Strap for yoga mat

Now I'm going to the gym, one of the classes I do is BodyBalance.  A mix of Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi.  When I've been previously mats were supplied, however now you have to bring your own mat or lie on the carpet - not very comfortable especially when balancing on knees/elbows.  I did have my own yoga mat already, however for ease of carrying I needed something else.

After a bit of google research I settled for a sling for the mat rather than a bag.  I thought after class when you are trying to pack up quickly, trying to get the mat inside a bag would be rather awkward. With the strap you just put the loops around the end, tighten it up and away you go.

This was really simple to make.  Just cut 3 pieces of fabric 6" x 30", join together.  Fold both short ends in by 1/2", then iron long ends in half, straighten, then fold both ends in towards the centre crease, then in half again to create a long strap.  Sew around all edges with 1/4" topstitch.  When done, just take one end of strap, loop it around the strap around 12" from end, when loop is formed sew  together in a crossed box shape to hold.  Repeat for other end.  Now the loops can be loosened to take the mat and then cinched together to hold it tightly for carrying.

I used some cotton sateen that I had bought online and didn't like.  

Style Arc Jodie Pinafore

I made this Jodie pinafore from StyleArc in a striped denim.

The pinafore is pretty short, more a tunic really.  I made it with the intention of wearing leggings under it.  I'm not keen on the striped denim.  I feel from the front especially it looks too much like a butchers apron.

I made it in a size 14 which should be the correct fit according to the size chart, but it is very very snug around the hips.  I've started going regularly to the gym so hopefully I'll  lose a bit off my hips and maybe the fabric will stretch slightly when I wear it.  

Not really what I was after.  This will be for wearing around the house.

curtains and goldfinches

I've made two sets of curtains.  One for my sewing room and one for the small bedroom.

These are my sewing room.  They are a sort of golden colour with a pattern running through.  I couldn't get a good photo.

 And these are the small bedroom.  They are a grey and gold pattern.

This is the first time I've made curtains.  Easy to do, but rather boring.

I also made some freestanding goldfinches from Embroidery Library. I hot glued them onto wooden chopsticks and added them to pot plants.  They are in 2 sizes.  I made 2 small ones for small pot plants and a large one for the large potted palm.

mystery garden BOM Block 6

Sweet Pea release new blocks on the 8th of every month.  I loved this block as soon as I saw it and made it the same day.

Only 4 blocks left to go.  I'm excited to see what the other blocks look like.

scanncut cards and easter boxes

I made a couple of projects over the weekend.  The first was a card for my cousin and is one of the  free Dreaming Tree designs.  I found it turned out very small, and it felt a bit mean to be sending something so small.  I discovered I could enlarge it by 15% and still fit it on the scanncut mats, so I enlarged all the pieces, including the envelope and made it again.  Just 15% makes a big difference and I'm much happier with the larger version.

The photo doesn't show the difference in sizes very well, but the yellow shoe is the larger design.

I also made a couple of Easter Egg boxes to give to friends.  These boxes are from Brother.  I've filled them with small Easter Eggs.

StyleArc Lennie Shirt

I went shopping with some friends a couple of months ago.  One of the stores, H&M, had shirts in that we all really liked and one of my friends bought a top.  I've wanted to make a similar one.  I found the Lennie Shirt by StyleArc which was a close match for it, and some floral rayon from Smart Dress fabrics.

Here is my H&M knock-off.

I had bought 1.5m x 135cm of rayon.  This just wasn't quite enough.  So I used some blue linen from my stash for the placket, collar and sleeve tabs.  The inner collar was made using the rayon.  I'm actually quite pleased with the contrast the linen gives.

So the details

• Made size 14, no changes.  Fits perfectly.  Next time just lower the bust darts 1".
• Took 7 1/2 hours to sew.
• The most challenging was the button placket.  I did this wrong, as I always do!  Next time, note that the placket should be sewn to the front raw edges together and at 3/8" seam allowance.  Sew placket to the wrong side of front, then turn placket to right side of front and top stitch down.  Check with how the pattern pieces fit together before sewing.
• Next time get 1.75m of fabric if 135cm wide and if not using a contrast - I only needed enough extra to sew the sleeve tabs but just couldn't squeeze them out of 1.5m