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

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

The blue flower – Another rainbow clutch

May 16, 2016 by nadel&gabel

“Sehnsucht“ – one of those enigmatic German words that books were written about. In the romantic sense it means something like longing for wholeness and infinity – while being aware of the fact that this can only be a hope, a unrealisable desire. The “blue flower” has become the symbol for this feeling. It’s unreachable but in looking at the beauty of “regular” flowers we can get an idea of it.   After the first rainbow clutch from Anna’s book “Handmade Style” […]

Categories: At the sewing machine, wallets & pouches • Tags: anna graham, blue, clutch, denim, fabric, flower, Handmade Style, metal, millefleurs, noodlehead, paper piecing, patchwork, pattern, pouch, print, romanticism, sehnsucht, trimmings, zipper

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

Precious – Umbrella Prints Rainbow Clutch

September 4, 2015 by nadel&gabel

While we’re unpacking our suitcase, washing stashes of clothes and sorting travel pictures – some of them found soon on this blog – I wanted to show you this small sewing project I’ve finished already a few weeks ago. This clutch is already the second project from Anna’s “Handmade Style” that I’ve approached. I made it as a birthday gift for a special friend of me … and therefore finally could bring myself to use some of my most precious […]

Categories: At the sewing machine, wallets & pouches • Tags: anna graham, clutch, fabric, Handmade Style, metal, noodlehead, paper piecing, patchwork, pattern, pouch, print, sleek, trimmings, umbrella prints, 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

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