Stella Top Hat

I recently designed an oh-so-adorable Stella Top Hat which I had orginially intended to be a sun hat. However, the sun hat didn't work out and as you can see I created an even better crochet hat which little girls can wear at a barbeque or on the beach. It's also appropriate for a little boy in neutral colors minus the ribbon. I LOVE the ribbon on the hot pink hat my daughter is modeling for me. Doesn't the hat look absolutely gorgeous on her? And the white flower she is holding really makes this photo special to me.

I will be offering the pattern for sale in 9, 12, and 24 months sizes as soon as I hear back from my testers.

Sewing a lining to a crochet purse

As promised, I am posting a photo tutorial on sewing a lining inside of a crochet purse. I will make it as easy as possible to accomplish with step by step photos. This tutorial can be used on other projects which may require a lining.

A young child in the house prevents me from sewing during the day when there is better lighting so forgive the bad lighting. I selected a cotton fabric about 1 yard and cut around the purse while leaving about an inch on the sides. Make sure to trim the fabric a little closer on the top where the single crochet stitches begin so that there isn't any extra fabric. OK, for the top, cut the fabric about half an inch shorter than the actual height of the bag so you can easily fold the fabric back later.

When you are finished cutting the fabric, turn it inside out and carefully match the edges. Now, grab several pins and pin the right and left edges of the bag together. Once you are done pinning the edges, you can hand sew or use a machine to sew.

Here is a close up of a pinned side for better viewing.

Turn the piece right side out and this is what your seam should look like. After this it's time to turn your crochet purse inside out and slide the purse inside the fabric like sliding a pillow in a pillow case.

The photos above show the purse inside the lining. I hope this doesn't confuse anyone. :) Now is the time to fold the top of the lining and pin it in place before sewing again. As you can see, I had too much fabric at the top and had to trim it back so that I didn't have too much to fold. Don't worry if you make the same mistake. It's better to have too much than not enough.

I pinned the lining right under the first row of single crochet so that it covers the shell stitch. Making sure to keep the lining as straight as possible without stretching the crochet, pin all the way around the top of the bag

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I sewed the lining very closely and pulled a little on the fabric to keep it as straight as possible. I find it easier to pull pins out before the needle approaches so I don't accidently hit a pin. After you have sewed completely around the bag, the lining should look like the photo below. Turn the crochet purse right side out and your lining should go inside the bag.

Finally, it's done. If anyone is confused or I've done something wrong please let me know. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions you might have. I hope you enjoyed my photo tutorial as much as I do. Take care and have fun making your next project.

Another red purse

Here is another red purse I completed today. I was asked to make the flower and trim pink with a floral lining. I found the perfect cotton rose fabric to use as a lining for the purse.

Now here is the rose pattern lining, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Free Rose Pattern

I designed this very cute rose pattern in under 5 minutes, so I know you can make it up just as quickly. I like patterns without a lot of fuss and this one is certainly fuss-free. Grab a small bit of leftover Loops & Threads Charisma in your stash somewhere or for a smaller rose use Vanna's Choice.

Chain 21

Crochet 3 hdc in first chain, 2 hdc in next 19 chains, 3 hdc in last chain, slip stitch in chain on other side.  Tie leftover yarn and fasten off.

Coil petals so that it resembles a rose, and sew in the center. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Sew the rose on a scarf, hat, or headband and voila! You have a gorgeous embellishment to decorate your accessories.

Photo Tutorial for Thistles Evening Clutch

After much anticipation, here is my newest creation! I love this purse and how easy it is to make. I would say this purse is easy since it's all in single crochet. And now, a photo tutorial:

Using Vanna's Choice and a 5.00 mm hook crochet a chain of 43.
Single crochet in second chain from hook and in each chain across. This will make a total of 41 single crochet stitches on the chain. Turn and chain 2. Now single crochet in each stitch across again. Repeat the last row until piece measures 12 inches.

This is the 12 inch piece with single crochet in every stitch. The rows are very tight, but you can see how neat they look. DO NOT FASTEN OFF
Row 1: ch 2, *sk 1 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * to end, 1 sc in last sc.
Row 2: Ch 2, turn. *2 sc in first sc, sk 1 sc, 2 sc in next st; rep from * to end, 1 sc in last sc.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 4 inches. Fasten off.

This is the flap of the clutch close up so you can see the thistle stitch.

After the last row of the thistle stitch is complete and you have a flap, fold the bottom half of the purse so that purse measures 6 inches and has a 4 inch flap.
Now, to finish make a row of sc along edges of flap and sides of purse. Join with yarn, *ch 1, skip 1 st, sc in next st, ch 1, sc in next st* to end. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Here is a close up of the single crochet edge used to finish purse.

Crochet a rose or sew a button to bottom half of flap to finish.

Thistles Evening Clutch Pattern

THISTLE EVENING CLUTCH

Orignial design by Thistles and Tulips Crochet
Copyright 2011

This pattern must not be reproduced or sold in any way. However, you can sell the finished item as long as you include the link to the free pattern here.

Materials
Vanna's Choice in burgundy
small amount of contrast yarn for rose (see below for link)
I used Red Heart Shimmer in white for rose
18" x 19" square of decorative fabric for lining (see bottom of page for more details)
H/5.00 mm hook for clutch
F/3.75 mm hook for rose
large-eyed blunt needle
scissors
Optional: Magnetic tote bag closure
Optional: Button instead of rose

ch 43
Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 in every st, turn (41)
Row 2: ch 2, 1 sc in every st to end, turn (41)

Repeat Row 2 until piece measures 12 inches

DO NOT FASTEN OFF

Row 1: ch 2, *sk 1 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * to end, 1 sc in last sc.
Row 2: Ch 2, turn. *2 sc in first sc, sk 1 sc, 2 sc in next st; rep from * to end, 1 sc in last sc.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 4 inches.

Finishing

Make a row of sc along edges of flap and sides of purse: Join with yarn, *ch 1, skip 1 st, sc in next st, ch 1, sc in next st* to end. Fasten off and weave in ends.

FOLD EDGES OF FABRIC FOR LINING ABOUT AN 1/8 OF AN INCH AND PIN TO WRONG SIDE OF PURSE.
USING A SEWING MACHINE, SEW ALONG EDGES MAKING SURE LINING IS STRAIGHT ON ALL SIDES.

Sew Laura Eccleston's rose to middle of lower flap. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/note.php?note_id=192028210829228

Sweet Blossoms Pom

I made this absolutely adorable double pom pom hat in a day, and I'm amazed with how gorgeous it is! I had no idea what I was going to do with it until I asked my great friend, Laura, to help me decide between one pom on top of hat or a pom on the end of earflaps, and obviously she wanted to see it with the double poms. I used her gorgeous and easy to follow drop blossoms pattern for the sweet flowers on the side of hat. Now, all I need to do is find a newborn little girl and a photographer, and I'm set. Here is Laura's blossom pattern: http://www.facebook.com/twinbird68#!/notes/the-mad-hatter/free-pattern-blossom-drop/190282271003822