Sewing Session Snippets

Hello friends, readers and Blue Ribbon Designs enthusiasts - it's another post filled with creativity! I have been keeping busy with needlework finishing, stitching, sewing and quilting for the majority of my hours each day...trying to get a handle on projects and custom orders before we take our yearly Colorado trip in September. I finished a handful of orders for my zippered project bags this past week (along with a few custom pieces). It is always enjoyable to work with the fabulous fabrics my clients supply for their custom bags...even when they send challenging fabric with directional prints and/or straight lines, it is still fun to play with all the different patterns and styles. This batch includes more With Thy Needle and Thread project bags that are created from a printed panel...but in true Belinda fashion, I have changed the instructions inserting the zipper across the top and adding rick rack to both sides of the front panel...and I've made quite a few with a boxed bottom. I also had a request for a small scissor/needle case, measuring 5" W x 4" H - I quickly wrote up a pattern and made a prototype, then made two for my client with fabrics she supplied....if there are more requests for these, I may make some for my Etsy Shop. Here some photos of projects I worked on in the past several days...

My large and small project bags...

My large and small project bags...

My large and small project bags...

Custom-size bag: 14" W x 18" H

Two large project bags...

Project bag from fabric panel by Brenda Gervais/With Thy Needle & Thread
See designer website for information....

Project bags from fabric panels by Brenda Gervais/With Thy Needle & Thread
See designer website for information....

Project bags from fabric panels by Brenda Gervais/With Thy Needle & Thread
See designer website for information....

Custom Scissor/Needle Case 5" W x 4" H - Prototype

Custom Scissor/Needle Case 5" W x 4" H

Custom Scissor/Needle Case 5" W x 4" H

Two more project bag orders are in progress, then I start some HUGE needlework finishing orders. My holiday deadline for needlework finishing is September 1st...and sure enough packages are arriving daily. I always work in the order received and now it is time to steadily start working through those finishing projects. There are currently over 200 pieces of needlework finishing in my queue, so I am going to be a "finishing machine." These client orders contain some gorgeous needlework (LOTS of ornaments) and I can't wait to share some of the finishes with you...

Wishing you a happy and productive week!

Giveaway Winner...

WOW! - I sure didn't expect so many entries...thank you all for reading my blog. There can only be one winner this time...and the Random Generator (as seen below) picked Stitching Kath from the United Kingdom...Kath, I have sent you an email. For those of you wondering about my numbering system...I started with number 1 for the first post and left out the two posts with "forgotten emails", one post from a friend that already has one (love you Terri), and one duplicate entrant...leaving us with 44 entries.

If you read my Monday post, you know there will be another giveaway in the near future...so please don't be discouraged...there will be more chances!

I have a full day today...including writing the Blue Ribbon Designs newsletter for October (visit the newsletter page on my website to subscribe), finishing up a new design chart, and some model stitching! Wishing you all a happy and productive day....

Easy-To-Sew Stitching Gift & Giveaway

Today I want to share with you a sewing favorite of mine...so much a favorite, that I have made four of these as gifts for stitching friends! The design is titled "Needle Case" (#105) and is from Lazy Girl Designs. This cute little needle case has two pockets (one on the inside bottom and one on the outside back)....the middle panel on the inside will hold your pins and needles...the pocket on the inside will hold your scissors (up to 4") and an assortment of other stitching goodies such as a needle threader, floss, needle minder, or small ruler....the pocket on the outside back is perfect for a package of needles. It folds up into a small-sized case (see images below) approximately 4" W x 3" H....so it is perfect for putting in your stitching bag. This design has great instructions and requires very few materials....and it can be embellished a number of ways with ribbon, buttons, and trims...I even used two colors of fabric to "spruce" it up. A great little project for the beginner or the advanced seamstress...and a fun gift for a stitching/sewing friend...

Would you like to have one of these needle cases for your very own??..well, I may be able to help you with that! I have one already made...yes, made with my own two hands...using the same fabrics above, but not identical...that I am going to give away to one lucky reader.

Simply leave a comment regarding this post and you will be entered to win...let me know what you would put in your needle case or where you would keep it or how you would put it to good use...

I will use the random generator to choose a winner next Wednesday, September 30th. Please leave your email address in your post (if it is not in your profile), so I have a way to contact you should be the lucky recipient. Overseas entries welcome.

...and one final note: the giveaway is for one needle case only - you will need to fill it with your own pins, needles, scissors, and accessories. Good luck to all...