Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Sewing: Fall Leather Tote

Pattern: Leather Accent Tote by LRStitched
Fabric: Glimma by Lotta Jansdotter for Windham Fabrics
 Sewing Summit...a modern sewing and blogging conference.
   A place to put a face to a name to all your friends you talk with on IG...
  A place to expand your skills...
 A place to eat a lot of food and enjoy friends.

Mostly for me, Sewing Summit was a place to try something you never thought you'd do before. Leather...not pleather...the real stuff that smells fabulous...the thing that you'd never thought in a million years you'd work with.

It was the unknown, but Lindsay Rhodes soon cured that...giving us all the facts we needed to proceed in sewing with it in her lecture before we tackled the tote. Her lecture was two hours, but I think I could have easily sat in that classroom for another two hours soaking up her knowledge of leather...she is just that amazing and knowledgeable.

Her pattern was really easy to follow and user friendly...and she was there to hold your hand when things got scary.  It was an amazing experience...
   And I made myself a Fall LEATHER tote...
   By myself!
   And I'm not sharing...it's mine!

Things I will share about working with leather:
  - You need a leather needle.
  - You need a heavy-duty polyester thread.
  - You need fabric glue.
  - You need to work with scissors other than your fabric scissors.

If you have all of those things, just have a bit of faith in yourself and do it...I promise it will be okay, and you'll have a fabulous leather bag like I do.

And if you ever get the chance to take a class from Lindsay, run to her classroom...she willingly shares her knowledge and is the best teacher.  I hope I get an opportunity to learn from her again next year!


Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Sewing: The Aragon Bag...aka Hello Kitty Does Elvis Bag

The Aragon Bag by Sew Sweetness
I've been getting a few requests for baby bags lately...
  However, I didn't have a baby bag...especially one in Hello Kitty that they were wanting.

Enters Sara Lawson of Sew Sweetness stage right...
   Would I please test her new bag pattern?

She describes the Aragon Bag as:
 Whether you have a new baby or just a ton of stuff to carry around in your bag, this one is for you! On the exterior, this bag features two elastic pockets, a three-dimensional snap pocket, and a back zippered pocket.  On the inside, there are four elastic pockets and a zippered pocket.  All of your things will have their special place!  

And when Sew Modern posted a picture of their new Hello Kitty Elvis fabric, I knew it was a match made in heaven!  Who wouldn't like a baby bag with Hello Kitty Elvis fabric?

Pros:
- For a big bag, I was surprised at how lightweight it actually turned out to be.  It finishes at 16" long x 12" tall x 6" wide, and is very easy to carry about.
- Pockets everywhere, and they're elasticized with plenty of room for bottles formula, whatever my friends would need for their little ones.
- Very versatile bag...I would be happy to use one myself on an everyday basis, as it's very roomy and plenty of places to keep your things organized.
- Overall the bag was very easy to make, although I would consider it to be an intermediate-level bag in construction. Sara's instructions were great and very user-friendly, with plenty of pictures to help along in the process.

Cons:
- I had a bit of trouble with the final step of using a bias tape on the lining side to finish up the bag, but went very slowly and got it done!

Overall, I believe this to be a beautiful bag....and think the next one I make will be with bunny fabric for myself.



Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Sewing: Elephant Backpack and Lunch Sack


It wasn't even a yard...
  and it was oh so cute!

I couldn't let it stay on the shelf...
  it just needed to come home with me.

And it needed a special project...
  something to make it shine!

Back to school...everyone around here is getting their little ones ready to go back to school next week.

Just perhaps it would make a lunch box...or a backpack...or perhaps both?
   But that was wishful thinking, as I didn't even have a yard.

Maybe, just maybe I could make it work...
   And maybe, just maybe I would do it my way.

A lunch bag with a drawstring interior and a top closed by a big button...
   Oh so easy for your little one to use, but secure enough to keep everything inside.

The backpack...yup, it also has a drawstring interior and a top closed by a big button...
   A zipper pocket on the front for your pencils and erasers...
   And a big pocket inside because maybe you want to take a pink pony to share.

So...my first creation from scratch...no pattern...
   And I'm pretty proud of myself!
   Might just half to do a few more!