Creating a Handmade Childhood: Patchwork Baby Quilt

The first baby project to be completed! It's a crib 'quilt'. Technically it's not a quilt because I didn't quilt it. It's a good feeling to create something for the little sprout, it's as if we are building a welcome for her.

The pattern is from Joann Fabrics. I will warn you that the instructions are a bit vague so if you're new to quilting, it may be difficult to follow. I used a natural grey linen to incorporate the zakka aesthetic I want for the nursery. I will be using the same linen for throw pillows and other accents which I hope will give the nursery some feeling of unity while allowing for me to play around with prints and patterns.

The fabric came from all over the place, Etsy or Fabric.com are good places to find some that may either be similar or indeed the same. The design of multicolored Spirographs is from Ikea. Once the quilt was assembled, I backed it with a type of quilting batting that doesn't need to be covered, you can get it here. It's beautifully soft and makes for a lightweight quilt.

How to Friday - Reverse Applique

This is a great way of doing reverse applique if you have a non-fraying material like felt or jersey. It is so simple, will defnitely try it. Click on the picture for the tutorial from That Darn Kat. For more of her patterns, check out the Etsy shop

New Blog Guys!

I have been gathering various how to projects off the internet for a while and decided that maybe I should share them with you crafty people. Hence the birth of Craft Digest, I have been trying to add tutes at least once a day. So far there have been stitching tutes, bookbinding and there are more coming.

Make Your Own Notebook

I have been trying to find a new notebook to take away with me to Zambia. Some ppl can make their notes and sketches on any old paper but I am a bit selective. The cover should be plain so I can choose to decorate it or not, the pages should be thin so that it is light for travel, but also means you get more pages per book (essential when I am out there where nice notebooks are hard to find) and the pages should be unlined. I succeeded on the first two but not the last requirement. Infruriatingly, all plain pages were in sketchbooks which meant they were heavy and thick. In the end I opted for Muji notebooks which are very nice, suitably nondescript but LINED! I am putting up with it and then found this amazing How To for making your own notebooks on Instructables. Will definitely try it when I have more time. It's a great website BTW, and you can download a lot of the How Tos as PDF files.


Make a 100 page Notebook - More DIY How To Projects

Zakka Inspired MP3 Player Sleeve

My sister was the one who suggested making ipod sleeves. I don't have an ipod, but I have an MP3 player that is beginning to get a bit banged around after so much commuting. I've recently become obsessed with the Zakka style and wanted to do a little project.

I made the sleeve over 2 evenings, in total, it really only took a couple of hours.

I cut the felt pieces and made sure they would fit over the sides, with extra for sewing the seam. I then added the cute little shapes with simple running stitch. I blanket stitched the two pieces together in contrasting embroidery thread - 2 strands. After sewing two of the sides, I cut a hole so I can see the display and use the select dial. I then stitched this to add to the style and also to prevent the felt from stretching. I sewed the other edges and left a little gap on one side so I could reach the button that locks it.

I really like the felt, the colours are so bright and zingy! Plus it looks good with the thread. Next time I will back it with cotton to further prevent it becoming mishapen, and to tidy up the stitching.

In Praise of Paper Piecing

I decided I needed a change of pace from the quilting, hence the new hexagon project. It's great to be working with such fresh fabrics and I have always loved paper piecing.

Here are some brief instructions on having a go:

• First, go here to find out how to draw an accurate hexagon

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• Make a template from cardboard or plastic
• draw lots of hexagons onto old envelopes, magazine pages or whatever and cut them out.

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• Next, pin a paper hexagon to the wrong side of your desired fabric
• Cut around the hexagon, allowing a 1/4 inch of fabric extra all the way around or at least to fold over the shape
• Fold the edge of fabric over the paper and tack stitch all the way around
• When you have a number of these, choose two put them against eachother flat and whip stitch along the edge with tiny stitches

Many quilters don't like paper piecing because it is a little time consuming, but I find it very relaxing. Each to their own.