margaret bag

with a snow day yesterday, i was happy to sit down with the sewing machine.  there is something so great about loosing yourself to a project.  it's like reading a book... i'm lost to all that's going on around me, focused on the project... the process.  i love that.

 

i'm a little late with teacher (christmas) gifts, but i still love giving something that is handmade to those who mean a lot to me and who i know will appreciate it. elizabeth hartman's margaret bag is a perfect bag.  large on the inside with two pockets.  i  made them both with the longer strap option for a cross-body bag.  i used some duck/twill type fabric for the exterior and some fun prints on the inside.  a pretty quick project and very satisfying. 

and now i need to clean up the havoc i've wreaked around here!

Market Tote for Mom

I love giving handmade items to loved ones.  It's one of the things that got me back into sewing in the first place!  Unfortunately, I'm rarely on time with gifts!  This year, I asked my mom what she wanted me to sew her and she mentioned a tote bag, "denim with some colorful accents".

I looked around my pinterest sewing board and found a pin that was perfect!  Bijou Lovely's Market Tote tote is just great!  The instructions are very clear and simple.  I referred to another pin, by Sew La Vie and her Market Tote, where she used heavier fabrics and made some alterations.

I used a 'duck' canvas from Jo-Ann's (with the upholstery/outdoor fabrics) and a print I've had my eye on for some time ~ I love the pairing.  I turned the handles in 1/4 inch and pressed them, topstitching along each side, instead of turning them inside out.   I added a key clip and inside pocket.  I didn't have enough colorful fabric to have a layer of it under the canvas, so I sewed the two pieces together (the canvas measuring 9.5" x 21" and the flower print measuring 10.5" x 21").  I used the flowered fabric for both the outside and the lining.

This is a great size for lugging things around and it fits nicely over your shoulder.  I can't wait to send it off to my mom, although I hope I can pack it so that it doesn't get all wrinkly..!!

241 Tote

I've made this tote before for my sister.  It's the fabulous Noodlehead's 241 Tote.  This year, she requested one for a dear friend, who loved the one I made for her.  I am always so happy to make something for someone else... I love thinking about who they are as I make fabric selections.  Actually, that part takes more time and mental energy than cutting and sewing!!

This pattern is so fantastic and easy to whip up!  I love the finished look and the size.  The outside pockets are great for little things.  The only change I made was to add interfacing to the strap sew five lines of stitching along it.

The yellow fabric is a "Sew Classic Linen" from Jo-Ann's - it's a great mustardy yellow that is an exact match to the yellow in Cloud 9's Cut out and Keep.

Upcycled Skirt and Improv Sewing!

Some time ago on Sew Mama Sew, I came across Nicole Blum and her work with knits.  Upon further reading, I discovered she and her friend Debra Immergut were writing a book about sewing with knits!  (Sewing with knits has been something I've really wanted to learn more about.) I started following their blog, Improv Diary because I could see that their projects were simple and gorgeous!  When their new book came out, I bought it immediately and I've been wanting to get a project done ever since.  (My best friend Alice borrowed it for one night and made two skirts in that amount of time!!  They are just darling!)

The skirt pictured is cotton with side panels of knit.  GUH!!!  So cute, right??? I started thinking about trying the opposite - a knit skirt with woven side panels.  So, I got some t-shirts at the thrift store and I picked out some cotton for contrast.  Voila!

I used FOE (fold over elastic) for the waistband in a different way.  I love FOE, but don't like the way 5/8 inch, folded in half sits around my waist.  I'd like to see 2 inch FOE so that when you folded over your fabric it was nice and wide. Here I used a piece on the inside and another on the outside, zigzagging them onto the edge of the fabric.  (I know her purple shirt doesn't really match... but she already had it on.)

How quick and easy and cute!!!  If I was a few pounds lighter it might fit me too, it's very forgiving!!  I'll be doing more of these!  (Like maybe today!)

FOE source:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/HOBOVIAN 

(looks like there are other etsy sellers who sell 1inch FOE.)

My favorite FOE how to video:  

http://angrychicken.typepad.com/angry_chicken/2008/07/foe-fold-over-e.html 

If you know the chicken, you know this is a funny little video!

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?)

Yellow and Gray (Grey)!

Babies are all over the place where my husband works.  I've been meaning to sew up another baby quilt, but all kinds of other things were going on (in the form of Spring Tops, and Kids Clothing). 


 Namoo does incredible work and I love watching the baby quilts that pop up in my flickr feed. (Her flickr here:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/namoohandmade/ ) This one with greys and yellows stuck with me and because I LOVE the colors and had some of the same fabrics stashed away.  


I went with four solid blocks (10 X 12 or so) and pieced them with kona snow on top and kona ash (maybe) down below.  The back is a favorite print called Cherry Blossoms.  (Sadly I could only find a yard on etsy, but nowhere else.)  It's so lovely and I think it ties the whole thing together very nicely.  It's bound with Kona Charcoal, using the zigzag method.  Finished size 39X37.

KCWC, etc.

Well, I really didn't do well with Kids Clothes Week Challenge with Elsie Marley (although I did spend an inordinate amount of time looking at the flickr group, does that count??).  I made one raglan tee (Figgy's Tee for Two) and waited for more fabric to come from fabric.com.  This was a great shirt to sew, and I am proud of myself for making it.  The solid fabric is a pretty stretchy knit - polyester and rayon from Joann.  Unfortunately, it is a bit snug on Emma - although she loves it. So, when I try again it'll have to be a 10.  It was hard for me to wrap my brain around sewing this - as you leave the edges raw.  You actually sew right sides together vs. wrong sides, which is just hard for me to do.  This tutorial is fabulous - I couldn't have done it without studying it over and over:  kelly.hogaboom.org/?p=6023 or her photos starting here:  www.flickr.com/photos/kellyhogaboom/4641090584/

The organic cottons I ordered will work great, but I ordered some knits for me and I'm not sure they'll work out.  They are rather thin looking.  I'm a little worried about with sewing them.

I had hemming to do and another pattern to try, but this was a big week for me with several things looming....  a  demonstration lesson for Reading Recovery, appointments for the kids most days, and piano playing at church today.  I hope next week is easier and I can try some more things.

I am completely obsessed with looking for photos in my flickr feed of folks taking the NOW:YOU workshop.   Such interesting compositions and text.  How we see ourselves... who we think we are.

I've been playing around with taking self-portraits.  I NEVER see myself in photos.  #1 - no one takes pictures of me, #2 - I'm taking the pictures, and #3 - we never print pictures!!  Here are a couple favorites.  Playing around with picmonkey helped!

After feeling less than productive this weekend (lots of soccer and baseball), I sewed together this baby quilt - inspired by Namoo ( www.flickr.com/photos/namoohandmade/5766015491/) .  It's been on a mental to-do list for some time.  Love the greys and yellows.  Hope to bind it tomorrow.  

Spring Tops

I started to make several things this week to enter Rae's Spring Top Sewalong.  I found some great brown jersey knit at the thrift store, but it turns out it wasn't enough for a top for me from any pattern I had!  So, I ran to Joann's while the clearance items were still 50% off and bought some knit.  It's striped and I love stripes, but I had passed it over earlier because it's sheer-ish and not as "stable" as the knit I had used for the Renfrew.

Holy double hockey sticks (I think my mom reads this blog) was it horrible to work with!!  Lesson learned on working with more "stable" knits.  The fabric curled all over the place and stuck to itself (and everything else) like a suction cup.  I spent more time arranging the fabric for cutting and then pinning seams together than sewing.  I decided on a pattern from Tanya Whelan's book Love What You Sew.  There are several other patterns I'd like to try with better fabric.  The neckline gave me some fits and I ended up ripping out stitches and using some Lite SteamASteam2 (double sided fusing) to help secure the neckline and stitch it down.  It's just a quick and easy dolman sleeve type shirt (easy with better fabric).

I finished just before we needed to head out, so I grabbed Phil for some quick shots and then decided to enter the Renfrew, too.  (Even though it is too small, like, really too small...)  So, I did get two shirts done and entered and that's been on my to do list for years (kinda like the 10-15 pounds....).

The lovely orange band is on my wrist from our Earth Day activity today - protesting the possibility of cutting down Stadium Woods for an athletic facililty on Virginia Tech's campus.  A cause my kids can get behind.

Tomorrow KCSC begins!  (I am already behind!)

My first Renfrew and planning for Kids Clothes Sewing Week!

I have been reading blogs for so long and keeping mental lists of projects I want to try.  Although I think my heart is in quilting, I can't help being inspired by how I started sewing - with clothing.  So, over the last while or so I've started to think about sewing clothes for me and my kids.  I've always wanted to join in on Rae's Spring Top Week and Elsie's Kids Clothes Week Challenge (KCWC).

I first spotted the Renfrew by Tasia of Sewaholic a month back or so in the Sewing Women's Clothing flickr pool.  (LOVE going there!)  Shipping from Canada was more expensive than I expected, so after emailing Tasia, and finding US stockists, I found the pattern at a Fashionable Stitch. (Shipping was $2 and I got the pattern sent immediately!)

I was hoping to get one sewn for Rae's Spring Top Week.  This weekend I got some pattern tracing, cutting, and sewing done, and although it looks darling and came together well (I learned a few things... I always do), it's too small.  Yes, measuring is important - as is keeping your sewing supplies organized so you can find your tools - er, measuring tape.

I am really proud of it (even though I can't wear it in public)!  I've been wanting to sew with knits for about 2 years, now and I finally did it!  The fabric was from fabric.com - sale bin stuff for about $2/yard.  It's pretty stable, and not too stretchy.

Elsie Marley has been hosting a Fall and Spring Kids Clothes Week Challenge.  To sew every day for an hour for your kids - to work on the mental list of ideas you have - to get something done!  I've always loved watching what pops up during these weeks and now that I have some patterns and small successes back into the world of sewing clothes, I'm excited to participate this year.

I've got several Oliver + S patterns, Figgy's Tee for Two, and I think I have enough knit to make my 11 yo a small Renfrew.  By the way, I just figured out yesterday that Figgy made a Tee for Two for older kids - size 8-14!!  I just bought one on etsy as my kids are 9 and 11.  My pattern is the younger 12 month - size 6/7.  I'm really excited about the Tee for Two because I'm not so afraid of knits and t-shirt construction anymore and these should be really easy to whip up now that some of the learning curve is gone.