Vintage sewing machine music boxes

Aren't they adorable?

 Here's my little video:

Find them in my Quiltess.com store or my "Quiltessence" Etsy store. Limited quantity available.

 I also made couple of small sewing bags (using my own pattern) with matching design.

 You can find this pattern on Craftsy in my patterns store.

Happy sewing!

Natalie Quiltessa

Carry all bag. Pattern on Craftsy soon!

Pattern is now on Craftsy!

I just finished my new bag, which was made specially for sewing retreats and classes. It has 18 pockets, no kidding! + the sleeve for the travel bag.

Large pockets are the size of a magazine, smaller pockets would fit the patterns, multiple mesh pockets will hold tools and scissors upright.

The shorter pocket in front allows easy access to the elastic loop with markers and pencils attached to the other pocket. One side of the bag flaps down, providing a small ironing pad or simple organizing tray. Pockets are not sewn to the bottom, so you can also slide the ruler or other flat items under the pockets.

This bag is a new, modified version of my "Quilters organizer bag" - https://www.craftsy.com/quilting/patterns/quilters-organizer-bag/265629; it's now larger in size and fits even more stuff for sewing and quilting!

Working on the pattern, will be released soon on Craftsy!

ps: As a courtesy and following multiple requests of my customers, this detailed tutorial on 27 pages with multiple pictures is available in 7 languages. You can choose one of French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish or Japanese and receive original English version + parallel automatic translation to one of the above languages for FREE! Only in my Quiltess.com store.

Happy sewing!

Natalie Quiltessa

How to know instantly which needle is in your sewing machine right now? Best tip ever!

I never have trouble organizing my needles, since I arranged them in this perfect size fit pill box:

But I don't always remember which needle I had last in my sewing machine!

You might like this tip I found recently on Facebook, but.... what if you have more than one machine?  To tell the truth I was not really satisfied with that idea, especially when using more than one machine, with separate storage for additional needles! I also have several sewing bags, which are always ready to grab and go sewing, depends on the project I am working on; those bags are "furnished" with special clear vinyl bags to keep additional sewing needles there!  That means I  keep my needles somewhere separately from my sewing machine. When I want to find out which needle case was used last time, I need to leave my sewing space, to find one of those needle cases. Waste of time to me! And the worst part of it is when I finally find that needle case with some kind of marking in it (toothpick, paper clip or nail polished on the old needle - additional steps again, steeling my time), then I realize, that the needle I want is already in my sewing machine! Such a waste! Most of the time I just need to be sure there is a needle, which I need at the moment, without taking it out and looking for the magnifying glass, if I forgot when/if I changed it last time.

So, after making multiple researches, I still couldn't find a good tip which would work fine to me. Sorry if I missed something! But finally I came up with my own decision. Maybe a little time consuming in the beginning, to get it done, but since it's there, it will work forever!

So.....

With this tip you will always know which needle you had last in your sewing machine(s)! 

 Finally, I came up with this solution!

I printed the type of the needles I use most of the time and their size numbers on a shipping label stickers, so I can adhere it to my machine and easily remove, if needed.

Now I wrapped around the lid on the top of my machine, where the labels already attached, with clear elastic 3/8" width, pulled both ends to make it tight enough and joined them with a stapler.

Now I need to make some markers, so I can move them and anchor every time when I change my needle. Safety pins would work fine for this purpose, and I also decided to decorate them with tiny silk flowers. It will look pretty and also will make it easier to visualize where exactly your anchor is.

I sewed them first to the pin, then put a little drop of Gorilla glue on it. This glue has a tendency to create a little bubbles and small rubbery ball when dried off, - it will prevent the pin from unnecessary sliding.  

Now lock these flower pins on the elastic and anchor them accordingly to the needle in use right now!

It really works on my several sewing machines so far!

Flowers and pins can be easily substituted with any flat tabs, for example, cut off piece of plastic or vinyl, cut two slots and insert the strap in it.

Hopefully you can also use this tip and save some time for doing more things you love!

Please, leave a comment if you like it, or have a better idea, or know how to improve this tip!

Enjoy!

Happy sewing!

Natalie Quiltessa

All three bags for sewing + SUPPLY kit

Now all three tutorials for these sewing bags in one place - in my Craftsy store!

You can also now purchase a Supply kit for Quilters Organizer Bag in my Etsy store, 

and also small kit for Small Sewing Bag.

Happy sewing!

Natalie Quiltessa

Small sewing bag with suspended pockets. Tutorial now on Craftsy

Tutorial now on Craftsy!

 My bigger size of Quilters Sewing Bag (find the pattern on Craftsy) inspired me to improve it, add more pockets, a shoulder strap and an ironing pad,- so I designed Quilters Organizer Bag, which can be also found on Craftsy. The design of this bag also allows to insert the ruler UNDER the pockets, which made this bag very handy and convenient. Ironing pad with aluminized ironing board cover fabric inside, instead of regular lining, allows to use this bag when open flat for multiple small projects when miniature iron is involved, i.e. paper piecing, fusible applique, freezer paper etc.
Due to these easy to make zippered pockets and easy to attach double puller long zipper I really had a lot of requests to create the similar tutorial for the smaller bag, which makes sense, - so I did! Enjoy!

And now here are all three of them!

Happy sewing!

Natalie Quiltessa