Noodlehead Super Tote | UK Michelle Gift

So two bags done and an upcoming trip to the UK where I spent some time at Michelle's home.  She and I used to be flatmates, and she got me into knitting.  She is an avid knitter who does fine work.  I have several baby items she has made my kids including hats and blankets.

Of course I had to make her a knitting bag too!  Just to remind you, I had seen a post on Probably Actually of this great bag and thought - perfect knitting bag - called the Super Tote by Noodlehead.

 

Love the rick-rack at the top of the pocket.  Had some in my stash.

 

Love the details in this pattern, including the zipper tab.

 

Love the inside.  I wanted to use the lighter fabric as I hate digging around a dark bag!  Lots of yarn room...

 

Did several rows of stitches along the handles, just to give more texture and subtle interest. 

 

And here are the fabrics used...just in case you get the urge to get some!

Noodlehead Super Tote | Mum

So now that I had a great knitting bag, thought my mum should too.  Just to remind you, I had seen a post on Probably Actually of this great bag and thought - perfect knitting bag - called the Super Tote by Noodlehead.

Since she gave me so many of her fabrics last year, it's long overdue that I make here something!  So she went through her fabrics to find something appropriate.  She had some Monet printed fabric.  Couple fat quarters and some yardage.  Perfect.

This is the front of the bag with the pocket.  Tried to use the fabric carefully and the yellow definitely went with the flowers and grass.

 

Then for the back, there is a seam versus a pocket, so I used the variegated print.  You never quite know how things will look in the end, but I think this worked quite well.

Then I used some of the yardage print for the zipper gusset and inside.

 

Mum I hope you're loving your knitting bag as much as I love mine!

Noodlehead Super Tote | Knitting Bag

I started knitting again last year when I took a learn to knit sweater class at Prairie Lilly Knitting here in Saskatoon.  I have knit before, but forgot some of the simplest things, like casting on (a must).  Well I'm now hooked on a second hobby.  Oh boy - I have enough sewing stuff.  Now I have knitting stuff.  Thankfully I have a wonderful husband who embraces it.

I go to a weekly knitting drop in session  - such fab people there!  I realized going to class, the projects in ziplock bags, old bags with holes weren't cutting it.  I was also forgetting some critical knitting supplies.  So it was time to make a knitting bag. I had seen a post on Probably Actually of this great bag and thought - perfect knitting bag - called the Super Tote by Noodlehead.  Here's a peek at my messy sewing room, and the bag of course...

 

 Getting ready to make it, deciding on the trim at the top of the exterior pocket.

So I went through my stash and found a couple cottons then headed to Periwinkle Quilting to find the brown front fabric (Art Gallery I think), then Unique Textiles to get a coordinating print for the inside.  Thankfully I had one piece used up from stash.  That's my motto - cannot buy new fabric unless it is to use on a project from stash (and yes I have broken my motto).

Front and back I used the same fabrics.  This was a pretty easy and quick project to put together.  You just have to be careful cutting things out that you don't get pieces mixed up, especially when using multiple fabrics.  I used a heavier interfacing (I don't know what kind it was) on the outside parts and handles, to give the bag more shape, as this is quilting cotton.    

 

I put buttons from my stash on the bottom of the bag to help with wear.  I've seen this on high end handbags, so why not on my knitting bag.

 

Really enjoyed trying the concealed magnetic closure on the front pocket.  I thought it was going to be hard...but it was so easy.  Kind of like a snap but you don't need the installation tools.

 

The inside has 4 pockets that have elastic at the top to keep things in them when full - how clever Noodlehead!

I think I'll be making this bag again...

Navy flower dress | Sil 4019

This is my first time using Silhouette Pattern's 4019 Diane's Wrap Dress pattern.  Wow was this quick to make - wish all projects were this straight forward.  Took only two evenings from prepping the pattern to wearing the dress.  

This dress was made back in the Spring (yeah I'm a wee bit behind in posts - but now than never!)

Last summer I was out at Prairie Chick in Hague, SK when they had a crazy sale on where I picked up this really fun quilting cotton for $4.99/m.  I purchased 3m ($15).  I knew it would be a dress, I just didn't know what pattern.

I love the way Silhouette Patterns are done - they are so very fast to put together.  I really appreciate the speed and easy of doing the collar where you press under the seam allowance, and slide it onto the garment body, then topstitch.  Took less than 5 minutes to do -- and the edges are perfectly aligned with the bodice -- something that never seemed to happen when I did it the 'traditional' way.

Somehow this feels a bit 1940's.  I can't put my finger on what it is, but I adore it.

There are ties inside and out to hold the dress in place and the front is double fabric which ensures the facing don't roll out.  Added bonus - it 'holds' you in.

I will be making another very soon!

 

Butterfly Tops | Sil 219

Here is another very quick and easy top that I did this spring using Silhouette Patterns 219 - Rachel's Knit Top.  The best bit about this pattern is under the arms.  I've seen this style out there in RTW and it's open under the sleeve -- you can see the person's bra.  Not exactly classy.  But on this pattern it's all about what you don't see.  You don't see your bra under the arm as there is a bit of fabric there, like a normal shirt.  Hurrah for modesty.

You must make this top from a drapey fabric, or the sleeves won't fall correctly.  So I grabbed a printed rayon knit (from Unique Textiles here in Saskatoon) and made it up.  I've had so many compliments on it. 

So I thought - challenge to myself - let's do it in a solid knit.  But on it's own it was too plain.  So I went into my trims and found I had some gross-grain ribbon that was about the same shade.  I just randomly cut strips and placed them on until it looked right to me.  Simply topstiched them down before doing neck hem.  It pulls at the bust a bit -- but won't anymore as I'm smaller.  This is also a rayon knit that I purchased online from Nancy's Notions a couple years ago.