Sewing For Breast Cancer patients

It has been a couple of years, since we have made the Breast Cancer Drain Bags, but the call came though that more was needed, which is really a shame however I was glad to get sewing again for this great cause.

I have finished off 12 bags already and decided this year that a little gift card would be nice popped into the bag for the recipient.  Card making is high on my list of little craft projects at the moment, so it was a good opportunity to make some on a smaller scale.  I loved how they turned out.

 

The bags have a variety of fabric themes, so hopefully they will cater to all tastes.

 

 

Close-up of braid insert - I still have a bit of these left over from a quilt that I started a number of years ago, so now they are being put to good use.

 

 

 

My friend, who does all the organising for the pickup and delivery of these bags has also made over 50 little seat belt pads for the breast cancer patients.  I think it would be a great idea to include one in every future bag I make, so I will take a photo of the next one I make.  This little pad just sits between the seat belt and the breast and can be used if you are either the driver or passenger to provide comfort.

 

Until next time

Judy

Lip Balm Holders - Testing

 

I have been playing, trying to make a "usable" lip balm holder.  Something that I can attach to my bag or keyring so that I am not always trying to find it down in the bottom of my bag

 

It took three attempts to get something that I was satisfied with ...

 

No 1:  Both the keyring and the strap was too wide for the holder, also the holder was a little snug

No 2:  Keyring better size, however strap was too long.  Also holder a little long

No 3:  This is nearly right - everything looks in proportion

 

I will make a few more and put them in my gift box - if anyone wants a tutorial for making these, just leave a comment, and I will take step by step photos when I make the next one.

 

I also completed one more breast cancer bag.  My co-ordinator stated that the hospital is slowing down on needing the bags (isn't that fantastic news), so we can slow down on the production line.  I will still continue to make them, as it is a great cause, and when I want to sew, I can just pick up one of these to make.

 

The fabric in this bag was purchased from the furnishing section of Spotlight.  I bought 1/2 metre and it is enough to make the outside of two bags ... I love it

 

 

 

Judy

Orphan Blocks - All Finished

This has been a great venture, converting all the orphan blocks I found into Breast Cancer Drain Bags.
The last block was a little plain ... and due to the age of the fabric, hard to match up

I used another plain homespun fabric for a narrow border, top and bottom,  and then brightened up the block with a pink and blue toned floral.  The same fabric was used for the back and lining.

I think it worked?

 

All eight blocks completed, now I will have to find another challenge to keep me out of mischief.

Australia Day is tomorrow, and I will be celebrating with family and friends ... so to everyone Happy Australia Day

Judy

 

Orphan Blocks 6 & 7 - Completed

Two more blocks made into bags

Block 6

 

Block 7

 

One block to go, and it is going to be a challenge.  I really do not want to say it, but it has really "boring" colours.  I am finding it a little difficult to find fabric to go with the block.

With all of these orphan blocks, I have only used fabric that is in my stash, so it has been a win/win situation.  I am helping a great cause as well as using up my fabric supplies.

Wish me luck

Judy

Orphan Block 5 + 1 - Completed

I am making my way through these blocks, another one made into the Breast Cancer Drain Bag

Only three orphan blocks remaining ... I am on target to have them completed by the end of the week!

I also took the time to make another star bag ... I think I may have overdone the red strip ... bit too powerful!

On another note, check out this blog post  from Sew Many Ways - I made these Rolo Pretzels last night , and YUMMY is the only word to describe them... I took them to dinner with two of my sisters to have with coffee. I just used normal Parkers pretzels and popped a pecan nut on top.

I did not take a photo of my version

 Judy

Orphan Block 4 +1 - Completed

I have reached the halfway mark in using the orphan blocks ... 4 down, 4 still to go.

Block 4
This block was a little harder because it was quilted in one corner only.  No matter which way I turned the block it did not look complete.   I ended up sewing a neutral shade of brown fabric to the top and then adding the wooden buttons as a accent.

 

One of my blogger friends, Selina,  reminded me about  printing on fabric - with her post on words.

I still had one panel that I had printed when I posted a hint about printing on fabric. 

I had printed out three panels, however I only made 2 into bags.  I "found" the third panel today and made it up into another Breast Cancer Drain Bag.  I love the pop of red!

I seem to be finding a lot of unfinished projects - does this also happen to you?

Judy

Orphan Blocks 2 & 3 - Completed

Two more orphan blocks have been made into Breast Cancer Drain Bags

Block 2

 A rich chocolate brown fabric was used for the lining

 Block 3

 A khaki green pattern fabric was used for the lining of this bag

Still five more orphan blocks to make up.  I love having the blocks all there, just waiting to be sewn. 

Judy

Orphan Block 1 - Completed

The first of the Orphan Blocks has been made into a Breast Cancer Drain Bag.

 

I love how the lemon check fabric freshens the block and also picks up the other yellow shades in the block.

 

A very pale green and white floral print was used for the inside of the bag.

I am now ready to start on another block

Judy

Orphan Blocks

I was sorting through my fabrics today, and came across these 8 orphan blocks.  They are each 12" square, and I am not sure where they came from, or what they were for.  Each block has a name embroidered on them, so no doubt it was for a signature quilt.

I have decided to use these blocks in my Breast Cancer Drain bags.  Each side of the bag needs to be 17" x 12", so I will just be able to add a border, top and bottom, to these blocks.

 

The problem will be getting fabric to co-ordinate with the blocks.  I am going to endeavor to use fabric I already have and not purchase any new fabric.   You can see I was trying a few colour combinations in the bottom of each photo.

The first one I am going to work on is the needle-turn basket of flowers block in the second photo.

I will show you the results shortly.

Judy

 

January Quota - Finished

Today I finished off another three Breast Cancer Drain Bags.  This completes the six that I commit to making each month.  It is a wonderful cause and a good way to use up some of my "excess" fabric!

All six bags, pressed and folded and ready to be picked up by our local coordinator, Belinda

Bags I completed today

Patchwork star, I like the freshness of this bag

 

Scrappy Bag 

 This one also has a scrappy lining - love the chickens

 

Reindeer bag

 

Change of plans for tomorrow - I have been asked if I can make a "Guest Book"  for my nephews 21st next weekend, so I will be combining my talents with my sister, who is much better at scrap-booking and card making than I am.  Plus she has all the necessary supplies.

I am going to source some products from my online store to assist - maybe use the journal book as a base?

I will try and remember to take my camera so that I can show you our results

My thought and prayers are with everyone in Tasmania, it is terrible the number of homes that have been destroyed and the fires are still not contained.

Take care and stay safe

Judy

Three Finished

After a day which was filled with a comedy of errors, I eventually completed the three Breast Cancer Drain Bags.  I used a left over piece of "Braid" quilt for these bags, and I should have enough to make another three.

Blogger is not letting me upload photos ...agh  (problem is with IE, installed Firefox and can upload photos - go figure.  Found this resolution from the Google Help Support page)

Bag 1

Bag 2

Bag 3

I decided this year that I would pop the little emery boards with cover in the bag as a gift rather than the tissue covers I was making last year.  Just for a change.  I had these ones already made

All the bags were made from this left over Braid quilt, and I believe I will have enough left to make another three bags from this piece.

As I said this was a day that was riddled with errors, and blogger has decided that they will continue the theme .... I know it is hot but..................come on, give me a break!

Time for bed, and I hope tomorrow is a better day although it is going to be another extremely hot one  - 44 degrees forecast

Judy

Temperatures Rising

With the temperatures to soar into the mid 40's for the next 5-7 days, I have organised my sewing.
I certainly will not be venturing far from the craft studio or the indoors.

All these projects have been cut out before Christmas, so no preparation work was required.

Start on this years, Breast Cancer Drain Bags.
One side already sewn

 

The other side, cut out ready to be sewn

 

Three more bags, cut out and pieced.

 

 

These three are ready be be assembled, everything is cut out.

 

Ten key ring card holders, for an order.  All cut to size, ready

 

 

AND then if there is still time, I had a  couple of Christmas Projects that I did not get a chance to make.  It is not too early to start for next Christmas is it?  Just kidding, but I would like to try these two patterns.

 

Folded Christmas Tree - this looks like a cute Christmas ornament

 

 

Sweet Treats Bag - this was a kit I purchased, before I stocked Marg Low patterns in my store

 

 

Everything in the kit, ready to go

 

 

 

These projects should keep me inside for a couple of days. 

I really do not like it when it gets so hot ...there are so many bushfires already burning in NSW and this extreme weather just adds to the danger of more starting

 

Take care and stay cool

 

Judy

Tired and Lazy

After a really big weekend at the Quilt Exhibition, I am a very tired person.  My sister Sue helped me pack up my table late Sunday afternoon, and helped unload it into my craft studio, and left it for me to put everything away in it's rightful place.

Yes well, that is where it still is ... I was too tired on Sunday evening, and yesterday we had a power outage for nearly 6 hours.  I was unable to use the computer, pack orders from the online store or anything.  It was too dark in the storage area to try and get things put away.  That is my story, and I am sticking to it.

And today, well, I am just feeling too tired/lazy.  It will be done tomorrow though, as I can hardly get into my studio with the button stands, boxes etc.

Do you ever get that way, everything seems to be a mess around you?  My house needs to be decluttered, my studio needs tidying, and please do not ask about my garden!

I have some holidays scheduled, so maybe that will recharge the batteries and things will get back to some sort of normality.

I did take some photos of my table and my quilts from last weekend, using my iPad, so I will download those and post them in the next couple of days.

Our quilt group have a challenge for next year, make something using just two fabrics.  It could be a table runner, a quilt top, cushion .... do any of my readers have some ideas what I can make? 
I am a average quilter, I do not like hand sewing, so needleturn is definitely out, but other than that I am open to suggestions?

The only photo I have to share is of a couple of breast cancer drain bags that were picked up this week.  I think my friend and I had made 10 bags for Belinda to deliver to the hospital this week, and I only took this one photo!

 

Both these bags were a little dull before I added the trim.  I was happy with the end result though.

 

I will be back soon, feeling more energised and organised (fingers crossed)

Judy

Three Finished

I have finished three Breast Cancer Drain Bags - need to finish at least six more before the end of September, so I had better get a wiggle on!

Do you recognise the pink one?  It is one that was cut out, way back here.  I have still not finished the other lined travel bag and Japanese Knot Bag that I had cut out ready to sew.  Still on the list.

Making the Breast Cancer Drain Bags are a fabulous way to use up your stash of fabric and help a great cause as well.

I know I will meet my target this month, as I have a friend coming to help sew tomorrow night?  I wonder how many we will get made?  I will let you know.

Enjoy your week
Judy

Four Finishes

I finished off four Breast Cancer Drain Bags today, therefore have my promised quota of six ready to be picked up in June.  I will need to make some more, so that I can get in front.

The following two bags were made with the same fabric, just cut differently.

These next two were made from left-over strips of fabric - I love the scrappy look of them

As always, I made a matching little tissue pouch to pop inside each bag. 

Next on the list of things I want to make, is an iPad pillow.  Then I saw a great tutorial for a fabric origami bag.  There are never enough hours in the day / week in which to sew or craft.

I just received a parcel from Amy Bradley Designs, new patterns to be added to the store. 

Two new pattern releases:

Animal Whimsy Quilt Pattern - I love this one, many uses for these cute critters

Little Cowboy, Little Cowgirl Quilt Pattern

Enjoy your day

Judy