Workshop Preparations (and a peek into the pattern-free class)

 This week has seen me back at the sewing machine, making samples of Chunky framed purses, all pimped and customised and ready to inspire people to come to my pre-Spring Carnival Purse-Making workshop at the CAE. 

 

 The red purse is made from the felted remains of my favourite red jumper (sweater).  And I'm so glad I finally got around to getting that slam-pressed gathered purse idea out of my head and into 3-dimensional form.  I also put the handle theory into action, and it works a treat, too.

 

I promised photos of the Pattern-Free Garment class before I looked at the quality of the photos.  The gorgeous light that streams into the upstairs room at GJ's is perfect for sewing.... not so much for photographing moving people with an iPad.

 

I was also a tad busy with the teaching, and didn't take as many photos as I'd have liked to.... but you get the idea, non?  There was much shaping and draping of fabric around bodies.

 

 

 I promised anonymity when I took this photo...hence the paper plate face...

 

We had toga tops and glamourously fluid dresses, asymmetrical skirts...

 

 ..and more toga tops...

 

...and this fabulous dress...

 

Love it.  So inspired by historical costume and so very up my alley...

 

 

I'm also preparing new notes for the Zippers For Bags class next week - adding another technique or two to choose from.  We have one space available in the class, and if you'd like to book in, I'll throw in a free bag pattern of your choice.  GO on... you know you want to.... :)

How things eventually come together

Around these parts, things rarely happen in a linear, organised fashion. It's all multi-tasking, juggling too many ideas and not enough time, dodging unforseens, managing minor crises and drawing wildcards... and no lists. Most people who see this in action wonder how anything gets done at all.
But they do. All it sometimes takes is a few hours in the studio on my own, with no interruptions. Weeks of half-started projects are completed, photographed and hung in the showroom. Gosh, sometimes they're even Photoshopped and blogged.

(This felted wool number is my Sling bag pattern, with a bit of a ruffly rose made from the off-cut selvedge. I also altered the strap to put a big shiny ring in it. Fabric was a bargain from GJ's).

And HOW LOVELY to see a completed nest of A-line skirt samples - sizes 8-18 (US size 6-16?). My only disappointment was that I made this panel feature on the size 18 instead of in my size.
This pattern is currently being tested by lots of lovely gals, and will hopefully be ready in time for the Quilt and Craft Fair in Melbourne.
My patchwork experiments have been put to use in a few bags and purses. I tried to blend the craftsy look with a bit of street-smart topstitched denim and a few sharp lines. My Day Bag pattern was a good 'blank canvas' to play on...And I made the Day Bag as a satchel, in soft and fuzzy woolly Rathdowne Remnants bargain fabric with more patchwork and a few (..ahem... strategically placed) bits of leather.

This 150mm Frame Purse (below) makes the pretence that what is revealed by the cut-away area is indeed worth featuring (??) but it was a little idea I've had in my head for a while, so it was good to get it out.
And sometimes, to finish off a good finishing session, I just have to start something else...I made this Chunky Purse with some machine-knitted "learning experience" pieces. There was an awful lot of chopping and stitching bits on, until it resembled a rose-ish sort of thing.

It took ages. I nearly gave up and binned it a few times... and then poof! It appeared! As if by magic. (I only wish I'd done it in a colour that's easier to photograph.)

After that, I needed a super-quick-fix, so whipped up a Party Purse in the same knitted fabric - this time using the reverse side (ok.. so I accidentally interfaced the right side of fabric...As the wee girl says after embarrassing interruptions, "Let's continue...").

I slapped on a few randomly cut bits of felted jumper (sweater) with a few rows of top-stitching. Voila! FINISHED PURSE! (...and might I say, finished in an organised, linear fashion..?)
School starts again tomorrow, so hopefully there will be less distractions and more coming-together-of-things.

Gosh, I might even be organised in time for the Quilt Fair ....Who'd a thunk it?

Note to all the people who ask me where to get the patterns, purse frames, interfacing or hardware featured in my blog posts:
Please click on the highlighted text. It takes forever to put all the links in for you - please use them. :)

Mother's Day Special

In Australia, Mother's Day is the second Sunday in May. We wanted to get this offer out to you in time for you to make something special for your mother. If you're in another country and it's not nearly Mother's Day, we won't hold that against you if you want to take advantage of the offer.

We're offering a FREE FRAME with every one of the following kits - that means you get TWO frames with every kit and that means savings of up to $12.40.

The Barrel Purse is a cute little purse that you can hold in the palm of your hand.... but is surprisingly roomy. You will receive a FREE 90mm frame with every Barrel Purse Kit purchase.

The simple square purse frame kits are a great place to start if you've never made a framed purse before.... and with two frames to play with, you've nothing to lose if one of them is a "learning" experience.

The 75mm, 90mm, 150mm and 200mm purses are all included in this offer - an extra frame thrown in for nix.


A handmade case for glasses or sunglasses is a great gift.... and each Spec Case Kit will include a free 75mm frame. You can make one for yourself as well!

The 200mm Chunky purse makes a great clutch purse or a roomy make-up purse. With your spare 200mm Chunky frame you can make one for each purpose!!

The Poppet is a very cute little wristlet or make-up purse, and is the perfect "next step" for anyone who has already tried the basic square framed purse styles. It fits the 150mm frame and you'll get an extra one free with every kit.

And the Puff purse is super-sweet. You'll receive a free 100mm curved antique brass frame with every kit.

If you were thinking of trying something new, making a gift or sharing the sewing love with your mother....or WHATEVER the reason.... you have just over a week to take us up on the offer.

We'll be closed over the Easter break this weekend (Friday until Monday) so we're giving you a few extra days to get in on the deal. We'll be closing the offer next Thursday (8th April) at 5pm.

If you already have enough kits but are looking for some cheap frames*, we're discontinuing the Black Nickel Square purse frames. They're on sale at 30% off until cleared.

*The black nickel frames look lovely, but there may be minor flaws on the plating (although most of them are fine). They make excellent OFM ("only for me") practise purses.

Flickr Friday

Frame clutch
Originally uploaded by ruby-jo

I love this version of the Chunky purse frame purse.

Really, truly love it.

Really truly wish I'd thought of the bow detail myself.

You can read about this one on the Ruby-Jo blog.

I'm so inspired by the wonderful things people do with my simple patterns, and really appreciate you sharing your photos on my Flickr group. Check out the other folks in the pool here.

...and have a lovely weekend.

How do you like your purse...?

Yep - despite it sounding like soup or dog food - that's what I called it.... and I didn't even ask anyone what they thought. Just named it and printed it....

Well... printed 15 copies before the new printer decided it didn't want to play anymore. 10 copies are off to a new stockist in London this week, so until Mr Fuji-Xerox comes to fix or replace his wayward child, we have 5 copies to sell to those who want them...

I've rejigged the basic square pattern instructions quite a bit (can never leave well enough alone, me...). I've incorporated a few new purse frame tricks (discovered while working on the Barrel Purse) into the instructions and re-worked all the photos and diagrams for the new purse shape.

The Chunky purse pattern itself has a wider base than the other 200mm pattern, which balances the chunkiness of the frame and the big ball kiss-clasp.

The kit contains the pattern, instruction booklet, frame, interfacing and piping cord. You can use almost any weight fabric - you just need to adjust which fusible wadding to add (or not) to give the right amount of structure to the purse.

CODE: PFK200C

$29.70

...

...

We should have more printed by the end of the week. In the meantime, we have FIVE....

EDITED TO ADD - The lovely printer fix-it guy came and worked his magic. We now have as many copies of this pattern as we care to print!