New Hideaway Collection Just In!

The complete collection of Hideaway by mother & daughter combo, Lauren and Jessi Jung is now at Seamstar.

With 4 colourways and 33 delightful prints, we are so so pleased with these fabrics.

Here is our top 5 reasons why this is a fabulous collection:

1.Versatility.
So many different things would look great made out of this collection. In fact we challenge you not to be able to find something you like here!

We have been really pleased to be able to collaborate with the ultra-talented Abi from Sew You who has made these stunning items from some fabric we sent over;

Gadget cases (if you're ever stuck for a gift then pop over to Sew You for some lovely things);

Our favourite, this lovely case with all the detailing and lining;

If you need more inspiration then have a look at these quirky cushions, quilts and bags by Lauren:

We think this Glade print (available in 4 colours) would look adorable made into some lounge pants for a little one!

Plus watch out for our Hideaway quilt soon with a Measurements & Materials list.

2.Detail of the prints
We've had this collection for over a week and are still finding things (which is also one of the reasons this collection would make great items for little ones, they'll be picking out details for ages). The Tapestry print has a tiny spider's web which is repeated in the Timepiece print.

Spot the little person in the Cuckoo Clock print!

3.Scale of the prints

The prints are tiny and so cute! Obviously having tiny prints is perfect for quilting but also for lining purses, tiny bunting, needle cases etc.

4.Scandinavian inspired quirky loveliness
Hands up, who doesn't love Scandinavian design. No one!

5.Colourways
All 4 colourways are lovely. The reds aren't an overpowering red but a gorgeous orange-red.

The sky blues are to die for and all the greens and yellows just, well, make you happy.

What's more, the fabrics will look great at any time of year. Choose a colour to suit the seasons.

We have a Price Match Promise plus a Multi Meter Discount on all of the fabrics in this collection.

As always we have a variety of bundles for this collection.

You can choose by colourway; Clover, Sunflower, Poppy or Sky.

Or the complete collection (look out for an extra freebie on our Newsletter).

Or a Moda Layer Cake for a little piece of it all.

Also a Mini Gingham bundle which is gorgeous & useful!

p.s. Did we mention we like this collection?
p.p.s. You may be aware that our favourite collection of ALL time is Wonderland by Momo (we are often going on about it, or anything Momo for that matter!).
Well, we have a new favourite collection of all time – Hideaway!

Checkout Sew You for gifts and inspiration below......

Its A Hoot Quilt & Scrappy Cushion

Oooooooo finally finished a quilt! Decided to see what I could make using the Complete Collection (1/8m strips) by Momo.

I kept it simple for a first quilt attempt with 5" squares.

I was really surprised at how quickly and easily the front went together - not only painless but also enjoyable!


I spent a couple of days practising meandering quilting techniques, which I got the hang of. Then I decided not to quilt it that way! I wanted some clean, modern lines and for it not to look too busy so I followed the squares to quilt the layers together.

For the back I just used up left-overs and it happened to make a strip.

I chose to pull out the greys of the print by using Moda Bella Solid in Grey for the back (it will be getting a lot of use and I suspect my 2 year old will try and drag it across the floor so white was out!). I found a useful clip on utube for adding the binding to the quilt. I was surprised at how long it took me to hand sew the binding (I was probably just getting impatient by that stage!).

I used Hobbs Heirloom Premium Batting and Momo Plaid in Sky for the binding.

Things I would do differently on my next quilt:

The strip I put across the back was the same size as the blocks on the front. When I sandwiched the quilt everything matched up perfectly. However, because I chose square quilt lines which I quilted on the front, they didn't correspond exactly on the back which looks a bit odd (I've been told I'm staring at it too much!). Anyway I would either use a meandering quilting technique or if I was using straight line quilting I would make the strip on the back much larger so they do not correspond.

I probably made a novice error here but I machine stitched the binding on to the back so that all my hand stitches were then on the front. Anyway I'd do that the other way around next time.

Other than that I'm so happy with it! Love the colours of this collection!


For the cushion I just used any bits of scraps left over from the quilt (feels a bit like I got the cushion for free!). I also used a cream invisible zip and Moda Bella Solid in Natural. For the Egg cushion I just used a unit of Eggs in Fudge.


It has been great using the quilt at night while watching tv but I can't wait until the Summers' evenings when I can sit underneath my quilt on my handmade bench outside!

Actually I've used only a tiny fraction of the complete collection roll. I didn't use any of the pinks and yellows because of other colours in the room I'm going to use the quilt in. Also I'm thinking the pinks and yellows are going to look lovely as a patchwork play mat for a girl.

Speaking of which, I noticed this great free pattern that popped up on Moda recently;

Building Blocks Baby Quilt

By Hyacinth Quilt Designs and it is well worth a look for a quick quilt project.

You can view the It's A Hoot Collection at Seamstar here - dwindling stocks though!

Its A Hoot Bundle Photos

Just finished actual photos of the many Momo Its A Hoot bundles.

We are really liking the Complete Collection in 1/8 strips (12.5cmx110cm) because they look lovely as well as containing a piece of every print from the complete collection.

You can also buy the whole collection in 1/4 meter pieces too at 15% off (thats 1 1/2 meters of fabric for Free!).


Lots of other combinations which you can view on the website but the Egg Bundle is proving a hit!

Season No 1. Free Sewing Pattern - Travel Wallet

Lovely wallet for boarding passes and notes. It has been measured especially to fit a boarding pass but can also be re sized as credit card holder or CD wallet. Easy to make and a great gift for anyone travelling.


Fabric used in this pattern:
We used Momo Freebird for the outside and inside fabric (mid weight cotton).

Free pdf pattern available to download by clicking here or under the Free Travel Wallet link to the right. The pattern pieces are actual size so you need to print them normal size on your printer. They fit on four A4 sheets so you only need to tape them together and cut out.

You will also need:
Sew in interfacing 25cmx40cm
Iron on interfacing 25cmx40cm
Bag clasp clip 14mm

Instructions:
1.Cut pattern pieces making sure you use the right side of the template against the right side of your fabric and interfacing (as shown in photo below).


2.Attach iron on interfacing to fabric you are using on the inside of your wallet.
Tip: Place fabric onto large interfacing piece and iron on before using your template to cut around.

3.Pin sew-in interfacing to outside fabric and attach by sewing as close to the edge as possible.

4.If you want to embellish the front of your wallet do so now.

5.Add bag clasps – you don't need any special tools. Just create two small holes with your seam ripper. Push one part of the clasp through, add the washer and fold the metal bars over. It is important to add the washer as otherwise your fabric will rip over time.

6.With right sides of your two pieces together pin together.

7.If adding a ribbon loop - add the ribbon now.

8.Sew with the sew-in interfacing side up so you can avoid stitches. Sew as close to the side as possible making sure you leave the turning point marked open. Back stitch at the start and end.

9.Turn your wallet the right way out by pushing the fabric through the turning point. Then press flat.

10.Stitch the edge below the female clasp which closes the open turning point.
Tip: Stitch neatly on front patterned side as this is the side you will see.


11.Press the folds (shown as dotted lines on your template).
Tip: Match up your clips and press those folds – it covers up earlier mistakes if your clips are a little bit out.

12.Fold the bottom section up as shown in photo below. Sew around 3 sides of the wallet whilst the top section is open (don't sew along the bottom section).

13.Press again for a crisp finish.

14.Finished – Give as a gift, sell at a craft fair or go travel!

Roman Blind Sewing Notes

As i'm often asked whether the fabrics on the Seamstar website are suitable for blinds and curtains I thought i'd post a few pics of my newly finished window coverings (well, we did only move in last September).....


Here's my guide from my sewing notebook for making the Roman Blind.
DISCLAIMER: I'm not saying this is the correct way to make them but it's the way I make them!

My Roman Blinds were to fit inside the window recess so I just measured from top to the sill and added 1.5cm at the bottom for the seam allowance. At the top I added around 20cm so I had plenty of room for adjustment (see later).

I used lining with interlining already attached. I never use separate interlining any more as I find it too fiddly and you can buy lining with attached interlining for cheaper than buying it separately now.

I cut the interlining to the same size as the fabric, right sides facing and sewed around 3 sides, leaving the top open. After pressing and trimming the seams, turn it the right way around and press again to get a crisp look. Pin all over.

When it comes to the dowel pockets, Ive seen quite a few different ways to do these. I chose to make separate pockets that I sewed on. Also I did not put a dowel inside the blind or sew the ends of the pockets once the dowels were inside the pockets because I wanted to be able to remove the dowels and be able to machine wash the blind when needed.

The dowel pockets were made from the lining (cut on the bias) and tacked to the blind before sewing on. I love this Momo fabric but the butterflies were unforgiving of any errors in sewing across. However it did make sewing in a straight line easier :) Hand sew on the little rings onto each pocket around 5cm from the edge and at even intervals. Attach cords and thread them through the little rings.

I put my lowest pocket at around 10cm from the bottom. Then spaced the rest out at around 30cm (depending on the fabric pattern as I didn't want to sew over a butterfly). After the pockets were on I then remeasured the whole blind and folded the top inwards (both fabric and lining so it creates a neat edge), pressed and sewed it shut. When sewing the pockets on you loose some length and your blind will no longer fit, that's why I leave closing the top until last.

I used half sew and half stick velcro. Stuck one half onto the face of the batten and I sewed the other to the blind. An eyelet is screwed into the batten at the same place as where each of the cords are and an additional one at the end on the side where you are going to tie it off.

Then hang and wait for the dark so you can drop them down!

My Blue Momo blinds are for my living room so I used quite thin interlining as I needed them only for privacy and not to block out light but you can also buy blackout lining if needed.

For a bedroom I used Erin McMorris Wildwood for curtains....


& again Erin McMorris to jazz up an old duvet set. I dyed the duvet grey and made these easy pillowcases.....

.....which when I get tired of them I can cut up and make into something else :)