How to share photos with us on Facebook

We absolutely love it when our customers share pictures of their projects with us on the Owl and Sewing Cat Facebook page. However, some people have come to us saying they are not sure how to do this so here is a very quick tutorial.

On our page find this box, up on the top left hand side.

Click Photo / Video and then Attach Photo / Video.

Tell us something about the picture and attach the picture from your computer.

Click post and then your picture and text should come up like this.

When we see your posts on our page we will share them with all of our followers. If you have any trouble leave a comment here or on our page and we will be happy to help.

We can't wait to see what you are making.

Happy Sewing,
Kelly

Tutorial: Simple drawstring bag

We think that this bag is perfect for keeping pumps or trainers in for school but there are so many things that you can use this bag for and it is so easy we make them for everything!

Notes:

Finished bag size is approximately 13" x 17"

Requirements:


Main fabric 19" x 28" (we used two pieces sewn together as we were using up fabric left over from another project).
Constrast fabric for pocket 7" x7" (if required)
Cord or ribbon
Sewing supplies

Instructions:

If you want to have a pocket on your bag take a square of contrast fabric and fold the top over by half an inch and stitch across. Then iron the other three sides under by quarter of an inch and then stitch in place on the right sides of the main piece of fabric as shown below.

Measure 1.5" down from the top of the bag and make a small snip in the fabric 0.5" long. Then fold the piece of material above the snip over quarter of an inch and then another quarter of an inch and stitch as shown below.

Next place your piece of material right sides down and fold the top over by half an inch and then again by an inch. Press and pin in place and then stitch all along the bottom creating a channel for the cord or ribbon to go through. Make sure you stitch backwards and forwards at the beginning and the end to secure your stitches.

Then fold in half with right sides together and stitch the two open sides together using a quarter inch seam allowance.

Use pinking shears to trim your seams to stop them fraying. Turn your bag right sides out and using a safety pin pass the cord right through the channel you have created and out the other side. Tie the two ends together when it is the preferred length.

Congratulations your bag is finished!

Happy sewing,

Kelly

Tutorial: Freddie the Frog

Now that the Summer holidays are in full swing I thought that it would be a good idea to repost one of our older projects that we have on the blog. This little fellow is always popular with people that come into the shop and it is a brilliant beginners sewing project and a great present for your friends.

To get the template click on the picture of the frog so it appears in a pop up window and then right click to 'Save as'. You can then open the image up on your computer and print it.

If you make a Freddie we would love to see your finished frogs. You can email a picture to us or post it on the wall of our Facebook page.

Happy sewing,

Kelly

August at the Owl and Sewing Cat

This month we are thinking of summer holidays and things that you and your children can make or do to prepare them for going back to school in August as well as amuse themselves during the holidays. We have a fun beginners project coming up as well as a tutorial for a really handy shoe bag for when they are back at school.

Come and check out our new window display and don't forget that we have the holiday sewing club in the shop for 10 - 16 year olds. We also have Open Sewing Sessions running on different days to usual over the summer holidays so have a look and see if there is one you could come along to.

Back to school projects including: Lunch bag, Covered Notebook, pencil case, crayon / pen roll, 

shoe bag (tutorial next week), painting tabbard, book bag, drawstring rucksack.

Made: Items made in our classes and shop this month

We have been really busy recently, thinking up and trying out new patterns as well as guding our students through making some of our most popular items. We have had a really successful first holiday sewing club and Tracey is trying to plan a new patchwork / quilting class which we are really excited about.

All of these items were made in the shop.

The zip up make up bag was made in our holiday sewing club, isn't it great? I love the bright apron too.

The Penny pleat bag (shown here in the dolls fabric) is one of our new patterns that will be available soon.

Hope this inspires you to make something soon, or join us for a class. Please see the Sewing Workshops section of our website for details.

Happy sewing,

Kelly

Focus: Elements beginner patchwork and quilting class

We are regularly being asked about the various classes and workshops that we hold at the Owl and Sewing Cat so 'Focus' is a new series looking at each class in turn. All images are of items that can be made in this class.

What is the name of the class?
Elements

Who is it for?
Anyone who would like to learn the basics of patchwork and quilting and make a lovely cushion. The front of the cushion is pieced together and quilted and applique motifs are added. This is then made into a cushion practicing other various techniques on the back (adding a zip etc).

When does it take place?
Our next class is on Tuesday 28th August. The class is either run by the owner of the shop, Tracey, or our tutor Yvonne.

What can you make?

A beautiful cushion for you to take home. The front of the cushion is pieced together and quilted and applique motifs are added. This is then made into a cushion cover practicing other various techniques on the back, adding a zip, buttons etc depending on the design.

How much does it cost?

It is £38 plus fabric costs.

How do I come along? 
Look at the class page for dates and then just give us a call on the number on our website to book your session. If possible we ask that you choose your fabric before you come so we have plenty of time for learning and sewing.

I have not yet decided which class we will feature next month, if there is one you would like to know more about please leave a comment.

New in store: Riley Blake, Moda and more!

We have had loads of great new fabrics in over the past few weeks so I thought I would show you a selection today.

I am a huge fan of Riley Blake fabrics and these are no exception. I love the bright colours and patterns. Perfect for summer. I think my favourite is the spot, I just love those little apples that are scattered here and there.

The Petit Odile collection by Moda has always been popular in store and we have refilled our shelves with six different prints from this collection. I can't decide which of these is my favourite, I think those buttons are so cute but I really like the muted colours of the floral 'Amelia'.

Something that is very light and summery is this 'Penelope' collection for Lakehouse fabrics. Now that the sun has come out I can picture garden parties. I love the traditional French feel to some of these designs. The black and white text style prints are always popular and this includes a particularly lovely one.

Finally, my favourite fabrics we have in store are these two from Kokka in Japan. The typewriters are from Melody Miller's Ruby Star Shining and the birds are an Echino print. I think the typewriters are destined to be a lampshade in my bedroom. I just love everything about this fabric!

I would love to know which of these is your favourite and what you could imagine making from them. Dreaming up new projects for all these fabrics is the best bit of this job!

All fabrics are available for sale in the shop and in the designer fabric section of our website.

Happy sewing,

Kelly