Simple Tote Bag from Learn to Sew with Lauren

Finally some sewing! This is the Simple Tote Bag from "Learn to Sew with Lauren" by Lauren Guthrie that I previously reviewed here.

I was in need of a new bag for my knitting projects so though I would knock one up.

The tote is a very simple make and would make a great first project for someone learning to sew. 

It is a simple design with a front pocket but there is also an option to add trim and to divide the pocket into two sections.

If you were a beginner and you made this bag you would learn how to sew straight seams and to make a buttonhole, which can be very scary if your machine is playing up!

I made my tote bag from some scraps of cotton linen mix that I had left over and the front pocket is made from a fat quarter. The button is from my stash too.

So all in all a great stashbusting project!

Catherine x

NB This post contains an affiliate link. If you chose to purchase this book, I will receive a small commission and you are helping support this blog. I only recommend books or products that I personally have used and enjoy.

Puppy blanket buddy!

Today I am sharing a finished object with you.

Isn't he cute!

The puppy is taken from a pattern collection called Animal Lovies by Yolanda Soto-Lopez. 

It's a collection of 10 different security blankets that can be knitted up quickly and given as a gift. 

My particular favourites are the kitten...

panda...

and rabbit.

I used the recommended yarn, Lion Brand Vanya's Choice which is a medium weight yarn. It's a 100 percent acrylic so is a good choice for a child's toy. However if I was to make this again, I might chose a different yarn as not only is it quite expensive it is not a soft as I'd hoped for.

The blanket is knitted on 5.5 mm needles so it is a quick make. The blanket is knitted on straight needles but some parts are knitted in the round, so a bit fiddly as there are not many stitches on your needles.

The toy is very straight forward make though and the instructions were clear and easy to understand. The only difficulty I had was with the ears as it was not clear which end was to be sown to the head of the toy so I just went with what looked right.

My embroidery is a little wonky but I think it adds to the charm.

I am gifting him to a work colleague's little grand-daughter so I hope she likes him! I am sure to make some more of these as they are cute, easy to make and great for a quick gift! 

Catherine x

Life happens

Hello lovely readers

Due to some personal problems, I have recently had to reduce my hours at work, so crafting funds are going to be limited for the foreseeable future... I would like to spend some more time posting on this little old blog though. 

So I thought it would be a good idea to start a new series of posts on my efforts to stashbust.

While my stash is not too huge by some standards, I do have a mountain of knitting yarn and some fabric stockpiled too. Not to mention all the WIPs that I need to get finished....

I also have a very large collection of crafting and sewing books that I have purchased over the years.  If anyone is interested, I plan to go through these and write some reviews, share my favourites and also try some of the projects out... 

Maybe I might even try my hand at vlogging? You never know! 

If you have got any great ideas for stashbusting or crafting on a budget, I'd love to hear from you so please leave me a little comment below.