What's the lifeblood of any wardrobe? Accessories! Why do we love accessories so much? Because they're a fast, economical way to jump start an old outfit. Throw on a belt, wrap up in a scarf, add a fabric flower pin... suddenly, it's a whole new look and feel. The small size of accessories also makes them a great way to try out new substrates, like the beautiful rayon we're using today from Valori Wells' Novella collection. Our long, beautiful scarf has an elastic channel through the middle, allowing it to ruche up into a fun, ruffly shape secured at each end with a pretty little bow. We made two scarves, each one in two coordinating rayons. Wear them separately or together. For yourself or as a gift, these quick and easy accessories are a great way to brighten up anyone's wardrobe for the new year. 

To me, Tula Pink is the I Spy of the fabric world. I can stare at her design collections over and over, and every time I find something new: a sailing ship in a courtier's elegant hair style, bumblebees and swallows hiding amongst the berries, a seagull bobbing on the waves. We've loved every one of Tula's collections for FreeSpirit Fabrics, and the brand new Salt Water collection made us fall head over heels again. We were inspired to create a sleek urban shoulder bag. Über trendy with bold graphic motifs and solid accents, anyone would love this handsome, functional bag. There are generous pockets both front and back, an extra zippered pocket in the front for secure storage, an inset zippered closure at the top, and a divided pocket inside the lining. At a finished size of 15" wide x 10" high with a 2" base, it's large enough to fit a standard laptop as well as additional papers, pads and pens. The shoulder strap adjusts to fit any height. 

Today in our 10 Designers & 10 Collections series, we step into the romantic world of Tanya Whelan and her Petal Sateen collection for FreeSpirit Fabrics with our now-you-see-it-now-you-don't Closet Hanger Safe. We originally designed this clever little storage solution for the frequent travelers out there. It's perfect to slip onto a hotel hanger, fill with your valuables, then cover up with a hanging garment. But it works equally well in your own closet. It's also a great way - when you're traveling or even just planning your daily work wardrobe - to collect all the accessories that go with a particular outfit. Put lingerie, jewelry, scarves and belts into the zippered and slip-in pockets, then hang up the outfit itself over the Safe. Everything you need for that's day outfit in one handy place! Even with double zippers, clever pockets, ribbon ties and more, the Hanger Safe is surprisingly easy to make.

I admit to being a die-hard book fan. I love the smell of books, the soft crack of a new spine being opened, the crisp turning of pages. I didn't think I'd ever fall for eReaders. But... I also didn't think I've ever learn to program my smart phone. So never say never! Now that we've accepted these cool eReaders into our world, we must give them a suitable carrying case! Today's final project in the new Kissing Booth collection by BasicGrey for Moda Fabrics is an eReader/Device carrier. We made our sample for a Barnes & Noble Nook®, but at a finished size of approximately 7" wide x 9½" high it will also easily fit a Kindle® or the new iPad Mini®. The device drops in through a zippered top opening, there are handy pockets front and back, and we added a cool detachable shoulder strap.