Using my scraps, sewing up a storm, and having fun with the cute new Strawberry Coin Pouch
I've been quite busy with some larger projects that have had to be kept under wraps lately.
When life happens like this, I like to balance this with fitting in some small achievable projects that aren't secret, and feel like I've got something to show for my time.
I've also felt more than ever there's been a lot of need around me at the moment to demonstrate love and care to those in a worse predicament than me.
We still have big sections of Australia in prolonged lockdowns, and the amount of hurting feels overwhelming at times.
I love love LOVE the ability to be able to be busy with my hands and sew useful and thoughtful gifts, and so my short projects are usually gifts for someone else.
This sweet new pattern caught my eye the other day.
It's the Strawberry Coin Pouch by Kellie of Ma and Me Designs, a fellow Aussie sewist and blogger who designs the cutest things.
Kellie's pattern is easy to follow, and gives such a cute result!
I knew straight away that this would make the perfect little gift for a little friend in lockdown. My eight year old self would have been completely smitten with this!
I remember very clearly the excitement of receiving tiny, useful knick knacks that were pretty. My imagination would go wild with adventures!
This little purse is just 5" x 4.5" and certainly ticks those boxes!
I used to sell appliqued monogrammed cushions in my etsy shop and so I still have a good collection of rayon threads, which just take your machine applique to the next level.
It was my first time trying this out on the Janome M7, and it didn't disappoint. The stitches are perfectly even, and I had no tension issues.
I also love to stitch in the ditch around the edge of these to accentuate the stitches and make them pop!
So details for my version:
I've used SF 101 for the front and back sections, and added a layer of fusible fleece to the front as well.
The strawberry fabric is a Yuwa print, and I was very excited to be using some of these specially hoarded fabrics again.
I ummed and ahhed about adding a little applique detail on the front, and decided I would cut into my Stay Gold Panel and cut out one of those little gum wrappers! So I'm counting this as part of my Stay Gold Panel Challenge, but only just. I still have to figure out all how to use the rest of those gum wrappers!
My favourite part of this purse is the the piping of course. Anytime there's an excuse for piping I'll try and add it!
Tiny, candy striped and rainbows...yes please!
If you taper your piping to finish just short of the stalk tab, you won't have the problem of your seams being too bulky.
I've used some rose gold hardware on the stalk, with a little rivet for extra bling. I recently bought a fancy rivet press and needed to try it out!
The back fabric is just a cute - more juicy strawberries and an aqua zipper.
So just like my 8 year-old-self would have been totally smitten with this little pouch, I hope my recipient will be too!
Go pick up a copy of Kellie's great pattern, and see who you can bless today!
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