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Stitches Vol. 10 No. 12
It is a well known fact that I love BAGS. I showed some of my favourites to the girls at Stitches Magazine and they insisted upon sharing a selection of those from Orange Peel with their readers. They photographed my actual bag, so I was lucky to get it back!!

page 9. Stitches says "This collection of patterns will have you scrounging in your scrap bag and looking at your patchwork bits and pieces in a new light. This is a simply wonderful range of useful, attractive bag patterns. They range from a practical go-anywhere backpack or quilter's tote to a tomboy backpack and a baby bag with loads of pockets and storage. There are many more styles giving you loads of options for a full wardrobe of different and interesting bags. In fact, you could have one to match every occasion!

Each pattern has easy-to-read instructions and clear, easy-to-understand diagrams. So, get creative, your imagination is your only limitation. Remember, Christmas will be here before we know it, so get a jump-start and make up a few as extra special gifts.

In the same issue, on page 8 headed "What's New This Month" they discovered how handy a Trolley Needle can be.
"Extra Fingernail! When we first got this little gadget in the mail, we had absolutely no clue what to do with it! The Trolley Needle thread controller slips over your finger, acts like an extra long fingernail and is perfect for holding ribbon floss in place when doing ribbon embroidery by hand and for holding tapestry thread. Also useful next to your sewing machine for assistance when doing such things as ruffling, gathering or matching seams and hems while keeping your fingers safely out of the way. Apart from sewing uses, it can also be used when applying sequins or beads, smocking and positioning materials for gluing (no more burnt fingers when using that hot glue gun). This really is a clever and practical little gadget.

Stitches Vol.10 No. 10
Cobweb Lace & Rouleau Top by Yvonne Kadwell is a fascinating project commencing on Page 27. Yvonne is a very talented designer and has several awards to her name. I first met her when she helped us on our stand at Dubbo's Craft Show for a few years. Encouraging her to attend one of our Retreats at The Rock, I recognized her zest for ideas. The following project was as a result of a challenge to design a garment using either our Pleat Maker or Fasturn® Turning Tools. She chose the latter and this is her delightful camisole using a water soluble stabilizer and fabric tubes, connected together with a cobweb of free motion embroidery. Hope you marvel at the glamourous result too!

Stitches Vol.10 No. 8
Sewing Basket Page 9 featured some patterns from the range by Linda Crone Creations. Linda's garments fit beautifully and she includes her techniques in the instructions. Her sleeve insertion with the underarm side panel is extraordinary and so easy to alter for hips that are larger than the bust, or vice versa. I know you will use her patterns time and time again once you have purchased one and experienced her styling.

Stitches Vol. 10 No. 5
Sewing Basket Page 10 featured our "Do-It Tooly" tools. Stitches says "This clever little pair of tools is a welcome addition to any sewing box, with the number of uses limited only by your imagination. Each Do-It Tooly is a sharp-pointed, latchless needle on a bone handle, one with a straight end and one with a curved end. They are invaluable for drawing threads through fabric for thread end tucking, reweaving and restoration of textiles. If you are an avid overlocker user, the thread ends are easily drawn under the stitching with this too. The patented tip allows for easy manipulation of the thread into the eye and the spring tension allows for the easy release of the thread once repairs, etc. have been completed."

Page 8 Sewing Basket features a range of 6 Bag Patterns from Lazy Girl Designs. Runaround Bag, The City Bag, My Favourite Duffle Bag, Take-Along Bags, Sassy Bag & Couch Caddy. Of course, there are more in the range than what they were able to write about, so check them out here.

Stitches says……"This stunning range of patterns has all your bag, purse, duffle bag and caddy needs covered with patterns for all purposes. They can be made up from fat quarters of quilting fabric or are a great way to use up all those leftover scraps we all have lying around our sewing rooms. The instructions are clear and easy to understand with plenty of helpful diagrams. Choose from the City Bag - a briefcase or purse, fully lined with pockets inside and out, plus handles and a shoulder strap. Or there are the Take Along Bags - great little go-anywhere bags that hold everything from quilting supplies to cosmetics. This range of patterns offers not only good ideas for organising yourself, they also make great gifts, fete items, etc. "

Vol. 9 No. 12
Page 27 features Clover's new Fusible Bias Makers and companion Fusible Webbing . Can't give enough praise to these wonderful little tools - they make life so easy! This issue of Stitches features how to make a Stained Glass Appliquéd Shirt - just wait till you use these for that application! Bias strips of Black Batiste may be inserted into the lower section of the Fusible Bias Maker, whilst the narrow Fusible Web is inserted into the top slot. Together, they are fed through the tool immerging as a turned bias binding with the adhesive web fused onto it, ready to apply to your garment - all simultaneously. Not only a time saver, but resulting in an absolute perfect finish to stained glass appliqué, celtic quilting, Baltimore quilting or simply to bind edges.

Page 11 Sewing Basket features Clover's Buttonhole Cutter. How many times have you "oopsed" in cutting a buttonhole? Stitches says "Cutting buttonholes is a task many sewers find daunting, when, just as a garment is complete, damaging it while cutting a buttonhole becomes a risk. This essential tool prevents such problems as the sharp blade is positioned into the centre of the buttonhole stitching and with pressure cuts the buttonhole exactly where the blade is placed. Added to the risk-free buttonhole is the fact that it is perfectly cut with no fluffy threads or nicked buttonhole bar ends. With the addition of a piece of heavy card or small block of wood under the buttonhole to protect the table top, this tool is a lifetime investment no sewer can be without?"
Note: We also have another Buttonhole Cutter that has a wooden block within the package.

Vol. 9 No. 11
Page 19 gives another blouse by Bronwyn Ranson explaining some wonderful sewing machine techniques and, of course, more pleating with our Pleat Makers. Just a shame it is a white blouse which doesn't photograph clearly. Stitches have made me swear to never giving them anything again made up in white!!!! Take my word for it, the magazine is worth buying just to make this blouse, even if you can't see it in detail here.

Page 20 explains a clever way to add pizzazz to your sewing with Rainbow Transfer Paper. This nifty product adds the colours of the rainbow to your embroidery - after you've stitched it! We have featured Rainbow Transfer Paper in our Hints & Tips Section before, but we are now using tearaway stabilizer on the top of the fabric rather than Gladbake® as we find it even better. Look at this wonderful blouse, embroidered in white polyester thread (or silver metallic) then transformed miraculously by ironing the Rainbow Transfer Paper over the top. Because we had first of all placed tearaway on the right side of the fabric before embroidering, the blouse fabric was not coloured - just the embroidery. Clever? Sure is. Fun to use, why not see how else you can use it? P.S. The blouse may be ANY colour, just make sure the thread is white polyester.

Page 10 Sewing Basket features our Brass Needle Threader that can be used to thread an overlocker, sewing machine or hand needles. I love the hexagonal handle of this precision built tool because it doesn't roll off the table nor does it slip in my hand. Stitches staff claim it to be indispensable!
Since going to press, we now also have another version that has a brass cover for the needle threader to protect it when not in use.

Vol. 9 No. 10
Page 20 shows how a classic blouse pattern can be embellished with squares of decorated fabric using both the Pleat Maker and Fasturn® Turning Tools. Step by step instructions with close up photos will help you make this delightful blouse.
Bronwyn Ranson attended a workshop of mine when I was visiting Launceston, Tasmania and has been on a new "high" ever since. She had been making blouses for some time selling them through local boutiques etc. under the brand name Bronny R. Blouses. Recognizing obvious talent, I showed her how to expand her obvious passion even further by using our range of Pleat Makers. I am sure you will love the results too. Bronwyn now works for Punch with Judy on our stand when we exhibit in the Apple Isle.

Stitches Vol. 9 No. 9
Page 13 Sewing Basket features Innovations Needle Release
This is one item I just can't live without when the needle gums up with stabilizer "yuk", this is from heaven. John uses it too, when sewing up the Pleat Makers. Yes, he does that!
Stitches says…… "This tidy little packet is sealed, never to be opened, but used as is to reduce friction and remove any sticky residue that might build up on the needle when using a fusible or glue product. Perfect for hand and machine needles, it smoothes the needle to provide maximum sewing ease when working with heavy, coated or difficult fabrics. Simply insert a hand needle in and out of the packet or, if the machine needle requires attention, stitch five or six stitches through the pack. The needle release will help all types of needles to work harder and faster. The needle release is a boon when working on some synthetic fabrics that dislike a needle penetrating the weave."

Pages 31 - 36
"Jacket Com-PLEATED!" Marg Picking had read about our sewing retreats and needed a special outfit to wear to her daughter's wedding in USA and she wanted to impress everyone. She was giving the bride away as Marg had recently lost her husband.
This is the result of her weekend retreat with me. We are all so proud of her as she had not sewn for years due to a professional career. She has fallen in love with our range of Pleat Makers that made this outfit a one-of-a-kind garment. Marg has since returned for a Patchwork Retreat too as we got her interested in that infectious trait as well. Instructions for these methods are given in the article, which Marg and I put together.

Stitches Vol. 9 No. 8
Page 13 Sewing Basket features Snipeze
If you have aching joints or arthritic fingers, or are just looking for comfort and ease in a lightweight, very sharp pair of snips, then look no further! These snips are easy to pick up as your fingers do not have to fit into holes and the gentle squeeze action reduces hand fatigue. The finely curved blades cut well and the sharp points are stronger than the appearance of these lightweight snips would lead us to believe.

Stitches Vol. 9 No. 6
Page 14 Sewing Basket featured our Fine Oil Dropper. Says Stitches….
"How often has the oil container delivered a stream of oil instead of the drop you really needed? This unique little dropper will give you one tiny drop at a time - every time. The rubber cover seals the fine tube that delivers the tiny drops and the rubber is covered with a clear cap. The clip on the cap will fasten into a pocket or brief case alongside your pen. The oil dropper is perfect for all fine machinery and tools and is refillable. A great gift for a mechanically minded male!"

Having owned a Sewing Machine shop for several years and witnessed the state that some machines come in for repair - absolutely every sewer needs one of these. I find it so easy for maintenance and I don't waste any oil.

Stitches Vol. 9 No. 5
Definitely one of the handiest tools of the trade! The Clover Mini Iron has been a favourite of mine for Stained Glass Appliqué but it has so many other useful applications.
Sewing Basket Page 18 says "This compact mini-iron is ideal for pressing detailed work in stained glass quilting, hard-to-reach areas of embellished garments, fine frills and tricky places on baby and children's clothes, as well as for many craft projects. The temperature control has a graduated control switch with an on/off switch built in to the extra long 143cm (96") cord. The switch on the cord also houses a green on/off indicator light. A separate stand to rest the heated iron on while working is safe and protects the work surface."
Please note: It is 110volt 20 watt, therefore, in Australia, you will need a transformer to convert to our 240volt system. Australian readers, select a MW1155 from all Dick Smith's Stores for the most economic converter.
Also available, is The Cooling Tote which is a teflon lined carry case that will accept the iron while it is hot, making it perfect for travel or classes. It is also a safe storage unit for this tiniest of irons.

Stitches Vol. 9 No. 4
Sewing Basket Page 14 shows how easy it is to make perfect scallops with the Katie's Mini Scallop Radial Rule™ and the Large Scallop Radial Rule™ - both from Katie Lane Quilts.
These wonderful acrylic templates will draw scallops by following the markings on the templates making accurate designing easy. Corners, quilt edges, jacket and hem edges are simple to plan. The small version has four different sized scallops in 2" - 5" lengths, whilst the larger one has five different sized scallops in 6" - 10" lengths. Also available is a corresponding booklet, "The Complete Book of Tables - A Companion to the Scallop Radial Rule"

Stitches Vol. 9 No. 3
Front cover of this issue shows a beautiful blouse made from a striped fabric. Now, the yoke was not made with our Pleat Maker, but it could well have been. The Pleat Maker would've made the preparation so much easier and faster. Simply "tuck out" one of the coloured stripes with a Pleat Maker, stabilize the wrong side with Fusi-Knit, then stitch the turned tucks as shown here. Complete instructions for the Stitches version is found on Page 13.

Page 18 Sewing Basket features our wonderful "SQUIZZERS" Stitches staff loved these and fought over them! Sharp points, strength and ease of use is what most of us want for a handy tool to be used constantly. The Squizzers are also guaranteed against rust, breakage and rivet loosening for life! They are suitable for use by either right or left-handed sewers and have a sturdy cover to protect the points and your other sewing basket contents. The spring steel is light and strong and excellent for arthritis sufferers. You will love them too!

Stitches Vol. 9 No. 2
The Telescopic Magnet is featured in this issue in the Sewing Basket on Page 8. as a time saving device rather than crawling around the floor picking up pins. This neat little tool extends to 60cm (24") and is so strong it seems to "attract" wayward pins to literally jump on to it. Extremely handy for that dropped screw when you are the "home maintenance man" for your sewing machine etc. Definitely a must for every sewing box, but be warned, it grows legs and walks to "his" toolbox too!

Stitches Vol. 9 No. 1
Sewing Basket Page 8 features our Mini Vacuum Unit package.
A collection of handy attachments for any vacuum cleaner, small enough to clean every conceivable tiny crevice imaginable. The adaptor fits any vacuum hose and the supplied small hose then fits to either a bent or straight extension. Attach to the extension an oval or round brush or the crevice tool. Now you can detail the dash of the car, clean the stereo, computer, keyboard, sewing machine, overlocker and any other appliance that is difficult to dust. We agree, "good things do come in small parcels!"

Page 41 has an article on making your own Swimwear. Earlier, I had done an article on Embroidery on Difficult Fabrics, one of which was Lycra. The cute design shown here was embroidered easily even though the fabric was a very high stretch lycra. We used Stick-dSolv™ from the Hoop-It-All™ range of products underneath the fabric. Stick-dSolv™ is a water soluble, clear, adhesive film stabilizer making it easy to hold the lycra in a slightly stretched manner (as it would be when worn). Of course, you will still need to "hoop" the fabric, but with a special hoop from Hoop-It-All™ this normally impossible task of embroidering on lycra successfully becomes child's play.