Be Hippy: Summer Clutch

Order at: https://www.behippylifestyle.com/store/Striped-be-hippy-clutch

Still Deluxe

Remember the Deluxe Yoga Duffel Bag? Well, I'm still making it in custom orders. Here's another version -- custom request -- and one of my favorites thus far.



Thanks to all those clients who have great color combination ideas. I'm taking Christmas order, now. Don't delay.

Deluxe Yoga Duffel Bag

This Deluxe Yoga Duffel Bag has room to spare: it will hold your yoga mat, blanket, two blocks, straps and perhaps a bit more without complaint!. It even comes equipped with 3 outside pockets. It's a universal tote bag that could be used for yoga, pilates, swim team, or any sport.

Easily holds any size yoga mat, a few pair of shoes, gym clothes, clean clothes, and all your small valuable stuff. I tested it to hold 6 shoes boxes!

The outer shell is made from quilted cotton. Shoulder strap is removable and adjustable to two lengths. This totes measures about 30" long, 11" high, and 12" deep. (excluding handles) Handles are quilted, as well.

New Tote Style for Sports Equipment

Attention swim team fans! This bag is perfect for toting all your goggles, suits, towels, lunch, blankets, even dry clothes and shoes.

Inside you can fit about 4 beach towels! On the outside you can tuck suits, goggles, mobiles, and small stuff in its 3 flap pockets. It also has two sidecar straps for your wet towels. after practice (keeping them away from your dry stuff).

Or, you could use it for a yoga class. Take along all that you need to get ready for work and still enjoy a hard workout. Seriously, it can carry just about anything. This style is currently in the shop, and you can custom order it to your liking. Request that it be wider, have interior pockets, or another 3 pockets on the other side. I can also put the sidecar straps on the bottom rather than the side. It's all up to you! (Prices vary depending on materials and customizations.)

Even Bigger

Remember the mother of all bags? Well, I've tipped the scales again and gone even bigger.

With this quilted duffle you can pack for your next sunny getaway. The durable fabric and zippers make it easy access to your gear -- versatile! Try it as an everyday gym bag or a small overnighter. One outside end pocket accommodates two water bottles or a pair of athletic shoes, the other end features a gusseted, zippered pocket large enough for books, your digital reader, or a ditty bag. Self-made straps frame a third exterior pocket that is just the right size for a mobile, your music player, and your wallet.




Roomy dimensions approximately: 20" long x 13" wide x 13" high

Care and Cleaning:
Spot clean with cold water or dry clean. May be rinsed in cool water by hand and line dried, as well. Warm iron if desired.

Sewn in my pet-free, smoke-free studio.

It's in the shop, now. Get it before it disappears.

Over the Shoulder: New York State of Mind

I recently took a trip to New York City. Aside from the glitz and glamour of it, I reveled in the basic functionality of the Garment District. Everywhere I looked there was something to inspire a project. An entire warehouse of zippers! Buyers, Sellers, Project Runway fans! The district had it all.


I stopped in at Mood. That was excellent. Though, I probably never EVER need to go back. Big fabric stores across the U.S. compete, I assure you. But I did see Swatch and even gave him a little scratch behind the ears. I dawdled in the knits aisle and purchased two -- project to debut when I'm not so crazy busy. And I went wild at a small boutique where it seemed everything cost $20.


Where I found my real creative inspirations, however, were the holiday marts. We hit to major ones -- one in Grand Central Station and the other in Union Square. Among the fur lined hunting caps, knitted animal novelty hats, and to-die-for original jewelry there were lots of handbag - tote bag - messenger bag artists. The other thing I felt compelled to do each night once we were back at the apartment is sketch out little ideas I would have on the perfect bag to carry on the subway. Really, nothing I owned could have been right that week. Nothing had the right size handle to wear it cross body, nor the right exterior pockets. And nothing, I repeat nothing, was big enough. You become a bag lady when you go to the city. Too much to carry with you to know have one enormous bag.


Upon returning I started sewing immediately. The reason was two-fold. I had orders up the wazoo and I had ideas spilling out of my brain. From one of those ideas, came this.

I predict this style or something like it will be big for Spring 2011! My cross body bag in canvas hits all the trends right now. Carrying your satchel across your body is still a chic alternative to the everyday hobo and it seemed to me that tons of people in NYC loved being hands free (I for one). It’s a very modern look and perfect for moms as well as teenagers. Incredibly versatile and appealing to women of all ages. Right?


In canvas you get twice the trend points. Everyone loves a casual and light bag for Spring -- or so I'm told. This is it. With warmer weather around the corner, fabrics that feel lighter and come in lighter tones are a must. (Have you seen the eye-popping colors at Michael Kors?!?!?) Canvas feels easy but always looks chic and this version is a favorite, classic but preppy.

This bold pattern of this quality print makes a huge statement. It's from IKEA of all places and I fancy cut the panels to showcase the elements that I love the most. I think it adds major style to anyone’s wardrobe to carry around both a caged bird and a squirrel with a cheese shaver. Paired with jeans and a simple tee you’ll feel chic and casual without being slouchy.

The adjustable strap allows you to wear this number over the shoulder, as well. The magnetic closure and interior divider permit security. Completely machine washable in 100 % cotton. The innovative exterior pocket design zips for easy access to items you still want protected. Take another look at that exterior pocket. It's cool, right!??!?!!

Approx dimensions: 2”x 12” x 16” (excluding strap)

These are in the shop right now as a custom order only item.

A Custom Yoga Tote with Zipper AND a Prize

Despite my previous promises, I'm forced to highlight another yoga tote. Turn away, or endure it, because there's a prize at the end. This one is different than any I've sewn before. It is a custom order for a very cool scooter driver from California. Her concern was her mat might fall out of my traditional tote when she is riding her scooter to yoga class. I'd say a zipper will fix that. So, I put an enormous brass zipper along the length of the design and added a top -- it looks a little like a duffel bag, now. Duck cloth inside makes it sturdy, Amy Butler on the outside makes it loud.


Anyway, let's get to the prizes. Wait, first... thanks to all of you who stopped on by. I have to say, my favorite comment was from a high school peer who actually called herself a purse whore. Awesome. But, sadly, grand prize is awarded by random using a random name chooser thingee -- also known as a box full of names and my youngest's hand reaching in and landing on one. Either way we have a winner.

Laurel! You win. Send me -- via e-mail -- your most recent address.

And Heather, in honor of your awesomeness in the form of a sweet comment, send me your address and I'll send you a prize, too.

PS -- I have recently read and leafed through about a million craft and sewing books. So, stop by again for my reviews of them.

Free Prototype

Anyway, who wants a purse for free? I made something I have neither the room for or the purpose. So, I'm giving it away. If you want it, you need to leave me a comment here, or at my other blog, or on my facebook wall. (If you live outside the U.S. you have to pay for shipping.)




So anyway, let's talk about this little pro-to-type. I struggled with this design a little and was trying to adapt some zipper techniques. So, it's rough around the edges... don't expect greatness.

Leave me a comment, tell me about your current project (if you want), I'll keep the comments open til about mid next week, 'kay?

WINNER ANNOUNCED: http://handmadebyhooli.blogspot.com/2010/02/custom-yoga-tote-with-zipper-and-prize.html

Don't Be Fooled

This may look like an innocently simple tote bag. That's a trick.


Not only was it a pain in the arse to create, it's loaded with pockets and compartments. In case you want to actually bring the kitchen sink.

There are two compartments that are large enough to accommodate a large file folder or small laptop. They both close with heavy-duty magnetic closures. Then the center compartment is gigantic and zips close. You could put two bowling balls in that section -- and zip them safely in. I used a high-quality brass zipper.


All the fabrics are home dec weight. But the exterior is especially heavy and is covered in lime-green flocking. The bottom panels and the interior folder compartments are duck cloth. Basically, you'd have to work really hard to shred this bag. If anyone can do it, though, I can.

Over the Shoulder: Little Quilted Bag, Amy Butler with Modifications

I salivate every time I see an Amy Butler fabric. Even when I'm feeling like breaking up with her fabrics, I'm drawn to them. It's like that bad boyfriend you know you shouldn't talk to anymore, but you do. So... When I needed a gift for the babysitter I decided to turn to my stash of Amy Butler fabrics and a pattern in In Stitches -- her best pattern book for adults.

I've always wanted to try the quilted bag, but knew the size was a little awkward. I also knew the process of pieces a quilted bag was not interesting to me -- time sucker. But then I decided to make it without piecing. This wasn't pretty easy to do. But I struggled with the corners and I strayed from the pattern to make a lining.

Here's how it turned out. Hopefully the Vera Bradley fan who is our babysitter will be satisfied with it.


I think next time I'll use piping around the side panels. It would help stiffen the edges.

A Day Late and Ridiculous Pose

Well, I know I promised I'd post a picture of the other thing I made for Halloween, on Halloween. Then I saw the picture and thought I looked like the biggest dork (my husband is notorious for taking unflattering pictures of me). I balked and was afraid. But a promise is a promise and I always want to share the fabulousness of this coat. Vintage velvet coat with white silk lining. Truly inspiring. I borrowed from my friend's mother (who is now 79) -- who wore it every year on Halloween for her children and their friends' costume parties.

The gold embroidery on the lapels is very thick and the whole thing is still soft after about 40 years of use.

But what I made was the simple little satin skirt you see poking through the coat. Great pattern and I recommend it. I'll be making a non-Halloween version, soon. The pattern is an easy-to-sew from Simplicity, 4036. It's zippered and has a nice rise, but no waistband. The length is intended to be below or at the knee. But I shortened it quite a bit for the Halloween version. Only because I wanted to show off my spiderweb tights, not because I'm a slut. Believe me, anything but.

Costume: Purple Haze

I made another one. Did a few things differently. The sheer I used for the sleeves already had an edge, so I didn't need my serger to roll edge the hem of the edges. I did, however, elect to roll edge hem the seams of the sleeve, rather than use the french seam called for in the pattern. I also added a velvet ribbon. It covers up a gather (that I needed to fix these sleeves to accommodate that edging) and I think it adds a wintery touch even if on sheer sleeves.

I used a contrasting fabric for the middle panel. I did this because I realized the dark purple was a little severe for the 3 year old who will be wearing it. It still needs to be hemmed -- but won't do that until she tries it on again.
Speaking of trying it on. The first fitting showed me that I needed a zipper in this one, rather than the hook and eye I used on the pink-pink-pink version. This was a little difficult as I had already sewn the shawl collar on.
Considering the cold weather we've had around here, I'm starting to realize these little girls will be wearing long johns and snow pants under their skirts. Might make for a full skirt without the petticoat. Cute.

Now I will make a veil for this one, too. But I need a brainstorm on that one. The little girl who will wear it has a really cute, short bob. So, a headband might not stay on her head when weighted down by the veil. So, I need to noodle that.
PS -- I promise you the other costume is coming. Be patient.

Mini Bag for Random Stuff

I was inspired by this amazing, strong woman to try my hand at boxy bags. Now, I'm addicted. It's bashing my stash like nobody's business.
In fact, if you need to blow out some space in your sewing studio, buy this pattern or a similar one. The pattern is Simplicity Crafts 9949. It is OLD SCHOOL. The pictures on the front of the pattern look like grandma-style scary crafts from 1983. I bought it at JoAnn's on sale for $1.99. I started with the biggest bag and worked my way down. Honestly, I've had to modify the patterns a little bit because as a strict rule I am using scraps. So, sometimes I couldn't do as the pattern requested. There are 11 patterns all together and they start with dimensions of about 10"x12" and go all the way down to a tissue cover at 3"x5". I've had to make up lining patterns for everything -- because I guess Simplicity doesn't believe in linings.
All these projects pale in comparison to the sassy boxy ditty bag I got from African Kelli, but such is life when you create in the shadows of the great ones.
Check back in a couple of days and I'll post the poka-dot pouches I made from this same pattern, they are SO cute. You know, if I do say so myself.

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.

Summer Accessories Custom Orders

Following my April 4 show, I've had a few custom orders for bags. Here are the most recent to be completed. Coming up, a custom order for a very special wedding accessory. I just have to find a model, then I'll photograph it and post it here.