Checking In

Not much sewing has been going on here, but I've been reading blogs and books and trying to decide on my next project. I think it's going to be this jcaroline hobo bag in the Modern Flora fabric I purchased. I also need a spring/summer bathrobe and I bought plenty of this Amy Butler fabric to use for it. Speaking of fabric, I just found this and I NEED to have all of it! Yes, all of it! I better pick up an overtime shift at work!!!

I also purchased two sewing books recently. One was for my mom, she's been sewing up aprons lately and even joined her first swap, so I bought her A is for Apron. This book has a ton of great projects and they are all made up in the best fabrics. I might have to get a copy for myself! I also purchased Wendy Mullin's Sew U: Home Stretch. Now I'm looking at sergers! I just want a basic one that doesn't cost too much. Does anyone have any recommendations???

Grrrr

I am no good at sewing under pressure. I am also a huge procrasinator, so of course it's Thursday morning and I'm sewing Mother's Day gifts...that aren't coming out good and need to be ready by Saturday! I was making a Girl's Best Friend wallet for my aunt, but now I think she's going to get a small pouch and a gift card. My grandmother loves my bags, so hopefully I will wake up early enough tomorrow to make her one... and hopefully it will come out good! At this rate, I had better start my Christmas presents now or I will be going crazy in December! Ok, enough complaining, I have to eat something and then get ready for work. :-)

Girl's Best Friend

I just finished my Girl's Best Friend Wallet by JennaLou Designs, and I love it!!! This pattern was so much fun to make and I highly recommend it. I used 2 fat quarters from Joann's since it was my first try. For my own sanity, I will be squaring the corners on my next one (I am AWFUL at sewing around curves) and I will definitely use my rotary cutter and mat when cutting so that my pockets are straighter. But, this came out so cute, I love it! Lots of pockets, including my first zipper pocket, these will be going in all of my bags now. Here is a view of the inside. I can't wait to make another one!

Upcoming

I haven't done much sewing this week, but I've cut out and interfaced my Girl's Best Friend Wallet, so all that needs to be done for that is to sew it up.

Check out Kerri's tutorial on chicken scratch embroidery. I love to work on an embroidery project while I'm watching TV, so hopefully I can get this started soon.

Sew Mama Sew is starting Women's Clothing Month. I've been reading the blogs of their new board members and I think they are going to have some great ideas.

I need to make some Mother's Day gifts. I really like this bag, so I'm hoping I can adapt my tote bag pattern into something close to this. I already have the handles, I just need to pick out some fabric. I plan on making this bag for myself...I finally got around to ordering some of the Modern Flora fabric, so I'll make it up in that. I ordered Green Sprig, but I want ALL of it...I can't wait to get it!

I'm going to New Hampshire this weekend, so I won't be able to get too much done. However, I'm not leaving till tomorrow night and I already cleaned my house, so I'm hoping I can at least get my wallet done in time. I'll post pictures of my progress tomorrow!

Sunday Sewing

I put on my radio and sewed through the entire Red Sox game today. I finished both runners for my bedroom and also made the toiletry size bag from Amy Butler's Stash and Dash pattern. I've made this one a few times now and this is defnitely my best one. I think using the invisible ink pen to draw a straight line for top-stitching definitely helped! The top end of the zipper still isn't coming out as perfect as I would like, but otherwise this bag worked up really well. It'll probably stay open mostly as it will be stuffed full of my make-up!

Tote!

I spent the rest of my afternoon working on a tote bag pattern and here is the final product. I'm really happy with it! I had already made a pattern and cut out another bag, but it ended up being huge and I wanted more of an everyday bag. So, I shrunk it and tried again. I used Ginger Blossom fabric and a brown twill from Joann's on the inside. I love the solid interior with the bright print. I put in a slip pocket, magnetic snap and key fob. Here is a view of the interior. It's kind of a crappy picture, but it's hard to get a good interior view. I can't wait to fill this up and take it out to dinner tonight!

Vintage Jackpot

My mom and I went to 2 church fairs and a yard sale today and I totally hit the vintage jackpot! No fabric, which is what I was hoping for (where does everyone find those amazing vintage sheets?!?!) But, I got a bunch of stuff...here are the pics. I'm off to do some sewing, hopefully I'll have something else to post tonight!

Magazine Rack

My grandmother used to have a stool just like this in her kitchen, when my mother saw this, we knew I had to have it...looks great right next to my vintage stove!

Jewelry box, bud vase and 2 silver rose brooches

Perfect condition, Greyhound suitcase.

Small glassware, embroidery hoops, ric-rac, lace and a thread carrier.