February 7, 2016

French Braid and left-overs

Following on from my post about Fabric Ranges last week, I should talk about what I do with those fabric left-overs! I purchased some Autumn Lily fabric last year and I still had some layer cake bits and pieces left after I had made a cushion and a table runner. Ten inch layer cakes are my preference for the smaller projects that I design. They are big enough to cut plenty of appliques and small enough not to have a lot of fabric left over, in contrast to a fat quarter.

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 I often turn to French Braid as a very pretty and simple way to use up small pieces.  It's a great technique too for left-over Jelly Roll Strips. I used 2 x 6 inch strips to create the braid for this bag front and back centrepiece:


The bag ended up 9½ inch high to accommodate the 10 inch limit I had for cutting the strips for the stitchery panels and the bag sides. It's still a good size bag because it is 12½ inches wide. The handles have been in the cupboard for a few years, waiting for just the right project. 


The pattern is available in the gorgeous Country Threads magazine, Vol 17 No 2.


I hope you'll try some French Braid next time you want to use up lots of left-overs.

 I had been asked as to when I was going to make available the pattern of last year's block of the month project, Keys to Contentment, so decided it was time to put it all together into one file.


The pattern can be purchased in my Craftsy Store here.

While I was at it, I also put up the children's interactive wall-hanging "My Kitchen" which includes a bonus child's apron pattern.


Then again, why should kids have all the fun? Maybe this would look great in your kitchen?


The pattern can be found here.

My sewing machine is in for its annual service - two weeks without her! I am happy to say that this year I have my baby Brother machine to keep my sanity! I wonder how good it is at sewing ¼ inch seams?!!

Happy stitching!
Val

4 comments:

Nanna Chel said...

Your bag looks gorgeous, Val. I love the colours. Such a cute apron as well.

Anonymous said...

I don't make bags, but if I did, that would be one I'd love. It would be pretty done the same way for a pillow or a table runner, too. I hate to put my machine in the shop! I used to have someone who cleaned it while I waited, but he took a shop job, so now I think I need to learn to take my machine apart!

Gina E. said...

You know how much I adore your "cupboard" wall hangings, I wish I could make them all and hang them around our house, but I think that might be a bit over the top for my husband in our kid-free home!

Createology said...

Lovely Bag and your use of Layer Cake leftovers is fabulous. I have not seen this French Braid style and I like it very much. Quilting is not my venue but I am intrigued by it always. Embracing Creative Bliss...