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

Keep on turning – DIY rope bowl

January 18, 2016 by nadel&gabel

This project is in my blogging queque for a while now. It was one of my christmas gift projects, actually one of my favourite ones. Over years now I’ve bookmarked various tutorials for handmade baskets or bowls – but most of them are based on handsewing … aargh … I hate handsewing, I’m a impatient person. So, basically I remained bookmarking and thinking about how I would … someday … And then I saw Frau Gold`s admirable rope bowls, followed the link for […]

Categories: accessories, At the sewing machine, decoration, supplies • Tags: basket, black&white, bowl, coil, cord, cotton, decoration, design, easy, machine, minimal, present, rope, scandinavian, sew, storage, tutorial

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

So practical – Carry-all pincushion from “Handmade Style”

July 31, 2015 by nadel&gabel

 When I first flipped through the pages of Anna Grahams sewing book “Handmade Style” I had a hard time to decide with which project I would like to start: A tunic for me, another bag or perhaps a quilting project after I’ve mastered my first steps? I’ve decided to start small … and practical! A pincushion that carries everything a sewer always needs at hand? – What a brilliant idea! I gathered a few scraps in black, grey and white […]

Categories: accessories, At the sewing machine, supplies • Tags: anna graham, black&white, easy, equipment, gift, graphic, Homemade Style, monochrome, noodlehead, pattern, pincushion, present, sewer, sewing, storage, stuffing

Indigo shibori dyeing … and a tote, a clutch and a pouch

June 5, 2014 by nadel&gabel

I really do enjoy sewing. After a long break when I used my sewing machine only to trim new trousers, I realized this again. If you watched me while I am sewing you would probably not always  assume this – not seldom it is accompagnied with screams of annoyance when I’ve (again) attached two pieces of fabric just the wrong way … but then, when I finally hold a finished project in my hands, it’s all forgotten and I am […]

Categories: At the sewing machine, bags & totes, craft & DIY, fabric, supplies, wallets & pouches • Tags: bag, binding, blue, case, clutch, colour, Craft, dye, fabric, geometric, indigo, itajime, japanese, pencil, pouch, print, resist, sewing, shape, shibori, tie, tote, tutorial, zipper

Jump and relax – My tie-dye summer comfy trousers

May 29, 2012 by nadel&gabel

I know that is quite a while ago since the last sewing blog post, but some things take their time, right? And there were a few steps to make for this final piece: my new super summer trousers which are – as you can see – perfect to jump around as well as to relax in the grass and which I hence wear as often as I can.

Categories: At the sewing machine, craft & DIY, fabric, garment, supplies • Tags: blue, fabric, indigo, pants, pattern, pyjama, sewing, summer, tie-dye, trousers, tutorial

A tidy house, a tidy mind

February 28, 2012 by nadel&gabel

Cleaning up and reorganising my sewing drawer with all the tapes, ribbons, rickracks, zippers – done! It leaves me with a great feeling of contentment. And all I needed for it were cardboard of an old amazon parcel, washi tape, some pins and velcro dots (to fix the velcro tape).

Categories: At the sewing machine, craft & DIY, storage, supplies • Tags: Craft, organizing, ribbon, sewing, storage, supplies, tape

The lightness of being

February 25, 2012 by nadel&gabel

After one week of pausing I am back at the Beauty-is-where-you-find it challenge, already a bit late again. This week’s theme “Leichtigkeit [airiness]”. As there are already some feathers, flowers, clouds, blow bubbles – my first associations as well – I had to give it another thought… and found one of my latest shopping catch – airy, light lace fabric, waiting to be sewed up.

Categories: At the sewing machine, Behind the camera, supplies • Tags: challenge, fabric, lace, light, photography, project, sewing