Easy mustache pillow cases tutorial (envelope type)

I am sure you all know how to make really simple pillow cases (no zippers involved), but thought I could however make some pics and explanations, especially as I created the Mustache cut and sew template available through Spoonflower.



Mustache themed fabrics are a huge hit in the fabric world for a few years now, and are among my best seller fabrics. To make them a bit different, I added the ikat touch to the mustache shape and created the 18 x 18" panels, that are very easy to just cut and sew. Of course you can create any size of the pillow you want using this easy method.



In case you don't like the mustaches and that fabric set, you may use any other fabric you like and just cut like this:



So here we go:

Needed supply:
1. printed fabric template (ordered through Spoonflower) or 1 yard of any other home decor fabric (54 x 36")
2. sewing machine, thread, scissors (rotary cutter), pins
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Iron and cut the fabric. You can assemble front and back pieces in way you like most (maybe you can have the black front and white back or you can create some neat patchwork horizontal stripes for the back out of the two back fabrics)



In my template-pattern, I cut the back of the pillow in 3 pieces: 13x 18", 15 x 18" and I had one small 8" piece left (can be used for some other project or in case you are combining the 2 back mustache fabrics and doing the patchwork stripes, than you will have just the right amount of the fabric)





Sew the seams on the 2 edges (those that are going one over another) of the back fabric pieces.



Make sure that the pattern is exposed nicely when the back layers are placed one over another.





Use some pins if needed to assemble the back pieces.



Sew along the pinned edges (I used serger, but using the normal stitch with the sewing machine is more than fine).

Place the front and back piece right sides together (cut the corners).



Pin and sew along the edges (all 4).



You are done, now you just need to turn the pillow case to the right side, through the back gap.



Here are the finished pillow cases(front and back view):







Happy sewing:) Katarina, xx

Sakura branches

Branches On Lacy Beige Background by katarina, a photo by Spoonflower Fabrics on Flickr.

All the beautiful pictures of the actual fabric are courtesy of Spoonflower

With a field of 500 entries, it's a special treat to announce that my design "Branches On Lacy Beige Background" made it into the top ten (4th) in the contest for fabric designs created from handmade art. I just can't be happier and can't wait to order this fabric in yardage!!!!



As mentioned previously, there are a few branches patterns in different colourways in my Wonderland collection and I can't wait to show you all the samples from the collection and to start sewing something.
In the mean time, here are the original illustration (scan) of the tree and its branches, that are used to create this pattern.


Have a wonderful weekend,
Katarina xxx

First day of spring!!!

Spring is finally here and I couldn't be happier!:) New flowers has sprung and I am looking forward to see more green all around.





It's time to go out to walk and play!!And to celebrate that, here is my newest design on Spoonflower: park the bike and go for a walk . That is also my entry for the Urban sightings contest, organized by Spoonflower and the Textile center. The voting has started! The 45 designs up for voting were selected as finalists by judges from the Textile Center in Minneapolis from a pool of 236 entries. After your vote (please vote), the top ten will appear in an exhibit at the Textile Center. Here is the
link to vote



Also, for the fabric hoarders lovers, there is a great contest with a fabric giveaway on Katy's blog and be sure to join it!:)

Here is my selection for the fabric bundle:



Happy springing!!!
Katarina

Patching

I have been doing this for a long time now, at least in my head....some patching....
Making patchwork and patched things is something that beside a few clothes I did here and there and there and even a bit very proudly there, wasn't in my sewing "must do" list. I suppose that people in the fabric world are usually orientated toward clothes or toward quilts. But I think that doing quilts is much more appreciated as every fabric line has a quilt or quilts going with the line, showing the way prints can be matched. So, as I am becoming truly obsessed with fabric design, I think it's about the time to become a bit more obsessed with quilts and patchwork.

And ever since I saw this bag, I knew that I have to try something like that in fabric.

I have started with two fabrics, first light grey animal fabric is my own fabric(the first fabric I designed on Spoonflower), available here and the other cherry blossom is Alexander Henry fabric.



I cut the 2"(5 cm) stripes and sew them alternately.



Then I did that sort of honeycomb cathedral stitching that looks like smocked. I am sure that that style exists with the proper name in the quilting world and would love to know how it is actually called.





I then did the random patching with the rest of the fabric, just like I did with this sofa and have completed the pillow case.







I am loving my first attempt and can't wait to try some more styles and things.




Enjoy the weekend,
Katarina

Playground collection

I made these 3 design collages, including some of the prints of my Playground collection divided in 3 colourways, available @ Spoonflower. And I've added the Pin it button under posts, to quick share some pics:)
Hope you'll have some fun:)

xx, Katarina

Kites

You may have noticed that I am lately participating quite often in Spoonflower's week contests and this week the theme is - kites (small size prints).
Here is my new entry for the Kites contest, that made it into the top ten finalists;)





Above you may see some neat and simple coordinates-squares, recently added to the Playground collection, just as the kites prints.

And what I am working on now is the boys tie template - cut and sew pattern to be added to my pattern collection. Making boys ties is very easy, but the problem is that the fabric needs to be cut in bias, which sometimes isn't working with all fabrics regarding theirs repeat type-pattern, so I think this may be a good and easy way to create the tie. And to fill better the fat quarter sheet there are 6 pieces that will create a beautiful softie ball. Hope you'll enjoy.



Also, my fabrics (some of them) from the same Playground collection and some bibs are available for purchase in beautiful on-line store in Norway, called Gerd Fjellanger. I am so loving it!!!

picture is the screenshot from the site


Have a wonderful weekend,
Katarina