Four Patch Textiles

It’s and I am inspired by Wendy … on the kitchen stool wearing and … with baked goods … it’s a slice of cheesecake … our house guests brought it all the way in the car from our favourite Italian market, crossing mountain ranges, national parks and provincial boundaries. Probably some export legislation that applies … and yes, after a good long morning hike, this is my lunch … perfect combination of proteins and carbohydrates for recovery and there is even a few berries 😉

It’s for and we’re using … flower print from a local sewist who had cut and partially stitched some bags that were smaller than desired, denim from my Mum’s stash and lining from my friend, the always generous … took some piecing for the bag outer and handles, but the are pleased. Swipe to see the construction details.

That’s what we’re working on today because Julie is asking.

And squeaking in with and just before we turn the calendar.

Is hemming second hand trousers … ?? … well it is Monday 😉 Seven pairs of trousers, variety of fabrics including some polyester chiffon with a lining. These are for clients at the Kelowna chapter of Dress for Success, a charity that is empowering local women to achieve economic independence by providing support, professional attire and development tools.

The clients who have selected these trousers have been successful in their employment search and will be starting work soon. How cool is that!?!?

…. Swipe to see the view from my log sofa and a teeny “tired” painted turtle just for Wendy …

I’m in my hiking uniform … decade old shorts that used to be pants and a t-shirt … happy Friday 🐢😊🥾

I’ve been on a mission for a while, to find my style and build a capsule wardrobe. It would appear that my style is a well fitting t-shirt in a great fabric … but all of you already knew that 😉

I think I have nailed the fit, and I actually bought some fabric … 100% Merino jersey from Our Social Fabric in Vancouver. is a reseller of deadstock and donated fabrics and supplies. I purchased on line, which is always a risk, but this fabric delivers true to the description on the website. It’s just delicious to wear!

Swipe for the details, including how I matched the teeny stripes … almost🤣

with narrow zigzag to stitch and finish the seams, hems for neat and durable finish. I also have a thin strip of clear elastic stitched into the shoulder seams for stability. I used an 80/12 Schmetz Jersey needle and thread from my stash … Mettler silk finish mercerized cotton … because the colour matched 😉

My gardening/painting pants needed some elastic in the waistband … these are ready to wear, purchased more than 20 years ago and the drawstring only design just wasn’t cutting it anymore … and I’m not able to tell you why I’ve worn them this long without elastic 🤷‍♀️ … remedied with a piece of elastic saved from some other (older) pair of sweatpants … sigh ….sew easy …

… well, there were grand plans for a photo sitting in the kayak-sofa on the lake, but the wind picked up and who wants to take the phone out from the safety of the waterproof bag buried in your pocket! … and I’m not even wearing any … but I am wearing decade old pants (yes, I kayak in pants to keep the sun off), and that swim shirt is more than a dozen years old, so …. And yes, I did put that pink lifejacket on, unlike many paddlers we passed in the waves … tsk tsk …

And just for Heather … we put in at Pebble Beach on the west side 😊. Happy Friday!

I’ve been pondering my worn swim wear this week, eyeing the bin of Lycra Spandex scraps and thinking back to my lifeguard days when I sewed all my swim suits.

I a pattern from discarded (very worn) swim bottoms, cut a main solid colour and lined it with a crazy print that is … well … quite translucent so not good for anything but lining … a narrow zigzag should hold the seams.

Swim tested these already, and maybe they need a sturdier swim elastic in the leg openings, but otherwise they will get me through the rest of the summer 🏊‍♀️

I think this is … but definitely another for with and 😊

It’s 🧦🐒🐘🛍️💕.

Bags for … a local organization that does great work helping clients enter the workforce.

These are an unlined polyester nylon … gifted from my friend Elaine from her … finished with French seams inside. The free pattern is available on my blog (link in the bio).

Waistband elastic gave up on another pair of swim bottoms … replaced it with a shaped band from the Lycra scrap bin … it managed well in the swim test 😊 that’s my … a bit of to see if I can get another decade out of these 😉

… on my trusty but tiny steed … family outing on the Myra Canyon portion of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail … I’m wearing a T-shirt and my decade old hiking shorts that used to be pants … …. Lovely afternoon … swipe to see the view.

It’s and these great bags were made by Sonya for … great fabrics, neat design, and a new sewing contact for me. We met up in person and had a great chat! Thanks Sonya!

It’s Monday so we are … a little … stitching has come undone in a few spots on this 42 year old polyester and nylon sleeping bag (or bed roll as my Dad calls them).

Family in town with a young fella who enjoys camping on the airbed in a sleeping bag. I took it out of the cupboard, gave it a wash, hung it on the line, and stitched it up in a few spots.

This is a lightweight bag I used for overnight summer cycling trips in my late teens. Unzipped and paired with some cotton sheets, it served as my duvet through my university years. It has some “scars” in the outer nylon layer, having had some stitch attention after a tangle in a tiny apartment washer in Sydney, Australia sometime in the 80’s but those stitches have held.

your gear … it will last 😊

The nearby big box fabric store is closing out. “Deals for Everyone” and “Up to 70% Off” the signs say. I went for a drive to see if there was “anything I needed” …. Turns out I don’t need anything, but I did snag some thread at half price and a classic Vogue pattern for $1 Canadian (which is pretty close to free)!

Sewing tools down, everyone! Open the blinds and look outside! Temperature has dropped to 20C and …. YAY! IT’S RAINING!🧦🐒🐘☔️

is it raining at your house?

It’s 🛍️😊 and thank you to Jeannie for sewing these bags for … Jeannie has made these bags from beautiful cotton canvas (love those prints!) from her stash. The blue was and the green was found in a thrift store. Jeannie responded to my shoutout on the socials and used the free sewing instructions on my blog (link in bio). The details are exquisite… French and flat felled seam finishes, “x” reinforcements on the handles. Jeannie and I will definitely be keeping in touch 😊

Not my makes but on Jeannie’s behalf I’m tagging with and … sew many things you can do with that fabric in your stash 👍

It’s with and I’ve resolved this 🌸. The elastic on this fitted sheet was not properly attached and it has been like this for …. well …. for longer than I’m prepared to admit. Now it’s fixed and that was easy … sigh … 🤓

This little helped me wrap this tiny hat made of silk yarn from my stash, rib knit on 3mm double point needles. The little card by me as well, gutta and ink on silk, from a collection of cards I made oh, 20 years ago. The little monkey was interested in an adventure and jumped in the mailing box. Both have arrived at their destination🧦🐒🎁

I just wing it when knitting baby hats, but free instructions for these can be found on the blog (link in bio). Videos and the trickier hand sewing bits are saved in highlights.

Sometimes, although it’s not related, it’s still grid worthy!

brings you Dora the Explorer on a swing 😂. I realize that I’m not actually wearing any me-made 😳 Instead, the top is more than ten years old, the shorts were formerly pants, and the undergarments are mended. Sorry Wendy , I did not spot any turtles (too hot for them) but a rare photo of the Mister is included. 😉

Ready for … some clothing that is kindly donated to is sometimes tired, damaged and worn. These items come my way and head for the bin. What will I make? of course! These bags are displayed in the boutique and are gifted to the clients to carry home their selected clothing and for their personal use in the future. I’m enjoying contributing to this organization😊

It’s and time for a poem ….haven’t done a poem in a while 😂

A kind person donated a dress.
But a stain it did have,
a snag here and there,
and the cute pleather trim was quite a mess.

Let’s keep the zipper, we all agreed,
and cut up the rest, and see what we see.

Webbing for handles from some bag long ago,
lining from leftovers as I’m sure that you know,
with a snip and a trim, a stitch and a press,
a bag has emerged from the unwearable mess. 🛍️

It’s and I’ve been sorting through some new to me supplies. What might one get up to with this great monstrosity of a needle? Any ideas?

has me sitting in my garden where I’m in my usual house uniform of Tee and sweatpants. Both from scraps 😊

I’m sitting on the ground beside the yucca that is finally blooming. It won’t last long as the flowers are a deer favourite. More yucca in bloom, blanket flower, volunteer lavender (it grew there on its own), and new additions that are drought tolerant and native to the Okanagan: nodding onion, yarrow, and Oregon grape (not really a grape). Happy Friday and stay cool … the coming week is going to be a hot one!

Yesterday was 🛍️. These bags were sewn for by a new volunteer, Roya. Roya used the pattern that is available for free on my blog (link in the bio). Thanks Roya! Beautiful bags made from a shower curtain purchased from the thrift store for $4. 👍

While not actually on a sofa, Norman the reminded me that it’s time for … we are sitting in the exploring buttons from the white/pearl/cream/clear jar. The button is for the neckline closure for the breezy summer top that I’m wearing. It’s just finished so we just “jammed” it in before the end of the month. Hot weather is arriving, and Norman assessed that I “need” a few tops, not t-shirts 😉 for the hotter days.

A scrap of rayon from my …

Slight hack of the by book from the library

Definitely fulfilling the challenges this month … just under the wire…😂

I think “Gobsmacked” is the word I’m looking for!! Thank you to Elaine for truly, whipping up these bags for 🛍️🛍️. Great fabrics, quality construction and the number of them!!! It is indeed good fortune to have friends that sew!!

Do you make gifts for friends and family? Birthdays, Christmas, new babies? I used to do that all the time, for every occasion, and even personalized the items with names, and dates to make them a special keepsake … 😳 … but, a few recent house moves had me examine boxes of my own keepsakes and my mindset is now such that I don’t want anyone to feel obligated to hang on to something I have made. So, unless there is a special request (eg. I love you Auntie will you make my dolly a dress?), it’s just the new babies that get a gift with a special note in the card (zoom in on the pic to read it). It basically says the love is in the making and they can regift, donate, or even give it back … so to all of you who have received handmade gifts from me in the past, know that you don’t need to hang on to them, and you can even bring them back 😊

And yes, that’s a baby card … it’s freehand Gutta and ink on silk, then stuck to card stock … I made them in batches about twenty years ago … not very recyclable but I’m just trying to use them up ♻️

Like a pair of mad scientists, Norman the and I dashed to the sewing studio this morning after downing our oatmeal and slurping our coffee. I think I stopped to brush my teeth but it’s not likely that I combed my hair.

We have a bin of thoughtfully gifted fabric ( 🧵) for bag making. From bed skirts to laminated canvas, our brains are spinning with ideas.

Thanks to Moira for coming by yesterday to select from the “curated collection of bag making resources” 😉 … it was great to connect in person and your help is greatly appreciated.

It’s also the start of hosted by Kate and in … mending and posting some days, but following always 😊

And of course, I’m wearing my house uniform of hoodie and joggers, with Norman always dapper, in his bow tie.