Prototype With Guts

OK, I figured it out. Remember the ditty bag with sloppy insides? I couldn't stand it. And it truly didn't want to scrap it because it was cute (until you opened it) and I liked the size and I didn't want to pull that zipper out.

So, here's the tip... I just made a second one but without the zipper. Then I laid it inside, matched up the seams and sewed it in place along my original stitch line. Voila. There might be an easier way to do it, but that was pretty easy if you ask me.

Because this has two linings (one ugly, the other not) it's pretty sturdy and has no interfacing. But I can see how this bag would work best with a bit of interfacing -- not what I would normally recommend as I am cheap.

PS -- Before I sewed it all together I pressed the edges that would be against the zipper down (1/2 inch).

Prototypes, A Bag for All My Golf Stuff

I've been wanting to sew a ditty bag. Anyway, that's what all my golfing friends call them. You basically put your tees, balls, divot tool, glove, tip money, any small thing you might want in your golf bag but not swimming around in the expanse of your golf bag. I've been afraid to try corners. But then I was inspired by this little lady -- yeah, I know I feature her a lot -- and decided to try out a prototype out of some more of that scrap fabric.


It's small, only about 3 inches by 3 inches, by 7 inches. It uses a 12 inch zipper. One thing I do not like, however, is how the pattern instructions failed to finish off the lining. (See yucky pictures.) So, I'm going to have to spend some time figuring out how to put a lining in so that all the seams are finished and covered, or hidden. That's just what I'm like. Why bother sewing something if you don't love the inside?!?!?


PS -- Do you like how I accidentally put my label in upside down. Ha Ha Ha, this is obviously a do-over project. And I'm obviously going to rip this perfectly good zipper out of this flub because I can't stand to waste those.

Napkin, Please

I have a friend who has two little girls, who are prissy little things. (Well all girls seem prissy to me.) She recommended that I try making a child-sized cloth napkin.

Forget about it. I was all over that project.

I found hankie fabric -- which is darling in its own right -- and rolled-hem edged the squares. Here's the first set of six. It was the first time I used the rolled-hem edge on my serger. I might need to practice that a bit more.

Check back in a few days to see what I did with the strip of border that was on the hankie fabric.

Amy Butler Business Card Wallet Pattern, A Review

Blech.
I just tried my hand at the Amy Butler Business Card Wallet Pattern. This is a free pattern which you can download from her site. I don't like it. You can try it, but I'm just saying, not very cool and the results are less than awesome. I'm always looking for awesome, as you know.

I found it to be fidgety, too small, and unnecessarily complicated. I also found the pocket design was lame and will probably result in cards falling out. It also adds a lot of bulk to the middle of the wallet where it folds. I did skip the step that instructs using a copious amount of interfacing for such a small little wallet. Maybe that's why I hate it.

But when I started to see where the pattern was going, I didn't want to waste precious timtex or interfacing on it -- that stuff is so unnecessarily expensive, as you know.

If you have a bunch of small scraps and you're looking for something small to make, you might as well try this. But for that size of project I actually recommend the Lotta Jansdotter checkbook cover or tool roll, or the Joelle Hoverson bird ornament. Those are little and cute and fairly easy. Good luck.

Desert Rose Scraps, Two Thank You Totes

One of the best parts about sewing for other people is you often get to keep the scraps. This is also one of the worst parts about sewing for other people because you amass a quantity of fabric you might normally not choose for yourself -- and it is the scraps after all. This problem also leads to another problem, one my husband kindly refers to as pack-rat. I won't mention what he unkindly calls it.
One project in particular required a lot of strategic cutting to capture the very best scenes, and that left a lot of little pieces of fabric. I took those less than savory scenes and scrapped together a tote. Plus, I needed a thank you gift, for a special family who used to live in these parts. I thought they might like a thank you tote instead, with a little hint of the home they must miss.
I made two totes, in the end -- a mother and daughter set. They are pretty small, as the pieces of fabrics were really small.
There are just a few more scraps of this cowboy print -- mostly featuring a cow with a rope around its neck and its tongue hanging out. I'm considering making a checkbook cover out of it, as that's how I feel every time a little more money leaves my possession.

A Date with Donk

Sweaty palms, flutterby stomach, and a racing brain. That's how I felt on the eve of meeting the author of one of my favorite blogs. Yes, I did that. I met someone who I've spied on for more than a year. What a surreal experience, but rather common place in today's age of technology and social networking. But for me, a first-timer to this sort of meeting, it was a bit like going on a blind date. Except for the part where I'm already married, and I was meeting a girl -- and neither of us date girls, not that there's anything wrong with that.

As soon as I saw her smiling face, however, I knew I was in for a great night of fabric admiring and salty drinks. May I recommend that you read her blog, too. That is, if you like reading well-written musings from a normal everyday gal who is spiritual, creative, and aims to do good in the world. She was everything her blog was -- and more.

Leaving the evening I felt renewed in my creativity, inspired in my willingness to try new things, and excited to have checked one more thing off my list... meet new people.

Thank you Donk.
Your admirer and fan... denverbrunette.

PS -- Donk is the author of AfricanKelli.com (also known as Kelli). And is the Donk in Finny and Donk's Sew Along.