Well equipped – Knitters project bag

May 21, 2017 by nadel&gabel

I had bought the Cloud9 “Wound Up” fabric already with the idea of sewing a knitting bag in my mind. And then … nothing happened. … Until I wanted to take my recent knitting project with me and it didn’t fit into my small project bag I made a while ago (btw one of my most popular blog posts these days). After some measuring to find the perfect size – the hight fits circular needles and small double pointed needles […]

Categories: At the sewing machine, bags & totes, wallets & pouches • Tags: bag, drawstring, easy, equipment, knitter, knitting, maker, needles, pouch, project, sewing, tutorial, wool, yarn

Jassa – Summer tote

March 16, 2017 by nadel&gabel

Ok, summer still is some months ahead, but spring is on its unstoppable way, trees are getting greener from day to day, blue crocuses, white spring snowflakes and snowdrops are sprouting and are heralding the new season (although they still carry ‘snow’ in their name). So, kind of naturally I feel torn again to colours. No better time for IKEA to launch their limited collection JASSA, a collection inspired of asian materials and techniques: rattan and bamboo furniture, colourful batik print […]

Categories: At the sewing machine, bags & totes, supplies • Tags: anna graham, asia, bag, batik, collection, colour, ethno, exotic, fabric, gingham tote, graphic, Handmade Style, ikea, indonesian, jassa, noodlehead, pattern, print, sewing, summer, tote

All black – Oilskin Explorer Tote

March 1, 2017 by nadel&gabel

When I saw Annas new pattern, the Explorer Tote, she – again – got me. I immediately could imagine the large version as a great weekender bag. I was thinking about sewing myself a new travel bag for a while. I was kind of fed up by the one I sewed about two years ago (similar to this one) which I use for smaller trips. It now felt just too much: too many colours and patterns, too floral. The new […]

Categories: At the sewing machine, bags & totes, supplies • Tags: bag, black, explorer tote, handle, merchant and mills, noodlehead, oil cloth, oilskin, pattern, recessed, sewing, stable, strap, sturdy, tarpaulin, tote, travel, waxed canvas, weekender, zipper

Girls only – Discrete little pouch

February 19, 2017 by nadel&gabel

This weekend I attempted a long overdue task: Tidying up my sewing materials. Bias tape, rivets and eylets, zippers and cotton webbing, velcro and cords – it had all become quite a mess lately, in which I had slightly lost orientation. No wonder that I made surprising discoveries during the cleaning up 😀 After this first step it was time to go through my collection of fabric scraps. Pleasant surprises here as well. The scraps reminded of former sewing projects of […]

Categories: At the sewing machine, wallets & pouches • Tags: discreet, easy, fabric, female, girls only, KAM snap, pouch, scrap, sewing, snap, tampon, trimming, tutorial, women

The flow – Trail tote

January 29, 2017 by nadel&gabel

Panta rhei. Life is a flow. Most times it’s a steady flow, we’re floating in familiar waters. Perhaps you would prefer some more movement, a slight change of directions, but somehow it doesn’t happen. Are you even moving forward, is there any progress although you’re working for it? You can’t see it. But suddenly it’s there: It starts with a small swirl, you can sense some kind of acceleration … and suddenly things happen! Is ist just luck? Some kind of […]

Categories: At the sewing machine, bags & totes, wallets & pouches • Tags: bag, blue, easy, fabric, free, gütermann, long island flower, multipurpose, noodlehead, pattern, piping, pouch, sewing, SnapPap, tote, trail tote

Efficient – Origami bento bag

November 20, 2016 by nadel&gabel

This may be the fastest and easiest thing I’ve ever sewed. Ratio of time invested : outcame = unbeatable! Although this origami bento bag isn’t difficult to sew, it is helpful to have have pictured tutorial of the folding steps at hand when sewing it for the first time. (I have lot of experience in sewing things wrong sides together, it’s some kind of logical problem.) These pictured instructions f.ex. are helpful. (Optionally you could box the corners to create […]

Categories: At the sewing machine, bags & totes • Tags: bag, bento, easy, eyelet, fabric, lunch, market, origami, reusable, sewing, tote, towel, tutorial, wrap

One thing leads to another – Creative maker supply case

October 30, 2016 by nadel&gabel

The ones that follow me on instagram may have recognized that I’ve started a new longtime project: Handlettering. Although writing – mainly on chalkboard – is part of my daily routine, I’m definitely lacking a pretty handwriting. I had started a few rather piteous attempts in lettering, but this time, when I came across Frau Hölle and her tutorials I decided to keep up with more honesty and endurance … and professional equipment! And what can I say? – Langsam nährt […]

Categories: At the sewing machine, wallets & pouches • Tags: black&white, case, copper, Craft, drawing, geometric, lettering, maker, marble, pattern, pen, pencil, pocket, sew sweetness, sewing, storage, supply, travel, writing, yellow, zippered

Lioness – Toddler backpack

October 18, 2016 by nadel&gabel

It’s a saying: “Everyone is unique.” But that doesn’t mean that uniqueness always is accepted. Life isn’t always easy for them who don’t look “normal”, live or love other than the majority, the way things “should be”. Who are we to judge, to claim the truth, to demand assimilation?! Being obviously “different” with your red hair, protruding ears, small size, dark skin can feel like a burden, especially when you’re a kid and just want to be part of the game. Kids can be […]

Categories: At the sewing machine, bags & totes, children • Tags: backpack, colourful, cushion, lion, lioness, made by rae, patch, pattern, piping, straps, toddler, yellow, zipper

That certain something – Petal pouches in japanese blue

September 8, 2016 by nadel&gabel

For me Anna von from Noodlehead is the goddess of pouches and bags! One reason perhaps is that I learned the basics of sewing mostly with her pictured tutorials. Thanks to her I can sew any kind of zipper … and I am still more familiar to English sewing terms than German ones 😉 It is also, because non (really NON) of her tutorials and patterns (free or for purchase) has led me down at any time. I would say they’re foolproof. […]

Categories: At the sewing machine, wallets & pouches • Tags: anna graham, Asanoha, blue, clam, easy, fabric, graphic, indigo, japanese, noodlehead, pattern, petal, pouch, rounded, traditional, zipper