Thank you so much to everyone who read my last post on children's books and to those that sent emails too. It was lovely to hear from you all and to read about your favourite titles too. I'd say that Anne of Green Gables and the Little House books were probably the most popular amongst you all.
Well, it's been a pretty shitty week weather-wise I'm afraid. It seems to have rained, bucketed or drizzled, non stop since Wednesday morning and it's been cold and grey too. Perfect weather for staying in your workroom and sewing bags I'd say. I decided that I had to take the plunge and cut into that fabric - now or never and that bags would really be the best use for it. As before I used the tutorial here which is very, very good. There is a pic of the fabric here.
Both bags are a mixture of vintage William Morris fabric and linen. This is the other side of the one above left:
and this is the other side of the bag on the right:
Both bags are lined with linen on the inside and the outer fabric is interfaced. I am so pleased with them but I have to confess that they took me nearly two days. I have to take my hat off to the women who churn out bags like nobody's business - they take careful measurement and concentration these bags. I ought to put these up on Etsy so if you fancy one let me know - they are roughly 13" by 10" with a 4" bottom that has a stiffened base (which can be removed).
I'm going to make a couple more just to prove that I can make them in a shorter time! No really, I'm going to make some more to sell at our Summer Fair in July.
What else have I been up to? Well, I cut a pattern for a white horse ages and ages ago but he turned into a unicorn when I eventually picked him up to finish. Here he is:
and here's the other side of him:
He's made from white felt and his mane is white mohair. The blue flower is made with a sizzix paddle punch that I got in a swap from Kristin ages ago.
This is a pic of the horse I made last year using the same pattern - it's made out of blanket:
I have a pattern for this goose which is lost somewhere in an old post and I ought to put in my sidebar:
The pattern is here if you want to make a goose too. You know I ought to dig that fabric out and make a few more animals - it's really rather nice.
Well, I'm off to tuck into Lancashire Hotpot which is fitting for a rainy May day. It's rhubarb and banana crumble after and I should give you the recipe as it's the only time my children will touch rhubarb. The banana just takes the edge of it.
Hope you all have a lovely weekend and you make lots of horses, unicorns and geese. Do show me if you do.......................
Love that unicorn! If there were only enough hours in the day...
Posted by: Sonya | May 11, 2007 at 07:03 PM
Simmy it would take me a year to make one bag and then I probably wouldn't get to finish it. You are a very talented toy maker too. I am envious of your dinner tonight. We are having a takeaway but I'd much prefer your comfort food on this grey and dismal evening. Thanks for sharing the patterns, care to share some food?
Posted by: Simone | May 11, 2007 at 07:10 PM
thanks for the great patterns!! i'm happy to see you're putting your sizzix tool to good use :)
Posted by: kristin | May 11, 2007 at 08:57 PM
The bags look great, thanks for the link to the tutorial.
I'll look forward to your rhubarb and banana recipe, thats a new combination to me, I always cook rhubarb with oranges.
Posted by: willow | May 11, 2007 at 08:58 PM
Thank you so much for the patterns. I'm on a softie kick and will give them both a try... I'm let you know when I get 'em done! And those bags are just beautiful. I love the fabric/linen combination.
Posted by: Taimarie | May 11, 2007 at 09:19 PM
Simmy I so wanted to do a big reply to your post on books, but it's just been a busy week. Needless to say we love books in our house too, although I am more a collecter of illustrated younger children's books and the newbies out there on the market. But because we have moved so much, we have had to give away so many...I usually do to the school library. I've probably donated over 15 boxes of kids books in the last 10 years! But I always keep my favourites and every time we move the removalists make some comment about the amount of books we have! As for the bags, I LOVE them. I have been thinking of having a go at bags myself, but my sister in law in Australia has just started her own business (http://www.biasdesigns.com.au if you are interested) and I feel like I'd be putting myself to shame. As for the unicorn, I love hime too. Unicorns and rainbows were always my favourite things growing up.
Hope the weather improves for your weekend!!!
Posted by: Georgia | May 12, 2007 at 12:58 AM
Thankyou for the patterns. Our school fair is on soon, i hope to try one to sell at the fair!
Posted by: Kylie | May 12, 2007 at 06:08 AM
I like that unicorn a lot! I made one of the same pattern a while ago. Love to see your crafts. And oh, this bag. I want one, too.
Posted by: ramona | May 12, 2007 at 08:30 AM
What wonderful bags! I remember you posting pictures of that lovely fabric a while back and it's nice to see what you turned it into! I love the unicorn as well. I think Unicorns are supposed to be lucky!
Posted by: Marie | May 12, 2007 at 02:19 PM
Oh my goodness... those bags are gorgeous. I absolutely LOVE that fabric. I must say when you previously posted the pics. I was thinking that was quite a wonderful stash you had. Wow they are so beautiful.
Posted by: melody | May 13, 2007 at 01:08 AM
Okie dokey, the package is assembled, please just give me your email and it's on it's way!
Love the unicorn! You are majickal indeed.
Aurora
Posted by: Aurora | May 13, 2007 at 03:16 AM
I can't wait to make a unicorn for my Violet!!!!
The bags are so beautiful and I hope you are having a great day.
Posted by: Bitter Betty | May 13, 2007 at 05:16 PM
I love that beautiful unicorn! The mohair makes a great mane.
Posted by: marie | May 14, 2007 at 01:45 AM
Fabulous bags. I think the fabric does suit them so well. I love the horse and the unicorn too, and I will definately have to print out the pattern for them both.
Posted by: Sue | May 14, 2007 at 03:05 AM
Thanks for the compliments on my blog Simmy. I translated the text belonging to the felt owl, so now you can read it ;)
I love the horses! And the bag too. I'm not good in sewing (yet), but maybe some day I can make that too.. :) (I'm taking sewing lessons)
Posted by: Karoeza | May 14, 2007 at 09:41 AM
Thanks for visiting Willow House, I've just had a quick look through your recent posts and am so very pleased to meet yet another book addict. I am hugely jealous of all those book shelves of yours, we just don't have enough! Love the bags you've made and now I really want to make some ponies, be they magical unicorns or not.
Posted by: carolyn | May 14, 2007 at 03:43 PM
Dear Simmy,
Your post on children's literature was wonderful. I, too, wanted to respond, but haven't had the time. I was in North Carolina this weekend visiting my daughter and her husband, and I showed my daughter your blog. We are both avid readers, and she has read voraciously since she was about 4 years old. She is now 26. She kept saying, as she was reading along, "Oh, I loved that book, too! Oh and that one! Remember this?" She may write to you. Her name is Laura.
I just mailed you some African fabric (very belatedly) that she had brought back from Kenya. I would love to buy one of your bags if they are indeed for sale, and if you have one you can part with! Let me know.
Fondly,
Wylie
Posted by: Wylie Hunt | May 14, 2007 at 08:04 PM
Hello Simmy, I love your unicorn so much I had to try and make one for myself - but it turned a lot more horsey then unicorny.
I thought you might want to take a look:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilly1975/501705182/
Posted by: aya | May 17, 2007 at 06:10 AM
hi can i know whats the last shape with "on fold" for? i the 4 circles is for the feet of the horse right?
Posted by: momo | May 17, 2007 at 08:13 AM
Simmy thank you SO much for the horse pattern. My daughter will be 9 June 2 and she is fully into her horse stage (flying through all the Marguerite Henry books) and this have given me a GREAT idea.
Posted by: Jill Pettis | May 22, 2007 at 11:49 PM
Hi,
I love your lambs and scotty dog that you obtained the pattern from from a Japanese magazine. I have been trying to obtain the book/magazine and I have been unable to do so since everything is in Japanese currency. Would you please be able to e-mail me or sell the pattern to me - I'm rather desperate - been looking for ages.
Your bags are wonderful too - congrats on you blog - its fantastic and very inspirational.
Caroline
Posted by: Caroline Stringer | September 28, 2008 at 05:57 PM
Pls send me some design ideas, send details of your items, price etc.
Posted by: sabu | October 12, 2008 at 02:08 PM
Hi simmy,
I stumbled on your site purely by accident whilst looking for a crocheted flower pattern, I found yours (brooch) very easy to follow, thanks it's beautiful.
Wow what a site! you have so much on it I can't wait to try some of the other things such as the unicorn, what kind of blanket is he made from a woolen baby blanket?
Thanks again for a wonderful site I've saved it to my favourites.
Lesley
Australia
Posted by: Lesley Mavro | October 15, 2008 at 08:12 AM
Hi Simmy!
I used the pattern to make a unicorn for my child.
Also post about it here:
http://thedreamdesigner.blogspot.com/
Thanks so much for this lovely pattern!
Inbal
Posted by: inbal Weisman | March 23, 2009 at 10:46 AM
Hello, I LOVE your Unicorn pattern, but I was wondering how you got the mane in? Not sure how to do it...
Posted by: Brooke | April 05, 2009 at 02:11 AM
Thanks so much for the pattern. I've been searching all over the net for any easyish type pattern for my 5 year old who is really bent on making her own unicorn. I'll have to let you know how it comes out. :)
Posted by: stephanie | July 01, 2009 at 04:50 AM
Blogs are so informative where we get lots of information on any topic. Nice job keep it up!!
Posted by: Politics Dissertation | January 13, 2010 at 01:52 PM
Thank you soooo much for the horse pattern. I've searched the internest for hours and finally came across your very cute horse. I'm making it for a dear friend's little boy whom I love very much! He's turning two and going through a second bout with cancer. He LOVES horses, to put it mildly. I hope he loves this little guy! Thank you! Thank you!
Posted by: Chasity | May 11, 2010 at 03:35 AM
Thanks so much for the unicorn pattern! It looks great. I am so gonna use it!
Posted by: Coralie | August 18, 2010 at 10:42 AM
Hi all
I know this blog is not active but does anyone see where the cute unicorn pattern is? :(
Posted by: Baby Sheep | April 26, 2013 at 10:21 PM