24 Hour Leather Hobo

I have a new dress to wear to a Christmas function tomorrow night, but it has come to my attention that it doesn't go with any of my bags. So I'm going to have a bash at making a "You Sew, Girl!" Hobo bag from some leather that I have been saving for such an occasion. Can it be done?

Linking up with more Creative Peeps over here.

How to Sew a French Seam

A french seam is a nice way to finish a seam. It hides the raw edges, and is a great alternative if you don't have an over-locker or cover-stitch machine, and is actually a nicer way to finish seams even if you do. The technique I have described is for a half inch seam allowance (12.5mm).

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Apparently, the French call this "Couture Anglaise", or English Seam.

I wonder why no-one is taking credit for it?
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To start with, take your fabrics and sew them together with the wrong sides facing each other. A 1/4 inch foot is a great tool to use if you have one. To get an accurate seam allowance, I need to adjust my needle position one notch to the right.



Use thread to match your fabric. I have used black thread here so that it is easy to see what I have done.



So, after you have sewed a 1/4 inch (6mm seam), give it a little press and trim off about half of the seam allowance.



Press the seam open and then fold along the seam line, so that the right sides of the fabric are together.



Sew another 1/4 inch seam, encasing the raw edges of the fabric inside.



Press your new seam to one side (usually towards the back) and you are all done.



You can see the seam from the back, above and from the front, below. Now that was easy, oui?

Apples for Grandma

This is the fabulous doll quilt I received from Nic in the EB Doll Quilt Swap. Nic obviously knows what I like and this will be going up in Amélie's room.



Little Red Riding Hood is one of my favourite nursery book characters, and Amélie already has a few Red Riding Hood themed items in her room.



Amélie is also a fan of apples, both to eat and to look at. This mini quilt has a delicious looking basket of apples and also matching apples on the tree.



I love the bow under her chin, and that sweet little round face.



I love the beautiful little bird on her apron, and her stripey tights!



Aren't I lucky?!

You can see the quilt I sent here.

And some of the other quilts, here, here, here, here, here, here and here