Scrap fabrics, sewing FAILS, new patterns and an exciting sewing project!

[@sew_So_beautiful]

If you haven't let your daughter know you don't like the little pouch, ask your daughter if she would like it. It's surprising what our children think looks lovely as opposed to what we think looks lovely.

[@sewamelia]

I totally agree! I think she will probably love it and will find a great use for it.

[@india1422]

I really like the pouch. I didn't expect to!

[@louisethompson2861]

Well done for redoing your quilting! Such determination. Can’t wait to see the Nell dress. Would be great to see highlights of the sew!

[@sewamelia]

Thank you Louise. I just knew it would annoy me too much if I had left the quilting the way it was!

[@nanrussell6423]

I agree with @sew_So_beautiful that you should ask your daughter if she would like the pouch. She could use it as a dolly suitcase or to put other treasures in it. The fabric with oranges on it will look so cute in the Nell dress. I hope you have enough. Thanks, Amelia.

[@sewamelia]

I will definitely be offering it to her - I think she will love it! I am really hoping I have enough of the orange fabric to sew up the Nell dress as I think it would really suit the style of the dress.

[@LostMyThread]

Thanks for the shout-out, Amelia! I was definitely watching that episode thinking, "been there, done that". 😂 I think the pouch is super cute. It may lol different in person, but it looks wonderful on the video. I'd been curious about the confetti quilt idea, too. I like the structure of the pouch. I'll definitely be trying it out, myself (without the confetti).

[@sewamelia]

Yes! I thought of your amazing Anna dress when I was watching the Bee! The pouch looks so much better in the video. I have left it on my sewing desk this week, in case I change my mind, but I really haven't yet! 🤣 I will definitely make the bag again in a different fabric though, as it was a great pattern!

[@KnittingDakini]

Silk organza is matte and a joy to work with. Yes, an organza that is a joy. Very opposite of the regular synthetic organza experience!

[@sewamelia]

Thanks so much for the tip - I will have a look into silk organza!

[@susanakfogel8217]

I just found you! I adore your gingham dress, I am going to copy it. It is perfect for summer

[@sewamelia]

Thanks! It really is a great summer dress.

[@yvonneimms9762]

Thanks for giving the confetti bag a go, it’s not my bag, too much effort and then not sure I would use it but would make a great gift for someone. Of course I would love a review of the Nell dress and that fabric will look great ❤

[@sewamelia]

Thank you Yvonne! I think it was less work than I thought it would be - but not sure I would do it again! I am really looking forward to sewing up the Nell dress and will share it once I do!

[@katrinanaylor1135]

These "bee" videos have been such fun! Your bag looks perfectly fine. I would say it's a win....just not in keeping with your taste. I agree that the shine takes away from the beautiful fabrics. Now you know and have still discovered a bag pattern you like.😁

[@sewamelia]

Thank you so much Katrina, that is a lovely way to think about it. I am so glad to have discovered such a beautiful pattern!

[@mnoeliarc]

I think it looks cute but maybe you can gift it if you don't like it. Thanks for the tip about the pouch. I'm making an English Paper Piecing fabric to make a pouch and I might use this pattern 😊

[@sewamelia]

I think I might gift it - perhaps even to my daughter. 😊 It is such a great pouch pattern, I would definitely recommend it.

[@blossomsandwich4232]

Aw I think you're too harsh on your pouch, it's cute and you put such a lot of work into it! I know the feeling though, it's frustrating when things don't turn out like you'd hoped. Maybe you should gift it as it will just annoy you every time you see it 😂 looking forward to your fruity Nell dress 🍊

[@sewamelia]

Thank you Yvette, it is frustrating when projects don't turn out, but I am sure I will find a use for the pouch! I am so looking forward to getting involved with Sew Fruity again, thanks for running such a great challenge!

[@libbykilpatrick1578]

I'm with you Amelia. I think it's probably because the organza is synthetic and you obviously prefer natural fibres it just jars. (ok to use in a sleeve head but not to look at). I love that you tried it and shared with us. Fantastic pattern though. Thank you.

[@sewamelia]

I think you are so right - I am sure it would have looked better with a silk organza. So glad I tried a new technique though!

[@jennetthamilton971]

I actually like the look of the bag. I was thinking of using that idea and making my great nieces little vests. I bought a silk wedding dress and so far have only taken it apart. My plan is to dye the fabric and make a blouse and possibly use the rest of the fabric to piece together for a jacket lining. I've also sewn a beautiful christening gown from a grandmother's very tiny wedding gown. I cringed cutting up a beautiful gown but the christening gown ended up looking like a family heirloom. Currently I have another very tiny antique wedding gown that is going to be made into cushion covers for the original owner's children who are all senior citizens. This kind of tells you how old the gown is. There is a small amount of lace on it that I plan on using to make small quilted hearts for the great granddaughters to tuck into their future wedding gowns.

[@sewamelia]

Thank you so much, I am so glad you liked the bag! I can iagine the Christening gown must have looked beautiful. What an incredible heirloom to pass down through the family! I really love the idea of making tiny hearts from the lace for the great grandaughters, that will be such a lovely project to sew up!

[@renh9717]

The pouch looks really nice, I did think of trying it myself as I also hiard scraps lol. I think your came out well, good present for someone if you don't fancy it yourself! I think the Nelle dress sew along would be good, it looks like a great pattern and your fabric is very cute. Been loving these sewing bee sew along videos.

[@sewamelia]

Thanks so much! It was a fun technique to try, even if I didn't love the end result. SO glad you are enjoying the vlog series.

[@SeamStressedRuth]

What a great challenge! Such a shame you didn’t like the outcome, we do get those makes from time to time don’t we. I am so looking forward to seeing your Nell dress, I think it will look beautiful in the fruity fabric 🥰

[@sewamelia]

Thank you so much Ruth. It was a lot of fun to try something new, even if the project didn't turn out how I hoped! I cannot wait to sew up the Nell - yours was such an inspiration!

[@m.a.p.g.]

I tried to be environmentally conscious and sewed together fabric scraps from a years worth of sewing. I made a fabric basket that turned out really cute, a Monet inspired wall hanging of a landscape, and a backpack that my young friend loves. It was a relief to finally get rid of the boxes full of fabric scraps that were cluttering my sewing room.

[@sewamelia]

Those sound like such great projects! I definitely want to find some other, creative ways to use my scraps.

[@kayemcmullen]

Hi Amelia, It is a fantastic shape and size. Maybe your daughter would like to have it. Happy sewing.🦘🇦🇺

[@sewamelia]

Thank you Kaye. I am sure she would love the pouch - it might be a great size to store all her hair ties and bows!

[@lisajones4683]

I’m not a fan of the look of the confetti fabric either. I would put it in my bag for the charity shop in the hope someone loved it more than me and the charity benefitted. I was wondering which challenge you’d choose this week. Very interested to see your Nell dress in that lovely fabric. Thanks for your weekly bee videos I’m really enjoying them.

[@lisajones4683]

Just to add, I made the skirt of my wedding dress into a baptism gown for both of my daughters to wear.

[@sewamelia]

Thank you, I am so glad you are enjoying the videos!

[@leahholland6272]

I love your project! Great job trying out the confetti quilting. Great size bag for a small project or gift it....

[@sewamelia]

Thanks! I am glad I tried something new. It will make a great gift I think!

[@ChristineSewsALot]

I’ve made the boxy pouch several times, it is a great pattern and tutorial.

[@sewamelia]

It was such a great pattern and tutorial, I will definitely use it again!

[@janeybeasley9525]

Thank you so much for doing this cos you have confirmed that I dont want to! I was very intrigued when I saw the idea on the bee but underwhelmed by the bags. I’m very conscious to use up as much as I can of my fabric and thought (like you) it would be great for scrap busting and I get my yarn delivered in organza bags so I thought I could reuse one of them, but I don’t like the slightly shiny yet dull effect the organza has on the fabric. I do however, think this is a great pattern so I will definitely look for that, thank you. I was astounded that you could do all the unpicking of that quilting, I’m so not a perfectionist although I do like my sewing and construction to be neat. So all credit to you for that extra effort on something you don’t even like 😢! I would put it in my present drawer and gift it to a teacher -maybe with something inside it, any teacher would be glad to receive a hand made gift that isn’t yet another box of chocolates or pack of smellies, they won’t use! Loving this series you are doing ❤

[@sewamelia]

Thank you so much! I am so glad I tried the technique on a small project as I really thought I would love it. It was fun to try though, so I am glad I did! It was a bit crazy unpicking everything, but I just knew I needed to do it to have any chance of enjoying the finished make. I think I will probably gift the bag to my daughter - she will love popping some treasures in it!

[@janeybeasley9525]

@@sewamelia thank you so much for telling us about the box pouch pattern, I have just made all 3 sizes for my sister for her birthday, they fit inside each other and I’m sure she will like them. All thanks to you doing the research! I used pretty fabric in one piece! ❤️

[@kathysmigen3927]

You should look up “Stitches by Julia”. She has great videos about making fabric using scraps.She also incorporates thread, yarn pieces and different types of fabric to add texture. The resulting fabric is beautiful. She has so many ideas on upcycling and embellishing fabric and apparel.

[@sewamelia]

Thank you so much, I will look her up!

[@leepayk-bann3489]

What amazing textile creation. That is very creative. I used to be a part of a quilt group some members were block printing or colour dying their own fabric for their individual quilt ideas. I think your pouch was a success.

[@sewamelia]

Thank you so much, that is very kind of you to say! It was a lovely, creative process - I just don't love the end result - but I am so glad I tried it!

[@Brenda_O]

Awesome series Amelia. So enjoying watching your makes and hearing about the current series of The Sewing Bee. We have series 9 screening in NZ at the moment.

[@sewamelia]

Thanks Brenda, I am so glad you are enjoying the vlog series!

[@sewmytroublesaway]

I really like this and want to give it a go myself!! I would try silk organza and see if it's less shiny. Do you recommend any particular tutorial on the confetti quilting? Thank you loving the series.

[@sewamelia]

I am so glad you like it - it was a fun technique to try! I didn't use a tutorial, just leapt in and gave it a go.

[@lovesredsews]

Oh your pouch looks lovely 🥰 Maybe a clear Matt organza would have worked better for you? Looking forward to seeing your Nell dress. x

[@sewamelia]

Thanks so much. I think a matt organza would have worked much better! So looking forward to sewing up the Nell dress soon.

[@paulinedavey6540]

It’s a nice pouch but I know exactly what you mean, it’s not my cup of tea either. I think it’s the organza, it seems to take away the colour and vibrancy of the fabric and makes it look dull. I have a similar pouch which I use for my rotary cutters and blades and find it very helpful keeping them all together. I’m enjoying these type of videos and look forward to next week’s x

[@sewamelia]

Thank you Pauline. I think you are right, I wonder if a different sheer fabric with a more matt finish would be better over the top? A pouch for my rotary blades is a great idea - thanks!

[@SusanHunt-n4z]

It looks really nice I would use it for storage. But I would like to ask you a question you bought a cover stitch machine and I was wondering how you are getting along with it and which one did you buy?

[@sewamelia]

Yes, I did get a Babylock coverstitch. I feel like I need to use it more as I am still a bit scared of it - it's a lovely machine though!!

[@marywallace5248]

Well done, Amelia, someone will love the pouch and you can gift it! I’m about to make my Nell dress in a pink gingham ( kit from Jenny Stitches). Are you going to do a sewalong, I wish you would! Aren’t the pouffy sleeves amazing?

[@sewamelia]

Thank you Mary. I think the pouch will make a lovely gift! I looked at the kits from Jenny Stitches, but they sold out so quickly! I hope you really enjoy making your Nell Dress - It will look gorgeous in the pink gingham.

[@lindarose9083]

I am really enjoying this series of videos. It is such a shame that you don't like your boxy pouch - it is difficult to see the sheen of the organza in the video, so it looks great. I appreciate that you don't care for the technique and would probably not try it again, but could you substitute tulle for the organza would not have such a shiny appearance?

[@sewamelia]

Thank you Linda. I think it looks much better in the video - it is so shiny in real life! I think some tulle might work much better.

[@lesleybaker29]

Well done! The bag looks great. I however, think I will just stick to ordinary patchwork!

[@sewamelia]

I agree! Patchwork would be beautiful.

[@EileenR11]

I think it's a lovely pouch. Sorry you don't like it - it will make a great gift as others will really like it.

[@sewamelia]

Thank you Eileen - I think you are right - the pouch itself is lovely and I am sure someone else will like it!

[@elizabethlaban1621]

Loved your boxy pouch. Can I ask you a question - what model is your Pfaff and does it do good buttonholes. I have a janome 230DC and I can not get on with buttonholes. Did ten practice ones one after another absolutely fine - on my shirt first one was fine, second one was rubbish!!

[@sewamelia]

Thanks! I use a Pfaff Quilt Ambition 630 which has been a very good, reliable machine. I have had no problem doing buttonholes unless the material is very very thick.

[@elizabethlaban1621]

Thank you for the info. Love watching your videos btw!

[@marynettleton8216]

No don't fall into the trap of the quilting police. Don't unpick it. Seasoned quilters say, " If you can't see it from 100 yards while on a galloping horse, it's fine." Remember quilting has different rules than dress making.

[@juliadroy1179]

The pouch looked a fun project but like you its too scrappy for my taste xx