Skip to main content

Arabesque Smart Sofa Station



by Linda Theil 

Australian Ali Philips of Arabesque Scissors recently updated her "Smart Sofa Station" pattern, and begins a sew-along event to make this convenient couch pocket for craft accessories tomorrow, February 10, 2025.

I began preparing for the sew-along before Christmas, and prepared so well that I found myself with a completed project yesterday. My efforts are less elaborate than the extensive pattern provides, but I think my version will be a great convenience for stitching while watching BritBox.


My working interior was made using fabrics from the "Peas & Carrots" collection by American Jane Patterns/Sandy Klop for Moda in 2005. The exterior fabric is from "Sewing Mends the Soul" collection by Laura Claire for Henry Glass & Co. The binding is "Scarf Stripe Red" from the "White as Snow" collection by J Wecker Frisch for Riley Blake.


The completed project measures 10 x 22-inches and features multiple options for customization. My project includes a slip pocket on each end and an additional flap-covered pocket.


I included the Hidden Needle Keeper, a magnet for pin collection, the Binding Clip Bench for clip collection, and the Bobbin Rail for thread minding.

My revisions include making simple slip pockets inside, using grosgrain ribbon for some of the binding chores, and using a magnetic snap instead of enclosed magnets for a pin catcher.











Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Notes on Purl Soho Cross-back Apron pattern

Purl Soho Cross-back Apron, regular sized,  front view Purl Soho Cross-back Apron, regular sized,   back view by Linda Theil This is the Purl Soho Cross-back Apron featured on their website at  https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2015/11/20/cross-back-apron . Their page includes complete directions for making this one-size-fits-most apron with large, side-pockets and cross-back straps. This retro apron is so nicely made and looks so much like the apron my grandma wore in the Nineteen-fifties that I had to make one for my friend who appreciates the nostalgia and the beauty of this design. Although this apron pattern, as published, can adjust to several sizes from 2-10; I also made a larger option, adjusting the width of the pattern pieces to accommodate up to size 16 and up. Size adjustment may also be made by varying the length of the straps. These notes are a record of my experience with the pattern, and should only be viewed as...
13 comments
Read more

Notebook cover from Arabesque

by Linda Theil I just finished making the "Crafted Life Companion" notebook-cover designed by Australian Ali Phillips of Arabesque Scissors . I've made several of Phillips' patterns and have come to experience Phillips as creating at the same stratospheric level as English designer Diane Spencer Ogg for brilliant design innovation and attention to minute specificity in their patterns. Both creators are also highly professional and skilled presenters in their step-by-step demonstration videos for every design. Please see Phillips' video at the end of this post. The Arabesque notebook cover is designed to fit an A5 notebook size, and includes a sleeve for notepads up to 4 x 8-inches. Other pocket options are included in the pattern -- most of which I left out in my first version. I did take advantage of a marvelously useful innovation Phillips provided: a beautifully designed "coloring page" that helped enormously to keep all my pattern pieces organized....
Post a Comment
Read more

Plover Pouch adaptation

by linda Theil I made several adaptations to Noodlehead's "Plover Pouch" for Emerson's birthday present. I had previously given her a medium-sized "Plover Pouch" that she added a cross-body strap to, so thought I'd make her a larger, sturdier bag with the crossbody strap built in. I modified the zip-end detail featured in the pattern to allow me to insert the strap ends into the top of the gusset. The "Plover Pouch" pattern includes three sizes with the largest measuring 12 x 7.5 x 4-inches. For the large bag, I used "Hedgehog Hollow" cottons by In the Beginning fabrics for the front and back exterior panels and the lining. I machine quilted the front and back panels to increase the stiffness of the bag, and I interfaced the lining with iron-on fleece as well. That was actually an accident, but the fleece interfacing in the lining worked out pretty well. The side-panel and bag-base gusset are made of Mora faux leather. I used a #5 dou...
Post a Comment
Read more