Dumplings!

Day 4 of summer vacation for our family and it was a dreary kind of day.... threatening rain and high humidity with cooler temperatures....  I started the day with a TON of mending for the kids - making pants into shorts and repairing holes in shorts...

Finally, I had some time to sew and I had just one of my kids.  So Emma and I sat down to make a dumpling using Michelle's free tutorial.  I am not the most patient of teachers but Emma persevered with me and my sighs and ended up with a great little pouch.  Not to be outdone I made my own.  It really is quick and easy.  Notes to self:  iron out the zipper's fold from the packaging and slow down when sewing ....  Although I had Emma do some of the basting Michelle recommends, I didn't do it myself and it turned out fine.  Also, I didn't use binding to finish the edges inside the bag.  This is a PERFECT bag for lipsticks/chapsticks in my purse.  I love it and can see making many more!  Patchwork, maybe???

Also, folks, it's voting time in the Trimmings Competition.  Here is the link for repinning your favorite!  There are so many interesting entries, it's worth taking a look.  One of the winners will be picked by a panel of judges, the other will be based on the number of repins!  

Umbrella Prints Trimmings Competition 2012

Do you know Umbrella Prints? Umbrella Prints is a little Australian textile house run by Amy Prior & Carly Schwerdt. They hand screen print their designs on natural organic hemp/cotton.  I love the look of so many of their designs and their color palettes are just luscious.

For the last two years, I've followed the Umbrella Prints Trimmings Competition.  Last year I may or may not have been squealing when I saw Nova's entry or this entry by pop-i-cok.  (Go, look at them, you won't regret it!!)  I'm not sure there is any way to top these, but after seeing this bag from LRstitched using a pattern from Michelle Patterns, I thought it would be a perfect way to showcase the Trimmings prints.  I ordered right away and started trying to figure out what neutral to use with the prints.

I settled on Tobacco Chambray from the Lisette collection at my Joann's - when it was on sale for more than half off.  I love it ~ it's almost tweedy.

A week ago I made the bag to be sure I understood how the pattern worked.  It's a great pattern, very thorough and just perfect with loads of exterior and interior pockets.  Details on the logistics of bag making are on that post.

My favorite part is that it came together the way I imagined it would in my head - I adore simple patchwork and it's ability to show a variety of prints and/or solids.  I did some random/improvisational piecing with leftover scraps that worked out being on the front of the front pocket.

Stats:
Patchwork Front:  Umbrella Prints Trimmings, 2 1/2 inch blocks
Pattern:  Messenger Bag Pattern, Michelle Patterns
Exterior Body:  Tobacco Chambray, Lisette collection for Joann's
Interior lining:  Coffee Buzz for Andover fabrics
Nickel hardware:  Michelle Patterns

Messenger Bag from Michelle Patterns

The long story on this pattern is that I bought this pattern long ago when then Keyka Lou was having a sale.  I never printed it out and forgot about it!!  Then I ran across this lovely...

from Lindsey of LRstitched!!!  It is so amazing!!  Check her blog post for more details.   

I knew that I wanted to make one like it! I started with making 2 1/2 inch patchwork squares of mostly AMH (LR's are probably 2 inch).  I laid them out on lightweight interfacing, using Oh, Fransson's tutorial for making postage stamp blocks.  This is genius, because it makes sewing up your small squares so easy.  I did not make a grid, I just laid them out carefully and ironed. Snipping the seam is not a step to skip, it will make everything lay flat and be easier to stitch over.  I added batting and sewed about 1/4 inch along all seams.

Like Lindsey I made a strap instead of using webbing ~ cutting fabric salvage to salvage 6 inches wide and then folding it in half and ironing, then opening it back up and folding in to the center.  The final strap is 1 1/2 inches wide, then and fits perfectly in the 1 1/2 inch hardware, which I also bought from Michelle Patterns (she carries this nickle version and a plastic version).  (KeykaLou is the former name for Michelle Patterns.)  The exterior is Kona Ash and the lining is a bird print from Ikea and an unknown yellow from my stash.

This is a fantastic pattern!!  It is very thorough and detailed.  There are so many pockets ~ one nice one inside and several outside.  It is always amazing to me that written directions can translate into something three dimensional.  Watching that process happen never fails to make me fall in love with sewing!!

This is actually a prototype (muslin!) for my next project, which for now is still top secret.  (Sewing contest, anyone?)