New! Fresh in from Scotland...Ysolda Teague's Whimsical Little Knits

Our favorite Scottish knitting designer, Ysolda Teague, just published her first book! It is filled with super cute patterns for everything from lovely lace projects like the Ishbel Scarf (see Molly's version on our recent Better Know A Crafter post) to super cute toys, adorable knit slippers and Ysolda's signature berets.

We special ordered these hard to find books from Ysolda herself and the lovely lady signed every one of them, making them even more extra special.

Omg, can you believe how cute Mousie is? Cute!

Craftastic Weekend Project: Oilcloth Pouch

Here is an idea for a quick and cute project--a simple oilcloth pouch to hold all your goodies. Oilcloth is pretty awesome. It's waterproof, dirt proof, and easy to sew. This little zippered bag is perfect for craft supplies, art supplies or a re-usable snack pouch.

Materials:
12" zipper and a 3/8 yard of oilcloth

Here's how we made it:

• Cut the oilcloth into two 13" x 10" rectangles.
• Centering the zipper along 13" edge of one piece of oilcoth, sew zipper in place. Your oilcloth should extend past the zipper stops (little metal thingies) about 1/2" on either side.
  
• Repeat with second piece of oilcoth for other side of your zipper.
• Folding at zipper, put right sides together.
• Using 1/2" seam allowance, stitch around sides and bottom of bag. Be careful not to hit any of your zipper with your sewing machine needle.

(Optional) Square bottom of bag:

This is super easy, but hard to describe, so how about some diagrams? Click on the diagram to enlarge it.

• Right sides together. Pinch together side seam and bottom seam, lining them up and flattening the bottom corner.
• Mark a line perpendicular to the seam 1-1/2" from point of corner.

• Stitch corner flat along line. Trim to 1/2 from seam.
• Repeat for other corner.

• Now unzip your zipper and turn the bag right side out.
  

Nice work! What a perfect little easy gift. Come by Fancy Tiger Crafts and check out all the cute summery oilcloth we have in right now!

Better Know A Crafter: Zer

Zer is one of our lovely craft night regulars. She knits, crochets, cross-stitches and sews, and has been stitching up some pretty cute aprons lately.

Zer

1) Tell us about the project you've made. What pattern and materials did you use?
Sew Liberated Emmeline Apron. I used all fabrics from Fancy Tiger--Prairie Gothic, Japanese and Jay McCarroll prints.

2) Tell us something about the person who taught you to do what you do.
My mom sewed a lot when I was young. She used to make Barbie clothes & matching dresses for me.

3) What is your favorite animal?
Kangaroo

Thanks Zer!

New! Arcadia Fabrics by Sanae

Just in--a new line of sophisticated botanical inspired prints in a lovely muted palette by Sanea. So soft and pretty!

Craftastic Weekend Project: Yo-Yo Mason Jar Cozy

This fun weekend handsewing project will use up some of your fabric scraps and turn a simple mason jar into a cute and craftastic travel beverage carrier. If you don't have a lot of fabric scraps you can also use a couple of fat quarter bundles.

Materials:
cute fabric scraps
fabric scissors
thread
handsewing needle
mason jar
1/4 yard elastic

1) Make your yo-yos. The number will depend on how big your yo-yos and your jar are. Mine took about 25 yo-yos.

• Cut circles out of your scraps about twice as wide as you want your finished yo-yo. You can trace around a small dish or a cup to mark your fabric. I like to make mine all different sizes.
• Fold in the edge of your fabric about 1/4" as you run a basting stitch around the edge of your circle, about 1/8" from the edge.
  
• When you have gone all the way around, pull the thread to gather your yo-yo together.
• Stitch to secure.

2) Assemble your cozy.

• Measure around your mason jar.
  
• Begin sewing your yo-yos together in a strip that is as long as your jar measures around. Sew this strip into a ring.
• Now pick some yo-yos for the bottom of your cozy and sew those together and attach them to the bottom. Add more yo-yos for the sides of the cozy until they reach the neck of your jar.
• Cut a length of elastic that fits around the neck of the jar and overlaps 1/2". Stitch the overlapped ends together to make an elastic band.
• Stitch the yo-yos at the neck of your jar to your elastic band.

Now you can drink on the go with super-crafty style!

*note: You can also use a yo-yo maker
to make your yo-yos. They are super
simple and speed up yo-yo making!
We have lots of them in different sizes
at Fancy Tiger Crafts!

Better Know A Crafter: Molly Christopher

Molly Christopher

1) Tell us about the project you've made. What pattern and materials did you use?
Ishbel by Ysolda, large shawl size. I used one skein of Malabrigo Lace, colorway Emerald Blue.

2) Tell us something about the person who taught you to do what you do.
I learned a lot of lace techniques form Cindy Fite, a wonderfully patient teacher with a wealth of knitting knowledge!

3) What is your favorite animal?
Magpie.

Thanks Molly!

New! Anna Maria Horner Sewing Patterns

We've been holding our breath for the arrival of the new Anna Maria Horner sewing patterns. We've just unpacked them and the projects are as cute as can be. We can't wait to get started on some springtime sewing!