The Peaceful Lion | Le Challenge

Every month le challenge deadline arrives, and I am wondering whether I will finish what I intended to make - texting Lu in-between for some moral support. This month's theme was 'mix' and I knew I wanted to make something that would be a mix of fabrics - with hints of vintage. I knew quite quickly that it would a cushion for Little Baby MiH, but that was about it - and then I fell in love with this picture and I just had to make it happen (how did I survive before Pinterest, who knows?). 

I did not have the background  fabric in my stash - but found this great organic herringbone fabric at Ray Stitch (they have a great range of organic fabrics). It is quite sturdy which is great for home dec' projects. I had the felt - probably intended for a Christmas project many years ago, and the vintage fabric is from the vintage sheet swap organised by Mary. 

All set in the Moses basket, and yes the bumper basket is out again

The project was easy to put together once I finished making the template. I never make templates - I just get on with it usually and hope for the best (well to be fair I follow a lot of patterns). But this time I spent some time trying to create a picture and played a bit with the colour scheme. I made the template not knowing what I actually had in my stash, but the colours/fabrics I found are nearly the same one as the ones I had on my original template. 

All the pieces were ironed on the background fabric thanks to the wonders of fusible web - which makes unfortunately the embroidery step just that bit harder - and I really missed having a thimble handy. I drew the eyes and the mouth and just went for it with some black thread. 

I don't have any great pictures of the back - but I used the herringbone fabric and added a zip (thought that it might be wise to be able to wash if needs me). 

I love it despite not being perfect. The face could be a bit smaller, I may have been over-enthusiastic with the embroidery of the nose, and I am really not sure about my French knots technique. But overall the cushion is what I imagined it to be - it is a great mix of vintage and modern fabrics. It is also quite different from high street ones, and makes me happy every time. 

For all the other Le challenge entries, go here. If you enter a recently completed project that fits with the theme 'mix' - and let's face it this is quite easy - you could have a chance of winning a $25 Fat Quarter Shop gift certificate. Please remember to include the button or a link to Le Challenge in your blog post or Flickr description and use the hashtag #lechallenge if you're linking up from Instagram.

Embroidered Boxy Pouch | Le Challenge

*For your last chance to win one yard of organic cotton fabric dyed naturally

please make sure you enter the giveaway here*

When I showed my finished le challenge project this month, Mr MiH said, oh look you made another boxy pouch. Yes, I did dear, but this one is special. I added the embroidery, it is felt, can't you see? 

So yes, this is my third boxy pouch - following the steps (but not measurements) of the Kelbysews tutorial - adapted to felt. And it is my le Challenge entry (the theme is era - and the interlining fabric is one that I got from Mary's vintage sheet swap). 

To make your own embroidered boxy pouch, you will need:

- 2 pieces of embroidered felt (tutorial just below) 

       I bought this one measuring 30 cm by 45cm

- 2 pieces of medium-weight interfacing of the same dimensions (30cm by 45 cm)

- 2 pieces of coordinated fabric of the same dimensions (30cm by 45 cm)

- 2 pieces of felt measuring 1.5' x 5' for the side tabs

- a zip which fits with the longest side of the the felt pieces - mine is 14'

- matching thread 

 

To add the embroidery on felt (or any other fabric), I used some DMC soluble canvas (which is actually quite expensive for what you get, so I am now trying to use waste canvas - I will let you know how I get on). 

To make this embroidery (but you can make whatever pattern you fancy of course) - I marked the middle of the felt pieces.  

Baste the soluble canvas cut to size (making that little square you get last!) in place. It is great way to keep it place, it is a bit annoying to unpick after the cross-stitching is done, so may be better to go for longer stitches. 

Do it on both sides. 

And let the cross-stitching begin. You use the soluble canvas as a normal canvas. I used three threads of DMC thread, I chose (following an IG debate) to go for matching the thread to the vintage interlining fabric. 

Follow the instructions to dissolve the soluble canvas - it works! Et voila! You are ready to make your pouch! You  may find the felt has shrunk a bit, so look check out the pieces again to make sure they have the same size throughout the project. 

The main difference between my pouch and the Kelbysews one is that with felt you don't need to worry about the fabric edges and you leave them showing. It is supposed t make it easier to match the embroidery - but that did not work out as well for me (maybe next time). 

So you place the raw edge of the felt fabric interfaced next to the zip opening, and the interlining as you would normally on a boxy pouch. 

I like to baste everything before sewing with a zip - but this is a personal choice. 

Time to sew the zip into place (easier to open the zip to make neater ends). 

Press and you should end up with something like this (this is the inside)

Sew the two pieces together (the bottom of your pouch) - as you can see I had to make a neater edge. 

You then carry on with the pouch like recommended on the Kelbysews tutorial. 

Finally you have a brand new fancy boxy pouch! 

I love my boxy pouches, but this one is much boxier - because of the sturdiness of the felt I suppose and probably looks like what I had in mind when I started making boxy pouches. I suppose you could adapt the interfacing according to what you need/want. 

For all the other Era entries, go to Le Challenge - the link up party is now open!