at least they are in this situation), so when the opportunity to join other bloggers and sew up some items from One Thimble Issue 9 came up, I decided now is the time to give it a try. I put my name down for Vincent the Victor free motion embroidery pattern, and as luck would have it, the very next day, my son asked me to make him a fox bag. The stars aligned in my sewing world!

The pattern was really great and walked me through everything. To be honest, I wasn’t even entirely sure what free motion embroidery was! I just followed the steps, and voila! A fox to go on the front of a bag! I took a few pictures as I went to show you the process:

For the actual stitching, I used my free motion (darning) foot and had quite a bit of fun with it. Once that was done, I assembled my bag like normal. I used Thread Riding Hood’s Forest Glen Satchel, without the flap and side accent pieces; it was the perfect shape and size for this fox, and for my son, who requested a bag to carry his dinosaurs around in.

Of course, Vincent can be added to many different items: T-shirts, pillows, fabric baskets, or even a quilt!

This was such a fun project! I really enjoyed rummaging through my scraps to find the perfect “clothes” for Vincent. There’s so many variations that can be done too! Issue 9 offers 2 Free Motion Embroidery patterns, which you can buy individually, as a bundle, orjust get the whole issue for best value.

Check the links at the bottom of this post to see what everyone else was up to! Here are a few pictures of my finished bag – and one happy boy!

I’d love to hear what you think! Have you tried FMA yet?

If you’re on Instagram, you’ve probably seen many of these #2015bestnine; they’re so much fun! I just googled and found a site that generated my most liked Instagram posts for me. It was a great way to have a quick look back through my projects.

1. Noodlehead Caravan Tote 2. Noodlehead 241 Totes 3. Thread Riding Hood Cat-Eye Pouches 4. Swoon Evelyn Market Tote 5. Blue Calla Tansy Tote 6. Noodlehead fabric basket 7. Mrs. H Companion Carpet Bag 8. Emmaline Manhattan Mamma 9. Swoon Sandra Saddle Bag

2015 was this blog’s first year and I’m happy to say it’s been a great ride! I created some tutorials, worked with amazing designers for sew alongs and testing, played with gorgeous fabric, and even made some videos! Thank you so much to everyone who joined me. I hope to have an even better 2016.

I don’t usually do New Year’s resolutions, but this year I decided on one: I’d really like to focus on learning new sewing skills by trying some different things. Don’t worry, I’ll still make plenty of bags! I’m thinking of taking a few more Craftsy classes* and signing up for Creative Bug*, plus trying some different designers’ patterns and this WILL be the year I try garment sewing.

Do you have any New Year’s resolutions this year? Sewing, or otherwise? I’d love to hear them! Leave me a comment if you want to share.

*denotes affiliate links

This post contains affiliate links

Fabric Spark is turning 2! To celebrate, from now until Sunday at Midnight, if you buy at least one yard of fabric they’ll add a Mystery Fat Quarter that coordinates with your order.  Yes, free fabric!

Funky Monkey is offering 10% off licensed flannels & cottons with the code lic10

I just finished Janelle MacKay’s Craftsy class Mix and Match: Clutch Bag Techniques, and it’s amazing! It’s also 50% off! You get patterns for the clutches plus invaluable tips and techniques as Janelle walks you through everything. I highly recommend it. http://shrsl.com/?~aydj

Connecting Threads has a variety of sales at the moment. My favourite right now is the 40% off books sale. If you have any books on your wish list, now’s the time to snatch them up!
Free shipping with minimum orders too!

Between the busy holiday season and the first flowers of spring lies the perfect time for creativity. Celebrate with BIG savings on supplies at Craftsy, at up to 50% off! Get great deals on art supplies, fabric, yarn, baking tools and more. Browse the sale prices now before the best products are gone!

Have you tried creativebug? Just one price for unlimited access to classes all month!

Have you been enjoying the busyness like I have? I know a lot of people complain about all the things to do this time of year, but I really love it! I’m going to keep this post short and sweet and share some projects I worked on for gifts this year.

First up is this Noodlehead Caravan Tote with a Hazel Hedgehog quilt block I made as a teacher gift. I used Joel Dewberry’s Nottinghill and Essex Linen (from Fabric Spark), and kept the lining really simple for a quicker sew.

Next is this super simple and quick free pattern from Thread Riding Hood for a Dopp kit. I used some vintage fat quarters I received as a Christmas gift last year.

I used Color Me Fabric from Funky Monkey for the exterior of a small Sew Sweetness Creative Maker Supply Case – perfect size for some crayons, a coloring pad and some fun extras like stickers and stamps.

This fun free pattern was also a quick sew and I used Jackie McFee’s Heavy Metal fabric fromSitka Fabrics for just the right Christmas touch.

I paired Noodlehead‘s Fabric Basket from Anna’s book Handmade Style with Fancy Fox, plus I added a layer of fusible fleece and quilted it. The fabric is Lizzy House’s The Lovely Hunt and Natural History from Llama Fabrics and Essex Linen fromStay Home Fabrics. I also changed out the pattern’s handles with a leather strip and some rivets from Emmaline Bags

Finally, I made some quick and simple placemats using Color Me fabric and Ann Kelle’s adorable snowmen and trees from Funky Monkey Fabrics.

I’d love to hear what you’ve been up to. Did you make Christmas gifts this year?

I included the Bag of the Month Club in my big list of “What to get the girl who sews everything” and I thought I’d share a bit more info about it.

Last year I received the Bag of the Month Club as a Christmas gift, and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. It turned out to be one of my favourite gifts ever! I looked forward to the first of the month to find out what the next bag pattern would be, and was never disappointed. Some of the designers were new to me, and it was so much fun getting to know some different styles of patterns.

I also had fun joining the Facebook group specifically set up for the club, and it felt like a virtual sewing room, where we all were working on the same things.

As if getting 6 new patterns wasn’t enough, there were even prizes! Plus, I happened to win prizes from 2 different months last year – such an awesome feeling!

This year there is a dedicated website just for the club, making it easier to sign up and obtain patterns as they become available. Sign up here.  The club runs from January to June 2016, with a different designer putting out one bag pattern per month, for a total of 6 exclusive bag patterns. That’s right! Exclusive! None of the patterns are available individually until after the club is over, so if you’re a pattern collector (like me) then this is perfect for you! It’s also great value. The club membership is $40 USD for all 6 patterns, and you can take advantage of the early bird discount and get the membership for only $35 USD if you join before January – that’s less than $6 USD per pattern!

Another new feature this year I’m especially excited about is that Emmaline Bags is offering complete Hardware Kits for each month. So far, January through April are available.

So there you have it! If you haven’t already, head on over to the official website for the Bag of The Month Club and sign up. You won’t be disappointed! Also, if you have a blog, grab yourself a button and add this to your site to show you’re a proud member!

p.s. I’m not affiliated with the club, I just think it’s really great and want everyone to know about it!

I’ve drawn a winner for the Flare Fabrics giveaway. Sheila H. has won herself a 1/2 yard bundle including Essex Linens and a Batik of her choice! Congrats Sheila! Don’t forget Flare Fabrics is offering a generous 15% off your purchase with code OKAPI-15
This discount is valid for the entire month of December!

This post contains affiliate links

In case you missed the details, check this post to read more about Flare Fabrics – they’re offering 15% off purchases for the entire month of December with code OKAPI-15

All flannels are 15% off at Funky Monkey Fabrics this week, with code flannel15 at checkout.

Amazing prices on clearance fabrics at Connecting Threads right now! Lots of designer cottons for blowout prices, plus free shipping on US orders over $50 and Canada, UK and Australian orders over $75

I recently tested the newBlue Calla Freesia Foldover purse, and realized I needed some “invisible magnets.” They’re not really invisible of course, but they’re sewn into the interfacing and not seen from the right side of the bag. I could have used traditional magnetic snaps, but decided to try and make my own invisible magnets.

It ended up being really easy, and significantly cheaper than buying them. So, I figured I’d share with you how to make them.

I bought a pack of ceramic magnets from Michael’s and used a coupon to get the pack of 4 pairs for about $2. Then I pulled out my vacuum sealer and a small piece of vacuum bag material.

Start by making a small bag about 2 1/2″ wide.

Insert a magnet and seal it up as close to the magnet as possible.

Repeat for second magnet.

I recommend marking the matching sides so you know which way to sew them into the bag

I don’t recommend trimming too much off the edges, so you have some plastic to sew into.

There you have it. I told you it was simple! Plus, for only a fraction of the pricey store bought ones. From here on, it depends on the pattern how the magnets are sewn in.

Before I get to the Birthday fun, I wanted to remind you to check out my recent post on Flare Fabrics and make sure you enter the giveaway (FREE fabric is always fun, right?!). Also, if you have missed mygift idea post, I’d love to hear what’s on your wish list after you read mine. 

I’m so excited to be part of the 2nd Birthday Celebration Blog Tour for Radiant Home Studio! Sara asked me to sew up one of her patterns to show you all. I had so much fun choosing. I decided to go with the Water Bottle Tote. Before I share my project, I just want to point out some really cool features on the Radiant Home Studio site. First: the tutorials section on this blog is AMAZING!! Seriously, what a resource! There’s also a variety of sewing patterns available (and on sale now). You can also find Sara’s fabric designs on Spoonflower and some work featured in the upcoming book On The Go Bags.

I chose the Water Bottle Tote because it seemed like such a unique design.

I envisioned using it as a wine tote, and then I remembered I don’t have anywhere to go where I would bring 6 bottles of wine with me, haha! I still think it works really well as a market tote, and could be used for wine, honey, jam, etc. from a farmer’s market. I’m just starting out as a soccer mom, so the water bottles will come, just not yet. I’ve been really wanting to do some selfish sewing and also needed to tidy up my sewing room, so I decided to make myself an organizer for my sewing room! Look at all the stuff I can fit in mine, and so organized!

The pattern includes instructions for strong handles and exterior pockets, but I omitted both for this tote. I will say though, that I found the construction of the handles and pockets pretty clever, so I’ll definitely add them on my next Water Bottle Tote. Sewing the lining and creating the divided sections was fun; I really loved seeing the tote take shape. I did find finishing the top of the bag a bit challenging and I hope you don’t look too closely at my pictures and see my oopsies! Challenges aren’t always a bad thing though, and it wouldn’t prevent me from sewing up this highly functional pattern again.

I liked that the pattern included instructions on how to deal with directional fabric; it was an easy fix, but it allowed me to do no math, which makes me happy!

There’s also a removable insert, so I used it as an opportunity to try out a new interfacing combination, and add a different fabric into the mix.

I used Charley Harper Red Eye Vireo organic canvas from For the Love of Fabric for my exterior. I used Anna Graham’s Rain Walk organic canvas for the lining, and organic cotton for the insert, both fromFabric Spark. For my interfacing, I used Pellon Craft Fuse where fusible interfacing is called for and Stiff Stuff from Funky Monkey for the insert (this is my new favourite interfacing!).

See below for more stops along the blog tour and hop around and check out the other creations. Don’t forget to take advantage of the sale in the Radiant Home Studio pattern shop: all patterns are 20% off until December 11!

I introduced Flare Fabrics earlier this year. Since then, they’ve expanded their fabric selection to include some gorgeous yarn dyes, like Essex Linens and Kaffe Fassett’s Woven Collection, plus many new Batiks! I’ll admit, I hadn’t had a chance to play with Batiks much, but Marlene sent me a couple to try out and I really like them.

Things I learned:
Batiks don’t have a wrong side- how cool is that?!
They have a crisp feel to them – I like it!
They are true works of art; check out this video I found on the Robert Kaufman site.

Marlene also wanted to share with you, my readers, so she’s offering up a giveaway of a fun 1/2 yard bundle including 2 Essex Linens and a Batik of your choice for one lucky reader! There’s also a discount for everyone, read below for details.

Here are some of my favourites from Flare Fabrics:

While I’m sharing my favourites, check out the selection of yarn dyes:

I chose the Espresso and Nautical Essex Linens and asked Marlene to pick what she thought worked with them, Here’s what she sent:

I love the Autumn colours in the Timeless Treasres one, and I thought the Hoffman one really matched the understated elegance I was going for with the Essex Linens I chose. The pattern I used only called for 3 different 1/2 yards, but I decided to use a bit of each of the 4 fabrics.

Recognize the pattern? It’s the Noodlehead 241 Tote! This was the very first PDF pattern I ever bought, and I really love making it. It’s suitable for a beginner, but not too simple to bore an experienced bag maker. The best part about this bag is that it’s perfect for mixing up different fabrics. I used the subtle colours for the exterior and made the lining a bit more fun with the batiks.

I had some fabric left over, so I used it in another bag. I used Michael Miller’s Painter’s Canvas from Flare Fabrics for the lining in the new Blue Calla Freesia Foldover. Have you seen the assortment of Painter’s Canvas at Flare Fabrics?! Get yourself a rainbow! I love these in place of solids. I think the bright lining with the elegant, muted exterior is a perfect balance.

That half yard of Espresso Linen went pretty far, so I made a Blue Calla Clematis with it too! I paired it with another Painter’s Canvas from Flare Fabrics again. The Painter’s Canvas works perfectly as a blender in quilting too.

With the rest of the Nautical Essex Linen, I think I will turn it into a men’s toiletry case. The fabric has such a classic look to it, it could be anything really!

Did you know? Flare Fabrics offers free shipping on Canadian orders of $75 or more, and US orders of $150 or more! It is truly a one stop shop, offering interfacing, notions, bag hardware, and even kits!

Flare Fabrics is offering a generous 15% off your purchase with code OKAPI-15
This discount is valid for the entire month of December!

Attention US readers: with exchange right now, your dollar goes much further at Canadian shops, don’t shy away, check out the deals!

For your chance to win a 1/2 yard bundle of Nautical Essex Linen, Espresso Essex Linen, and a Batik of your choice, leave a comment below telling me what you’d make with the bundle. Want a bonus entry? Comment again telling me your favourite item offered at Flare Fabrics (leave a separate comment for bonus entry). Contest closes at 11:59 pm PST December 8, 2015.

Contest open to Canadian and US residents only

Welcome to my Black Friday – Cyber Monday Sales Post! If there’s a sale you’d like to share, leave a comment for others to see it. Don’t forget to enter my giveaway on my gift idea post, plus many of the items on that list are on sale this weekend. Happy shopping and saving!

Swoon Sewing Patterns are so well priced, so sales are rare. For Black Friday (November 27) only, save 30% with code blackfriday.

Fabric Spark has an amazingly curated selection of fabrics, and if you haven’t checked them out yet, now’s the time. Get 20% off everything including new collections, sale fabrics, patterns, kits and bundles, until midnight November 30 (Cyber Monday); use promo code woohoo.

Stock up on Emmaline patterns! 40% off all sewing patterns Black Friday to Cyber Monday with discount code: cyber40patterns

Save 22.2% on ALL merchandise!
USE COUPON CODE: FF2015 at checkout until November 30

You can’t beat these Black Friday deals at Craftsy! Get up to 75% off craft supplies & project kits. If you’ve been eyeing a class, now’s the time! Shop now before the deals are gone.

Sitka Fabrics –
Save 10% off orders $50 and over with code  BLACK10
and 15% off over $100 with code BLACK15

The Black Friday sale on the Sew Sweetness website is 40% off all patterns (pdf and paper), hardware, and Aurifil thread kits! Use coupon code sewsweetness for 40% off your order. This discount excludes books and bulk hardware. Discount good through Monday

Blue Calla is having a sale – 35% off all patterns with coupon code blackfriday2015, valid from November 27-30

Major sales happening here! Too many to list, go see for yourself to avoid missing any deals! Don’t forget free Canadian shipping on orders over $75.

The entire store will be 15% off from Nov 27 – Nov 29 using promo code blackfriday, plus DOORCRASHER event happening throughout the day on Friday November 27 over on Stay Home’s Facebook page, so be sure to head over there for your chance to get in on the action.

Sewing Patterns By Mrs H. – Get 30% off everything in the Etsy store from now  until December 1st. Use the code BLACKFRIDAY

Funky Monkey is offering 10% off sitewide on Monday November 30, with code cybermonday, in addition to lots of markdowns, check out the discounted section here: http://funkymonkeyfabrics.com/cottons/discounted-cottons/

Tangled Blossoms Design has 3 different sales going on:
BLACKFRIDAY2015 for 30% off patterns BLACKFRIDAYHANDMADE for 20% off her handmade and BLACKFRIDAYFABRIC for 10% off all fabrics, all codes to be used at http://www.tangledblossomsdesign.com/

From today through Sunday, November 29th (11:59pm CST) all* PDF patterns are 20% off.

*except the new Maker’s Tote