U-handblog

How we are setting up our Craft Fair: Brighton Craftaganza

Right, so on my scrawly to do list is (in no particular order) is:

• Write another book
• Get ready to attend Spring Quilt Market (Thank you God!!!)
• Finish work on the shop website - re-design/freshen up
• Finish work on my new sewing patterns website
• Annnnnd set up a crafty community and new regular craft fair in Brighton....

 

 

The Brighton Craftaganza crew consists of us 3 Craft Fiendettes.  It was Steph who started it...she mentioned that it was something that she always wanted to do and (as I was new to the area) I thought "Ace! This is a great way to make new local crafty pals". 

We are hoping to organise regular craft fairs in Brighton, but we also want to welcome ALL crafters to our site.  I'll be to posting about craft business advice, Steph has a keen eye for design and clothes making and Zoe is another seamstress extraordinaire (she makes the most aaa-mazing outfits Wardrobe-Refashion styley). 

Even if those things aren't your crafty cup of tea hopefully you'll find our 'Setting up a craft fair and community for the first time' exploits amusing/entertaining!

 

We'd love your support. Please say come and say Hi, join the FaceSlap, catch the Twits.

Thanks! X

Interview, Free Bag Pattern, books and a bag up for grabs!

Yessiree folks all of this is to be found on one of my favest sewing blogs.  For me, being featured on SewMamaSew is pretty much akin to setting my handprint in the Hollywood walk of fame.  Ohh where's my headscarf and big sunglasses?

And if you came over here from SewMamaSew: **Hello!! Lovely to have you come & visit!**

 

Pop over to SewMamaSew blog for the interview and books giveaway,...

 

...and here's a free PDF pattern for the bag above (from the Bag Making Bible) and a chance to win the actual bag in the picture. It's all on SewMamSew fer the takin', good luck!  :)

 

Weird n' Wacky Sewing Machines

So the other day I was inside my local Urban Outfitters checking out what is (supposedly) hot (and confirming that my dress sense is decidedly not). Never mind, I still love their quirky home-wares  and I can always find another daft tea mug to add to my collection.  I was delighted to see that this purveyor of coolness has cottoned on to the fact that sewing is cool (like we soooo knew that last year - and the year before...).  I took a snap of a kooky portable sewing machine that they had for sale:

I'm not too sure what is going on on the knitted chap's groin - perhaps it needs repairing haha! 

 

So this funny little sewing machine got me thinking "I'm going to go home and have a Google at other funny sewing machines..."  We all have days when our sewing machines are hell bent on driving us up the craft-room wall (nothing to do with us of course - it's the machines having one of their an 'evil days'), but imagine having one the following sewing machines to contend with!

Steam punk sewing

 

Wilma and her avian sewing machine.

 

Wacky looking portable sewing machine.

 

A rather different kind of 'portable' sewing machine.

 

Star Trekky sewing machine - good to see that will still be free-arms in the future :)

 

A concept colour matching sewing machine - LOVE this idea!

 

When sewing machines go BAD

 

I love my sewing machine, to be fair it's rarely weird or wacky.  It's actually very reliable and consistent (more than I am anyway!)  Is yours?

 

PDF Sewing Pattern - Yummy Mummy (& daughter) Purse Frame Purse: £6.95

Finally, finally finished writing up the tutorial and pattern for this twin purse frame!  It's been a long time coming so thanks to all of you who have been so patient with me :)  I hope you think it was worth the wait!

• Purse is large enough to store the iPhone (not included)
• Purse has 2 compartments for easy organising of your essentials.
• Perfect size for your essentials, fits neatly in your hand.
• Loads of helpful colourful photos and full sized pattern pieces to help make the making fun!

Finished size: 6 2/8in(W) x  4in (H) x 6/8in(D). (16cm x 10cm x 2cm).

 

If you'd prefer the Yummy Mummy Kit, they are in the shop here.

 

 

**PURCHASE THE PATTERN HERE**
Instant download. No waiting and no shipping fee - Yay!

To purchase the pattern please:

1. Click on the 'Buy Now' box below.
2. A separate PayPal page will open (you do not need a Paypal account) where you will need to enter your payment details.
3. Within minutes of making payment you will recieve an email with a web link to the Pattern Download page.  The download takes less than 5 mins. depending on internet connection speed.
4. PLEASE NOTE: the download link will expire after 72 hours from payment or after 3 attempts, which ever event happens first.  This is to help protect my pattern. I hope you understand :) Once you have downloaded the pattern to your computer the pattern will stay on your computer for as long as you like (or until you delete it).
5. Please remember to SAVE the pattern to your computer - so you can use it again and again!

Thank you and I hope you enjoy!

 

Yummy Mummy (& daughter) Purse Frame Purse Pattern = £6.95
Here's a Currency Converter

 

 

Pattern Information

You will need:

•    1 x fat quarter lining fabric 18in x 22in (46cm x 56cm) and matching thread (incl. in kit).
•    1 x 12in square exterior fabric (30 1/2cm) and matching thread (incl. in kit).
•    1/2 yard Med. weight fusible interfacing (50cm) (the fine white interfacing incl. in kit).
•    1 x 12in square Compressed [Thermolam] Fleece (the spongy white stuff incl. in kit).
•    1 x Silver Twin Purse Frame (incl. in kit).
•    1 x yard paper purse frame cord (1m) (incl. in kit).
•    Strong fabric glue – we LOVE Gutermann CGHT2 glue
•    Pins
•    Disappearing fabric marker or chalk

 

 

Here are more pics (click on them to enlarge)

Side view, how cool does all of that shimy metal look?.  The purse comfortably holds your essentials, yet the profile of this purse is neat and tidy.

Open up the purse and you'll find a central partition, which you can move back and forth.  The partition is interfaced nice and firm (so it feels 'proper and professional - if you know what I mean!).

Now you don't have to mix up your lippy with your money!

 

 

This 2-compartment purse looks so proffesh don'tcha think?

 

 

**PURCHASE THE PATTERN HERE**
Instant download. No waiting and no shipping fee - Yay!

To purchase the pattern please:

1. Click on the 'Buy Now' box below.
2. A separate PayPal page will open (you do not need a Paypal account) where you will need to enter your payment details.
3. Within minutes of making payment you will recieve an email with a web link to the Pattern Download page.  The download takes less than 5 mins. depending on internet connection speed.
4. PLEASE NOTE: the download link will expire after 72 hours from payment or after 3 attempts, which ever event happens first.  This is to help protect my pattern. I hope you understand :) Once you have downloaded the pattern to your computer the pattern will stay on your computer for as long as you like (or until you delete it).
5. Please remember to SAVE the pattern to your computer - so you can use it again and again!

Thank you and I hope you enjoy!

 

Yummy Mummy (& daughter) Purse Frame Purse Pattern = £6.95
Here's a Currency Converter

  

©2011 U-Handbag Patterns. Copyright Notes:
You are welcome to hand make items from our patterns for commercial and non-commercial use. We are happy for you to sell items made from our designs on Etsy or market stalls etc. However, permissions for commercial use do not include factory manufacture for mass production and selling. We respectfully ask you to not pass off our pattern designs as your own design and to not reproduce any part of this pattern anywhere. Thanks for your understanding :)

 

Yummy Mummy (& Daughter) Purse Making Kit

Finally, finally finished writing up the tutorial and pattern for this twin purse frame!  It's been a long time coming so thanks to all of you who have been so patient with me :)  I hope you think it was worth the wait!

• Purse is large enough to store the iPhone (not included)
• Purse has 2 compartments for easy organising of your essentials.
• Perfect size for your essentials, fits neatly in your hand.
• Loads of helpful photos and full sized pattern to help make the making fun!

 

 

The Yummy Mummy Kits have just been listed in the shop here.

 

 

Side view, how cool does all of that shimy metal look?.  The purse comfortably holds your essentials, yet profile of this purse is neat and tidy.

Open up the purse and you'll find a central partition, which you can move back and forth.  The partition is interfaced nice and firm (so it feels 'proper and professional - if you know what I mean).'

Now you don't have to mix up your lippy with your money!

 

 

 

 

A separate PDF pattern for this kit (priced at £6.95) will be available for purchase tomorrow. Separate frames will be available later today/tomorrow.  Thanks!

 

Puffy Pleaty Purse

Happiest New Year to you all!

 

To me this purse is just cahh-yute - I don't think I have anything else to add. 

Except: I made it in 2 evenings and if you want the pattern for it please let me know in the ol' comments   :)

 

Puffy with pleats. This purse is roomy, but still very neat.  The handle deffo lifts the purse to another level don'tcha think?  The leather handle is this Hook & Poppa Handle and the purse frame is this Half-Moon Purse Frame.

Measures: 12 1/2in x 9in (31 1/2cm x 23cm)

 

I've used crocheted cotton lace to conceal the seam between the red and doggy fabric.  The lace came from a totally amazing trimmings market stall in Amsterdam - I'm sooo due another visit methinks.

 

 

 

If this purse is your kinda bag (see what I did there?)  um yeah, if you like this purse and you'd like to see a pattern for it please lemme know in the comments. 

 

In other news: I've already designed 6 bags for the new book (and they're rockin' - if I do say so myself).