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Sunday, January 15, 2012

Zippy love!



I was feeling in need of a little instant gratification today after spending a lot of time trimming HSTs for the Fresh Pinwheels quilt. I have 112 squares to trim. That's a lot of trimming! I did all the yellow ones...so 56 done, 56 to go. I cut the original squares slightly bigger than recommended to make up for any wonky seams and so I could trim them back to a perfect 4.5" square and am so glad I did, they are all so accurate now when I have them trimmed.


After those 56 squares, I felt in need of a little pick-me-up, After being press-ganged persuaded by Hadley to join the Zippy pouch round of the new Mouthy Stitches group I thought a little practice would be in order.


Plus, everything is in a jumble in my sewing basket and I wanted some pouches for storing zips, elastic and stuff like that to stop it all getting mixed up.

I didn't want to do anything too complicated and wanted to practise my zip ends, as I am never totally happy with how they turn out. So off I went to the stash box and picked two nice not-typically-me fabrics for the exteriors. No patchwork, no piecing, just fabric and interfacing.


The first was this apple fabric which I really like but haven't managed to make anything with yet. This was a smallish one, about 6.5" x 4.75". I used lovely yellow Hideaway fabric on the inside and for the tabs.  Perfect for my zips.


The second was this lovely Tanya Whelan fabric. Again, one I have in the stash because it was on sale and it was pretty, but never found a real use for it. I can't tell you how much I LOVE this pouch made up. The fabric makes me think of water, I don't know why! It is longer at 9.5" x 4.75", perfect for a pencil case. Although my scissors and rotary cutter seem to have found their way into it! Its lined with some 1001 Peeps orange, same as the tabs.


I was really pleased with my tabbed ends. They work out very nicely. I used Kelly's tutorial which I have used before for doing them and I really like the neatness of the ends.



Not quite as happy with the interior lining seams, so maybe I will need to do some more practice! All in all, a very productive afternoon. Hope your weekend was good!

I am hoping that this week, after getting the majority of the introductory tutorials for {Sew} Get Started written and posted, I can get back to reading and commenting on blogs - I have been so busy behind the scenes with all the writing, I just haven't had time. I feel like I missed so much this past few weeks and miss all my lovely bloggy mates :-( So, hopefully this is the week I get back visiting my fave blogs again.


I'm liking up to {Sew} Modern Monday and Manic Monday - pop over there and visit some of the talented ladies who also link up!

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28 comments:

  1. Very lovely, Sarah. Sometimes we need those quick little projects, don't we? And it's even better when they turn out as cute as your little pouches did.

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  2. Oh yes a just reward for all those HSTs! You are ready then and raring to go! I succumbed to that second fabric too...haven't used mine as I think I had it in mind for a patchwork summer skirt which I didn't get around to starting last year!

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  3. love those pouches! I am also in the process of practising, but didn;t get as far as the zips: its all ready to go though

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  4. Love the pouches! I really need to practice my zippers, so should pull my finger out and get cracking :)

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  5. I think there is something wrong with me, I love HSTs and zips so much now!!
    These all look great - a zippy for the zippers - I'm going to make one now! (Well not this instant but I want to copy you!).

    As for 'press-ganged'! You were begging to join and you know it!! xxx

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  6. great zippy pouches! Most definitely more fulfilling than trimming HSTs, but your right, its so nice when they are all the exact same perfect size :-)

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  7. You've inspired me to try a pouch. Not to make all those HST's though!

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  8. The pouches look great, I love the Tanya Whelan one too! I need to get practicing for the swap too.

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  9. Those are lovely pouches, good idea to practice, I might just do that too.

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  10. They look so good! nice and straight. Perfect!!

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  11. Very good ends indeed! must check out that tute cos mine are nowhere near that perfect! x

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  12. I do HST's the same way. I always make them an eighth of an inch longer and trim to size. Like you said, tedious, but so worth it. And good going on the zipper practice! I have yet to even try one.

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  13. Ugh. HSTs. I have a love-hate relationship with them. Hate the trimming, but love the look.

    Speaking of love. Your pouches - gorgeous!! Anyone would be delighted to receive those in your swap!

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  14. Perfectly gorgeous. Zips are so scary! You are a brave woman :-D

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  15. O_oooo, I love tabbed ends on your zippy pouches, thanks for the link to the tutorial, great job!

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  16. Great little zip bags! Some times simple, quick projects are just what you need.

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  17. 112 blocks to square? o.O You're a far better woman than I trying to tackle that in a oner!

    (ps, thanks for sorting the comments, even if I didn't get this far up the list in the work madness today!)

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  18. The pouches are great - good luck with the rest of the HSTs!

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  19. The pouches are totally gorgeous!! Love them both :)

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  20. Great zips! Oh Hideaway...sitting on a stash of that for a project someday. Thank you for the link to the zip tutorial - I've been needing to work on my tab ends too. :)

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  21. Haha! Zippers in the zippy pouch. I laughed out loud! Just me? ok ;-)

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  22. I totally see what you mean about the pencil case fabric looking like water. To me, it looks like part of a Japanese garden and water, whether real or raked decoratively into gravel, is always a part of a Japanese garden. Both zippys are great!

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  23. Love the cute fabric in both of your zippy pouches Sarah. Wow! 112 in one sitting? You are amazing :)

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  24. Hey Sarah! I announced your series today on SewHappyGeek Feature Friday where I also featured you link! :)

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