New in Store - 16th March

As we are busy preparing for the Stitches and Craft Fair we haven't been able to add too much new stock to the web store over the last two weeks. Here are a few new items that we have managed to list quickly.

Top Row

Hollywood Icons Marilyn Monroe Movie Poster Panel by Robert Kaufman

Horrible Harry's Pirate Backpack Pattern by Emily Taylor Design

Cocoa Knit Shrug RiFF Pattern by Cake Patterns

Middle

Satsuki Blossom Black/Red by Robert Kaufman

Bottom Row

Fox and the Houndstooth Dapper Foxes Grey by Robert Kaufman

Fox and the Houndstooth Dapper Foxes Aqua by Robert Kaufman

Satsuki Atmosphere Indigo by Robert Kaufman

We'll be back with new items in two weeks.

- Ky

Fabric Friday - Call of the Sirens

My 7 year old nephew, Mason, is more than a little bit obsessed with pretty girls and mermaids. I made a quilt for my niece, Adanna, when she was 3 years old but somehow, never got around to making one for Mason. Unfortunately, I need to replace Adanna's quilt (long story, won't go there) and I thought I couldn't do that and STILL not make one for her brother.

I wasn't sure if our Alexander Henry Sea Sirens would be a bit too adult for Mason but he LOVES them. His mum thinks they are great because he will probably love them just as much when he is 15 years old. Just for different reasons :P

Mason is quite partial to pink so I teamed up the mermaids with the coral coloured Sea Ponies. Some of the mermaids have pink flowers in their hair so they tie in quite well. The Double-Sided Japanese Dobby will add a bit of texture and gives me options with the colour balance. Got to love two fabrics for the price of one!

I haven't decided how I'm going to piece it all together yet. The quilt will be cot-sized so Mason can use it as a lap quilt on the couch in winter or a play mat or to snuggle with in bed. The mermaids are (obviously) going to be the main feature and they are almost 30cm tall each so I'm leaning towards a big centre panel with borders around to make up the quilt. Top stitching is going to be an adventure - I may try free motion stitching for the first time and outline quilt the seaweed tendrils and the mermaid's flowing hair.

Top

Outfoxed Stripe Light Pink by Andover

Double-Sided Japanese Floral Dobby Green by Sevenberry

Middle

Sea Sirens Tea by Alexander Henry

Bottom

Salt Water Ocean Ponies Coral by Free Spirit

Premium Solid Popcorn by Northcott

I have to say that I'm quite chuffed at this Fabric Friday combo. I will keep you posted on the progress of the quilt as I make it :)

- Cloud

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.

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

- Ky

Serendipity Studios The Madeline Maxi Dress Pattern Test Drive

In between all of the preparation for the Brisbane Stitches and Craft Fair as well as the day to day running of Voodoo Rabbit I have managed to make myself another dress. I have been wanting a maxi dress for a while now and have these fabrics in my stash for a few year now. I purchased them specially to make a maxi dress out. When we ordered in the Madeline Maxi Dress pattern from Serendipity Studio I knew it was time to finally make my dress.

I have made the full length version of the dress with a ruffled hem band, contrast neckline and waistband. 

Contrast Neckband

The contrast neckband in the pattern has a seam down the centre of it but I thought it would look better without the seam. To make this change simply cut the seam allowance off the centre seam of the Front Contrast Trim pattern piece and cut it on the fold. It is then attached to the dress as per the pattern instructions.

Pockets

I have added inseam side pockets to the dress as per my pocket tutorial here. If you are going to add pockets make sure you fit the bodice before you attach the skirt otherwise it is a real pain to unpick the skirt and take in the side seams. If you aren't including pockets you can do your final fit after the skirt is attached and the zipper has been inserted. The dress is constructed in such a way that you can just sew down the side seam to take in the dress if it is a bit too loose.

Bottom Ruffle
I wanted a fuller ruffle than the one specified in the pattern so I have cut 3 strips of fabric instead of the 2 specified in the pattern instructions.

Apart from what I have mentioned here I did have to make a few other adjustments to the bodice but I will have to save that blog post for a later date. Gotta go and do a bit more prep for the Stitches and Craft Fair now.
- Ky

New In Store - 2nd March

A few new Alexander Henry prints from the Nicole's Prints and Folklorico collections have been added this week including some awesome pop art style designs from the Home Sewing is Easy Part 2 range.

Top

Contigo Natural Multi by Alexander Henry

Home Sewing Is Easy 2: Hawaii Black and White by Alexander Henry

Middle

Home Sewing Is Easy 2: Hawaii Black Brite by Alexander Henry

Contigo Black by Alexander Henry

Baile De Calaveras Tea/Eggplant by Alexander Henry

Bottom

Midnight Snack Brite Multi by Alexander Henry

Slice of Hawaii Red Brite by Alexander Henry

Till next week

- Ky