Tag: Gifts

Finished: Fish Hackney

Fish Hackney - front
Fish Hackney – front

I was pleased to finish the Fish Hackney in time for DH’s birthday. It has been awhile since I started this project. I am not sure when, but I bought this fabric in October of 2024. I didn’t make a note of cutting out the pieces, but it was sometime after that. I am glad to cross it off the list as it has been on my mind. I am also happy that DH seemed pleased with it. He was planning how he would use it, however, and thinking it would be good for storing reels, because the thickness of the pouch would protect them.

Fish Hackney top with handle
Fish Hackney top with handle

He did notice the issues that I had such as the weird handle placement. 

I also had some trouble with the placement of the turning hole. I had forgotten that I needed to turn the lid as well as the bottom separately.

Fish Hackney - mesh pocket
Fish Hackney – mesh pocket

I went with the standard mesh pocket this time as I wanted to just get it done and not think about different options.

I made a note on the pattern to match the zipper tabs to the zipper and the foldover elastic/binding rather than the lining fabric. I think my zipper tabs look fine. They would have been less noticeable if I had used grey fabric. 

Fish Hackney - interior bottom
Fish Hackney – interior bottom

I didn’t have quite enough of the lining fabric for the lining gusset. The stripe looks cheerful. 

This is the one pattern I can think of that includes information about anchoring the lining. I did that on the front and back. The lining is still a little saggy baggy, but ok.

Fish Hackney - smooth top
Fish Hackney – smooth top

I also used the Frankenfoam I made at Sew Day a few weeks ago. I covered it with ProFuse and I couldn’t see the seams in the foam.

Of course, now I have used up some big pieces of the Frankenfoam, I am going to have to sew more small pieces together again. 

I like this pattern a lot and am sad it has been such a long time since I made one. So many patterns! So little time!

Flower #6

Flower #6
Flower #6

I visited Cyndi for another Sew Day on Tuesday. Beforehand I prepped Flower #6 to work on there.

Having done all the cutting, etc. I was able to finish the block while I was there.

This is a good project for me to work on when I go sew with Cyndi. I can still talk and chat while I pay attention to piecing. The block takes a long time to piece which means that I don’t have to bring 12 projects to make sure I have enough to do. 

Six blocks down, six to go. Progress!!!

More Metro Double Zip Fun and Games

Metro Double Zip #2 with wave pockets
Metro Double Zip #2 with wave pockets

After my adventures with waves the other day, I tried again and this version is great. I still wouldn’t put a driver’s license or credit card in the wave pockets, but some receipts or a photo would be ok.

I think the non-pocket side of this pouch is a little boring, though I guess it wouldn’t be if I fussy cut some cool fabric for that side. I think extra pockets is better, though.

Metro Double Zip #2 with wave pockets - back
Metro Double Zip #2 with wave pockets – back

I made the vertical measurement of the pouch a half inch taller as well, because I thought everything at the top was a little squished. I am pleased with the way this version came out. I plan to make a few more of these. I had one special request for it, so I’ll see what I can do.

BTW, the way Sara told me to make the strap is genius! I didn’t understand the directions at first, but when I got it, it was one of those AHA moments I wish I had known years ago.

Chickadee Started

Chickadee cut out
Chickadee cut out

I posted about my progress on the guild UFO challenge. What I forgot to mention is that I started cutting out the Chickadee Backpack as well. I didn’t cut it all out, but I did start cutting from the large piece of quilted foam I had Colleen longarm for me months (years?) ago.

This month’s UFO project hasn’t been chosen yet, but making a little progress will be helpful when the Chickadee is chosen.

MaryC's Chickadee
MaryC’s Chickadee

I was also inspired by MaryC churning one out for a baby gift. She is amazing.

I was also pleased that she tried out a Sew Sweetness pattern! Many of my bag making friends don’t try Sew Sweetness patterns, despite my best efforts. Maybe she will try some of the others.

Metro Double Zip Fun and Games

I saw a picture of a pattern on IG. I couldn’t get the wave design out of my head. I didn’t want to buy the pattern as I don’t need a coin purse, or a pattern in Chinese. Also, I wanted to try it larger and thought I probably had several patterns I could use. I decided to play around with the Metro Double Zip pouch. This is a Sew Sweetness pattern from Minikins Season 2 that I thought would work in this context. 

Minikins Season 2 is the one season from which I haven’t made many of the patterns.  I am not a wallet or a clutch person. I mean I use a wallet and clutches occasionally, but not made from quiltmaking cotton. I also have grocery bags and am not into Essential Oils. As I have said before, I bought this season for the Day Trip Wallet. This also means that I am very excited when I have a reason to make one of the bags or pouches from this season.

The Metro Double Zip pouch is an unanticipated gem. I made two of them, each of which took me about 2 hours, aside from figuring out the wave. It was fun to figure out the wave pockets.

I have seen a number of curved pockets lately and I want to learn more about them so I can add them to bags as I want. My experience with the EPPic has made me positively bold!

Metro Double Zip #1 with wave pockets
Metro Double Zip #1 with wave pockets

The first one is totally usable, but MVP and not quite as usable as the second. I didn’t get the wave pockets right. They are a little small and floppy.

Still, I was fairly excited about actually making a change to a bag that wasn’t terrible. All of the stitching and turning of the pockets made them a bit thick, so I’ll change that along with making them taller.

Metro Double Zip #1 with wave pockets - back
Metro Double Zip #1 with wave pockets – back

I decided to try again. Stay tuned.

Finished 3 Zip It Ups

I made these Zip It Ups for the guild board. They are working so hard and I wanted to thank them. I know it wasn’t necessary, but I did it anyway. I consulted with MaryM when I visited her. As mentioned, I told her my plan and after some discussion, I ended up making this pattern instead of my original idea. 

This pattern has been updated to v.2, but I used Mary’s copy of the original. The v.1 ByAnnie patterns are not as detailed, but I was able to make them with no problem.

I thought they could use these portfolios for their guild work, but they are welcome to use them however they like, obviously.

I used ribbon to cover the zipper tape. I decided I was wasting the beautiful Renaissance Ribbon I have purchased by not using it, so I chose some very lush patterns to cover the zipper tape and vinyl edge. I need to use these ribbons more. They are wonderful.

We had our Board meeting at a restaurant in July and I handed them out. It was really fun and we got our work done as well. I am really pleased.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Finished: Sue’s Tadpole

SueG's Tadpole
SueG’s Tadpole

I made Sue a Tadpole. I think I made it at the same time I made Gerre’s and Carrie’Sus, but I can’t really remember.

The Tadpole is a double pouch that is designed to hold your scissors and rotary cutter. I am not sure how one could prevent the various cutters from cutting the fabric, even with the included scissor sheath pattern, but it is still a cool and interesting pouch.

I just gifted it to her last week. She had to supply photos since, apparently, I forgot to take any.

Sue's Tadpole - top
Sue’s Tadpole – top

I shortchanged Sue by not making the Scissor Sheath, which I didn’t like making and thought wasn’t that useful since making it out of fabric wouldn’t protect anything. I still want to try making a scissor sheath from the Diamond vinyl I bought from Sewfisticated. That is on the “I’ll try that someday list.”

Sue's Tadpole - open compartment
Sue’s Tadpole – open compartment

The pouch has a similar shape to the Hackney pouch, but is a little different as it has independent sections that you open from the top and the bottom.

One of the compartments has an interior zipper pocket. More pockets are better, but I am not sure how I would use this one. It is very compact, which is nice. 

Sue gave me good feedback on this pouch, so I am happy. 

All the Gifts for Tim

Shockingly I thought I had made more bags/gifts for Tim. This doesn’t seem like that many. He loves green, so it is a good opportunity for me to use my green fabrics. More importantly, Tim is a good friend and this is a small token of my appreciation for his friendship.

Finished Mini One Handle Tote #3

Finished: Mini One Handle Tote #3
Finished: Mini One Handle Tote #3

I talked about the Mini One Handle Tote #3, but never showed the finished product. I didn’t end up adding a pocket, but I am still thinking about that.

I like this one a lot. I think it is the fabric, which is one I wouldn’t normally choose for piecing, but is perfect for this bag. The print size shows off the motifs of the fabric very well for this size of bag.

I still want to make more of these, possibly for a guild retreat. I have so many other projects to make, however. We’ll see. They are a good palate cleanser project.

Back to Making Flowers

Flower Block #4 cut
Flower Block #4 cut

In planning to go over to Cyndi’s house for a Sew Day, I decided to get back to the Sad Quilt / Country Revival. I thought I could sew one block and then I wouldn’t have to haul a ton of stuff over to Cyndi’s It has also been awhile since I worked on it. 

Since it has been so long, I had to remind myself how to everything. I made some cutting errors and had to re-cut, but the piece is ready to sew.

Mini One Handle Tote #4

Mini One Handle Tote #4
Mini One Handle Tote #4

I came home from Sew Day the other day and made another Mini One Handle Tote. It has been awhile since I have made one, but it has been on my mind to make another, so I did. It really didn’t take me very long even though I had to search through everything to find the project folder. I still haven’t found it, but I had the tutorial, which made it easy. The worst part was that I had to make another handle template and I don’t like it as well. I think I need to adjust it a little, but it worked out fine in general.

Mini One Handle Tote #4
Mini One Handle Tote #4

I haven’t tried a pocket yet, but I think I will on the next one. Fingers crossed I can figure that out.

I do want to make more. It would be great to find my original template. I am wondering if I didn’t make a project folder for this tote?

 

Vinyl Eyeglass Case

Hippie Specs in flowery vinyl- 3/4s view
Hippie Specs in flowery vinyl- 3/4s view

I originally bought the Hippie Specs case pattern because I wanted to try making a clear vinyl eyeglass case. I know it wouldn’t be super secure in terms of protecting the glasses. Still, I had the image in my mind and wanted to try it. 

I came across the roll of flowery vinyl when I was putting away a new roll of lavender vinyl that I bought to make a Pandora Allure. I talked to my niece about it and she said she loves that flowery vinyl, so I decided to make her a glasses case that matches her pencil pouch.

Hippie Specs in flowery vinyl-top
Hippie Specs in flowery vinyl-top

As you can see, the pouch didn’t quite come out as intended. 😉 It is different, more three dimensional than the others. I sewed the seam bottom wrong. Still, maybe it can be used as a glasses case or some other kind of pouch?

One of the things I wanted to test was how the inside would look if I didn’t include a lining. I am a little bit of crazy person about not having the zipper tape show. I swallowed that need and went for it. 

Hippie Specs in flowery vinyl-open
Hippie Specs in flowery vinyl-open

I’d prefer to have the zipper tape covered, but the inside doesn’t look too bad. I sewed really carefully when doing the top stitching. The top stitching looks pretty good. I also bound the inside bottom using foldover elastic. 

I am going to try making another one sewn as the pattern shows. I have plenty of the flowery vinyl and no plans to use it for anything else.

Megan’s Bone Snap Trays

I am not celebrating the Fourth of July this year. 

Megan's Bone Snap Trays
Megan’s Bone Snap Trays

I did make my friend Megan some Snap Trays. More bones.

As you can see I made two different sizes. this time I was testing out the KamSnaps vs Snap Setter. 

The smaller tray has KamSnaps installed to make it into a tray whereas I used the Snap Setter to install snaps in the larger tray. I think that the Snap Setter company is going out of business and I wonder if I will be able to buy replacement snaps. I searched on Amazon, but wasn’t sure what I was looking at.

She is going to test to see how sturdy the different closures are.

First Hippie Specs Cases

Paris Hippie Specs Eyeglasses Case
Paris Hippie Specs Eyeglasses Case

I took a little time to make a couple of eyeglass cases using the Sew Hungry Hippie Hippie Specs pattern. Yes, I am branching out a bit from Sew Sweetness!

This one will be clipped into the Pandora Charisma and sent off to my sister for her birthday. This is definitely above and beyond, but the piece of fabric was just the right size and I have been wanting to try out this pattern. 

I made her something else out this fabric- the Falabella Pouches a few years ago. This eyeglasses case will not be able to be used in conjunction with the pouches, but the fabric will match and a glasses case is useful.

Books Hippie Specs Eyeglasses Case
Books Hippie Specs Eyeglasses Case

I also made one of from some of the last remnants of the table leaf covers.

This fabric was already quilted, which I think made the pouch look better when finished. This isn’t a large piece and after some recent quilting on the new machine, I might be able to manage it. I would need to look at the tutorial again to see what Natalie did about the zipper in relation to the quilting.

I ended up adding another lining on top of the quilted lining to get this done, which is why I need to check out the video again. I used the same lining as the Paris Hippie Specs Eyeglasses Case. I was just lazy. 

I want to make one of these out of vinyl. We’ll see how that works. I have to do some different stuff on the inside.

Cosquilla in the Wild

Beth's Cosquilla in the Wild
Beth’s Cosquilla in the Wild

I love seeing bags I have made in use and not staged for my benefit. 

This was the case with the Cosquilla I made for my SIL#4 for Christmas last year. We visited them for dinner one evening and I saw the bag on a side table when I went to stash my handbag. 

This also reminded me that I need to make sure I do a good job when I sew bags. They need to not fall apart as people will actually used them. 

I struggled with the curve on this bag and am curious to see how the new machine will handle the curve.