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New tutorial alert! Join Vanessa for this WIP Wednesday for a demo and tons of tips about her latest tutorial – the Pencil Pod Zip Pouch!

• FULL Pencil Pod video tutorial: https://youtu.be/GhD6Zp51Wng

• Sign up for the Chubby Charmer Tote Bag online course: https://craftygemini.com/shop/chubby-charmer-tote-bag-course/

• Order the pattern by itself here: https://craftygemini.com/shop/chubby-charmer-bag-pattern-only/

• Westchester Dolman Top Sew Along: https://craftygemini.com/op/westchestersewalong/

What we’re covering:

0:25 – Welcome to WIP Wednesday #133

1:26 – Ranunculus update

4:24 – Pencil Pod Zip Pouch demo intro

6:42 – Westchester Dolman Top sew along ...

Vanessa will be going LIVE to show you the two new wallets she made this week as a part of her Essentials Wallet Sew Along! She’ll discuss fabric differences and interfacings used to help you prepare to make yours based on what supplies you plan to use.

She’ll also update you on what products have been restocked on the website and answer some of your questions. Tune in for a fun chat!

Essentials Wallet Course on sale: https://craftygemini.com/shop/essentials-wallet/

SHOP with us anytime right here: https://craftygemini.com/product-category/allproducts/

ASK YOUR QUESTIONS: Submit your ...

Vanessa will be going LIVE to show you tell you all about the Essentials Wallet Sew Along that starts tomorrow, April 4, 2024. She will also be answering questions live about the wallet & course.

She will also share what she’s been making with her new laser cutting & engraving machine. Lots of fun crafts to chat about on today’s show! Join us!

Essentials Wallet Course on sale: https://craftygemini.com/shop/essentials-wallet/

Laser cutting machine I use to make wooden earrings (affiliate link): https://shrsl.com/4grfb

Easter earring cut file I used (affiliate link): https://www.creativefabrica.com ...

Welcome to WIP Wednesday! The weekly LIVE show where Vanessa shares what projects she’s working, and answers your questions!

In this show Vanessa is answering pre-submitted questions on:

• if she finished the table topper she started in last week’s episode
• if her Stand Up Pencil Pouch course would be for sale individually
• what is the difference between a #3 and #5 zipper
• how to get get zipper pulls back on zipper teeth
• is the Cricut Joy big enough to cut out vinyl t-shirt designs
• how to use the HTVront auto heat press to apply heat transfer vinyl on ...

In this episode of WIP Wednesday Vanessa is sharing tons of tips & tricks for making zipper pouches with non-fraying fabrics like faux leather, vinyl, cork, etc.

Learn how to make a zipper pouch with a heart applique in time for Valentine’s Day! This would make a great little gift!

• ASK YOUR QUESTIONS: Submit your own question to be answered on a future WIP Wednesday here: https://forms.gle/D2qMCVJxfAgJHvWb7

What we’re covering:

0:24 – Welcome to WIP Wednesday

1:35 – Faux leather zippered pouch project

2:35 – Faux leather packs

3:07 – Bow zipper pouch + Other faux leather ...

In this episode of WIP Wednesday Vanessa is showing her new Strippy Fabric Basket project and sharing tips on making handles for this type of basket or bag project.

As usual, Vanessa will be sharing some of her tips & tricks so you don’t want to miss it!

Submit your own question to be answered on a future WIP Wednesday here: https://forms.gle/D2qMCVJxfAgJHvWb7

What we’re covering:

0:27 – Welcome to WIP Wednesday

2:26 – Strippy Fabric Basket Tutorial

5:11 – Using the Strippy Fabric Basket for gifting

5:52 – Strippy Fabric Basket Handles Demo

22:08 – SewTites ...

In this episode of WIP Wednesday Vanessa is answering your pre-submitted questions on:

– working with precut fabrics

– interfacings

– and she’ll be doing a demo of how to make easy mitered corners on your fabric projects.

This technique is great for professional looking fabric napkins. Lots of tips & tricks will be shared so don’t miss it!

Submit your own question to be answered on a future WIP Wednesday here: https://forms.gle/D2qMCVJxfAgJHvWb7

What we’re covering:

0:55 – WIP Wednesday #111!

2:21 – Mitered Corner Napkin Tutorial

3:08 – Using a manilla folder as a hem guide

4 ...

• CLUB DETAILS & SIGN UP: https://craftygemini.com/shop/bag-club-9th-edition/

Woohoo!! The 9th Edition Crafty Gemini Bag Club is now OPEN!

This Club is for anyone who wants to learn how to make 5 NEW functional bags/pouches with the help of step-by-step video lessons. We start off with the easiest of the 5 bags and they then they get progressively more complex. It’s a great learning experience for any confident sewing beginners! You can do this and Vanessa is here to help!

Not sure how it works? Tune in today to learn all about this NEW online bag club ...

Last week I showed you the sights of Tekapo.  This week I'll show you what we did at the retreat.  

I taught 14 ladies how to make my Summer in Tekapo tote bag.  We had a great time experimenting with wool felt, Perle 8 threads and ombre fabrics. Everyone's bags are going to look so different because they applied their own artistic flair to the design. 

Tula Pink lining

It was a great weekend with good people and very good food.  And of course the scenery was gorgeous with all the snow on the mountains.  I definitely hope ...

On this episode of WIP Wednesday Vanessa is doing about a tiny bag demo, answering interfacing questions, and teaching how to tell the difference between cotton and polyester thread.

In this WIP Wednesday episode Vanessa will be:

– doing a Teensy Fabric Basket Demo

– explaining the difference between Light Fusible Batting & Cotton Woven Fusible Interfacing

– explaining how to tell if thread is cotton or polyester

Here is a link to the actual video tutorial for the Teensy Fabric Baskets: https://youtu.be/0pb-OQXkE3k

The finished fabric box/basket measures approximately 3.5″ long x 3.5″ wide x 3″ tall.

What ...

In this WIP Wednesday episode Vanessa will be discussing:

– how to make a clear vinyl zip pouch for traveling with liquids

– Tips for sewing with clear vinyl

– What is a Cricut Joy (cutting & drawing machine affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3rw8p4D)

– How to make a vinyl decal with the Cricut Joy for the clear vinyl pouch

Submit your own question to be answered on a future WIP Wednesday here: https://forms.gle/D2qMCVJxfAgJHvWb7

What we’re covering:

0:18 – Welcome to WIP Wednesday #100!

1:59 – New YT Tutorial

4:38 – Chunky Wee Bag Course

7:25 – Crafty Gemini video ...

I loved making the Adeline Crossbody bag by Sew Many Creations. It’s a versatile piece that can work as a crossbody or a handbag thanks to the adjustable handle. With an outer zippered pocket, twist lock flap closure and divided center pocket, I am looking forward to taking it with me all over the place

In this video you can get a preview of our new course on Quilt Addicts Anonymous Academy. You can take the entire course for $15.99 AND get a discount on the pattern at this link: https://academy.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/course/adeline-crossbody/

In it ...

Last night I was the guest speaker at Pinestream Quilters in Upper Hutt, Wellington.  

I've spoken to Pinestream Quilters previously, so I decided to take along some of my bags and tapestry cushions, as well as my most recently finished quilts of course. 

Everyone loved my Giraffe tapestry cushion designed by Kim McLean.  I thought that they were no longer available, but upon checking I see that they are back in stock at the Crewel Gobelin in Sydney here.  You can read more about my cushion and how I attached the tassels here. 

My first finish of 2023.

Months ago I saw a beautiful Liberty train case for sale in a shop.  It was pretty pricey, so I decided to make my own version.  

Now I know why it was pricey - they are very fiddly! 

This one ended up bigger than my original plan, but the smaller you go, the more fiddly it gets.  

I fell in love with fashion backpacks when my family took a week-long trip to Chicago this summer. I knew I needed something to carry everything while having my hands free, so I picked up a small backpack from Target and was so glad I did.

Even though it was a fraction the size of my school backpack, it held my phone, wallet, diapers, wipes, snacks, souvenirs and so much more, all while keeping my hands free to push a stroller around the city or hold my older daughter’s hand.

So I knew I needed to give the Everly ...

By the time you read this I'll be in Taupo at the Taupo Quiltmakers' "Quilting with the Stars" exhibition.  It's been a while since I've been to a quilt show, so I'm really looking forward to this one.  And I have the honour of being the guest exhibitor this time.  If you see me there please do say "hello".  

In the mean time, I've been busy making some new tote bags.  

I saw this amazing Kantha cloth designed by Valori Wells at Stitchbird Fabrics in Wellington.  It's not the type of thing you'd ...

As promised last week, I'm back to explain how I used my second Renaissance Ribbons velvet ribbon. 

I learnt from the bags I made last week, and decided to try a different way to get the most out of my black and red velvet ribbon from Stitch Witches.  

I pulled out my One Hour Basket pattern from many years ago, and made a few changes to it to ensure that I showed off my velvet ribbon to maximum effect.  (The One Hour Basket pattern used to be free, but now it's for sale on Etsy.)

I cut my ...

I tried something new this week and made these cute bags with Renaissance Ribbons velvet ribbons.  The lower part of these bags is covered in velvet ribbons - the big flowers on the blue background.

I had seen photos of the velvet ribbons on social media, but when I saw them in person at Stitch Witches in Dunedin I was quite surprised at how luxurious they were.  They colours are very deep and rich, and of course the velvet feels beautiful to touch.  

I couldn't decide which ribbon to buy, so I bought two.  I decided to work with the ...

We’ve all got that stash of too pretty to cut up fabrics, and the Diva Wallet is the perfect project to use them on. Plus it makes a budget friendly handmade gift!

One of Sew Many Creations best selling patterns, our Diva Frame Wallet tutorial walks you through every step of the construction of the Diva Frame Wallet from preparing your pockets, to installing the zipper and frame, to final assembly.

So if you are a visual learner, you can see the steps on video to help you create a wallet that looks professional. And they just take two ...

Today we’ve got a replay of one of our most popular bag patterns from Sew Many Creations, the Abby Sling Bag.

This bag is seriously awesome. There are SEVEN pockets, a recessed zipper to keep all your goodies inside save and secure, a back zippered pocket perfect for your wallet, easy access and stylish front pockets that are great for your cell phone keys, emergency chocolate bar, basically anything. And it is BIG. You can seriously hold everything in it while being stylish.

We came up with new kits featuring Pollinate by Jessica Swift for Art Gallery Fabrics and ...