Call for Pattern Testers: Vintage Pyrex Cozy

March 3, 2015March 3, 20154 Comments

Hello, friends! I’m so excited to finally have some time to get a few sewing patterns finalized and ready for release, which means I then get to work on more new patterns 🙂

I’m just wrapping up my Take Wing paper piecing pattern and next up is the first in my series of insulated carries specifically designed for vintage Pyrex dishes. This first pattern will come with two sizes designed for the 475 (2.5 qt) and 474 (1.5 qt) casserole dishes.

There will be two variations included in the pattern design, one for a charm square friendly patchwork design and the other with solid panels. The optional handles will also include two variations which you can see in the photo at the end of this post.

I’m looking for three to five people who are interested in testing this pattern!

Overall it is a fairly simple project and I would rate it is advanced or adventurous beginner. It requires quilting, the use of bias binding sewn onto curves, and the installation of snaps. You will also need insul-brite insulated lining.

Only requirements are you must own a 475 or 474 dish with a lid and be able to complete the project within 3 weeks of receiving the pattern (which I expect to have ready by mid March).

If you are interested in testing this pattern, send me a message here!

Please include your sewing experience level, as well as which size and version (patchwork or solid) you would be interested in making. I will be in touch within a couple weeks.

And if you don’t have either of these sizes, don’t fret, I have more to come! I’ll be working on patterns for the 043 & 045 oval casseroles, 963 oval divided dish, 023 & 024 covered bowls, 503 fridge dish and the 575 space saver.

Thanks so much!
~ nicole

Sturdy Fabric Basket Tutorial

December 5, 2014November 29, 201629 Comments

Goodness, I am just so excited to share this little project! I’m a storage and organization junkie, and of course I love fabric, so combining the two just puts me in a happy place. Making sure my surroundings are pretty and make me feel happy and inspired is on the top on my list (what list, no idea, but it’s important).

When I got my hands on this bundle of the new line Westwood by Monaluna, I knew I needed all these little critters hanging out with me everyday so I decided to make some storage baskets.

These baskets are really quick and easy to make and are fat quarter friendly (the largest piece you need is 17×15 so pull out those big scraps)! They are made sturdy with a layer of Peltex, but can also be made soft using fusible fleece or batting. You could even very easily sew this entire project by hand with no problem.

The handles shown here are made from a thrift shop leather belt I bought for 50¢ but you can also use scraps of leather (or pleather!). I love to deconstruct old bags, pouches, wallets and other various things I find for cheap to use on other projects. The handles can also be left off if you prefer.

I already have one hundred and one uses for these baskets in every room of my house, but right now I plan to make a bunch to fill with goodies and give as gifts! Aside from the holidays, you can fill one with food items and take to the host of a dinner party, baby items for a shower, fabric for ME… errr… I mean a friend. Shall I go on?

The pattern has been updated to include this super fun patchwork variation, too, AND instructions on how to make ANY SIZE basket you wish, from one inch to 1000 inches!

You can download a PDF of the pattern by clicking HERE or the image below >

I hope you enjoy this pattern! If you have any questions, feel free to comment below or email me anytime. I’m on instagram as lillyellasworld – please tag me if you make one, I’d love to see it! You can also use the hashtag #sturdyfabricbasket.

And because I’m just curious I have to know, which do you like the better, the owls or the deer?!

Happy sewing, friends! ~nicole

EPP Table Topper Pattern

December 2, 2014November 29, 20157 Comments

Free EPP Table Topper Template | lillyella stitchery

This pattern, or something like it, may very well exist somewhere in the world. But with my 25th & Pine charm pack in hand, I went searching for a small EPP pattern that would be relatively quick and had no luck, so I just drew one up.

I am by no means an english paper piecing expert and everyone has their favorite methods, so I’m just sharing my pattern templates here rather than a full tutorial. I will, however, provide some links to other tutorials for anyone who is new to EPP and explain how I finished my piece. The great thing about it is that all you need is fabric, a needle and thread – no sewing machine or experience is necessary.

This pattern creates a piece that is 9.5″ wide and is designed to be charm square friendly (5″ fabric squares). You can get two center kite pieces from one charm square and more of the smaller pieces, but I used 5 white, 5 red and 5 green charms to create my piece. This pattern is also great for scraps, the biggest piece you need is about 2.5 x 5, but the templates can also be printed larger or smaller to create a different sized finished piece.

I made mine into a little table topper (isn’t it the perfect little mini tree skirt?!), but it would also be nice used on a pillow, as a trivet or on a bag. You can download a PDF of the templates by clicking the image below. You will need to print two sheets so you have ten of each shape.

I thread basted my pieces because I just haven’t gotten the swing of the whole glue basting thing yet, but that would certainly work, too. When sewing my pieces together, I followed the order shown below.

To finish my piece I removed the papers and cut a piece of batting to the exact size of my piece (you could also use insulbrite if you wanted to make a hot pad). I then unfolded the outer edges of the green pieces and pressed it well. I layered the piece and the batting and did some machine quilting on the center, but you could also do hand quilting or spray baste the batting in place and quilt after attaching the backing. I only wanted my quilting to show from the top.

I cut a piece of backing fabric slightly larger than my piece and placed the quilted top and back right sides together. I sewed around the outer edge, using the pieced top as a guide, with a 1/4 seam and left a couple inches open for turning. I trimmed the seam, turned the piece right side out and pressed. You could machine or hand quilt at this point if you wanted to see it from both sides.

I decided to finish my piece with a blanket stitch around the edge using a DMC pearl cotton and I love the way it came out. This also closed up the area I left open for turning. And voila! All done.

Here are some tutorials on english paper piecing:

Craftsy – English Paper Piecing from Beginning to End

All People Quilt – English Paper Piecing

Flossie Tea Cakes – EPP, where to begin

YouTube video – How to Finish an EPP Project

And you can find a good tutorial on how to do a blanket stitch here.

I hope you enjoy the template! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email anytime.

Pattern Review: The Senna Tote

November 18, 2014February 17, 20151 Comment

Im so very excited that my Senna Tote was chosen as a finalist in the amazing Purse Palooza event that Sara Lawson of Sew Sweetness hosts each year! There were 22 bags chosen for voting from nearly 250 entries and I’m extremely honored mine is included! (Especially since I nearly lost my mind fussy cutting that star print for the handles 🙂

(Voting is closed but thanks to all who voted for me!)

http://sewsweetness.com/2014/11/purse-palooza-voting.html

This is a fabulous bag pattern and it was overall pretty quick and easy to sew up. The pattern is the Senna Tote by lbg studio for Willow & Co. You can purchase a PDF download here.

The size is perfect for an airplane carry on, a weekend getaway or for hauling around goodies at quilt market – which is how I christened mine! It’s not too large to carry around on your shoulder for a day, and while I know some people love large purses, I think it’s too big for that.

As you can see, the top folds over if it not fully stuffed, but opens up for plenty of stuffing space! There is a small pocket on the front (which you can easily add a snap to if desired) and a large pocket on the back that runs the full width of the bag. The bag is fully lined and the pattern includes a large dividable slip pocket, but you could easily customize this or add a zipper pocket, too.

I often find I need to change the layering or interfacing used on a bag to make it as sturdy as I want it, but I did not need to do that with this bag. I did, however, lengthen the handles which is something I always end up doing with bags. I wanted it to fit comfortably on my shoulder without digging up into my armpit.

If you plan to carry this bag by the handles at your side and are not very tall, you will definitely want to take that into account if considering changing the strap length. You’ll have to find the right balance between fitting it over your shoulder and carrying it in your hand without it dragging on the ground. I also found myself carrying it hung over my forearm, which worked out well.

Im considering trying something different on my next one, making shorter carrying handles and adding an adjustable, removable single shoulder strap. My mom suggested that if you are using it as a carry on, the shorter handles would make it easier to hook over the handle of your rolling suitcase when wheeling through the airport or to hang from a stroller if using as a diaper bag. I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes!

Cutting and interfacing all the pieces of this bag took me much longer than sewing, but I was also cutting all directional prints or prints that required fussy cutting. I was deliberate in my placement of the arrows and where the full horse images would fall. Plus, I’m totally OCD, so there’s that.

Sewing was quick and the only part I fussed with was the areas at the end of the zippers when sewing the bag together at the last step. Topstitching around the zipper wasn’t too bad, I just didn’t get all the way to edges, but I have seen a couple leave this step out with no problem.

You will need a machine that can handle thickness for the bottom portion of the bag, but there arent any tricky or tight places to get into.

Im planning to make another one with a leather bottom and straps and will share pics when it’s done!

If you’re making this bag and have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below or email me anytime! (nicole@lillyella.com)

Thanks for visiting!

~nicole

In the Kitchen: Ham and Broccoli Shells with Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce

May 22, 2013February 17, 2015Leave a comment

I’ve been hoarding recipes. I know, it’s so selfish of me. My husband teases that I never learned to share because I was an only child, but what does he know. He is a boy, after all.

In all honestly, I’ve been trying to wait (impatiently) until I was out of my dark, poorly lit apartment kitchen and into my new, bright airy naturally lit kitchen so the photos could actually look appetizing, but it’s just taking too long!

Since we’re stuck here, packed and ready to go, with nothing else to do for the next three weeks, I thought I would put the time to good use and do a little much-overdo blogging! So, allow me to apologize for the ugly photos you are about to see, but I promise the deliciousness of the recipe will make up for it all.

This is one of those you-can-use-cauliflower-for-anything kinda recipes. Are you into those? You know, cauliflower rice, cauliflower tortillas. It seems to be the new world’s most versatile food, but I might just be behind on the times as I usually am!

The sauce for this easy, oven-baked casserole is made rich and creamy without having to use tons of cream, sticks of butter or tubs of cheese, but by using pureed cauliflower. I personally guarantee (should I create my own seal of approval?!) that no one (especially your kids!) would ever guess what it is made out of.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 head cauliflower, chopped

6 garlic cloves, roughly chopped

1/2 large white onion, chopped

1 teaspoon each salt and pepper

4 teaspoons flour

4 cups milk

1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

8 ounces pecorino or romano cheese, grated

1/2 lb pasta shells

1/2 – 1lb ham, chopped

1 – 2 bunches broccoli, cut into florets

Preheat oven to 400°. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add cauliflower, garlic, onion, salt and pepper and cook until slightly softened, about 10 minutes.

Sprinkle with flour, stirring to coat, then add milk and slowly bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer gently until cauliflower is very soft, about 15 minutes. Be sure to heat slowly and stir often to avoid burning the milk on the bottom of the pan.

Remove from heat and stir in the nutmeg (don’t leave this out!) and half the cheese. Puree until smooth in the pot with an immersion blender, or carefully transfer to a blender or food processor.

In the meantime while preparing the cauliflower sauce, cook the pasta until slightly tender but not fully cooked, about 5 minutes. Mix the pasta, ham and broccoli in a large deep casserole dish. I use about one full pound of ham cut into bite sized cubes and two good sized bunches of broccoli.

Pour the sauce over top and stir gently to mix evenly. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and bake until bubbly, 20 – 30 min. Broil for 2 -3 minutes to brown top and let stand for 5 – 10 minutes before serving.

As I make it, this dish will easily feed six people (with a side dish) or a family of two to four at least twice. We have it with a side salad, if I’m feeling healthy, or cheesy garlic bread, if not 🙂

Though I have yet to try either, I see no problem with making this ahead and leaving it in the fridge for a day/overnight or freezing before baking.

Enjoy!