Shell pouch

In addition to my Fancy fans bag (tutorial on Etsy) I developed a new pattern for the pouch/cosmetic bag (whatever it's called!) and I am really pleased with it!

Tutorial is here!

Swivel hook on the side of the bag holds this pouch through little loop I attached when was finishing binding.

It clasps with two small sewn-in hidden magnets and opens like a shell! Both halves have clear vynil sides with decorative black and white zippers sewn just to the top with invisible thread.

Of course, one was not enough, so I made two at a time!

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Sun-dying fabrics (again!)

Gloves! Check for holes before wearing!
Soak your fabric in Syntrapol for 3 min, rinse well - ready to use!
Basement - good for starting the process, no sun, dimmed light, will not activate dye.
Use trash bag as an apron! Pull one handle, hang over the neck! Cut the sides and use the other string to tie over the waist.
Contact paper - PERFECT! Attach to thin wood board, cardboard or smth like this, remove air bulbs with squeegee. Reusable! No mess, no stains left!
Place prepared wet fabric on contact paper, spread (it doesn't soak, multiple use!).
With wide foam brush strokes apply dye (or with smaller brushes do multiple coloring).
Place templates, leaves, objects, whatever... on wet painted surface and QUICKLY bring it outside to expose to direct sunlight.
Work outsides! or be VERY careful! One small grain, dust or drop will leave a MESS!
Work fast!
Better to do it at noon, when direct sun rays, no shade!
When it's done bring back to the room, leave it as it is before rinsing, it still continue activating, will be brighter in a while.
Quote from here 

Open the link and keep reading..

More links:
http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/965403/how-to-sun-dye-fabric
http://www.dharmatrading.com/techniques/sun-painting-with-setacolor.html
http://www.gardendesign.com/diy-projects/sunprint.html
http://www.bloombakecreate.com/2012/09/more-sun-printing-fabric-with-dye-na-flow/
pics - https://www.pinterest.com/explore/sun-prints/

Scissors locked?

If you are not on Facebook, you might like this!

It worths to read comments too!!!

Portable 3 in 1: cutting board, ironing mat and double fold design wall - DIY!

Paper piecing and especially freezer paper piecing is my favorite technique. It requires a lot of ironing! Every piece of fabric should be ironed to the freezer paper, stitched, cut and again, iron, stitch, cut etc. Here's just some of work done using this method (designer - Cynthia England):

I always try to make my working process more efficient: comfortable sitting, swivel chair, every needed tools, cutting mat and mini-iron close to touch. Years of experience showed me that I wasted a lot of time standing up going to the cutting board,  sitting down at the chair to stitch, standing up again, going to the ironing board, going back and again, and again... If you work like this I can tell you, the sewing process is no fun and freezer paper piecing will probably never become your favorite method! However, this process can be much improved if you use my portable 3 in 1 folding board, which includes cutting board, ironing mat and design wall - all in one! Ironing board is covered with aluminized coating fabric padded with insul bright, which reflects heat, so you can also use this mat for applique using any kind of fusibles! Easily cleans with a damp cloth. Folding foam board makes it light and convenient to carry and manipulate with - weighs less than a pound!

And I use it just on my knees: cut pieces on one side, flip it over and iron! When you unfold the board all small pieces will stick to the flannel, so no worry to drop them on the floor or loose! You can also use this trick to keep all precut pieces inside the board when you take a break, use it as a temporary storage for your project! You can also use it as a small design board for your blocks or smaller designs. Remember, you always perceive your design better, and I would say more correctly, when you look at it vertically, not lying horizontally on the table - just one more advantage of using folding board.

 DIY! Or purchase my tutorial on Etsy  or on CRAFTSY with detailed instruction how to make this board and what appropriate supplies to use
If you don't want to make but still want it, buy my ready board in my Etsy store.

If you like my product, please, leave positive review!

Happy sewing!

Natalie Quiltessa

Clear plastic templates

Use your milk/juice jugs for templates!

They are semi-clear, easy to view the direction or chose the print on the fabric, flexible and you can use them multiple times!

There are two 3" perfect circles on both sides of a gallon jug, you don't even need to draw it, just cut it off!

I would recommend to use your dull rotary cutter blades, they are still good enough for cutting plastic!

The best advantage of clear/semi-clear plastic - you can see through the objects and printed message or position your template whatever direction you prefer!

Punch wholes in your template, so you can choose the direction or angle you want the template to be on a fabric, then pin it, it will help to hold in place fabric and manipulate it when you cut it and later on when you prepare your templates for sewing.

Sign them with permanent marker, put them in flat clear vinyl bag and keep it in your Quilters sewing bag!

Happy sewing!

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Tutorial on Fancy fans bag is available now

Just finished my tutorial on Fancy fans bag - YAY!!!!
Find it in my Etsy store or on Craftsy.

Fancy fans bag

Just finished new bag using a lot of selvages! I called it "Fancy fans bag".

Tutorial is now available in my Etsy store - instant download!

Feel free to ask any questions for further assistance. 

Happy sewing!

Natalie Quiltessa

Supplies kit for Quilters sewing bag - now on Etsy too!

I know it's not always easy to find all kind of hardware and supplies you need to make a new bag, especially  if it's a Quilters sewing bag! I also know this bag is getting more and more popular now because of it's generous size and convenient construction of the pockets, which allows you to keep you 12" x 6" ruler and small cutting mat underneath - it's a MUST HAVE of a season right now!
If you're still looking for supplies and hardware, don't procrastinate! Here they are, all in one place!
In 2 variations - dark and light!

Need clear pockets only? Find them here too! And, good news - Free shipping within USA!!!

Tutorial is also available - right here.

Don't plan making the bag? Want the ready one? Dig in the store and pick one, for you or your Quilter friend!

Vinyl clear bags with multicolored closures for your QSB

Vinyl clear bags - perfect addition for small items, quilting, sewing, beading supplies, etc.

Find them in my Quiltess.com store. Quantity discount available. 

These clear bags are the perfect addition to Quilters sewing bag ,

or Quilters Organizer Bag.

You can attach them to the sewn-in lobster clasp (or swivel hook) at the side of the fabric pockets and wisely organize your small items such as sewing or hand-stitching needles, paper piece templates, pieces of fabrics, hexagons in progress, buttons, ribbons, beads, small embellishments and much more! Different colors of closures will help you to identify the content of the bag even before you pull it out of bag! 

Free shipping within USA.

Now in my Etsy store- https://www.etsy.com/listing/239009472/5-clear-vinyl-bags-with-multicolor

Tutorial for the bag is here!

QSB with bamboo handles

Quilters sewing bag with 3 zippered pockets and everything this bag can hold! Dimensions - 13 1/2" x 6" x 7". 12" x 6" ruler and small cutting mat easily slides under the pockets. It holds up to 5 large spools vertically and a lot of notions, including scissors, rotary cutters, miniature iron, pens and markers. Additional removable 3 clear pockets on swivel hook (now different colors!) wisely organize your sewing needles, small rulers, templates, patterns and small pieced fabrics. Double puller zipper makes it to operate much more convenient from the center to the sides. On the 4th picture the bag's in progress, so you can see the fabric with colorful spools and zippered stabilized pockets, which makes the bag sturdier. Can be used as cosmetic bag, travel bag, lil' girls necessities bag etcetera..
Find it on Etsy .

You can also purchase tutorial for this bag in my store Quiltess.com or in my Etsy store.

Quilters sewing bag with 3 zippered pockets and everything this bag can hold! Dimensions - 13 1/2" x 6" x 7". 12" x 6" ruler and small cutting mat easily slides under the pockets. It holds up to 5 large spools vertically and a lot of notions, including scissors, rotary cutters, miniature iron, pens and markers. Additional removable 3 clear pockets on swivel hook (now different colors!) wisely organize your sewing needles, small rulers, templates, patterns and small pieced fabrics. Double puller zipper makes it to operate much more convenient from the center to the sides. On the 4th picture the bag's in progress, so you can see the fabric with colorful spools and zippered stabilized pockets, which makes the bag sturdier. Can be used as cosmetic bag, travel bag, lil' girls necessities bag etcetera..