Tag: Gifts

Carrie’s Tadpole

The Tadpole is a pouch that I bought as part of a 4-pack with the Cosquilla pattern last June. I am glad to say that this isn’t the first time I have made a bag from this 4-pack. 

Carrie's Tadpole front
Carrie’s Tadpole front

The Tadpole (weird name, I know) is a useful pouch with two pockets that can secure scissors, rotary cutters and other similar types of tools.

Tadpole with interior zipper
Tadpole with interior zipper

One pocket is on the top and the other is on the bottom so you have to kind of flip it around to get at both zippers.

One of the pockets includes a small internal zipper pocket. This pocket could be added to both of the larger zipper pockets. I am not sure what I would put in that interior zipper pocket, but I do think that, generally, the more pockets the better. In this case, that might not be true if I were to put something in there and then lose it or forget about it. I look forward to seeing what Carrie says.

Tadpole open with sheath (Carrie)
Tadpole open with sheath (Carrie)

The pattern includes a scissor sheath. I bought Carrie a nice pair of scissors to go with the pouch and the sheath can be customized to fit the scissors. I wanted to do that, but I didn’t want to open a new pair of scissors. I am not 100% sure the sheath is very useful with sharp scissors. It is definitely cool to have a matching scissor adornment, but I am concerned that sharp scissors will cut through quilting cotton. I might make the scissor sheath out of cork or pleather scraps in the future. It wouldn’t match, but it might be useful.

I made this first one in the fabric I use for Carrie, the Carrie Bloomston Color Theory fabric. I was able to use some smaller pieces, which was nice. 

Morsel Lunch Bag

Morsel Lunchbox exterior
Morsel Lunchbox exterior

I forgot to post about the lunch bag I made for Friend Julie for Christmas. This was a project from Minikins Season 1. Season 1 includes the I Spy pouch pattern, which is one of my favorites. The Cotton Candy pouch is another of which I have made several. I knew that I had this pattern when I decided to make her a lunch bag.

I noticed that she was carrying her lunch around in a plastic bag. There is nothing wrong with plastic bags, especially with messy food. I thought it was odd. I thought I would try this pattern and hope it was a useful bag. 

Morsel Handle
Morsel Handle

The first thing I did was get some ripstop nylon in order to make the inside sort of water resistant. I was inspired by Lynette using it for her Oxbow. Hers came out flat and beautiful. Mine came out bubbly and lumpy despite using Lynette’s tips. I have a feeling the ripstop I used was lesser quality than what Lynette used. 

Morsel lunchbag interior
Morsel lunchbag interior

The pattern had no interior pockets. I guess a person just tosses all their lunch items in and pockets aren’t really needed.I keep thinking of regular bags and pockets are always useful.

I decided, based on my lunch bag, that I needed to include an ice pack. I added a mesh pocket for an ice pack. I thought a mesh pocket would better for something that might sweat. I included an ice pack  (not shown) before I wrapped the gift. 

Morsel Lunchbag top
Morsel Lunchbag top

The bag is on the small side, so no 5 person picnics.

The top has a recessed zipper, so the contents are out of the way of the handles. It might have been useful to include a shoulder strap, but I didn’t think of it.

In general, I am pretty happy with how this bag came out. Julie has brought it to a couple of Sew Days and that is really nice to see. I am definitely happy that I was able to use another Minikins pattern.

Niece #2’s Christmas Pillowcase

Michaela's Christmas pillowcase
Michaela’s Christmas pillowcase

In the course of figuring out the Chair/Tufted Tweets repair, I found out Niece #2 no longer had her Christmas pillowcase. This all started when I brought over a Christmas pillowcase to her new-ish husband as part of my project to fill in the missing pillowcases for new family members. It is probably at her parents’ house, but I decided to make her a new one rather than trying to track an old one down.

This pillowcase has a slightly different color scheme from normal Christmas pillowcases. I like it and I hope she does as well.

Pillowcase Repair Complete

Tufted Tweets pillowcase- repaired (chairs)
Tufted Tweets pillowcase- repaired (chairs)

I finally finished repairing my niece’s Tufted Tweets pillowcase! Hooray! It took me awhile to get to it (Pandora Charisma!), but now I just have to take it over to her. This has been hanging around since December 12-ish. 

Tufted Tweets (chair) pillowcase -heart
Tufted Tweets (chair) pillowcase -heart

Not only was the cuff ripping off, but there was also a hole in the fabric, so I covered it with an appliqued heart. The heart was a quick and dirty job. 

EPP Ball #11

I know many of you sincerely dislike January, but I LOVE it! It is my birthday month, which is awesome. More importantly, however, it feels fresh and new and full of possibilities. Thus, today, February 1, is the end of January for another year and one of the saddest days of the year for me. People have told me to buck up followed by their stories about Fabulous February. I haven’t been able to shake off the sadness of no more January for another year. Thus, I wanted to do something fun and cheerful.

EPP Ball #11
EPP Ball #11

After finishing the binding on Triumphant, I felt the lack of a hand project. I need another big EPP project, but haven’t committed to one yet. I need to finish La Passacaglia, but am at a point where I need to fish or cut bait on an idea. As a result I started another EPP ball. These are pretty fast to make, which isn’t great for my hand sewing needs. It is however, keeping my hands away from an addictive game on my phone.

I pulled a few 5 inch squares from my 5 inch square bin and began sewing. 5 inch squares are one of the sizes I cut when I am scrap processing.

I don’t have a baby to whom to give this one, but I am sure one will show up in my life.

Stella Pouches

Stella Pouch for Gerre
Stella Pouch for Gerre

One of the patterns I used to make holiday gifts was the Stella Pouch from Center Street Quilts. I have made a couple of these before. One was for a swap and one was my contribution to Laura’s gift basket. I got excited about this pattern when I saw the video with a half vinyl version. I also like the ability to see the fabulous prints used for the lining.

Stella Pouch for Carrie
Stella Pouch for Carrie

I made three of these for the holidays. There are no specific directions for using vinyl or adding a Flying Geese strip, as Katrina shows in the version linked above. It isn’t difficult to change substrates or add some Flying Geese, but I forgot the Flying in all three pouches! I’m annoyed because foundation paper piecing, in general, takes me forever and I worked hard at getting these strips done for these specific gifts. Oh well. I’ll make some more of these pouches and add the Flying Geese to them.

Stella Pouch for SueG
Stella Pouch for SueG

The other thing I did just to add a bit of flair was use some of my Renaissance Ribbon as the pull tab. I am not sure how practical it will be. I need to start using my ribbon and this was as good a start as any.

The one thing I need to do differently was the zipper end. It was very thick and hard to turn. I talked to Mary about it and probably need to trim more around the zipper. Another good reason to make more of these.

Finished: Chain Link

Chain Link front
Chain Link front

I finished the Chain Link just in time for Christmas. All I had to finish was the binding. It required hand stitching, which seemed to take forever. As DH was holding it up for the photo, he commented on how large it is. I guess that’s why the binding seemed to take forever.

Chain Link back
Chain Link back

I don’t mind. I like having some hand stitching to do in the evening.

I made the back as cheerful as I could after digging into my backing pile.

Another I Spy

Green I Spy for Tim
Green I Spy for Tim

I quickly made this pouch for Tim as a gift. I usually make him a gift, but for some reason I didn’t plan ahead for him. I will in 2026.

I rounded the corners of this version as it was easier to sew. I also used some great hand-dyed fabric that Sonja made for me a long time ago. It is precious so I save it for special projects.

Green I Spy for Tim-back
Green I Spy for Tim-back

Tim loves everything green and he uses the bags I give him, so I decided to use some of this precious fabric for him.

Clippy Pincushions

Clippy pincushion for Carrie
Clippy pincushion for Carrie

Sue has mentioned a few times that she loves my Clippy Pincushion.

I decided that it was time to make a couple for her and Carrie. I hesitated because the pins have to go into the pincushion almost horizontally in order not to get stuck when you grab the item. I have never figured out a way to prevent that. Of course, I haven’t lined the largest pieces with foam or something either. Maybe I’ll try that.

Clippy pincushion for Sue
Clippy pincushion for Sue

Even if you just use this pincushion for WonderClips**, it is super useful. I keep one in my travel Hildegarde Notions Trunk.

I originally found the pattern in a magazine. Since then I have seen it in the book, 50 Little Gifts: easy patchwork projects to give or swap**, compiled by Susanne Woods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this blog.

Hold Tite Folios

Hold Tite Folio for Sue
Hold Tite Folio for Sue

For a long time I have had the hardware for the Hold Tite Folios. I bought it to make one for myself and one for Friend Julie. She, however, beat me to it and I never made them. 

The pattern is free from Lillyella. You have to buy the hardware kits from her Etsy Shop, but they are currently unavailable. I don’t know if you could get the metal, two pieces 26 gauge galvanized sheet metal: 2”x 5.625”, cut at a hardware store or not. I was going to make more of them, but I won’t since the hardware kits aren’t available. Maybe I’ll ask if they can cut metal at the small hardware store in the City that I visit. I doubt Home Despot would do something like that. 

Hold Tite Folio (right)
Hold Tite Folio (right)

These are useful, because they can carry and contain Sew Tites. The picture is of my Hold Tite Folio since I didn’t take photos of the insides of the ones I made. 

The galvanized steel really holds the Sew Tites in place. 

I know it doesn’t always seem like it, but I am trying to use various supplies I have on hand. This was one reason I made the Hold Tite Folios. Another is that I like giving useful gifts. 

Hold Tite Folio for Carrie
Hold Tite Folio for Carrie

As you can see these match the other gifts I have made for Sue and Carrie. I like making sets.

Pencil or Glasses Case

Pencil/glasses case
Pencil/glasses case

After making the Hemingways for my sister, I had a piece of quilted foam left over. I have been collecting strips of quilted foam and it is getting a little annoying. It seems like such a waste to throw them away, especially since I spent time to quilt them (or money to have them quilted). However, they are small and I haven’t found a good project for them. 

Eventually, I decided to sew the leftover Paris fabric/foam into a pencil or glasses case. I am not sure which it is and will let Lil Sissy decide. 

Hemingways for Lil Sissy

Big Hemingway for Lil Sissy
Big Hemingway for Lil Sissy

I decided to make a Hemingway pouch for my sister for Christmas. Partly this was to provide a laptop/tablet cover for her and partly because this is a quick project and I hadn’t started a more complicated bag in time to get it done before Christmas.

I like this pattern, especially the diagonal zipper. The Center Street Quilts videos I find on Instagram are also very appealing. 

Baby Hemingway for Lil Sissy
Baby Hemingway for Lil Sissy

I made this pattern once before. I ended up with a section of vinyl and half a zipper. This time I decided to take MaryC’s advice and make a small pouch to go with the larger one. Mary uses hers for WonderClips, but Lil Sissy can use her for small cosmetics or dog treats.

I am pretty pleased with how it came out, though the print looks a little sideways. I also meant to add a handle, but forgot in the process of getting it done.

Baby Hemingway - 1st iteration
Baby Hemingway – 1st iteration

The first iteration of the small Hemingway had the binding on the outside.  My machine binding still needs work. I didn’t like the way it looked so I cut off the binding, bound it on the inside and made it a little smaller.  

Christmas Gift Post

I have been working since July on gifts for Christmas. Of course, many of them were made at the last moment AKA in December. Here are the projects:

More detailed information about the various gifts will be forthcoming.

EPP Ball #10

EPP Ball #10
EPP Ball #10

I made another EPP Ball, which I will give to my exercise teacher. These are super fun to make. I love having a hand project and babies and toddlers really like them.

I also like using the 5 inch squares I cut from scraps. I have a ready supply so I always have a lot of different fabrics from which to choose.

These are a little hard to photograph. It is hard to get all the different sides. The photos below give you a good idea of how it looks.

Chain Link Returns

Chain Link quilted
Chain Link quilted

I went to visit Colleen the other day and picked up Chain Link. I need it as a Christmas gift, so time is of the essence. I probably have enough time to finish it before Christmas. I have been working on hand stitching down the binding each evening since I got it back, so I am making progress.

I will hand it over on Christmas Eve so the recipient can open it at home on Christmas. I don’t want it opened in front of the whole family since there are still family members who have not yet received quilts.