Over the Shoulder: Campus Carryall for Tweens

There comes a time when you've worked with a fabric in so many ways and so many times that you know exactly how to cut it, how to lay a pattern to it, how to use it. I think I'm there with my Laurie Smith stash. It's at the tail end. Honestly, not sure it has another piece in it. So it was the natural go-to material for a recent pair of totes I was making.

The annual making and distributing of the babysitters' gifts. Last year I went with something you could put a loaf of bread in, and not much else. This year I took inspiration from the styles I was seeing in NYC and whipped these up. There are mismatched fabrics because I don't have much left. But I love the effect, and I knew I would because I have loved everything I've made with these fabrics. Perfect weight, great prints, nice quality. I'm sad they are almost gone.

These are gifts, but a custom version is going in the shop. So if you want one, go order one in the colors you like.

Busy

It's that time of year in which I don't sleep. I sew.

Last January a friend of mine requested an apron. And I -- can't believe I'm going to confess this -- put it on the backburner until now. It was totally an accident. You know how it goes, "I'll start that just as soon as I finish this order." Then the next invoice comes and you don't do it, but you say, "I'll start that just as soon as the pool closes." Then the weather gets chill and you're still not even started, you gasp, "Oh gosh, I have to do my Halloween costumes, first." Next thing you know, the gal turns 40 and you're faced with a deadline.

Good things happen when I'm under deadline, that's all I'm saying.

Clutch Deconstructed, Laurie Smith Fabric

OK... there's only about 8" left of my favorite Laurie Smith fabric. I've used it in so many projects, I simply love it. I love it paired with green, blue, and brown. Now that it is out of print, I will be sad to let it go.


I tackled the Amy Butler clutch, again. This time completely changing the pattern and making it more of a gigantic wristlet. I used a wood button for the closure and like the organic look it gives the fabric.

Over the Shoulder: Biggest Bag Ever

I keep returning to those bags. Which is silly, because my to-do list is betting longer and I'm not really doing anything at the top of it.

But I have enjoyed giving some bags to some of my friends. And selling some on Etsy, too. This one was practice in hair of the dog, or getting back on the horse, or facing the needle that pierced your pinkie.


Technically it's not the BIGGEST bag I've ever made. (That would be the Anita bag.) But it is awfully big and perfect for hauling towels to swimming lessons or lugging books back to the library, or schlepping diapers to a playdate. Great for many uses.

I did make lots of notes for myself on what to do differently. But I followed very few of my own instructions. Makes me wonder why I even make notes for myself. I did, however, use contrast fabric rather than duck cloth in the side panels. And I was happy with that. Though, I might like a little more contrast.

Pear Shaped

I didn't set out to make a purse with my silhouette. But that I have. Using just a few scraps of Laurie Smith home dec fabric I created this small pouch. It's harvest gold inside and screaming orange outside.


The closure is a button and hair elastic-band. The handles and edging are self made bias tape. All in all, I think the weight of the fabric helps the shape of the purse -- even if it does resemble my rear end.


PS -- Please don't take note of my freakishly whack-a-do thumb. My heavens, what was I doing?!?!?

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.

Kiss My Grass Tote

Here's a fun, medium size tote with zipper closure that I whipped up for the April 4 show. It sold fast, glad I got a picture of it. This print is an out-of-print fabric from Laurie Smith -- you know how I love my Laurie Smith. The zipper is an invisible zipper that I made visible, so it makes for visual impact without a jagged zipper edge. The buttoned pocket is just for show, it's a simple pocket with no closure.
Inside is lined with a lime green and orange print and features a wide pocket.

Mandarin Kids' Clothes and a Fan Bag and some Fiori Fun

I've had a few projects in the works lately... I made two little girl outfits with a Mandarin flair. Both have Mandarin-style collars and I tried a variation on frog buttons for one. It was my first time using self-made covered shank buttons in a project of my own. I will definitely look into doing that, again.

Then I also whipped up a cute little bag for a neighbor. She picked the style and the fabric. All I did was choose the lining and create a pocket design for inside. I've made the fan bag before. But this time I gathered the lining inside to create a little more space (filling the entire inside). I also added a band pocket with three compartments. I used fusible fleece interfacing in the "collar" of the purse, which really gave it good shape. I LOVE fusible fleece right now. It almost has a quilted look and fullness without being quilty... if ya know what I mean.

Lastly, I've been going crazy with the last of my Laurie Smith Fiori fabric. Made two bags, the HUGE modern diaper bag from Amy Butler's Little Stitches book and the Taxi Tote from Anna Maria Horner's Seams to Me book.

Sunny Salutations Yoga Tote

Modified version of Amy Butler's free yoga bag pattern. But changed the top and the pocket to fit my needs. Do like the handle, however, and know it will work as a sling style. Laurie Smith fabric.

Ouch!

It is with this project that I have run a needle through my finger for the first time. I've pricked myself a million times. But this time the needle on the machine went right through the skin on my pinkie's knuckle. Now that's it's done I could use a day at the beach, which is exactly where I hope this bag will be used.


On with what I learned...

1. Never put your pinkie finger that close to the needle.
2. Duck cloth is both extremely easy to work with and exasperatingly hard to work with.
3. The pattern is Vogue 7653 and it has unnecessary steps that make for some weird finishing.
a) Were I to make this pattern, again, I would turn the outer edges in a half inch an sew together rather than leave a raw edge to be covered by bias tape.
b) I would make the inside "flap" style pocket longer and give it a zipper.
c) I would make the side panels out of the same fabric as the lining (the duck cloth was a little stiff for side panels).
4. Fancy cuts to showcase fabric patterns are really hard when you are working with blades of grass and bias cuts.
5. White denim thread is hard to come by. Order online next time?

Where I strayed from the pattern...

1. I didn't use any interfacing this time. I am glad I did this. The duck cloth was plenty sturdy without having another layer of interfacing.
2. I did cut two panels for the bottom and made a sleeve in which I inserted the plastic placemat bottom (These plastic placemats are a dream).
3. Rather than 1 1/2 inch bias tape I made 2 inch bias tape (actually I made both sizes). The 1 1/2 inch was just two narrow for me to work with.

Resources...
1. Vogue 7653, variation D
2. Duck cloth from JoAnn's
3. Lining and contrast fabric, "Freer" from Laurie Smith exclusively for Hancock Fabrics.

Weekend Bag or Really Great Place to Stash Your Knitting, Vogue 7653

While the rest of the handbagaholics I know are struggling with the Amy Butler messenger bag pattern, and her weekend bag pattern, I turned to an old pattern I had in my "library". The pattern is Vogue 7653 (all Vogue patterns are on sale at JoAnn's right now!). I've actually had it for about 4 or 5 years and never got around to tackling it. Not sure you can still buy it in retail locations.

The pattern itself is a bit more complex than others I've used. I think it's a Vogue thing. There were 34 pieces in all to make 4 bags. All of them are luggage size, if you will, and all of them use similar directions (which is confusing if you ask me). The pattern I made required three layers of each piece, a befuddling process of lining up outer fabric, interfacing, and lining fabric. Then there's this whole disconcerting issue with folding and cutting the handles. I was genuinely flummoxed and a little worried that the whole thing would fray. But it seems to be holding.

If I were to make this bag again, and I do think I will, I would consider a completely perplexing process of shrinking the pattern. Has anyone ever done that? It's just a really big bag and I just don't have need for bags that big. I also think that I would try using duckcloth as interfacing. I used a very stiff interfacing -- as the pattern calls for -- and it crinkles ever so slightly when I use the bag. This bothers me.

The inside lining has no pockets. All that work to basically have a bucket. So, I would probably fashion some system of pockets of all shapes -- like blackberry size, diaper size, pen/pencil size. There's room in there for a lot. I still can't figure out why interior pockets weren't accounted for in the pattern.

Lastly, and this certainly isn't a must, I would probably try to find a harder/stiffer/springy-er cording. I used your basic decorator's cording (like you may use to pipe a pillow) and I feel that it falls in on itself when the bag isn't full. One thing that I changed about the pattern that I do like is that I used a cut up plastic placement for the base rather than cardboard. That way if it gets wet it won't crumble. The placement was on clearance for 25 cents.

I used Laurie Smith fabric, of course, and various notions from various local sewing stores. I figure I spent a grand total (excluding pattern) of $10. Not too shabby. You may be asking what I'm going to use this crazy orange bag for. Just going to stuff all the knitting and crocheting supplies I've ever purchased in there. You remember my feelings about knitting.

Fan of the Fan Bag

My favorite bag so far...

This took all of an afternoon. I don't think the instructions in Simple Gifts to Stitch were really complete on this one. The pleat instructions were a bit hard to follow and I ended up just following what I thought I should do. I did use denim thread which I think is a nice touch.

The pattern did not call for a lining. I had to have a lining. So, I tried to make one up. It worked out, it's a little narrow in the very depths of the purse, but all in all it's great. This purse could use a snap closure or something like that. I'm definitely going to make it, again.
I'm on a stash diet, so of course this came from the stacks. It's Laurie Smith, again. (Are you getting sick of her fabrics, yet?) I'm thinking about trying this with a felted sweater. But, not sure... as I've never worked with felted anything. Might also be nice in oilcloth. Would be amazing in velvet -- though if I did it in velvet I would not do any topstitching on the pleats.
If you're in the finny and donk sew along and you're stumped on the pleats, you might want to think of them as french seams. That's what I did, and it got me through the missing spots in the directions.

Redemption

I was so humiliated by my performance on the PJ pants that I quickly whipped out this little tote.
I started with the pattern in Last Minute Patchwork and Quilt Gifts, but then had to put my own spin on it. For some reason I love putting twill tape under bias tape, and then of course I added some big 'ol pockets inside. Other than that, dimensions and everything were great as laid out in the pattern. Oh wait, I also added some details that I thought made it look more expensive, triple stitching around the top, and some top stitching at the seams, etc.



Now, just need to decide who will get this cute little tote. As charming as it is, I wish that I had a blue fabric to go with it. I'm ready to breakup with green.

PS -- All the materials were left-overs. The twill tape was a left over from the harvest/log tote I made my grandparents. The fabric is Laurie Smith fabric that I've used in just about everything I've made since July 07. It's called Freer, or something like that. I picked it up at a Hancock Fabrics in Idaho for about $2/yard. Great deal.

Memory Lane Game: Laurie Smith Fabrics

Here's the board game I made for my husband's sister's family. I'm worried as I still don't think it's made it to its destination, London. I might be starting over and making it all over, again. This time with hand delivery in February.
The idea came from a magazine. But then, of course, I had to put my own spin on it. Changed up the board (by sewing it) and making the game pieces relevant to their lives. It has trivia questions and list building tools so that everyone can get to know each other better.
The winner gets a coupon for something really great like... control of the TV for a night. For the most part I used Laurie Smith fabrics, but the box was a purchase from Container Store. For my version of the rules, just send me an e-mail.

Tool Roll: Lotta Jansdotter Pattern, Laurie Smith Fabric

There's a book out there by Lotta Jansdotter that I really enjoyed reading. She's scandinavian and all her designs are really simple, really clean, and put graphic prints to work. She does design her own line of fabric, but I never find it in stores. I did sew her tool roll out of a Laurie Smith decorator fabric -- shown here -- called Laurie's Leaves.

I modified the pattern to use less twill tape -- I mean enough is a enough, even if your name is LOTTA -- and I turned the seams in (because I wasn't using tape) so I lost about 1/2 inch in size all the way around. But, I liked the result and think it holds tools of all sorts quite well.

Checkbook Cover in Laurie Smith Fabric, Pattern by Lotta Jansdotter