Cinnamon Inspirations : Edition bilingue français-anglais
This great quilting book is all about country style and folk art designs for quilting and appliqué. In this book Marianne the author uses a lot of woolfelt for her design and quilting projects. As logical, if you prefer to use cotton or other type of fabric that will be good aswell, but the result might not be the same as in the book is shown by Marianne Byrne-Goarin.

I personally find that sometimes the felt loses the shape when is washed, maybe the woolfelt is a better quality than the ones I’ve used. I love the designs and the ideas and colours, but because I have two small kids I will use cotton fabrics instead. I hate to see my lovely work ruined if it needs to be washed.

Continuing with this book, it has some lovely ideas for table runners with hand quilted shapes, pillows and cushions, quilts with quilted flowers, sunflowers, bags, hearts and posies, and a selection of autumn style designs with lovely leaves and colors. In general is a great book with some lovely ideas, my favorite one is the bird house thread keep, really sweet.  I am planning on doing it next, as soon as I finish it I will post a photo of the finished thing with my own ideas on how to do it in the section of this website: my projects. Overall I strongly recommend you to buy this wonderful book. Have fun!

Le quilt mystère : Edition bilingue français-English
This quilting book is one of the new additions to my quilting library.  The Mystery quilt adventure is about one main quilt that the author has designed inspired by her beautiful chocolate Labrador dog called Jules. The quilt has 12 block, Véronique Réquena goes through the blocks one by one with very good explanations, both in French and English. With each block there come a recipe for a cake, or a pudding. Very nice indeed. This is a book to share with your friends and colleges at patchwork and quilting classes, it will be very fun to do every week the block and the sweet pudding or cake.

At the second part of the book there are some beautiful ideas for your pet, like a pet pillow case with the name of your dog or cat. An apron made of squares of patchwork and an appliqué dog, very pretty as well. A Jules tea cosy, a patchwork basket to keep tidy all your fabrics, scissors cases, etc..

The style of her designs is very much French rustic or country if you prefer. Most of the quilting is done by hand which makes them even more special. I think this book is really worth buying, is filled with love for her dog and that is reflected in every page of this fabulous quilting book.

The author Véronique Réquena runs a very successful little shop in France, in a little town called Fontangy. The shop is called Born to Quilt in Hameau de Chazelle-l’Echo 21390 Fontangy in France. And her telephone number is: 0380600486

My patchwork teacher met Véronique in April in a course in Madrid. She has this book autographed by her and some pictures that you can see at her website in Spanish though: The Quilters Place

I love quilting books, I admit that I buy at least one every month. For those who live in USA or the UK you are very lucky because you can buy online at  Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk all the books you like and have them home very quickly at very good prices and usually with free delivery. I live in Spain so I have to pay delivery, but sometimes even that is totally worth it.

Sew Pretty Homestyle: Over 35 Irresistible Projects to Fall in Love with:
This my favorite quilting book right now, Sew Pretty Homestyle: Over 35 Irresistible Projects to Fall in Love with. The Tilda’s are very fashionable at the moment. With her simple designs and very pretty home-style decorations Tonne  Finnanger has become a great seller. From this quilting book I got the idea and instructions to make a very pretty handbag. I personally recommend it because the instructions are clear, it comes also with pretty and inspiring pictures and it makes you want to quilt and fill your house with pretty things. The book is filled with great ideas, I also have done from this book the easy blanket with some nautical theme fabrics I brought from Canada. It cheers me up every time I put in on my bed.
If you want a bit more about the author here is some information from the Amazon website about Tonne Finnanger : “Tone Finnanger is the designer and owner of the brand Tilda. She grew up in Oslo, the capital of Norway. Always fond of art and craft, inspired by members of the family she soon began to explore how she could make a living from her talent. The dream was to make dolls and scenery for animation films, while in real life she was working in a craft shop. This combination is what eventually led to the idea of Tilda. Tone started Tilda in 1999, 25 years old.” Her designs are beautiful and if you are like me an enthusiast of sewing and quilting you will love this book.

Born to quilt by Véronique Requena is a beautiful quilting book with the most extraordinary designs. Two sisters on my patchwork classes have finished the house handbag from this quilting book. Everybody is fallen in love with it, the design is so beautiful, with all the tiny details and with the tiny quilt hanging from pegs. The dog with the collar and the medal. It is definitely a beautiful quilting project to take with time and love.

This book is in French. I personally don’t speak any French but I just follow the pictures and the measurements are understandable. My colleges at patchwork classes don’t speak French either, and they managed to sew the most spectacular handbag from this book with every detail. The sewing projects in this book are so beautiful and inspiring that even if you can not understand a thing, the patterns are there, just drawn for you and is so beautiful stuff that like me you will want to have a go and use your expertize to do some of those magnificent designs.  Véronique Requena has other books that come in two languages, English and French.

Melly & Me Kaleidoscope Project Pattern Sewing Book. If you have children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or children around you this is definitely the book for you. I am preparing the back-packs for my children. They really are beautiful and as you can see in the front page the design is fun and cheerful.  This quilting book comes with twelve fun and easy projects to make.  Some dolls, stuffed dragon called Drake, handbags , Kokeshi dolls to do in stitchery and other just as beautiful projects you should not miss. I am having a lot of fun with the backpacks, I have chosen very bright reds and pink fabrics for my little girl’s backpack and some really fun blues, green and yellows for my baby boy.  When I have a bit of time I must make the Bella-boo doll, she’s simply gorgeous. And a good thing is that they are not complicated quilting projects at all and the result is brilliant.

Another quilting book I simply love is this Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts: Basic Techniques for Sewing, Applique, Embroidery, Quilting, Dyeing, and Printing, plus 150 Inspired Projects from A to Z.

This quilting book includes a CD featuring print-at-home patterns and templates,with full-size clothing patterns as well as templates that can be easily produced on a home printer. For beginners and experts, Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts will open your eyes to an irresistible range of ideas. The book covers everything a home sewer wants: the basics of sewing by hand or machine, along with five other time-honored crafts techniques, and step-by-step instructions for more than 150 projects that reflect perfectly Martha Stewart’s crafting expertise and her unique style.

This quilting book is divided in two parts to guide you through the basics of quilting and patchwork. The first section guides you through the Techniques of Sewing, Appliqué, Embroidery, Quilting, Dyeing, and Printing. In the second part you will find many projects  from A to Z with more than 150 brilliant ideas with simple detailed instructions typical of Martha Stewart’s  magazines, books, and television shows.

The Encyclopedia of Quilting and Patchwork Techniques. I bought this book in 2006 and I still go back to check something every now and then. It’s a lovely quilting book with an ample directory of quilting techniques like how to do the cathedral window. Another section is how to do block constructions like four patch blocks, nine patch blocks, irregular blocks and the log cabin. In another section of this quilting book you can learn how to do the rotary cutting, here from cutting basic shapes, speed piecing, Seminole patchwork and string patchwork. In the next section of this book you can learn about special effects in patchwork like piping, Suffolk puffs, etc.. My favorite section of this book is the one about the appliqué, shows unusual ways of doing appliqué like the shadow or reverse appliqué. Then it has a few more chapters about different ways of quilting like Sashiko o Trapunto and how to assemble a quilt, the binding , display and maintenance of quilts. As you see is a very complete book, I strongly recommend it along with this other very sort after book of the same author Katherine Guerrier, Encyclopedia of Quilting & Patchwork Techniques: A Comprehensive Visual Guide to Traditional and Contemporary Techniques

I am going to make a personal review about the main names of sewing machines in the quilters section. I am not intending to give any purchasing advice or any kind of professional review. All I am writing here comes from my personal research and experience as a quilter and a sewing machine lover.

I am going to start by naming  the machines I consider the best in the middle range for quilters and for embroidery. The Elna Quilting Queen 7300 Pro, the Bernina Aurora 430, 440QE and 450, the Janome Memory Craft 6600P Sewing Machine , the Brother Innovis 4000D and the Pfaff Expressions, Husqvarna Viking Designer SE.

In this comparison the best machines are the Elna Quilting Queen and the Bernina (any one of the range), if we consider the prices the Elna is cheaper but it does not have the BSR (Bernina Stitch Regulator). Apart from that, this two machines are pretty similar, although the Elna is a bit cheaper.

The Bernina has a very good reputation being the quilters favorite and offering a reliable  service and good quality sewing machines. I personally have the Elna Quilting Queen and I am quite happy with it.

When you get a mid range sewing machine, a professional quilters sewing machine, you have to be quite experience in quilting and sewing and also you will have to take good care of your machine, otherwise it will stop working very often. This specialist sewing machines are quite delicate and would stop working with any bad use. I recommend to keep it very clean, use a compressed gas cleaner to avoid any dust or bits of thread getting into the computer parts. The most complicated the machine the more delicate and it will work better clean and  oiled frequently. Also if the thread is not in the right position or the bobbin is not on properly it will not function as smoothly as you hope.

The Brother Innovis 4000D is a very good and complicated sewing machine. If the thread is not tight the machine might not work and also it could do with a larger capacity for bobbin thread so it would not have to be changed so often. Overall is a fantastic sewing machine with a few things that it could be improved. I find when I am using one that if the thread is not positioned totally correct it will not work, so that have an easy solution, pass the thread again through the number and take the bobbin out and put it on again and usually that is enough to make it work again. Also the space for the thread is not big enough for the big cones which are so useful in patchwork and quilting (Since we use so much thread). While the Bernina Aurora and the Elna have space for 2 spool of any size in the back, you could be refilling the bobbin and not have to change the thread you are using for sewing which is a great time saver and very practical. Brother Innov-is 4000 sewing machines are also dedicated to embroidery more than exclusively design for quilters. In the embroidery part the Innovis 4000D has the Disney designs that make it more appealing.

Price comparison of my favorite sewing machines:

• The Brother Innovis 4000 costs £2,999.00 in the UK  and from $5500 in America at special deals
• Pfaff Quilt Expressions 4.0 costs £1,125.00  in the UK ate Amazon and
• Elna Quilting Queen £999 in the UK and $2999 in America, although is on sale now at $1999
• Bernina Aurora 440 QE is £1,425 in the UK
• Janome 6600 is £1,099.00 in the UK and around $1,199.00 in USA
• Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond Sewing Machine with Embroidery Unit $4,899.99 in USA and £4,799.00 in the UK ( The Diamond is the top of the range, the simple Viking Designer starts at £1,200 in the UK and about $1400 in America)

Bernina 830E Embroidery Sewing Machine

The BERNINA 830 has a sewing, embroidery system and technology very advanced and magnificent features. The Bernina 830 also gives you lots of space, speed and Swiss precision which makes this sewing machine one of the best ones in the world.

The main features of the Bernina 830E are the Jumbo Bobbin, the BERNINA Dual Feed, the space, the Thread-Supply System, the Automatic Threading, the Centered Screen, the Total Stitch Control and the Fastest Speeds.

The BERNINA 830 gives you the total control when you are working with delicate or tricky fabrics like tricot, ribbon or lots of layers. You can even tune the BERNINA Dual Feed to the specific fabric you are using, like for example: velvet.

The Bernina revolutionary feed system gives you the ultimate visibility and maneuverability in your sewing and embroidery work. The Dual Feed Control can be put away when is not in use for a more comprehensive use of space.

Another great feature of the brilliant Bernina 830 is that it gives you 50% more space to work than any other sewing machine, so maneuvering with large quilts and other bulky projects is a lot easier. The arm of the Bernina 830 is  15-inch long, a full 12 inches to the right of the needle, expanded height clearance, and 12 ½ inches of diagonal space (compared to 8 inches on standard machines) giving you the most room to maneuver. And if  you buy the embroidery module as well, the Bernina 830 reaches  an impressive 40 inches long. Getting also the optional jumbo hoop (400 x 260 mm / 16 x 10 inches) will allow you to have the bigger space for embroidery,  without having to rotate or reposition. Also the BERNINA 830 gives the most space under the needle; with a  15mm clearance under the foot  will allow you to work and adjust your thickest layers of fabric with no problem what so ever. The Bernina 830 has  the highest foot lift on the sewing machines market.

The walking foot (which is optional) is definitely yet another great option, particularly for outline, channel or even power grid quilting. It’s also possible to make use of the walking foot to quilt, after that bind while using the BERNINA Dual Feed Feature. And also, since the actual 830 is a BERNINA, it has the regular feed system and is simply all you would anticipate: long lasting, precise as well as steady. The 830 provides you with all the finest and best features of the sewing machine world.

To create the very efficient one-process threading system the work of the best Swiss engineers.

The unique multi-spool holder maintains sizeable, medium as well as little cones  prepared. Typically the top to bottom holders along with telescoping function lead to the smoothest thread launch possible. On top of that, the bobbin winder is simply upon the front of the machine for simple access, plus it allows you to choose velocity as well as quantity of fill.

It took Swiss engineers to create this efficient, one-process threading system. Simply take a thread upwards through the guideline, allow it get into the position on top, slide it across the left part of the machine, push a button, and your needle will be immediately threaded, no matter what placement it is on. Naturally, due to the fact BERNINA generally provides you with possibilities, you could have an opportunity to thread the 830 by hand too.

Completely unique functions, like the BERNINA Stitch Regulator, supply you with the greatest opportunity in ingenious handle. The innovative presser foot makes free-motion stitching simple. The stitches will be amazingly steady, regardless of whether you actually sew quickly or perhaps slowly. And also just the BERNINA 830 provides 360-degree-multi-directional sewing on just about all 9mm stitches. Additionally, you’ll be able to modify the measurements on any different stitches. The quick-reverse function allows you to take a step back straight into the exact same holes, to ensure that new openings aren’t produced by going forwards and backwards. Together with the Altered Stitch Memory enables you to keep in mind your own changed stitches whenever you switch off the sewing machine or even in case the electrical power goes off.

The BERNINA 830 features about 1,100 sewing stitches per minute and ascend to 1,000 embroidery stitches per minute. the quickest of all home sewing machine. Which is amazing considering how the embroidery speeds of reasonably competitive manufacturers average simply 765 stitches for every minute. And at top velocity, the BERNINA 830 does not vibrate; instead it drives with the finest quality. At top speed, the embroidery will be stunning, as well as the largest stitches will be perfect. And you may effortlessly personalize the velocity using a hassle-free slide-speed handle at the front of the sewing machine.

The Bernina 830 Regular Features:

The particular BERNINA Stitch Regulator:

Such technologically sophisticated yet simple-to-use presser foot lets you take control of the free-motion sewing right away . The BERNINA Stitch Regulator adjusts the length of the straight as well as zigzag stitches, which makes them even and also steady, to help you concentrate on producing your own pattern.

Presser Feet:

An assortment of the most widely used all-metal presser feet come standard with the BERNINA 830, to have a selection of innovative options.

Embroidery Hoops:

3 measurements of hoops come standard with the 830.

Unique Slide-On Table:

The table’s special layout offers plenty of room for the biggest tasks. In addition, this allows you to changeover from embroidery to stitching, without the need for ever removing it.

The Bernina 830 Embroidery Sewing Machine Optionally available Equipment:

BERNINA Quilt Frame:

Includes twist-and-lock rails, which makes it easy to extend the frame from 60” to 120” (king size).

Jumbo Hoop:

This unique hoop helps you sew the largest embroidery patterns without having to reposition or turn the actual hoop (400 x 260 mm / 16 x 10 in .). In a single quick move, the embroidery is actually finished.

The BERNINA Walking Foot:

Gives you optimum control for outline, channel or even grid quilting.

BERNINA Embroidery Software v5:

Get your own creativity to to the next stage using the globe’s state-of-the-art embroidery software program. Uncover innovative functions like appliqué, monogram, as well as manual and automatic digitizing. Discover a huge selection of effects for modifying and customizing patterns. Increase your own imagination along with applications like BERNINA Quilter, Cross Stitch, PhotoSnap and much more.

BERNINA Showcase:

This particular custom-made showcase, along with 4-drawer caddy as well as full-length drop leaf, is specifically made to support the dimensions as well as energy of the BERNINA 830.

A main difference between the Bernina Aurora 450 and the others (430 and 440QE) is the Rotary hook system

The high-quality rotary hook system for stitch widths of up to 9mm lets you create gorgeous decorative stitches. The system is characterized by quiet running and reliable stitch quality, even at high speeds.

Bernina Aurora 450

Basically the Bernina Aurora 450 is exactly the same machine as the other two models of Aurora, the 430 and 440QE, except for the BSR that is only found in the 440QE (Quilters Edition) and 450 and the rotary hook system only found in the Bernina Aurora 450. It has the same features like the  well positioned speed regulator that allows you to adjust the Bernina aurora’s sewing speed to your task – slow for precise work, and faster for more general sewing. This function can also be used for the bobbin winding. The Bernina aurora 450 new separate bobbin winder is extremely practical, letting you fill empty bobbins without having to stop your sewing, embroidery or quilting work. Using the built-in one step buttonhole, you can create buttonholes very easily.
The Bernina Aurora 450 has another useful accessory, the extension table,which offers you a larger working area just by attaching it to the free arm. The aurora comes with  bobbins and presser feet (6 / 9), a range of tools and maintenance accessories which are supplied as standard. But you can also by an extra accessories box which could be attached to the back of the aurora for an easier transport. The stitch selection in the Bernina Aurora 450 is the same as the 440 QE and the 430 models. Just by pressing the buttons to select the stitch numbers or by pressing the scroll buttons, the stitch numbers and the stitch symbols are always shown on the display which makes it very easy to use.

The presser foot pressure is display on-screen, so you can adjust the pressure for the different types of fabrics that you are using.  You can always see displayed on screen the setting  that you are using. Also in the display screen you can see a wide selection of stitches,  in the form of a distinctive symbol on the screen. This is really useful with the scroll function.

Another fantastic feature of the Bernina Aurora sewing machines is the threading function, which makes it easy to pass the thread through the eye of the needle.

The adjustable needle position on the Bernina Aurora 450 Anniversary Edition allows for different end results. You can change the presser foot pressure with the built-in adjustments.

Bernina Aurora Embroidery Unit with BERNINA ArtDesign software (This is an optional feature to buy separately)

The Bernina ArtDesign software is supplied in the same module as the embroidery unit. Using the BERNINA software is easy and allows you to customize your designs for embroidering. You can enlarge or mirror designs, add letters, change colors or combine designs among many other features of this Bernina Software. Having the embroidery software in your personal computer will allow you to follow the embroidery work directly on display-screen.

The main difference between the Bernina Aurora 430 and the 440 QE is that this one it doesn’t have a BSR (the innovative Bernina Stitch Regulator very useful in free hand stitching and quilting). The rest is exactly the same machine, with all the same features and the same good quality built machine. To buy click here Bernina Aurora 430

The Start / stop button is the same in the Bernina Aurora 430 and the 440QE, and is very practical. You don’t need to operate on foot control, you can sew at any speed with the start – stop button.

Basically the Bernina Aurora 430 is exactly the same machine as the Aurora except for the BSR that is only found in the 440QE (Quilters Edition). It has the same features like the  well positioned speed regulator that allows you to adjust the Bernina aurora’s sewing speed to your task – slow for precise work, and faster for more general sewing. This function can also be used for the bobbin winding. The Bernina aurora’ 430 new separate bobbin winder is extremely practical, letting you fill empty bobbins without having to stop your sewing, embroidery or quilting work.
The Bernina Aurora 430 has another useful accessory, the extension table,which offers you a larger working area just by attaching it to the free arm. The aurora comes with  bobbins and presser feet (6 / 9), a range of tools and maintenance accessories which are supplied as standard. But you can also by an extra accessories box which could be attached to the back of the aurora for an easier transport. The stitch selection in the Bernina Aurora 430 is the same as the 440 QE, just by pressing the buttons for selecting the stitch numbers or by pressing the scroll buttons, the stitch numbers and the stitch symbols are always shown on the display which makes it very easy to use.

The presser foot pressure is display on-screen, so you can adjust the pressure for the different types of fabrics that you are using.  You can always see displayed on screen the setting  that you are using. Also in the display screen you can see a wide selection of stitches,  in the form of a distinctive symbol on the screen. This is really useful with the scroll function.

Another fantastic feature of the Bernina Aurora sewing machines is the threading function, which makes it easy to pass the thread through the eye of the needle.

Bernina Aurora Embroidery Unit with BERNINA ArtDesign software (This is an optional feature to buy separately)

The Bernina ArtDesign software is supplied in the same module as the embroidery unit. Using the BERNINA software is easy and allows you to customize your designs for embroidering. You can enlarge or mirror designs, add letters, change colors or combine designs among many other features of this Bernina Software. Having the embroidery software in your personal computer will allow you to follow the embroidery work directly on display-screen.

The Bernina Aurora 430 sewing machine is simply wonderful, and is also extremely easy to use,coming  with a lot of new features make the aurora a perfect sewing machine for all the possible sewing tasks.

The Bernina Aurora 430 offers over 150 different stitch programs plus 2 sewing alphabets.  You can even save your own personal favorite stitches as well as 60 stitch combinations so you can use them again at any time.

The Bernina Aurora is the best machine in the market at the moment in relation price – quality for the patchworkers. There are other good models in the same range, like the Elna Quilting Queen Pro, which offer almost the same accessories for less money, but the Bernina Aurora has a much better reputation as a long lasting sewing machine. There are several different models of the Bernina Aurora, I want to try and describe them with their advantages, disadvantages and accessories. Let’s start with the Bernina Aurora 440QE.

Buy it here: Bernina Aurora 440QE,  Bernina Aurora Embroidery Unit

Bernina aurora 440QE

BSR – BERNINA Stitch Regulator: The BERNINA Stitch Regulator is a innovation in the world of sewing machines. The Bernina Aurora comes with a presser foot that have three different soles, which guarantees a more even stitch length with variable sewing speeds, making freehand quilting simple and easy. This is the most impressive feature of the Bernina Sewing Machines, specially used in free motion stitching. With this advance technology you can totally control the motion on the needle, it senses when the fabric is not moving and the needle can be select to be in continuous motion to make it easy for the freehand quilting, or the free motion stitching. It is a fantastic tool for the quilters who love free motion quilting and be able to move the fabric around your own speed without having to put so much pressure on your shoulder and in much more control of the situation of the needle.

The Needle thread threader: The Bernina Aurora sewing machines come with a practical threading function that makes it very easy to pass the thread through the eye of the needle in a matter of seconds.

Speed regulator :With the speed regulator you can adjust the  sewing speed to the particular task – slow for precise sewing work (like small areas or appliqué), and faster for the more general sewing. The speed regulator of the Bernina Aurora can also be used for the bobbin winding.

The Start-Stop button :In the Bernina Aurora 440QE sewing machines the start-stop button is very practical, specially since it is not necessary to operate on a foot control.

The Stitch selection : With the display screen is very easy to choose the different patterns in the Bernina aurora, The stitch numbers and the stitch symbols are always shown on the display screen. Choosing the stitches is easy, only by pressing the buttons for selecting the stitch numbers,  or simply  by pressing the scroll buttons.

Presser foot pressure display : You will always have on displaying the little screen of your Bernina Aurora the 440 QE  presser foot pressure. It is easy to adjust the pressure individually for every type of fabric that you are using and always would be displayed in the screen the current setting.

Stitch display (symbol) :The Bernina aurora sewing machine offers a wide selection of stitches. Always the stitch that is currently being used is displayed as a distinctive symbol on the screen. As you can use your scroll function for choosing patterns the screen display of the symbol is very useful, helping you see the chosen stitch for your work.

A Separate winder motor :Having a separate bobbin winder is a novelty and incredibly user-friendly, letting you to fill the empty bobbins without interrupting your sewing work.

An Extension table : For quilting and patchwork is very important to have a larger working area, here with the extension table the Bernina Aurora proves to be useful and totally practical for the users, also the table is extractable. Simply attached to the free arm.

The Accessories Box :The Bernina Aurora sewing machines comes with a box filled with useful accessories. The bobbins, presser feet (6 / 9), tools and maintenance accessories are supplied as standard with all the Auroras. The accessories box can be bought any time you like and also fits and can be attached to the back of the aurora for an easy transport.

Optional Accessory for your Bernina Aurora – Embroidery module with BERNINA ArtDesign software:

The ArtDesign software comes with the embroidery module. Using the BERNINA software is easy and allows you to customize your designs for embroidering. You can enlarge or mirror designs, add letters, change colors or combine designs among many other features of this Bernina Software. Having the embroidery software in your personal computer will allow you to follow the embroidery work directly on display-screen.

Patchwork bags are very fashionable at the moment. Learn how to make your own. Read all the instruction first before you start your project of a patchwork handbag. Make sure you understand the instructions first. If any questions, don’t forget to contact me. The patchwork bag is very simple to make once you understand the procedure and it doesn’t require a great knowledge of patchwork or sewing. Enjoy it.

The very first patchwork bag I am going to show you is the one I made myself. It is pretty easy to make. What you need is 45 x 50 cm of fabric for the interior of the bag, plus two patchwork fabric pieces exactly the same size for the outside of the bag. You will also need wooden purse handles, or the handles of your choice, and buttons for decoration. You might prefer embroidery threads to decorate your patchwork bag. It’s totally up to you.

  Start by choosing the decoration of the front of your patchwork bag. If you are going to use embroidery, do it before sewing the handbag together. Cut the four pieces of material   45 x 50 centimeters as we mentioned before. Now take a piece of lining and a piece of the outside fabric and sew right side together, mark 20 cm from the bottom with your marker exactly. Sew as seen on the picture on the left. Remember one piece of lining and one outside together, sew both of the pieces of your patchwork handbag .  Sew leaving a seam allowance of 1/4” or 0.5 cm by machine or hand sewing.

Make sure your measurements of the 20 cm are correct in both fabrics, the lining and the outside one. Pin together before sewing marking exactly the 20 cm in each side. Do the same with the other piece of lining and outside fabric. We will continue working in the inside of the fabrics until we are finish.

Now we need to position the two linings together and the two outside fabrics together, right sides facing in. It might seam a little awkward now, because the part is being sewn is inside and looks a bit messy. But believe me it would be ok. Sew in the following way: Using a round plate mark a circle at each corner with your fabric marker, use pins to pin the two fabrics together right sides in.  Remember that now we are preparing the shape of the handbag, the bottom of the handbag.
As you can see in the Picture 2, sew the two lining fabric right side together, mark the round corners first and leave a small opening (about 6 cm) like in the picture to turn the bag inside out when finish. Try to get as close as you can to the line already sewn (remember the 20 cm of the other side of the handbag), if you need to leave a small gap is OK, you can always finish those bits off by hand. Now sew the two outside fabrics together with the round marks, there is no need for a gap here. Start sewing from the point you stopped before, the 20 cm you sewn before. Pin together the whole project to avoid any movement of the material while sewing.
When you are sewing the two outside materials, start from the joint point of the two pieces and continue all the way to the other side. Think that this would be the outside of your material. Use a good quality 100% quilting thread to make sure is resistant. When you are sewing the interior or lining together, leave a gap for turning the bag inside out. When you are tracing the round corner, be creative and use the round plate of your choice. but always make sure you followed the marked line around the material with pins first and then slowly, sew it with your sewing machine. It can also be sewn by hand.

Now is time to turn it inside out. Brilliant. Now you can finish the lining by using some hiding stitch to close the gap. Press together so the sound corner have a good shape. If you couldn’t sew all the way in the two connection in the middle of each side, now you can fix it by hand sewing. 

Grab two wooden handles and sew each one to the rectangle edge. If you do it by hand, you would not notice the sewing. By sewing machine is more difficult, specially because the wooden handles will make it very difficult to maneuver.  Of course, you can choose the type of handles you prefer. Below I show you my patchwork handbag finished, I used a pretty rose to decorate the front side.

   You can see in this picture I used plain fabrics, not patchwork. To change the model and do a patchwork bag, choose a block or a chess design, combine the material of your choice, then cut it to the right size and make the bag in the same way. Creativity is the best quality for patchworkers. Enjoy it.