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!

Season of Sewing

Happy holidays to all my readers - I hope you have been having a joyous season!

I spent most of October, November and the beginning of December in a needlework finishing frenzy...but for the last couple weeks, I have been able to get back to some custom sewing projects. I thought I would stop by for a very quick visit tonight (as I am recovering from a terrible stomach bug) and share a plethora of project bags I completed the last couple weeks...along with an additional sewing project.

To start, I will share an assortment of my large and small project bags...for these particular bags, all the fabrics were provided by clients. I have quite a few zippered bag orders right now - an assortment of large project bags, small project bags, and a few tool bags...plus some custom panel project bags...yes, I am sewing up a storm to catch up! I continue to have quite a few questions on the patterns I use and the sizes of the bags...so I thought I would clear up any confusion. My project bags are made from my very own pattern that I designed specifically for cross stitch patterns and supplies (it is not available for sale)...all of my bags have a zipper across the top instead of the front...and all of my bags have enclosed seams (no raw/exposed edges on the inside of the bag). I use a custom die cutting system for consistent size and minimal fabric waste. My zippered bags are popular with clients who want to provide their own favorite fabrics - my clients get to shop and pick the fabrics they love (for themselves or for gifts), then ship them off to me and I create the requested size(s) of choice...

Here are details for my four most popular sizes:

Large Project Bag (most popular size):
Size: Approximately 14.25" W x 10.25" H
Designed for full size patterns measuring 8.5" x 11" and supplies.

Small Project Bag:
 Approximately 10.75" W x 7.75" H
Designed for half sheet patterns measuring 5.5" x 8.5" and supplies.

Tool Bag:
Approximately 9.25" W x 7.25" H
Designed for small projects and or tools/accessories.

Artist Bag (Over-Sized Pencil Bag):
Approximately 9.25" W x 4.5" H
Designed for needlework tools, colored pencils or supplies on the go...

My custom bags are made to order (most commonly, my customers supply fabrics of their choice). When time allows, I make them for my Etsy Shop (with fabrics I choose). The four sizes listed above are my basic/most requested bags, but (for a small additional fee) I can make them to any size requested. Should you like more information (pricing and fabric size details), please e-mail me (link also in profile). You can see all sorts of photos on my Instagram page...and see what is available and read my reviews by visiting my Etsy shop...

Finally - I did a little additional sewing and quilting a couple days before Christmas. I wanted to try out a new stocking template...and I was itching to try a new transparent quilting thread that came highly recommended (which is FABULOUS!). I decided to use a fun word fabric that I have a partial bolt of on hand -  Mama Said Sew Revisited by Sweetwater for Moda (click on photos to enlarge). I was so happy with how this quilted stocking turned out and will keep this template in my arsenal for custom orders. For photography, I thought it would be really cute as a seamstress stocking filled with sewing notions - which (coincidentally) would be the ultimate stocking for me! Unfortunately, Santa didn't come fill it (there is always next year)...but I think it will be very cute to hang in my sewing studio...

I'll be back soon with a couple fun needlework finishes and some more creative projects.

As 2019 comes to a close, I am reflecting on the last 365 days...it sure has been another busy and artistic year...I hope you will take a moment to reflect on the past year and the many blessings bestowed upon you. Thank you for supporting Blue Ribbon Designs and your love and support throughout the year! I wish you a happy, healthy 2020 filled with joy, laughter, and creativity!
HAPPY NEW YEAR...

The Bag Factory

Today, I am waiting for a large order of zippers to arrive, so I can get back to work...I decided it was the perfect time to stop by for a quick visit. My mom started lovingly referring to my sewing room as the "bag factory" and we chuckle about it often...lately, it seems that I am working on project bags almost every single day. It's a fun job because I get to play with an assortment of beautiful fabrics for hours upon hours. The last few days, I have even made time to work on large and small project bags for my Etsy shop...and I have to smile, because they sell out almost as fast as I can list them (as I write this, there are just a handful left)! I'm working on a scheduling plan to make several a day to try and keep it stocked up...we'll see how that goes. Thank you to all my customers and clients for keeping me busy!! I have also found time to get back to listing more of my historic needlework book collection for sale (although I dearly love each and every book, my shelves are overflowing and it is time for others to experience the joy in these very rare finds. I really realized this *needed* to happen with our recent move...you don't even want to know how many boxes of books I had 😲...if you are looking for rare historic needlework or sampler books, keep an eye on my shop and I will list more as time allows). For now, here are just a few photos of bags that have been shipping out of "the factory" the last couple weeks...

For project bags that are ready to purchase - visit my Etsy Shop (assorted bags are listed when available): https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueRibbonDesigns
For custom made project bags - send me an e-mail for details:
designer@blueribbondesigns.com

Well, I hear the mail truck - that should mean my zippers are here...along with a couple custom orders...time for me to get back to the bag factory. I have a goal in mind and then some model stitching this evening...

Tiny Tokens

Those closest to me know how much I enjoy making handmade gifts - especially for my dear friends, who truly appreciate the love and time that go into each piece. In the past month, I have worked on quite a few pretty little presents and I thought I would share some of my finishes.

First up, as pair of little birdie pinkeeps... The sewing bird cross stitch patterns are my own design, created especially for the recipients (I have had quite a bit of interest in this particular design, so I may be releasing it as a chart in the future). The stitched pieces were done with DMC six-strand embroidery floss on 32-count fabric to fit in some vintage Zinc Ball Jar lids...the lovely trim is "Ballerina" Hand-Dyed Chenille by Lady Dot Creates....and those fabulous rose pins are from Puntini Puntini! I was extremely pleased with how these original pieces turned out!

Here's another recent project...
These modern eye-glass cases were so much fun to make! They actually came as a complete kit from a local quilt shop. The openings use measuring tape, so they snap closed...and see those little triangle tabs on the sides? - they make it easy to pull open. I think I see a few more of these in my future!  The pattern is a Hoffman Sew Into It! Kit titled Eye Catcher - designed by Susan-Claire Mayfield....

Next up - an adorable little needlebook - made from linen band. I decided to add a cute little piece of coordinating floral ribbon to the front, as an accent...and again, inside are gorgeous pins from Puntini Puntini (I just adore Paola's pins and buttons - her work is beautiful and so is her heart!!)...

Finally, a couple sets of small zipper bags. I actually purchased the fabric for these with a couple dear friends in mind while I was on my last vacation. One set is all kitties...and one set is all birdies - again, created especially for the recipients...

This week I will be knee deep in two needlework finishing orders and several project bag orders...and hopefully I will have word on my sewing machine soon...crossing my fingers for good news.

My husband and I are headed to Colorado at the end of the week for a little relaxation - taking the Jeep out on the trails and doing some hiking....so I'm hoping to have a productive week first...