Breaking News…. The Oz Material Girls hit 10,000 likers

 

Well what an exciting day for all of us at TOMG …… To celebrate we are kicking of a HUGE Party starting on Friday night with lots of giveaways and fun planned for 2 weeks, you can join our event here. We would also like to thank Tammy Steele who was our 10,000th liker, please email us so we can send you a little gift

TOMG are thrilled to celebrate 10,000 likers on our main Facebook page... it has been a lot of fun getting there and we have met so many amazing people along the way, many which have become like old friends.

We joined Facebook in 2008 and to be honest, while not a big fan at the time, I knew we "had" to have a page set up . There wasn't much interaction in the beginning, but once I got the FB bug it came along in leaps and bounds. We still see many familiar faces dropping in who were with us from the early days which we really appreciate .

We launched our 2nd page TOMG's $1 Auctions in 2010. This is our dedicated SALE Page where we run "$1 Auctions and Buy It Now Sales".... this has also proved very popular with almost 7,000  likers to date…. I can see another big celebration soon

At the end of 2010 we launched our 'Patterns Only' Facebook Page. 'Patterns Only' is the little sister to TOMG and I have a definite soft spot for this business. It evolved after a dream I had and I am so proud of where it has come in such a short time

As we get closer to our next milestone of our 8th birthday celebration I have many people to thank for helping me out along the way and being a part of our team.

Firstly, my mum Judy who is the other half of TOMG. Judy is the head packer, stacker, cutter and without her our headquarters would be a nightmare. She works tirelessly to keep stock in order, orders packed and sent out within record time and also gets my breakfast almost everyday - yes, I know I am spoilt :)

Next come our hubbies, who have been there since the start and help out whenever we ask them to. Both Mark and Nigel are now very skilled at folding, cutting, packing and making coffees!!!

The rest of the crew consists of Megan, Natalie, Jac, Shaz, Sheree, Jo, and our 2 guest bloggers Gemma and Melissa. All these girls have worked closely with me and have all proven to be amazing additions to TOMG.

So please come and join our celebrations, as a thank you to you for sharing our journey.

We appreciate each and every one of you.

Happy Stitching

Lou

Pattern Review - Jessalyn Ruffle Skirt by Viola Lee Patterns!

I'm back!  Melissa checking in again from Ms Midge.  The lovely Oz Material Girls sent me a beautiful pattern to review - The Jessalyn Ruffle Skirt, by Viola Lee Patterns.  Pop over to Patterns Only and grab one for yourself!

I've told you before how much I love PDF patterns, and this one is no different.  Straight into your inbox ready to print and make - perfect!  It also covers size 12months through to size 12!  So let's begin....
One of the most appealing things of this pattern is the bright and clear photos and colours of the tutorial.  There is nothing worse than getting a pattern that you can't follow due to blurry photos!  The instructions are easy to follow due to being numbered REALLY well.  Ie. Step #1 etc.
The pattern pieces are easy to construct.  It is the old match up the lines and stick your A4 pages together, and then cut out the size you wish to make.  For this exercise, I am making a size 4/5.  Although they are "double sized", there are different measurements for the elastic waist for individual sizes.  

These are the pattern pieces stuck together and cut out ready to go.

I had some white pinwale cord to use, but it was an odd shape piece, so I folded the pattern pieces in half and cut them on the fold.

 Apart from the pattern pieces, there is also a table with the measurements for the ruffles to be cut out, as well as the bow.  All very straight forward - until I went to prepare the bow for sewing, and realised it was actually meant to be cut on the fold!!!!  It pays to take super note of diagrams under measurements!  I was able to just cut out another lot of single measurements an sew together, worked fine.

All of the pattern pieces and ruffles/bow cut out

 Now it's time to sew.  Once again, the instructions are super easy to follow and quite clear.  I sewed the panels for each layer of the skirt as required and then started to get the ruffles ready.  The pattern instructs you to hem each ruffle, but I chose to use a rolled hem using my overlocker.  I love the finish of a rolled hem, something different (and less fiddly!).  If you've never done a rolled hem before, have a look in your overlocker manual and see if your machine has instructions.

Time to ruffle.  Ruffling is something that I hated with a passion a while back.  Until I was given a fabulous tip!  Did you know you can use your sewing machine to ruffle for you?  It's VERY easy.  

 Set your sewing machine's tension as high as it will go.  I'm using my Mum's old Bernina, so 10 is where it's at.  Then set your stitch length to the longest it will go, this one is 5.

Now just pop your fabric in and start sewing!  This is how it comes out the other side!  No more ruffle hatred here.....

Once you have your ruffles prepared, the instructions lead you perfectly through the next run of steps.  The only thing I did differently was the top stitch every panel once the ruffles were attached.  The pattern only calls for you to do this with the bottom panel.  I just think it gives a neater finish.
When you get to Step #10, which is where you attach the yoke to the top layer of ruffles, please note that the instructions are incorrect!  It took me a few times of reading to realise.  This is their instructions:

Where it states "Pin wrong side of Yoke over right side of ruffle #4" it SHOULD be PIN RIGHT SIDE OF YOKE OVER RIGHT SIDE OF RUFFLE #4.

Also, when you sew your bow into the seams of the yoke, it asks you to place it 1.5" from the top.  I would allow at least 2" from the top, so you have more room to turn over for the elastic casing.  Otherwise you will find yourself sewing over the top part of the bow, or as I had to, stop and start at either side of the bow when sewing the casing.

I will be selling a limited amount of Little Red Riding Hood skirts over at Ms Midge!

Overall - I LOVE this pattern!  I used a pinwale cord for the panels and a quilting cotton for the ruffles and bow.  You could use all cotton, in a variety of weights, so it will be great for all year round use.  I would recommend it to an intermediate sewer, who is confident with ruffles or just confident in giving it a go!  I hope you've found this helpful!

Pick the Pics Giveaway

If you have joined in the fun for our Champagne Bingo as part of our Biggest Morning Tea, then you are in the right place for our next game – Pick the Pics. If you have just found it then you are welcome to play along too

This one is a little different …. we will post a picture  which we have enhanced/changed and you will need to head over to our websites, either The Oz Material Girls or Patterns Only ( we will let you know which one) and find the listing that the pic relates too, we will also give a clue to help you find it….

This giveaway will be open until all pics are found ( all prizes selected by TOMG) – we have enhanced/changed the pics ….. so to kick it off here is the first one

Pic 1

This is part of a Robert Kaufman range of Fabrics – find the answer at www.theozmaterialgirls.com

Please comment below with the link to the answer and the first correct answer will win a FREE FQ Bundle ( delivered free to you)

CONGRATULATIONS BEC CLARKE…. who commented with the correct link…. please email ozmaterialgirls@gmail.com to claim your prize
http://www.theozmaterialgirls.com/the-lorax-green-dr-seuss-organic-cotton-robert-kaufman-fabric-p-5747.html

Pic 2

Hoot Hoot – find the answer at www.theozmaterialgirls.com

Please comment below with the link to the answer and the first correct answer will win 2 FREE Patterns ( delivered free to you)

CONGRATULATIONS 3cscreations…. who commented with the correct link…. please email ozmaterialgirls@gmail.com to claim your prize
http://www.theozmaterialgirls.com/what-a-hoot-owl-owls-wall-art-quilting-quilt-fabric-p-5776.html

Pic 3

Robyn, I hope this is oh so Shabby – find the answer at www.theozmaterialgirls.com

Please comment below with the link to the answer and this one will be drawn by random org and will win a gorgeous craft book ( delivered free to you)

CONGRATULATIONS ErgoSpazmo…. who commented with the correct link and random org 1…. please email ozmaterialgirls@gmail.com to claim your prize

http://www.theozmaterialgirls.com/hope-cove-main-rose-blue-robyn-pandolph-quilt-craft-fabric-p-5379.html

 

Pic 4

One of the B52s greatest hits – find the answer at www.patternsonly.com

Please comment below with the link to the answer and the first correct answer  will win 2 PDF e patterns of your choice

CONGRATULATIONS Melisa who commented with the correct link …. please email ozmaterialgirls@gmail.com to claim your prize
http://www.patternsonly.com/rocky-lobster-melly-me-soft-toy-pattern-sewing-p-3434.html?zenid=ulrkblhh2l4mind9u11v4otgd2

Pic 5

Is that Berry Rippled?  – find the answer at www.patternsonly.com

Please comment below with the link to the answer and the first correct answer will win a Moda Charm Square Pack ( delivered FREE to you)

 

CONGRATULATIONS  ~jen~ who commented with the correct link …. please email ozmaterialgirls@gmail.com to claim your prize

http://www.patternsonly.com/melly-me-raspberry-ripple-handbag-fabric-pattern-sewing-p-2542.html

Pic 6

Ruffles anyone? – find the answer at www.patternsonly.com

Please comment below with the link to the answer and this one will be drawn by random org tomorrow morning at 10.00am- winner will receive a surprise pack ( delivered FREE to you)

CONGRATULATIONS Simone Gibson who commented with the correct link …. please email ozmaterialgirls@gmail.com to claim your prize

http://www.patternsonly.com/bettsy-kingston-baby-ruffle-pants-sewing-pattern-new-p-2235.html

Join us for a Virtual Cuppa

Come and join us for a virtual cuppa and help us raise funds for The Australian Cancer Council. We will be kicking of our Morning Tea at 11.00am today ( Thursday 24th May, 2012) over on our facebook page with a fabulous auction of amazing items donated by some very generous businesses. 100% of all monies owing will be donated to The Cancer Council directly to our fundraising page

We will also be having spot prizes and giveaways throughout the days for anyone who directly donates to the fundraising page during our Virtual Morning Tea …. can be any amount , big or small, every cent helps- Payments can be made via Visa, Mastercard or Amex. We will be giving one lucky donator a $50 fabric and pattern pack, plus charm packs and patterns along the way

So if you can, dig deep and bid on the many fabulous items in our auction, and grab a coffee and come and have a virtual cuppa with us for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea

 

 

FIRST SPOT PRIZE WINNERS ARE
- Robyn Buchbach
- Jeanette Warner

(Please email ozmaterialgirls@gmail.com to claim your prize)

Pattern Review: Melly & Me Raspberry Ripple Handbag

Hello, I'm popping in to The Oz Material Girls today to share a review of the gorgeous Raspberry Ripple handbag by Melly and Me.  You can read about my sewing adventures over at Pretty Bobbins.  Sewing is my passion, my stress reliever and my creative outlet.  I sew whenever I can between running around after my three young children and navigating French culture in the Pacific.
Ever since I first saw this bag I wanted to make it.  I have made a few other Melly and Me patterns including the Black Forest hand bag.  They have such a good eye for colour and their patterns have a definite Australian style to them that I find I am drawn to them.  You can find Melly and Me patterns here on Patterns Only including kits for Raspberry Ripple.

Melly and Me patterns come in hard copy with a colour photograph of the finished product, pattern pieces that require tracing, some cutting and pasting, and written instructions with some diagrams.  I would say that this pattern is suitable for intermediate level sew-ers.  There is a certain amount of assumed knowledge.  The bag construction itself is not difficult, but it is fiddly and you will often find yourself sewing through 6 or 8 layers of interfacing plus fabric. Don't be put off though!  With a heavy duty needle and a walking foot you'll be fine.  However, I don't expect that a beginner sew-er would necessarily have a walking foot, long quilting pins and a range of interfacing.  Hence I believe that this pattern is aimed more at intermediate sew-ers.  Further, the pattern does not come with the thousands of photographs that some PDF patterns, e-books and online tutorials do but there are some drawings to help you through parts of the construction.
As with any pattern, it is best to first read through the entire pattern before you begin.  Here are some things to think about before you get busy with your scissors:

1. are you using a direction print?  This may affect how much fabric you need.
2. the pattern includes a 1/4" seam allowance (it's always nice when they tell you that!).
3. do you want to use three (or more) different fabrics?  I'm only using two because I want to feature my main print.
4. what do you like inside your bag?  This pattern includes a zip pocket that is the full size of the bag, however I also like a small zip pocket and a small pocket that I can slip my phone in.  I also added a key loop with snaps.  
5. what colour thread are you going to use for topstitching?  Bags generally require top stitching.  You can try to blend this in (which might be a good idea if you're scared of making a mistake or wobbly stitching lines) or make it a feature.
6. you want to cut out your interfacing and iron it on to your fabric before you cut out your pattern pieces.
7. you will need a heavy duty needle (I used 110) and a walking foot ready.  Sure, you could make this bag without a walking foot, but it will be easier if you have one.

I usually follow a pattern to the letter the first time I make it.  I figure that each pattern maker utilises different techniques and I might learn something new.  Having said that, I've made another Melly and Me bag so I feel that I can do things my way as I have a feel for their bag patterns.  For example, I'm not tracing my pattern pieces onto my fabric, I'm just cutting them with a rotary cutter freehand or with my quilting ruler as is my habit.  

After tracing my pattern pieces onto baking paper (I always keep the original pattern pieces in tact so for future reference) I cut out all of my fabric and interfacing.

Two additional pocket pieces are not shown here.  The white
material is interfacing.

I want to feature my main fabric so I am keeping the strips in order so that the pleats will look somewhat continuous once the bag is made up.

Let's pretend that they're nicely ironed...

I have decided to add some extra internal features and it is always easier to add these on when you're working with flat pieces of fabric.  So I cut these out and attach them to my lining first up.

The next bit is very straightforward.  You just sew all of your strips together.  Don't forget to put them the same way up if you're using a directional print.  Then you iron on your interfacing.  I ironed my seams open to get a more accurate finish.  Then ironed on some heavy weight interfacing.  To be honest, I hate adding interfacing, it is such a tedious process standing at the ironing board, but you do need it for strength and shape. 

Please ignore my hideous ironing board cover!

The next step is really important in giving your bag it's shape.  You want to iron your bag panel at each seam and then top stitch it in place.  Look at those beautiful curves!

The lovely look of this bag is achieved by using pleats.  Isn't that a great idea?  It does means that you will be sewing through a lot of layers though!

As I mentioned above, I really wanted to feature my black and white fabric so I have used it for the bag top as well.  The top piece is attached after securing the pleats in place.  I would recommend that you take this slowly and ensure that your pleats meet for at least an inch.  Otherwise there will be a slight gape when you sew the bag pieces together.

Can you see the slight gape in the pleats?  Next time I will pin the pleats
together for at least an inch. 

At this point I set aside my outer bag pieces and finished sewing all parts of the bag that didn't require my walking foot.  I am somewhat lazy and this way I don't need to keep changing feet.


The pattern calls for an internal zippered pocket which is the same size as the bag lining.  I was very hesitant about this idea but went with the pattern.  The zip is sandwiched between two pocket pieces and then attached to a bag top piece.  It is a great idea because you end up with a lovely neat finish.

I didn't have a 13" zip so I used a larger zip and cut it back.

After attaching my walking foot I returned to my bag pieces.

Here is a walking foot just in case you are wondering what I'm talking about!

I used quilting pins, which are nice and long, to ensure that the bag pieces stayed in place.  You could use regular pins, but I wanted to ensure that my pleats stayed as perfect as possible.

With my walking foot on and taking it slowly I finished off both the inner and outer bag pieces.  The patterns calls for a magnetic clasp to be attached after the body of the bag is sewn together, but I attached it at the stage as I decided it would be easier to do so.

See that little round thing?  That is a magnetic bag clasp

One of the reasons that I feel this pattern is more suited to intermediate sew-ers is that there is some assumed knowledge.  For example, you are not told to clip your curves to ensure a nice shape.

The handles of this bag are a lovely feature and are attached last.  Like most bag patterns, the outer bag pieces is placed right side out inside the inner bag piece (a hole is left in the bottom of the inner bag piece to pull the bag out through itself).  It is REALLY IMPORTANT to line up your side seams when you're joining you inner and outer bag pieces together.  You will get a much nicer finish if you open your seams and ensure that they are aligned on both the left and right side of the bag before you start sewing.

I like to have a nice firm bag so  I used heavy weight interfacing on my:

• outside bag pieces and bag tops,
• 2 of the bag straps,

and a medium weight interfacing on my:

• lining pieces and internal bag top pieces,
• large internal zippered pocket, and
• 2 of the bag straps.

I must say I was very happy with how well the pieces came together and the stiffness of the bag.  

Look at that lovely shape!  Ploughing through all that
interfacing paid off :)

The straps are attached externally which makes finishing off the bag itself quite easy.  This does however mean that you are sewing in a somewhat restricted space, so you will need to go slowly.  The pattern calls for tacking, but I just pinned my straps into place and ended up sewing them partly with my machine in reverse.  If you want to save time you could attache some pre-made straps, but by making your own bag straps yowww.theozmaterialgirls.comu can get the exact look that you want.

I am glad that I followed the pattern and made a large zippered pocket.  I also have a smaller zippered pocket, key loop and small pocket that I added myself.

I hope you found this pattern review and pictorial helpful!  I am happy to recommend this pattern and I hope you are as happy with you Raspberry Ripple bag as I am with mine :)

Do you Love Handbags…. Why not make your own!

 

  

   

If you are like me you can never have enough handbags! So why not make your own, click the pictures above to see these delights! We also have an amazing selection of handbag patterns to compliment the look you want , kits are complete with yummy fabrics!

Can’t decide….why not join our Blag Club…. A Yearly or Bi Monthly subscription where you will receive a surprise kit ready to sew!