Little things basket – a free pattern

Hello!

I’m popping on here to let you all know that I’ve released a new cute little pattern, the Little things basket! Best of all, its free!

Its perfect for storing all those little things. I use one on my sewing table for my seam ripper, clover clips, saftey pins etc…

They use just 2 fat eights and some interfacing, so are easy to make up in lots of different fabric combos!

Get your free copy HERE!

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Don’t forget to share you makes:

@imstudiolou         #littlethingsbasket

Lou x

Retro Snaps – New pattern and a Sewalong!

Retro Snaps – My first Sewalong!

So, my new pattern, Retro Snaps is out now!

To celebrate the release of the fun, fussy cutting pattern, I thought I’d host my first ever Sewalong!

There’s going to be fun, inspiration, prizes of course and maybe you’ll meet a new friend or two?

So here’s all the details:

The pattern:

The pattern for the Sewalong will be the ‘Retro Snaps’ pattern by me. Find out how to purchase it here.

(When you purchase the pattern you will get an exclusive 15% discount codes for both Olive and Flo Handcraft and Cottoneer (when you spend over $50))

They both have all the fabrics you will need, if you fancy a bit of fabric shopping to get you started!

The pattern is a fun fussy cutting pattern made up into two strips of film.

The pattern includes full instructions for putting together your block and then further instructions on how to turn this into a quilted cushion.

However, it would also look fab as a mini quilt, or why not create more blocks for a fun quilt. At 20” square, just 4 blocks would make a nice sized baby quilt!

This is the perfect time of year for a Christmas themed cushion. Or maybe you have a gardening friend/ relative who would love a floral themed cushion as a gift?

 

Where?

The sewalong will be hosted by me @imstudiolou on Instagram.

(Please make sure your account is not set to private if you want to join in, or I won’t be able to see your photos.)

I’ll be making another one or two blocks as well!

 

When?

The sewalong runs 12^th November– 1^st December (inclusive) with prize winners being announced on Sunday 2^nd December.

What do I need to do?

The fun bit! Sew!

All you need to do to join in the sewalong is buy and make the pattern.

Show us your fabric pulls, and progress along the way with the hashtag #retrosnapssal (and have a little look at what others are doing too!)

 

Did someone say prizes?

Yes!

Not only does everybody who purchase the pattern get a discount code for Olive and Flo and Cottoneer, but there are also some great goodies up for grabs!

Prizes up for grabs will be:

•  Art Gallery fabric “Aura” (by Mr. Domestic) F8 bundle
•  Aurifil thread bundle
•  1 year digital subscription to Love Patchwork and Quilting magazine
•  Clover/Vilene haberdashery bundle

 

All posts on the #retrosnapssal will be in with a chance of winning one of the prizes. Open internationally.

Please make sure you only post your own photos and only post each photo once!

Giveaway winners will be picked at random at the end of the sewalong and announced on Instagram on Sunday 2^nd December.

 

I really hope you like this pattern and I would love you to join me on my first sewalong!

 

Lou

 

 

Boxy Pouch Tutorial

I love making quick and cute pouches. They are useful and make great gifts, especially if filled with little bath/chocolate gifts!

So today I’m going to talk you through how to make this quick boxy version!

Materials needed:

1 Fat Quarter of main print

1 Fat Quarter lining print

1 Fat Quarter of medium iron on interfacing (I use Vilene H250) or Vilene G700 which is a more expensive woven version.)

9” zip

Cutting:

Cut one rectangle 10 ½” wide x 13 ½” long

x 1 for main fabric

x 1 lining fabric

(If using directional print: Instead cut (2 x) 10 ½” x 7” and join, RST along the bottom 10 ½”edge, using a ¼” seam allowance. This will create one panel that is 10 ½” x 13 ½” where the direction of the print comes away from the seam line on both sides. Press seams open.)

x 1 interfacing (and interface onto main fabric)

3” x 5” (x 2) from main fabric for the tabs

Assembly:

1. First make your tabs by folding the two long edges into the middle and then folding in half again. Top stitch in place to close.

1. Attach your zip.

Lay the zip facing up with pull at the left. Lay your main fabric on the top of the zip and your lining fabric under the zip. Make sure they all line up (using a touch of glue or binding clips to hold in place is a good idea at this point.) Sew zip in place, place the fabrics so they are back to wrong sides together, press and top stitch.

1. Then do the same for the other side of the zip, main on top of zip, lining under. The lining and main fabrics will fold in half to do this.

Again, when finished press and top stitch. This will get difficult towards the end as you are sewing a tube. Take your time and be careful not to catch any other part of the pouch in your top stitch.

1. You now have a tube. Turn it wrong side out and lay it flat so that the zip runs through the middle. Sew a seam, approx. ½” down each of the raw edges, trim to ¼” and zig zag over the seam. (I like to do quite a tight zig zag so that the seam looks neat, also try to use a thread that blends well with your lining.

     5. To box the pouch, cut a square 1 ¼” from each edge/seam line.

Bring the cut seams together,  So that the side edge lines up the end sewn seam. Pin or clip in place.

Take one tab, centre in the seam you are about to sew and line up with raw edges, with the majority of the tab inside the pouch and sew with a ¼” seam allowance. Use the other end of the tab at the next corner (make sure it doesn’t get twisted and the tabs loop over each end of the pouch.)

When you have completed each corner, zig zag over each seam.

     6. Turn the right way round, poke out the corners and admire your boxy pouch!

Watch out, they’re addictive to make!

Options:

• If you would like your pouch more sturdy, you can can interface the lining piece as well.
• Or you could cut the outer piece approx 1″ bigger in both directions and quilt with a layer of batting. when you have finished quilting, cut the piece down to the correct size and carry on with the tutorial as normal.
• Also, why not try it out with different fabrics? Here’s one I made using Cork fabric (Which was quite sturdy, so I skipped the interfacing.)

Boxy Pouch pattern by Lou Orth @imstudiolou #louspatterns

To keep up to date with all my latest news, patterns and discounts, sign up to my Newsletter group HERE!

1 year blogging & my first giveaway!

Wow, time does fly when you’re having fun! Today, I have been blogging for a whole year!

It’s been such fun sharing my projects and I’ve met some great people and read inspirational blogs.
I enjoy every comment and am grateful for all my readers.

I’m so excited for my next year blogging. I’ve got some fun sewing projects coming up including some Secret Sewing, so stay tuned…

What better way to celebrate my first year (and hitting a nice, round 10k page views last month) than with a giveaway!?!

I love a theme, so I’ve gone with pinky/purples.
There’s 6 FQs (all designer fabrics), threads and Paperchase goodies.

Open to the whole world.
Entries close Monday 11th August at 8pm (GMT)

**GIVEAWAY CLOSED**

Entries:

To enter please leave a comment saying yes please, or something to that effect…

There’s an extra entry for my blog followers (reader, email or Bloglovin) please leave an extra comment saying how you follow this blog…

and an extra extra entry for my Pinterest followers (@imstudiolou) – please leave an extra comment saying you follow and your username.

Please make sure I can find you via your comment!

Winner will be picked and notified within 24 hours. Winner should respond within 48 hours, or another winner will be drawn.

Good luck!!

Ps. Craftsy are having a Big Summer Sale starting today, with up to 50% off classes. Go check it out!

Lou