New In Store - 30th March

A heap of stock has come in over the last two weeks and we will be endeavouring to list it as quickly as possible on the website. This week we have added new Riley Blake, Alexander Henry, Trans-pacific Textiles and Bernatex fabrics.

Top Row

Ocean Avenue Island Tropics Flamingos Red by Bernatex

Ocean Avenue Island Tropics Flamingos Black by Bernatex

Rocket Age Ad Navy by Riley Blake Design

Rocket Age Ad Red by Riley Blake Design

2nd Row

Magic Meows Purple by Alexander Henry

Wee Wander Glow Friends Pink by Michael Miller

Rocket Age Main Blue by Riley Blake Design

Rocket Age System Red by Riley Blake Design

3rd Row

Japanese Folk-story Pink by Trans-Pacific Textiles

Anime Geisha and Monkey Cream by Trans-Pacific Textiles

Rocket Age Stars Red by Riley Blake Design

Rocket Age Captain Blue by Riley Blake Design

Bottom Row

Hawaiian Tropical Floral Black by Trans-Pacific Textiles 

Anime Geisha and Monkey Blue by Trans-Pacific Textiles

Geekly Chic Mustache Small Red by Riley Blake Design

Rocket Age Stripes Blue by Riley Blake Design

With the arrival of a few new prints I think that we currently have the entire range of Alexander Henry Skull and Rose fabrics in stock. These are some our favourite fabrics, in fact it is the Skulls and Roses design that first inspired us to start our own fabric store :)

Top Row

Resting In Roses Natural by Alexander Henry 

The Rose Tattoo Black Tea by Alexander Henry

Middle Row

Resting In Roses Black by Alexander Henry 

Resting In Roses Tea by Alexander Henry

The Rose Tattoo Brite Black by Alexander Henry

Botton Row

The Rose Tattoo Tea by Alexander Henry

Skulls and Roses by Alexander Henry

New knit fabrics from Birch Organic Fabric as well as a plain black and white jersey.

Top

Heavenly Cotton Jersey Knit White

Charley Harper Knit Bank Swallow Blue by Birch Organic Fabric

Bottom

Charley Harper Knit Twigs Tomato Red by Birch Organic Fabric

Heavenly Cotton Jersey Knit Black

Whew, that's it for this week but there is still heaps to come next week so stay tuned :)

- Ky

Tutorial - Adding Adjustable Straps to a Backpack

Adjustable bag straps are the best! Not all patterns have adjustable straps though (like Horrible Harry's Pirate Backpack Pattern). Here is a quick and easy tutorial on how to make adjustable straps for a kid's backpack. You can also use the same technique for handbags, tote bags etc.

Make the straps as per the pattern instructions. This particular pattern has straps that are 70cm (28") long with a finished sewn width of 2.5cm (1"). To make the adjustable straps you will require some hardware, we have used 4 x 25mm (1") Slide Adjusters.

Step 1: Bottom Ring Strap - Cut off an 8-10cm (3-4") piece from the end of each strap. Fold each piece in half around one side of each slide adjuster to form a loop.

Sew horizontally across the strap as close as possible to the slide adjuster. This keeps the slide in place and stops them from twisting around.

Step 2: Adjustable Strap - Take a long strap and zigzag across one of the short ends to help stop the fabric from fraying. Thread the strap through the slide adjuster (under the outer part, over the inner bar & back out under the outer part).

Tuck approximately 3cm (1.25 in) back towards the main part of the strap to make a loop over the inner bar of the slide adjuster. The shortest length of strap should be on the bottom and the right side of the slide adjuster should be facing up.

Sew a rectangle shape (instead of just straight across) when joining to make the strap sturdier. Repeat for the other long strap piece.

You should now have two short Bottom Ring Straps and two long Adjustable Straps.

Step 3: Attaching the Bottom Ring Straps - Sew the bottom ring straps into the base of your backpack. The right sides of the slide adjusters should face outwards when the straps are pushed upwards.

Step 4: Attaching the Adjustable Straps - Place the bag down on its back and fold the Bottom Ring Strap downwards away from the bag. Place the wrong side of the Adjustable Strap up, so you can see the zig zagged edge. Thread the Adjustable Strap through the Bottom Ring.

Loop the strap back up and thread through the Slide Adjuster (under the outer ring, over the inner bar, under the outer ring).  The zig zagged edge will now be covered. Pull through until the Slide Adjuster is about 10 cm away from the Bottom Ring. 

Sew the top of the adjustable straps to the top of the backpack per the regular pattern instructions.

Pin Me!!

Voila! You now have a finished backpack with shiny new adjustable straps!

- Ky

Photo Tutorial - Zombie Apocalypse Panel Soft Toy

The Zombie Apocalypse has started at the Brisbane Stitches and Craft Show (20-23 March 2014). Come and visit us at Stand E15 to pick up a Zombie Toy panel which will only be available at the show.

We first saw Emily Taylor's Zombie Apocalypse doll panel while looking through images of the Riley Blake Designs booth from the Houston Quilt Market at the end of October last year (2013). To say we were excited would be an understatement.

Original Photo from Riley Blake Design's blog

There are only limited written instructions included on the panel so to help our newer sewists we thought a photo tutorial was in order. Please note that all seam allowances are 1/4" (6mm) unless noted otherwise.

ZOE the ZOMBIE GIRL

Step 1 - Cutting out the pieces: All of the pattern pieces are printed on the fabric and should be cut out on the printed line. Make sure you transfer the pattern markings for the arm positions onto Zoe's body and the pattern markings for the dog's ear and underbelly positions onto the body before you cut them out.

Step 2 - Zoe's Arms: Take an arm piece and fold it in half with right sides together. Stitch down the long straight edge and around the curve leaving the top edge open (the instructions say stitch from point A to B, this is incorrect). Clip the curve, we have used pinking shears on our sample. Make sure that you don't clip too close to the stitch line otherwise the seam will be weakened and may burst when you stuff the arms. Turn the arm right side out. Repeat for the other arm.

Step 3 - Zoe's Legs: Take a leg piece and fold it in half with right sides together. Stitch down the long straight edge and around the curve, leave the top edge open. Clip the curve. Turn right side out. Repeat for the other leg.

Step 4 - Stuff Arms and Legs: Stuff the legs and arms, leaving approx. 1/2 - 1inch (about 2cm) clear at the top. Baste the tops closed to keep the stuffing in place.

Step 5 - Attaching the Arms: Using the marks you made as a guide, place the arms on the right side of one of the body pieces so that they are facing inwards. Pin or baste in place. Zoe is Zombie on one side & pre-Zombie on the other. Make sure you put the Zombie sides all in the same direction.

Step 6 - Attaching the Legs: Place Zoe's legs on the right side of the same body piece so that the top leg seam is even with the bottom of her skirt and her toes are pointing up towards her head. I placed mine approx 1/2 inch (about 1.5 cm) to either side of the middle of the bottom of the skirt. Baste in place. Zoe is Zombie on one side & pre-Zombie on the other. Make sure you put the Zombie sides all in the same direction.

Step 7 - Zoe's Body: Place the body pieces on top of each other, right sides together with the arms in-between. Fold the legs down so that they are outside of the body and out of the way. Sew around Zoe's body leaving the bottom edge open a few inches for turning and stuffing. 

Step 8 - Finishing Up: Turn Zoe's body right side out and stuff firmly. Fold in the open edges and use ladder stitch to close.

BONES the ZOMBIE DOG

Step 1 - Ears: Place one spotted ear and one black ear piece together, right sides together. Sew around the ear leaving the top edge open. Clip the seams and turn right side out. Repeat for the other ear.

Step 2 - Bones' Underbelly Part 1: Place the underbelly piece onto the left body piece, right sides together and matching points F and E. Sew around the legs from point E to point F.

Step 3 - Bones' Underbelly part 2: Fold the sewn side of the underbelly up and out of the way so that you can place the remaining half onto the right body piece, right sides together and matching points C and D. Sew around the legs from point C to point D.

Step 4 - Bone's Body: Pin or baste the ears to the top of one of the body pieces using the ear placement markings. Sew around the top of Bones' body from points C/E to D/F catching the ears in between. Make sure you leave an opening for turning, I left open the section between the two yellow pins on his back.

Step 5 - Finishing Up: Clip around the curves and turn Bones right side out. Stuff with Toy stuffing and close up the opening using a ladder stitch.

Congratulations you have finished your Zombie Doll and Dog !!

For those of you who like to pin here is a pretty Pinterest image for you :)

New In Store - February 23

Lots of new Riley Blake fabrics this week including a a couple of 1/8" ginghams as well as a selection from Emily Taylor's Pirate Matey collection.

Left
Small Gingham Black by Riley Blake Designs
Pirate Matey Pirate Stripe Blue by Riley Blake Designs
Small Gingham Red by Riley Blake Designs

Middle
Pirate Matey Pirate Toss Cream by Riley Blake Designs
Pirate Matey Treasure Map Green by Riley Blake Designs

Right

Pirate Matey Pirate Skulls Blue by Riley Blake Designs
Pirate Matey Pirate Ships Grey by Riley Blake Designs
Pirate Matey Pirate Skulls Red/Grey by Riley Blake Designs

Till next week. 

- Ky and Cloud

Fabric Friday - Berries and Cream

This week Cloud has put together a vintage farm housewife collection complete with 50s domestic icon, Irma Harding. I don't know about you guys but this selection of fabric makes me crave freshly baked scones with berry jam and cream, but maybe I'm just hungry :)

Left

Remember When Irma Harding Ads and Tractors Cream by Quilting Treasures

Summer Preserves Tossed Cherries White by South Sea Imports

Middle
Small Gingham Red by Riley Blake Designs

Remember When Squiggles Black/Red by Quilting Treasures

Premium Solid Popcorn by Northcott
Small Gingham Black by Riley Blake Designs

Right

Remember When Irma Vignettes Cream/Tan by Quilting Treasures

Berry Toss Pindot Black by Sevenberry

- Ky and Cloud

Travelling Bunnies - Cotton Carnivale and Riley Blake Fabric

I've been a jet-setting bunny so far this year, first I was in Melbourne attend a bag making workshop with Nicole Mallalieu and last weekend I was off again to attend Cotton Carnivale in Noosa. Cotton Carnivale is a retreat/convention for fabric store owners and teachers held by Millhouse Collection and Riley Blake Fabrics.

Cindy (left) and Jina (right) are from Riley Blake Designs and flew over from the States for the event. They are pictured with Sue Daley the english paper piecing queen.

As well as talks about running a fabric business and Riley Blake fabrics, we had the opportunity to attend workshops to learn new techniques and meet some new pattern designers. Here were are looking very studious as we learn english paper piecing with Sue Daley.

I made this cute little reversible dress with Monica Poole in 2.5hrs!!! The best thing about this dress is that all of the seams are enclosed so you can get a very professional finish without requiring an overlocker. We have been looking for a range of children's patterns and I think that these will be the ones we will stock.

Cute little fox soft toy with Melanie McNeice from Melly & Me.

Machine appliquéd and quilt as you go table runner with Zoe Clifton. No I didn't finish this one during the workshop I had to do the last bit at home. Typical isn't it, you go away to a sewing retreat and come home with new UFO's !!

Fussy cut english paper piecing with Sue Daley - we will be stocking EPP products very soon!

Embroidered pin cushion with Natalie Lymer of Cinderberry Stitches, yeah still a bit to go on this one...

On Saturday night we attended a maskerade party. I love to dress up and I'm pretty thrilled with my new The Ghastlies Marilyn dress that I made for the occasion. Steph from Cake Patterns was at the party as well. 

By the end of the weekend I was exhausted but full of new ideas and plans for Voodoo Rabbit, keep an eye out for new products and classes over the coming months.

The last big event for the firs quarter of this year is the Brisbane Stitches and Craft Show in March. There is a lot of prep is required for this show so I'd better get started, only 5 weeks to go !!

- Ky 

Union Jack Repeat Panel by Riley Blake - Tote Bag Tutorial

Riley Blake fabrics have just released this cool little fabric panel featuring the Union Jacks. I saw a tutorial for a cute quilt and bag over on the Riley Blake blog. I didn't have the time to make up a quilt but these bag sew together super fast.

I have a few step-by-step photos that I took while I made up the bags. While I have made a few changes to the instructions the original tutorial can be used to fill in any blanks. Seam allowances are all 1/2" unless stated otherwise.

Step 1: Cut out your fabric

Bag Outer - 2 flags from the Union Jack Repeat Panel approx. 30.5cm x 51cm (12 x 20"). This is only 1/4 of the panel so you have plenty left to make more bags :)

Cut out lining and straps

Bag Lining - 30.5cm x 51cm (12 x 20")

Long strap - 10cm x 107cm (4" x 42") or

Short strap/s - (4" x 18")

Optional: Cut out and fuse Medium Fusible Interfacing to the wrong side of the outer bag and strap/s.

Step 2: Fold the bag outer in half with right sides together and sew the side seams. Trim the corners and press seams open.

Step 3: To make the boxed corners line the side seam up on top of the bottom fold of the bag to create triangles. Measure up 2.5cm (1") from the corner and draw a line. Sew over the line and trim off the excess fabric.

Step 4: To make the handles/strap fold the long edges into the middle of the fabric strip and press. Fold the pressed edges together and press. Topstitch on each side. You can also add extra rows of stitching in between these two lines of stitching.

Step 5: Pin the straps to the outside of the bag, matching the centre of the strap to the side seam. Stitch in place inside the seam allowance.

Step 6: Fold the lining in half with right sides together. Sew the side seams but leave an opening in one side, this is where the bag will be turned right side out once the lining has been sewn to the bag outer. Make the boxed corners as per step 3. 

Step 7: Put the outer bag inside the lining so that the right sides are together. Match up the side seams and sew around the top of the bag to join the lining to the bag outer.

Step 8: Pull the bag right side out through the gap you left in the lining. Press and stitch around top top of the bag 5mm (1/4") down from the top seam.

Step 9: Slip Stitch the lining closed.
The finished bag is approx. 23cm x 21c x 5.5cm (9" x 8-1/4" x 2-1/4")

Enjoy your new bag :)

- Ky

New in Store - January 26

We received a delivery of Riley Blake fabric this week, for some reason it is all red, white and blue with a bit of orange thrown in for good measure. There are bunting flags, union jack flag and spiderwebs as well as some spotty cotton jersey knits. I'm eying up that red spot for a new dress :)

Top Row

Union Jack Panel Flag Traditional Blue by Riley Blake

Holiday Halloween Bunting Panel Orange by Riley Blake

Middle Row

Small Dots Red Cotton Jersey Knit by Riley Blake

Holiday Spider Webs Black by Riley Blake

Small Dots Navy Blue Cotton Jersey Knit by Riley Blake

Bottom Row

Union Jack Repeat Panel Blue by Riley Blake

Holiday Patriotic Bunting Panel Blue by Riley Blake

Did you know that we are the official Australian distributer for Shoben Fashion Media tools, books and pattern blocks. Dr Martin Shoben has designed an innovative and practical range of equipment and work aides for the fashion industry.

His uniquely designed equipment is used through out the world and his books and patterns are very influential and sought after by students, professional designers and lecturers.

Last but not least we have our first weekend Learn to Sew class listed, it starts on February 16 and is filling fast. Sign up and more information can be found here: Learn to Sew - from Zilch to Zips (3 weeks from February 16)

Have a great long weekend Australian bunnies and we'll be back again next week.

- Ky and Cloud

Fabric Friday - London Calling

We received a couple of Union Jack panels this week so we are feeling inspired to do a british themed fabric friday. 

Left (Crowns)
Send In The Crowns White by Michael Miller
London Crowns Blue by Makower
London Crowns Red by Makower
Send In The Crowns Black by Michael Miller

Middle (Plains)
Premium Solid Tomato by Northcott
Premium Solid Navy by Northcott

Right
Union Jack Panel Flag Traditional Blue by Riley Blake

Bottom
Union Jack Repeat Panel Blue by Riley Blake
London Blocks by Makower

Here is a bit of sewing inspiration to get you started :)

Made from the Union Jack Repeat Panel Blue by Riley Blake

  Instructions available here

Union Jack Cushion Cover Download instructions here

- Ky

Fabric Friday - Little Red Riding Hood

Little Red Riding Hood is always a favourite and today we have put together a fabric selection based on our newest Little Red design by Trans-pacific Textiles. We have fields of daisies and playful bunnies, sweet red cherries and of course the big bad wolf and Little Red herself.

Large Image

Anime Little Red Blue by Transpacific Textiles

Top Right

Bake Sale Tossed Cherry Floral Pink by Riley Blake

Middle Right

Daisy Stripe Green by Kei Fabrics

Bottom Row Left to Right

Dobby Japanese Rabbits Beige by Cosmo Textiles

Growing Green Stripe by Alexander Henry

Spot On Pindot Cardinal Red by Robert Kaufman

I can see sweet little girls dresses, big girl dresses and 50's style aprons made out of these fabrics. What would you make?

- Ky