It has occurred to me that I often prattle on about how much I love working with fabrics but haven’t really shown much of it on this blog.
To rectify this I will be setting down soon and putting together a series of blog posts that will come out every Friday (assuming that I have the time of course).
They will aptly be named – Fabric Friday :)
This one is a little teaser to show you just a few of the things that I have done in the past and what I will be showing you how to do in these posts (oh, and a little update on the upcycled shirt quilt that I have been working on for what seems like forever!).
I have been sewing for more than 20 years now and still enjoy it every time. I don’t do it as often as I would like as I have so many creative pasttimes, not to mention all of the work that I do in other areas of the creative industry.
It was only recently though that I began doing it in public (so to speak) and this in itself was a big ole leap of faith as I went on air on Create and Craft TV as a demonstrator of sewing machines.
Here was me back in 2009 – allo cheeky face.
Patchwork
I also wrote on a post last year that I was going to be working on a quilt made from blocks cut from a bunch of my old shirts, well I am happy to say that there has been progress!
I have finally managed to set aside some time to cut the squares! Ok, so not a huge amount of progress, but it’s a step in the right direction.
I suspect that the finished piece is going to be smaller than expected as I didn’t get as many squares as I had hoped for from the shirts – but at least it’s started! Not bad for a winter project, now that we are entering spring, Lol!
Here is a gallery of some of the designs that I have shared with you in the past.
If you would like to read more about these particular pieces, please feel free to delve into the archives to read about my passion for patchwork.
Fabric Bowls
Probably one of the easiest things that I have ever made but never ceases to fascinate me and put a smile on my face.
These little beauties take very little time to put together but are very functional whilst at the same time being very pretty.
Here are a few that I made for work last year but that never really got to see the light of day.
Bags
Probably what I am best known for by those that have known me for some time – I even developed my own pattern book at one time which I never really took any further.
Here are a few of the ones that I have made.
In the near future I will be doing a written tutorial on a basic tote and also try and show you a way to do the cutting out with the Brother Scan N Cut.
More To Come
Over the coming months I am hoping to share downloadable patterns and projects with you featuring simple to make bags, bowls and more. I’ll also be looking at doing ideas for fabric that you can work in with the Brother Scan N Cut.
If there is anything that you would like to see, or that you have seen me do that you would like to know more about then please feel free to pop a comment in the box below, it might actually help me work out what to do first.
Anyway, here endeth this quick udpate. I hope that you will visit and read about more of my sewing exploits in the future, but for now I shall bid you a dieu my lovelies.
Many thanks,
J :)
GENTLEMAN CRAFTER 
great idea, thank you. Can you write in more simple language for those of us who are not up to speed in the computer world please?
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Have found you so inspirational and helpful. This is my first email ever to another crafter. Really thrilled about fabric Fridays, please please can you do the fabric fruit bowls first.
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Hello John
What beautiful bags and bowls. Looking forward to Fabric Fridays.
Kindest regards
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I bought myself a sewing machine last year from C&C but so far I have never used it as I am a card maker first and foremost but have been collecting bits of fabric with the intention of doing something someday! Now however since buying a SNC I have new hope and after seeing your fabric bowls and bags John you are my inspiration can’t wait for your instructions to follow! Thanks for all your efforts x
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Fabric Friday is a great idea. Love your bags, and look forward to seeing your projects and more Fabric Fridays. Thanks again John.
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Thanks John, your makes are lovely. Look forward to more, and more:) In time,how about some patchwork soft toys. Love and Light, Joan.
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John I love bags in all shapes. oh what a lovely array, thank you for showing them especially with the puss posing. Look forward to seeing the bowl making. Morag
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These all look brilliant, would love to get going again with my machine! The fabric bowls are brilliant, I’m thinking that one if those with either homemade sweet treats or toiletries etc with some cellophane would make lovely gifts. Thanks for sharing John.
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Oh John, what a fab idea. I am sure you will get a lot of followers, including myself.
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Nice! Looking forward to more
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Very interested in tote bags as have a head start got some cheap and plain from Amazon, but can’t decide how to decorate and whether to line, make washable etc. My daughter is a teacher and head of IT at her school, I’d like to make her a related bag.
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Oh am soooo looking forward to this John. I am new to fabric cutting especially with the SNC . So any tips will be very useful. Especially thing of doing aplique quilt with the SNC so any tips would be great
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Love the bags! Have just purchased the fabulous Tim Holtz fabric and would love to make a bag!!!
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Hi john could you tell me what babywipes to get to klean my mat on the scanNcut. Thank you for your help.from john.
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I’m waiting on my SNC and would love to know how to use it for making a lap quilt (for beginners). Thanks :)
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Thank u John look forward to your tuts. Have never thought of old shirts, my husband will be pleased when he finds his shirts missing.
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I am sooo excited to hear this news. I am getting back into sewing after many years and was really fancying a go at making bags. Looking forward to your instructions and tuts very much.
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Hi John
I am very impressed with the amount of sewing you have accomplished. Did I notice a hobo bag amongst your collection. I have always wanted to make one but did not have a pattern for one. Could you please show how these are made?
Many thanks
Maureen F
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Love the bags, John. Congratulations on a superb blog. I’m really enjoying reading.
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Looking forward to some patterns for the cns
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Cant wait to see what your going to do ?loving every thing , I bought the scan n cut for fabric I`m so grateful for your fabric Friday I am very new to sewing so I appreciate your showing us,from me a very big thank you John,
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Like to see the bowls/baskets first please John. Am a newbie sewer so sill on simple makes, trying to learn about needles and fabric too :-)
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I was lucky enough to win a copy of your super bag book when it first launched and have made several of the totes, each of which was snaffled by a “friend”!
Looking forward very much to Fabric Friday, especially the prospect of cutting the fabric for a bag on the BSnC. Mine arrived yesterday but has to sit in its box until after the weekend when our guests leave and there is time to play.
Thank you for some really jam-packed-with-hints-and-tips SnC shows this week, and for your kindness in sharing the lattice patterns.
Keep up the great work John!
Marion
North Somerset
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Celia, Looking forward to making bags using my Brother Scan & Cut.
Re advert On Scottish Tapestry. If you see no other you must take the chance to see this.
It is in Aberdeen at moment attracting thousands but will soon be on the move.
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Hi John. I do look forward to your posts and thanks for giving us an insight on what to expect. SnC and sewing machine at the ready. Thanks for doing this for us. SueL
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