sewing

Explorer Tote Blue Waxer Canvas

Well, I of course felt like it would only be fair to make another. My friend, Jane, loved that one, and I quickly offered to make one for her! This time I used the blue (Turkish Sea) Waxer Canvas from Robert Kaufman Fabrics. It was fun to see it come together in blue. I chose a long time favorite speckled canvas for the lining and set to work!

Just like last time around I used a double layer of the Waxer canvas on the contrast bottom piece. Cutting two of the same size and basted them together around the perimeter. I didn’t add any other interfacing to the exterior pieces. The lining is canvas and again, no added interfacing. Of course you could definitely add whatever you’d like, but I’m happy with this combination. I think it makes a great lightweight travel bag with perfect amount of pockets!

I did manage to put together a few leather kits (for the large size, the small size can use my 1″-wide straps or you can make them from fabric, too) in my shop if you’re interested. One of the kits is available with the hardware included. I cut it to the size you choose when you order and then I assemble it. Pretty fun! I also have the turn locks and both zipper sizes (they’re jacket zippers and my favorite type of zipper to use for this pattern, here’s the 20″ size and the 24″ size).
Fabric: Waxer Canvas in Turkish Sea, lining is a recycled hemp/cotton duck that I had gotten at Fancy Tiger Crafts (looks like it’s sold out now though) 🙁
I’m in the process of restocking leather in my shop, so stop back next week for a full selection of the 1″-wide straps. 

All images are by Jessica Sands Photography 

sewing

Divided Basket || Driftless

Divided Basket using Driftless fabric - NoodleheadLove the flexility of Essex (cotton linen blend) fabric for so many different reasons, but the ability to use it with several types of sewing projects makes it one of my all-time faves. In this case, it’s perfect for a home-dec type project like this Divided Basket. Speaking of making lots of samples of a project, I think the Divided Basket might be up there in the top 5 for me! I can’t count how many I’ve made.

Divided Basket, Driftless fabric collection - Noodlehead

They’re fun for gift giving, keeping organized, and trying new fabric combinations! I almost always make them for gifts. I love giving them as baby gifts, but I’ve seen so many creative gifting uses over the years. I think one of my favorites was seeing a kitchen bridal shower basket filled with kitchen towels and baking necessities.

Divided Basket baby gift - Noodlehead

Here are a few examples of the Divided Basket’s I’ve made over the years!
Gingham + Leather Divided Basket
Butterfly Divided Basket
Springy Divided Basket
Goodnight Moon Divided Basket
Briar Rose Divided Basket

Anyway, I had fun making this Divided Basket a few times using Driftless. The main exterior fabric is this Railroad Denim from Robert Kaufman. It’s such a nice weight and texture! I’m not sure I used it before this, but I definitely need some more! Of course I almost always love anything that’s denim or chambray, so go figure. Do you have a go to substrate?

Over the next few weeks I’ll be filming a complete video of how to make the Divided Basket, it’ll be available in my shop as soon as it’s ready. I’m excited since it’s one of my favorite projects to make! I’m announcing it here because it’ll give me some accountability to get it going!

Pattern: Divided Basket
Fabrics: Algea and Water Flower from Driftless, Railroad Denim

sewing

Maker’s Tote || Driftless

Front

Back

One of my all-time favorite projects with binding is the Maker’s Tote. I know binding can be one of those love it or hate it steps in a project. Fortunately for me I’m on the love it side.

I do have a video of some of the steps of this pattern (click here for the link, it’s about three quarter of the way down in the blog post), I think it’s very helpful if you’re at all intimidated by this project. Sometimes just being able to visually see someone sew through the steps makes it seems more doable, right?! One of my big goals for this year is to make some more videos for my patterns. I hope that is something that will be helpful! Video isn’t something that comes easily to me so far, but I am ready to tackle it. I think I’m going to start with the Divided Basket pattern. It’s a fun one to sew and I think some extra visuals of making the divided lining will be fun! I’m waiting until I recover from being sick, but after that keep an eye out!

This is the mini size of the pattern, and I just love it when I see people filling theirs up with all their crafting supplies. Seeing them get used is my favorite part! I’ve had fun making a bunch since the pattern was released. I really love the shape of this bag plus the ability to combine lots of different fabrics. It’s fun to try different ideas. Here’s a few that I’ve had a fun time making:

Mesa Maker’s Tote

Sheepy Maker’s Tote

Summer Maker’s Tote

Detective Maker’s Tote

Handcrafted Fabric Maker’s Tote

I used my Water Flower print and paired it with the Algea and Butterfly Weed for the lining fabrics. The binding is Interweave Chambray, sorry if I talk about this one all the time, but it’s really such a good staple!

Pattern: Maker’s Tote
Fabrics: Water Flower, Algea, and Butterfly Weed print from my newest fabric collection, Driftless

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