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

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

Attention – Japanese style comfy trousers

August 18, 2016 by nadel&gabel

In being confronted with the contingencies of the real world, “the world beyond our head”, f.ex. in concentrating on crafting we can gain back some autonomy in the modern world of omnipresent distraction… that’s the thesis of Matthew B. Crawford in his thoughtful and inspiring new work. One of Crawfords examples is the concentrated, coordinated work of a professional chef. An example that absolutely makes sense to me. I’ve always felt that working with my hands, making things – concrete, touchable […]

Categories: garment • Tags: attention, chambray, clothing, comfy, concentration, culottes, garnment, japanese, matthew crawford, modern, Nähen im japanischen Stil, pants, pattern, sewing, Shufu To Seikatsu Sha, simple, simple modern sewing, the world beyond our head, trousers, wide

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

Ornamental christmas tradition – Springerle

December 6, 2015 by nadel&gabel

With christmas time – besides other things – I associate the following situation: I’m coming back to my parent’s home from the cold snowy outside, putting on my knitted socks, leaning my back to the tiled stove and warming my stiff cold fingers with a cup of hot tea. In between taking sips of the hot tea, I am dipping my Springerle cookie into it, let it soak and take a bite. Finally the fingers have warmed, the stomach as well, […]

Categories: cake, cookie & dessert, dairy-free, German/Swabian, In the kitchen, Uncategorized, vegetarian, winter • Tags: anise, aniseed, christmas, cookie, cutter, easy, engraved, floral, geometric, model, modern, mould, ornamental, pattern, picture, recipe, rolling pin, springerle, stamp, sugar, tea, winter