Category Archives: Hand Crafts

Busy Bodies

My journey creating Sunbonnet Sue’s Magical Friends, while frustrating at times, was overall a good experience. I learned a lot about publishing and layout, despite not seeing my book in print.

I’ve had many people suggest that I self-publish the book. It’s something I definitely haven’ t ruled out, but for now, I’m very happy to own my own small pattern company and to continue to share both my for sale designs and free patterns designed both by myself and my talented Guest Designers on Sewhooked.

This is the last “official” set of Magical Friends, meaning only that these cute little characters are the last of the patterns that would have been part of the book. Like any other project, there are often tangents that occur that may or may not make the final cut. Those design will be presented as supplemental sets. Those sets were, in my own opinion, not quite obviously magical enough or they have other elements that aren’t very Sunbonnet Sue, or they got away from the basic theme I was following. They’re still fun patterns that I believe captures my my style and enjoyment of the work.

Sunbonnet Sue’s Magical Friends (Set 5) – Busy Bodies includes Broomstick Witch, Fortune Teller, Green Thumb Witch, Old Wise Wizard, Oopsie Daisy Witch and Potion Maker.

Sunbonnet Sue’s Magical Friends are inspired by the classic Sunbonnet Sue and Overall Sam blocks, with a fun, whimsical twist!

Complete paper pieced patterns and sewing order for each. Pattern can be printed in color or gray scale.

5″ finished
patterns can be printed in color or gray scale

Included: 5 paper pieced block patterns with sewing order.

These patterns and others are super-easy to buy from the Sewhooked Shop as an instant PDF download with PayPal payment – completely secure shopping through E-junkie! If you feel more comfortable shopping through e-junking, you can go straight to my storefront there.

With your PDF download, you receive a 6 paper pieced patterns with seam allowance and stitching instructions.

Sunbonnet Sue’s Magical Friends

Set 1 – Monster Madness

Set 2 – Wand Wielders

Set 3 – Fanciful Fairies

Set 4 – Friendly Familiars

Want to learn to paper piece? Check out my free paper piecing resources and text tutorial or take my Introduction To Paper Piecing class at Honey Bee Quilt Store (new dates coming soon)!

Shop Sewhooked and help keep the free patterns free!

Add your Sewhooked-related photos (that includes my patterns posted to Fandom In Stitches!) to my flickr group and you might be featured in a future post!

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Friendly Familiars

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There’s just something a little extra magical about a story with animals in it. Perhaps it’s how they seem to perceive our needs and be our friends, without ever being able to verbally communicate. Maybe it’s because they’re cute or maybe, just maybe, it’s because we see something simple and appealing when we look at our cat curled up in a spot of sunshine.

Enter Sunbonnet Sue’s Magical Friends (Set 4) – Friendly Familiars: Wizard with Rat, Witch with Owl, Witch with Cat, Wizard with Snake and Wizard with Toad.

Sunbonnet Sue’s Magical Friends are inspired by the classic Sunbonnet Sue and Overall Sam blocks, with a fun, whimsical twist!

Complete paper pieced patterns and sewing order for each. Pattern can be printed in color or gray scale.

5″ finished
patterns can be printed in color or gray scale

Included: 5 paper pieced block patterns with sewing order.

With your PDF download, you receive a 6 paper pieced patterns with seam allowance and stitching instructions.

Sunbonnet Sue’s Magical Friends.

Set 1 – Monster Madness

Set 2 – Wand Wielders

Set 3 – Fanciful Fairies

Want to learn to paper piece? Check out my free paper piecing resources and text tutorial or take my Introduction To Paper Piecing class at Honey Bee Quilt Store (new dates coming soon)!

If you make a Sew Awesome Craft or any pattern, craft or recipe from sewhooked, I’d love to see a photo. Email me or add it to the sewhooked flickr group.

Happy crafting!

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TARDIS Treat Bag

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Being the Doctor Who obsessed family that we have become, I suppose it’s no surprise that one of my kids is going as The Doctor for Halloween. My eldest has their Ten costume all ready to go, courtesy of a day of thrifting. Because I can’t not be involved in costume making, I asked if there was anything I could do.

“Mum, can you can you make a TARDIS bag for my treats?”

You better believe I can!

Despite it’s awesomeness, the TARDIS Treat Bag is super simple.

You need:

9″ x 12″ acrylic felt sheets – 5 dark blue, 1 white and 1 glitter black
scissors
thread (I used navy blue)
ruler (rotary, if you’ve got one)
rotary cutter (optional)
sewing machine (optional)

You can definitely do this project without a rotary cutter and ruler and even without a sewing machine, so those items are optional. If you do hand stitch, make sure you make tight, even stitches and use heavy-duty knots so you don’t lose your candy!

Cutting Instructions:

from 1 sheet of blue felt (the other 4 sheets of felt stay 9″ x 12″), cut:

9″ x 9″ square -bag bottom

from 1 sheet of white felt, cut:

8 – 2 1/2″ x 3″ – Windows
1 – 1/2 x 2″ – Notice
(optional) 4″ x 5″ – cell phone pocket

Using your ruler, arrange the window pieces on the 9″ x 12″ sheets of felt so that they are 1 1/2″ in from the sides and 2″ down from the top. For the TARDIS front, center the notice under the left window, leaving about 1/2″ in between.

Arrange window pieces on remaining three 9″ x 12″ blue felt.

Stitch windows in place, 1/4″ in from outside of white felt. The TARDIS windows have six panes. My windows are estimated, but you can measure and divide your stitching if you choose. Repeat for the two sides that are NOT the front of the TARDIS.

For the Notice on the front, sew some random stitching onto the 1 1/2″ x 2″ piece of felt (as shown). This gives the illusion of writing from a distance. Stitch on each of the four sides with a short zig-zag stitch in each corner (forgot to take a close up…look about three photos down and you can see what I mean!).

OPTIONAL – After stitching all the windows on, choose a blue side that is NOT the TARDIS front. Align the 4″ x 5″ piece of felt under the window stitching. Straight stitch on the two long sides and across the bottom, making sure to backstitch at the start and stop. This is your cell phone pocket.

For handles – Fold in half lengthwise and zig-zag down the open side.

Your TARDIS is now ready for assembly!

Find the front (windows with notice) and back (cell phone pocket – or without if you didn’t make one) and bag bottom. With the insides facing/right side out, place the bottom of the front piece along one side of the 9″ x 9″ bottom piece. Stitch across, leaving 1/4″ at the beginning and end of the seam unstitched (see below).

Seam allowance will be on the outside of the bag.

1/4″ unstitched on the end of the seam (both ends).

Repeat stitching for the back side, making sure the bottom of that side meets the bottom of the bag.

Sew the remaining two pieces on opposite sides, continuing to leave 1/4″ open at each end of the seam.

Find the front and the piece immediately to the left. Bring the two long sides (wrong side) together, right side out.

Stitch from corner to corner.

Repeat for the remaining three corners.

You now have a TARDIS with no handles. That’s the last bit and then you’re done!

The handles attach to the front (windows + notice) and back of the bag. Use a ruler to line up the handles 2 1/2″ in from each side of the bag, with about 2/3″ inside. Pin in place.

Starting at a corner seam, stitch all the way across the top of the bag, backstitching when you get to the handles. For added strength, continue stitching all the way around the bag, flattening out the seam allowance with your fingers before you stitch across it.

Handles…and you can see the cell phone pocket, too!

Snip above and below the top stitching to make the little notches (optional).

The TARDIS Treat Bag is easy to fold, just fold in the bottom and it will fold in on itself.

And… DONE!

Front detail.

FREE Doctor Who Quilt Patterns!

Happy crafting!

♥ Jennifer O

Posts on this blog may contain affiliate links to help cover the cost of my website. I thank you for your generous support. ♥

Fabric Friday – Scraps

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For Fabric Friday this week, I want to talk about one of my favorite kinds of fabrics… Scraps! Scraps come in all shapes and sizes. They are they leftovers, consider tossable by many that sew, scraps are my preferred palate for many projects, including paper piecing and a fun technique I’ve been enjoying lately passed on my by friend Osie and the book, It’s A Wrap.

Purple scraps became a gorgeous tote that I made for my best friend, Jewells’, birthday.

Many of these fabrics were purples used in the quilt I made for a previous birthday gift for Jewells.

Another type of scrap I’ve become increasingly fond of is selvage. Selvage has been turned into all kinds of things and there’s a whole blog dedicated to it! I saved mine up, with the help of my quilty friends, and made a bowl.

So, for Fabric Friday, rethink your scraps…there is treasure lurking in there, if only you’re willing to look for it!

See photos from the It’s A Wrap class I taught this week!

Happy crafting!

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Fabulous Fanciful Fairies

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Fanciful Fairies (Paper Pieced BlockSet), $7 on Craftsy

We’re still moving right along, as I share the designs from my erstwhile book in the Sewhooked Shop.

New for 2013 – Also available on Craftsy!

Sunbonnet Sue’s Magical Friends (Set 3) Fanciful Fairies might just be the sweetest set in the bunch. They’re just…nice. Happy. Whimsical.

Of course, if you make them in some awesome dark and moody fabric…Boom, emo fairies!

Sunbonnet Sue’s Magical Friends are inspired by the classic Sunbonnet Sue and Overall Sam blocks, with a fun, whimsical twist.

Fanciful Fairies includes 6 patterns: Rose Fairy, Daisy Fairy, Tooth Fairy, Fairy Godmother, Flower Fairy and Tulip Fairy.

5″ finished
patterns can be printed in color or gray scale

Included: 6 paper pieced block patterns with sewing order.

With your PDF download, you receive a 6 paper pieced patterns with seam allowance and stitching instructions.

Get a sneak peak at the rest of Sunbonnet Sue’s Magical Friends.

Set 1 – Monster Madness

Set 2 – Wand Wielders

Want to learn to paper piece? Check out my free paper piecing resources and text tutorial or take my Introduction To Paper Piecing class at Honey Bee Quilt Store (new dates coming soon)!

If you make a Sew Awesome Craft or any pattern, craft or recipe from sewhooked, I’d love to see a photo. Email me or add it to the sewhooked flickr group.

Happy crafting!

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SEWHOOKED SHOP |SCHEDULE | SEWHOOKED FB
JEN FACEBOOK | TWITTER | FLICKR GROUP

Wand Weirdos, I mean Wielders

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Sunbonnet Sue’s Magical Friends Set 2 – Wand Wielders is here!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve typed “Wand Weirdos” today…maybe that’s what I should have called this set!

Sunbonnet Sue’s Magical Friends are inspired by the classic Sunbonnet Sue and Overall Sam blocks, with a fun, whimsical twist.

The patterns were originally designed for a book that I was contracted for. When that contract fell through, I thought long and hard about what to do with the awesome patterns I’d created. They’ve been hiding out long enough and it’s now time to share these fun, whimsical patterns that I love with the rest of the world! (Want to hear the whole story? I talk about it in this video.)

Wand Weilders includes 8 patterns: Buckled Boots Wizard, Cloaked Wizard, Long-Haired Witch, Momma Witch, Tatty Wizard, Trendy Witch, Twin Wizards and Wee Witch

5″ finished
patterns can be printed in color or gray scale

Included: 8 paper pieced block patterns with sewing order.

They’re super-easy to buy from the Sewhooked Shop as an instant PDF download with PayPal payment – completely secure shopping through E-junkie! If you feel more comfortable shopping through e-junking, you can go straight to my storefront there.

With your PDF download, you receive a 8 paper pieced patterns with seam allowance and stitching instructions.

Get a sneak peak at the rest of Sunbonnet Sue’s Magical Friends.

Set 1 – Monster Madness

Want to learn to paper piece? Check out my free paper piecing resources and text tutorial or take my Introduction To Paper Piecing class at Honey Bee Quilt Store!

If you make a Sew Awesome Craft or any pattern, craft or recipe from sewhooked, I’d love to see a photo. Email me or add it to the sewhooked flickr group.

Happy crafting!

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SEWHOOKED SHOP |SCHEDULE | SEWHOOKED FB
JEN FACEBOOK | TWITTER | FLICKR GROUP

Way Back Craft: Knitting Bag

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The friend’s daughter that I made this for is a teenager now, so wow, it’s been a while! I’ve made several of these bags since, but have never created a pattern. It’s my favorite go-to tote bag style!

I have no idea if she still enjoys knitting. I’ll have to ask her mom!

original post, September 30, 2007:

Hot off the sewing machine for my friend’s daughter! She’ll be 11 next month and is a brand new knitter. She told her mom she’d like a knitting bag and I jumped on the chance to make something special for her.

I didn’t have a pattern, just dimensions and sketches I did before starting my project.

Made with denim for the outside. The purple fabric is something I had in my stash. I’m not sure what it’s made of, but it’s pretty heavy and feels like it could be upholstery fabric. I used some unattractive corduroy in place of interfacing.

The straps are made as one continuous piece, like a big loop. They hold the pocket down. The pocket was sewn top and bottom, right sides together then turned. It goes all the way around, but I sewed stop lines just above the fold line for the bottom. 2 pockets on the inside, too.

I’m really pleased with the finish product. I may have to make another one!

I made the buttons for her too. They’re various manga characters she likes, as well as a personalized and knitting button.

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TTMT 78 – Faerie Tale

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Grab a cup of coffee and have a seat. I have a short story to tell combined with some very long overdue Show & Tell.

Sunbonnet Sue’s Magical Friends (set 1) – Monster Madness
Rock Creek Quilts
Shae’s Random Musings
Cat’s Etsy

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Carpool Dishcloth

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printable pattern

Recently, I’ve been working on dishcloths for a dishcloth swap among my friends on Livejournal. While digging through my patterns, I found a scrap of paper from around 2000 that had instructions I’d scribbled for a dishcloth.

Once I worked the pattern up, I realized it’s not just a dishcloth, but one of the favorites I’ve been using in my kitchen for years!

I’m naming this easy-peasy project “Carpool Dishcloth” because I can make one in it’s entirety as I wait for my two kids at their two different schools. I sit in my car with my windows down and crochet while I wait. If you follow me on twitter, you probably have seen my carpool craft photos!

Made using Peaches and Creme cotton yarn – the pink/black/white dishcloth is Black Cherry, the other colorway is Sunflower.

Carpool Dishcloth

Size H Hook

worsted cotton yarn

ch 36

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch fr hook; ch 1, sk 1, [sc in next ch, ch1, sk 1, sc in next ch] [across]

Row 2: ch 1 turn, sc in 2nd ch fr hook; ch 1, sk 1 [sc in next ch, ch 1, sk 1, sc in next ch] [across].

Repeat row 2 for pattern until dishcloth is approximately square.

To add a border, continue the pattern around, making a sc, ch 1 sc in each corner and making sure to skip rows as you work down the sides, work pattern in the back side of sc on the foundation row and up the other side. Finish off.

Happy crocheting!

Add your Sewhooked-related photos to my flickr group and you might be featured in a future post!

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Shop Sewhooked and help keep the free pattern page free!