Scrap Bucket

Last night, I took part in a two part zoom class with Canadian Quilter on Fire, Brandy Maslowski. This class was sponsored by the Mahone Bay Quilt Guild. Of course, I selected the fabrics needed for the first part of the class. Wouldn't you know it! Brandy decided to reverse the order and jumped to part two. Was I prepared? NOPE! I was going to rummage through my stash on Thursday to get ready for the class that night.

Since I was in my own space, I had access to all my fabrics. I wasn't interested in making a wine tote that was been demonstrated. Several others also decided to do their own thing. I made a scrap bucket, which is a free pattern from Heather Valentine, The Sewing Loft. 

My base fabric is a dyed piece with raw edge strips stitched onto it. I left some of the base fabric visible. The strips were stitched in place using black Superior invisible thread. Black invisible thread does not shine like the clear thread does. Free-motion stitching is randomly stitched over the strips of batik fabrics. I opted to not add decorative yarns, buttons, ribbons or charms.

Base fabric (actually has greens but photo shows up as greys and black)

 Strips stitched onto the base

 

 

Close-up of stitching

Different views of the bucket

Scrap Bucket from last year

• Free patterns: Fabric Baskets    
• Pinterest: Quilted Organizer Patterns
• Tote Bag Patterns from Quilt Inspiration       
• Car Organizer Sewing Patterns     

Enjoy!

Stay Safe

Studio Storage Solutions

Well, September has started out with a bang! Hurricane Dorian reached the South Shore of Nova Scotia yesterday. There were high winds and lots of rain. We were among the lucky few who had power so I spent the day in my studio.

The studio is still in transition. However, I will eventually share lots of photos of my 'Happy Place'. Today, I'm sharing a few inexpensive storage solutions that I am using.

Baskets

Cloth bin with rope handle from the Dollar Shop

Rope Baskets (also from the Dollar Shop)
Burlap Shopping Bag

A bucket from my sewing machine. Easy and quick to make! I do need more of these.

This rope basket sits behind my machine. It holds a single spool of Sulky Sliver Metallic thread that is threaded to the sewing machine. Having metallic threads further away from the machine allows it to unwind easily with less tangling.    

Ice cube tray with cover holds bobbins. Snap on lids is a way to transport bobbins for workshops.

Vinyl tote bag holds large plastic rulers on the side of my large cutting table.

3M hooks under my cutting table holds embroidery hoops

I have 3 of these owl Christmas Stocking holders that cost me $2.00 each at the Superstore last January. They sit on the half wall next to my sewing machine stations. They are metal so magnets can be used on them.

Woven wire basket

The blue paper recycling bin is extra tall and holds lots of stuff on rolls.

Stacking drawers hold lots of small things such as threads, floss . . .

I like visiting the Dollar shops, Value Village etc. It's not necessary to spend an arm and a leg on storage for your special space.

Did I mention the plastic scrap board boxes from Michael's. More about these later.

• For an earlier post about storage solutions, check HERE
• Pinterest Boards of Keile Haley -  lots of interesting things Also check out her web site Do You Sew
• Free patterns for armchair caddy and sewing organizers 

Check out my Instagram page for photos 

Enjoy!!

Experimenting!

I decided to make a Scrap Bucket Basket from the free pattern on Craftsy.  Mine didn't turn out exactly like that one at all. For one thing, I used one piece of batik fabric and I didn't have any grommets and cotton rope for the handle (I didn't bother with a handle)! I also had to do some alterations to the length of the side so it would fit the bottom piece. The Pellon 71 F, single-sided fusible ultra firm stabilizer worked perfectly! I guess I could have used a different fabric for the lining but . . .

My light weight bucket is going in the Motor Home to hold my knitting. It might not be pretty, in fact, it's quite plain, but it is functional and I like the colour. This was an experimental piece. If I do another, it will be slightly smaller. Pockets could be made for the inside and outside. Something else to consider. However, when I made this one, I was in a hurry and wanted to feel as if I had  accomplished something. Do you ever feel like that?

Another idea for travelling with this Basket / Bucket, would to attach a top piece with a drawstring closure that could fold over the top toward the outside. To do that, make the lining longer and finish the top the same as for any drawstring bag. The outside top would fold inside about a 1/4" and then top stitch to the lining. Make sense?

Guess I'll have to make another one.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. It's sunny here but a tad chilly. 

I decided to fold down the top. Now I wish I'd put a different colour for the lining!

This is too plain but it's a good size for holding knitting projects.

The yarn does blend in with the fabric colour I used.

Close-up showing the stitching. Does this qualify for modern quilting? Just joking. . . maybe!