Sewing Project: Reversable Bag

I have needed a new "scripture" bag for months... maybe a year. My cute bag I used in Hawaii- gave up, and broke down. :0( It didn't like the transition to Utah climate.

I found a really cute tote pattern at Joann.com. You can see it here and download the pattern!

I decided, after looking at the pattern, I might need to find a easier pattern. I wanted to use supplies I had on hand- and I don't have any batting required for the Zest Tote. (Although it is adorable!)

So I found a great bag, with a wonderful tutorial by Very Purple Person, she even provides a free pattern to download! (Click HERE)


Happily this pattern fits perfectly on the boot cut portion of my jeans I wanted to re-purpose into my new scripture bag.
 (Cute jeans- right? Sadly they don't fit.)

 

I followed the pattern.

I read and re-read the tutorial.

It was a great/fun project that took me about 6 hours from start to finish.

 

One side is sturdy denim

The other is made from extra curtain/couch pillow fabric- lol!

 

 

 

 

Sew so cute! I would highly recommend this project for a newbie.

Fitting a pattern

Okay for the last Project Sewn next week the theme is "signature style".
 Make something that is my strength. I kinda did that already on my flannel skirt. (click here) Tube skirts I would say are my strength. So instead of sewing another one- I thought I stretch myself.

I bought a simple pattern on sale- $1.99! (love that!) And the fabric that matches this pattern was also on sale 40% off at JoAnn Fabric. (I will admit. I kept those two elements in mind when I was looking for a pattern to buy.)

This pattern is a fitted, knit/interlock fabric dress. Simple construction, no zippers and such. I am a little scared because I don't normally wear "fitted". But I thought having a simple shell dress that I can wear my cute cardigans with, might be a great staple in my wardrobe.

I found a great youtube video - on how to fit a pattern.
I really want to learn how to do this- so when I sew my fabric together- there isn't major re-constructive surgery going on. A little tweaking is fine- but I don't want to have a bag- that I have to form fit to my body.
(or worse yet- there isn't enough fabric to tweak with in my hips area!)

For this pattern, my body measurements said I was an 8 for my bust area and a size 12 in my hips. (I told you- I am a classic PEAR) Instead of buying two different patterns, I bought the size 8- but enough fabric for the size 12 so I can alter the pattern myself in the hips and have enough fabric to do that.

Thanks Joy Bernhardt for such a clear- easy to follow tutorial!

Wish me luck! I will show you my finished project on Monday!!

Coral Sweater Re-style

So, the challenge for this week at Project Sewn is Think Pink!
I am not a "pink" person.
I went through a very short phase- of trying to wear pink, when I realized I was destined to be a mother of all boys! But it was short lived.

I realized - I like blue! I honestly do!


But after evaluating my wardrobe- I realized I did need more CORAL in my life. (look how amazing coral looks with blue and brown?? Kristina is so cute!)

 

I have a lot of blue.
I have a ton of turquoise.
I have too much black. ( I have actually banned myself from buying any more black in 2014)
I have a bunch of grey...

Coral is a happy color that looks smashing with all the colors I already own.

Kristina posted a cute idea for a sweater:  upcycle.
You can click HERE to read her tutorial.

So when I found this XL sweater from Christopher Banks at my local Thrift ... I thought I could do something simple with it- to tailor it to my size. (Sorry about the goofy face- but this is how I feel when taking pictures of myself- GOOFY.)

Then I found Kristina's idea to embellish a sweater- and I am sooo tempted to add these flowers.
I think they are so cute!
My only concern is.... is this fad already one foot out the door?

I am looking for more classic styles- that never go out of fashion.

dilemma
I figured, I would work on the resizing and see if I even have any fabric available to add these embellishments. That might have to be the deciding factor.

 

I used a zig-zag stitch to resize the sides and arms to fit me.

 

I love it!

 and I am going to skip the flower embellishments. I don't have enough sweater scraps and I like how simple and classic this sweater is. I know it will be a new favorite staple in my wardrobe.

After last weeks- failure, it was nice to have something wear-able!

kitchen valence-

 

This is a project I made a year ago. (2012)

This is what I am talking about- my skill set is straight lines.

A very confident straight seamstress.

I really liked the colors on this curtain. I found it at home depot on sale!~ The only problem: They had one long panel and one valence. That was it. The print is a bit busy- so probably fate was protecting me- so I couldn't buy two long panels and have them flank my living room window.

Sometimes you have to listen to fate.

But I thought - this would be the perfect fabric for a valence over the sliding glass door in our kitchen space.

(Our house has one GREAT room. Our living room/ dining area/ and kitchen are all connected.) The fireplace and kitchen cabinets are dark coffee color and our couches are a deep plum/wine color. So I was looking for a fabric that would introduce some other colors into our pallet.

I used the one valence panel as a pattern to make the next. (Mostly just matching the length of the valence.) I used the existing curtain rod pocket at the top for one panel. Cut and then used the sewing machine to hem.

I measured and cut again-- and again-- for the last panel.
I even had enough left over to make some matching pillows for our couch!

I love how the project turned out. Matching the fabric- helps blend the two spaces in this large room.

I covered the pillows- by making pillowcases.

 

I don't know if you can tell.

It is really just a long pillowcase- and then I tuck the extra into itself to fit the pillow form.

I decided not to "finish" them, because I want to be able to take off the covers and wash them.

Question

I really don't like the idea of taking a bunch of pictures of myself-- posing.
Is that dumb?

Would you hate that? If I only posted pictures of the clothes... hanging on hangers?
(I think I already know the answer)

I mean- I love to see the clothes-- ON the people.
ugh

I'm going to have to wrap my head around that-
(I don't mind- real photos of me wearing clothes... I guess I feel silly "modeling" clothes.)

Here is a picture of my youngest- our Christmas family vacation to California to visit grandparents and extended family. San Francisco- I love the architecture!

What I wanted to show off- was my Infinity scarf.
This isn't technically a "sewing" project- but I know 2 crochet techniques;
a single crochet
and a double crochet.

I made two types of scarfs as presents this year. (I didn't take pictures of those- sorry! I didn't think about this goal until Christmas was over.)

But both scarfs were super easy. I love how - even with a few skills- you can make something wonderful and useful.
I'll post links to those patterns later.