Tackling my WIPs - Toiletry tote

As I'm starting to get back in the swing of making (still not every day like I did for years, but at least once a week which is a good start), I thought it would be good to finish some of my WIPs.  We had a meeting of the East Midlands Modern Quilt Group last Saturday and I took along a project that will be celebrating it's first birthday soon if I don't get on with it!

I started this Toiletry Tote by Mrs H back in April at The Bag Retreat.  With another retreat looming in April, it was about time this was finished.  Plus I actually NEED it as my current washbag is falling apart.

This pattern is not for the feint-hearted!  Mrs H writes brilliant patterns and they are easy to follow, but maybe this one was just above my level.  Not that I've ever let that stop me!  Above you can see the pain panel of the bag, all sewn together into a tube with the lining outermost.  One of the side panel lining pieces is on top.  

I didn't get much further than this!  I did sew a zipped side pocked which I clearly neglected to photograph.  Inserting it into the bag is the next step.  A step which completely flummoxed me due to missing out a step earlier in the process!  Luckily Mrs H is a friend of mine and answered my stressed out message immediately telling me I'm a fool!  

I plan to update you on this very soon...

Christmas Countdown - December

So once again I've been joining in with Allie's Christmas Through The Year - the final installment!

Want to see my roundup of what I've made?

1 - 6: Teacup candles

7-8: 2 sets of wax tarts for burners

9: Cross stitch cushion

10: Table runner

11: Wine Bottle Cosy

12-13: Wash bags

14-19: Spa Kits

Which actually adds up to more than 19 presents, because the spa kit itself is a bag and contains:

20-25: Spa slippers

26-31: Eye mask

32-37: Crocheted wash cloth

38-47: Homemade soap

48-57: Home made bath bombs

And there's more!!  In the photographless category we have:

58-63: Glass candles

64-70: Birdfeeders

Not a bad effort!  I've still got some work to do, but I've still got a few days (including two full days where I don't have to go to work).  My list of things to make is:

1. Finish off the 6 glass candles I've made (just topping up around the wick)

2. Sew up the glasses cases

3. Crochet 3 x scrubbies

4: Crochet 1 x washcloth

5: Crochet 1 x keyboard duster

6: Crochet Yoda ami

7: Crochet ami pig

8: Finish the bird feeders

9: Assemble cookies in jars

10: Assemble the reinbeer

Numbers 6 and 7 can be left off if I run out of time, so I'm feeling pretty confident that Christmas will be ready!

Wash bags

I'm back again with more pressies to show you!  I whipped these up at the weekend, literally.  They are so quick and easy to make.  I used the tutorial by Patchy Apple but I can't link to it for some reason.  If you do a search "Patchyapple boxy bag tutorial" it will come up. 

I made these for my dad and FIL after I realised I didn't have much for them for Christmas.  I used some lovely homespun that I had, I think it's masculine enough?

The green one is for my dad.  My mum mentioned he needed a new one so that means FIL gets one too!

It's lined with this lovely stripy fabric I found in my stash - no idea where it came from!

The only criticism I have of the pattern is that the raw edges are seen inside.  The pattern says to finish them with a serger, which I don't have, or a zig zag stitch, but it's still a little messy for my liking.  I might try to make a version without raw seams after Christmas.

This one is lined with dots from Breakfast At Tiffany's.  The pattern said to line them with canvas, which I didn't have, but I'd have liked to have lined them with a waterproof material.  Unfortunately I don't have any and I'm not doing any more supplies shopping!