Noodlehead Caravan Pouch

So I have 3 days off in a row this week and all I want to do is sew sew sew.  I mean, it's summertime, the weather is beautiful and I should be outside but I just don't want to.  It would be nice if I could bring my machine outside, which I guess in theory I could but then I'd take my contained sewing mess and transfer it outside and then I'd probably fight with my husband about it...so I'll just keep it inside and feel slightly guilty about it.

Lately, I've been into sewing accessories.  Pouches, bags, lunch boxes, camera straps, wristlets...I seem to go in cycles.  There are times that all I want to do is quilt.  So I'll do that for a while and finish (or start) a bunch of projects and then all of a sudden all I'll want to do is makes garments.  So I'll do that for a while until I'll just feel like sewing something else.  Eventually, I'll come back to quilts, or garments, or whatever the prior obsession was and the cycle will start all over again.  Does that ever happen to any of you?

So anyway, yesterday I made this Caravan Pouch created by Anna over at Noodlehead.  I love her patterns so much.  They are always so precise and beautifully photographed and easy to follow.  The finished products are gorgeous.  Now this pouch is actually a free addition to her Caravan Tote created as a tote for knitting or crochet materials.  Now I tried my hand at knitting and I didn't stick with it for very long, so I plan on using it for lugging all of my nursing supplies to and from the hospital.

I don't yet have all the supplies in hand to make the tote but I was itching to try this pattern, so I just made the pouch so far.  Needless to say, I adore it.  I added a removable strap because I tend to carry things around my wrist or else I lose them.  It's good to know one's faults eh?

Xoxo,
A

The miraculous key FOB Tutorial

So, I know there are a million other key FOB tutorials out there waiting to be seen, but since I actually had my camera out and ready to take pictures as I was creating today, I figured I might as well do another one while I am ready and willing.

I see people carrying around these key FOBs all the time and I decided it's about time I make one for myself.  Since they were so easy to make, I created a bunch more and will post them on the my Etsy Shop, in case you are feeling lazy and would rather just buy one.  I am also doing a special promotion for my blog readers.  If you order something from the shop, type in coupon code SEWBLOG to receive a $1.00 discount on any item of your choosing.

Now enough promoting of the shop and onto the tutorial.

Supplies:
Nylon Webbing (I used 1.25" webbing) (10" piece - this can be variable if you want a smaller/larger band)
Ribbon (My ribbon was 1" in width and worked well with the 1.25" webbing (10" or same size as your webbing)
Sewing Machine
Thread
Basting Spray (Any brand will do) or Double sided hem tape
Key FOB hardware - make sure it is the same width of your nylon webbing - I get mine here.
Pliers
Duck tape or regular tape or cloth or anything soft to wrap around pliers

1. Cut your nylon webbing and ribbon to be the same length (or somewhere close)

2. If you are using hem tape, cut your hem tape to the same length as the webbing, lay on top of webbing, and then layer ribbon on top.  Press with dry iron.   If you are using basting spray (I prefer this method), spray baste on back of the ribbon and then press ribbon onto nylon webbing.  Do not spray baste nylon webbing or the sides of your key FOB are going to be sticky...gross.

3.  Edge stitch down the sides of ribbon on the webbing, pivot at corners.  Don't forget to back stitch at the start and finish.  I used my Bernina patchwork foot and aligned my ribbon just inside the foot edge and it worked like a charm.

4. Trim edges of webbing if they are frayed.

5. Fold webbing in half and insert evenly into key fob hardware.

6.  Wrap your pliers in whatever material you choose (I ghettoed it up with a strip of fabric), place the pliers in the CENTER of the key fob and give it a nice squeeze.

Here is what happens if you try to do the sides first...you get a distorted key fob.  I guess this one will be mine. Ha. 

7.  Now squeeze each side. Make sure you clamp down hard so those little prongs dig into the webbing, otherwise your key FOB will come apart.  I did that too.

8.  Attach the included key ring and you are done!

9.  Admire your work and take many pictures.  Share them with me too! I would love to see what you created!