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

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

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

Minimalism – Laundry bags from SnapPap aka Kraft-Tex

May 16, 2016 by nadel&gabel

  This place has got a bit quiet during the last weeks, for different reasons. One of them was the major spring cleaning up, decluttering and rearranging that happened in this place. And although it comes with costs in time, dorsal pain and patience – to stand the temporary mess – it’s totally worth the effort. There is this connection between outside and inside. Sorting things out, clearing your space has an immediate impact on your mind and soul. Every […]

Categories: At the sewing machine, bags & totes, craft & DIY, decoration, paper, storage • Tags: bag, basket, bucket, capsule wardrobe, decoration, KonMari, kraft-tex, laundry, minimalism, paper, plant pot, sack, sew, simplicity, SnapPap, stash, storage, sturdy, tidying-up, toys, tutorial, vegan leather, washable

Modern tradition – Seigaiha tote and pouch

October 25, 2015 by nadel&gabel

When I first came across “kiseki” on DaWanda I was looking for masking tape and this shop had an overwhelming selection… I had a hard time to decide. And then I realized that Juliane, the shop owner, also sells fabrics! Imported from Japan “kiseki” offers a great choice of stunning traditionally patterned Japanese fabrics. Asanoha, Samekomon, Kanoko, Seigaiha … each of them so gorgeous! Some of the patterns are even available as oil cloth. I ordered a stack … and as always they […]

Categories: At the sewing machine, bags & totes, supplies, wallets & pouches • Tags: anna graham, Asanoha, blue, clutch, denim, fabric, gingham, handle, Handmade Style, Japan, japanese, Kanoko, noodlehead, pattern, pouch, rivet, Samekomon, Seigaiha, sewing, tote, traditional, zipper

Approached and accomplished – Caravan Tote and Pouch

July 9, 2015 by nadel&gabel

I’ve announced it already – and now it is done: I can hold my first Caravan Tote and Pouch in my hands! It took me quite a time to approach this pattern. After I’ve cut all the pieces – and there are a lot – they already started to get dusty, so long did it take me to finally start sewing. The pattern – like all patterns and tutorials from Anna I’ve sewed before – is easily understood. By the […]

Categories: At the sewing machine, bags & totes, wallets & pouches • Tags: anna graham, bag, blue, denim, echo, fabric, florine, handle, knitter, leather, lotta jansdotter, noodlehead, organize, pattern, pouch, spacious, tote