Commentary about works in progress, design & creativity
Well, the Rose Petrillo sort of returned. I found the project bag in which I put all the pieces.
There are a couple of pieces missing like the strap. I’ll have to find some good fabric for that.
The fabric pieces are all interfaced with SF101, but no foam is cut out. It could be that I didn’t have foam at the time I cut out the pieces. I really don’t remember.
I finished the Vervain belt bag the other day. This is definitely a bag I need to make again to improve my skills.
I did find that the bag went together more smoothly than I anticipated. It made me happy and it made me confident enough to try the Allium bag soon.
This bag is really making me consider buying a rivet press. I got the magnetic snaps in with no problem, but it was a bit of a struggle. What is stopping me from buying a press is space. Where would I keep such a huge piece of equipment? Not sure, so I need to clear some things out to make space.
So this bag has a flat front pocket. The snaps are on the front and don’t meet when the bag is as it is shown in the first photo above. The snaps are uneven so the pocket can fit something with more dimension.
I was able to fit my phone in that pocket, but not very well. I wouldn’t store it there on a regular basis. I would use that pocket for lip balm, wet wipes and other flat items.
The back has no pockets, though I could have included a vertical zipper pocket. I might if I make this again.
I also used a really nice parachute clip for this since it is for my aunt. The clip is a little heavy and that is a concern, but we will see. I hope it doesn’t prevent her from using it.
Inside is where I would put my phone, if I were using this bag.
It has a zipper that closes the bag completely and also an interior zip pocket for more security.
CW took the Butterfly Superbloom out as soon as she got it.
She took it with her to a winery. I hope the bag held at least two bottles!
This is a great picture and I really hope the bag was useful.
I think I might have had a little dip in my Sew-jo and didn’t really know what was going on. I had a great sewing session over the weekend and I think I bag to my normal enthusiasm and energy.
I really made good progress on the Vervain belt bag for my aunt. You might think this doesn’t look like much, but the sewn bits are the result of about 20 steps!
I was concerned about making a belt bag (fanny pack). I am not sure why, but it seemed harder than normal bags. I think I was just feeling down.
I have a few more steps to go – maybe another 15? I am excited about this project and how it is evolving. I’ll probably be done by next week. We’ll see.
I sent off the Butterfly set to its new home. One of my fabulous readers made a very generous donation to an organization of women helping women. I sent the check straight to them. This happened after I mentioned the organization for whom I originally made the set declined to include it in their auction. Their loss.
I don’t normally make bags to sell. The organization to whom I gave the money is very dear to my heart. They help women with scholarships for academic degrees. I received a scholarship for my undergraduate and graduate degrees from them. The organization made a huge difference in my life. I hope that this small effort on my part makes a difference in another woman’s life.
I finished the latest two Dogwood pouches the other evening. I really like the way they came out.
I was much more careful this time about fussy cutting, so the butterflies are whole. I did a good job on the Hindsight Dogwoods, but the print was much larger, so it was harder to select a part of the print.
The lining is the same as the Butterfly Superbloom, which makes these part of a set.
I like the way the zipper is handled in this pouch. I might have to talk about that in the future.
These are the same sizes I made before. I wanted to make them again to cement the process in my mind. My printer is also acting like a jerk, so printing is iffy at best.
When I make pouches I always think about how I would use them. Pouch F is the larger one and would be great for chargers and other small electronics. I have several pouches in my work bag so I can keep things organized and think I would use this pouch for cords and chargers.
Pouch J is the small pouch and would be great for hand sanitizer and lip balm. I didn’t make these with vinyl on the inside so I have to think about keeping them clean. However, the pouches are washable, so that is a bonus.
I wash the pouch and bags I make in a lingerie bag to keep the handles and other pieces from getting into the workings of the washer. I have already washed all the fabric in hot water, so any temperature is ok. I recommend cold, but you can also wash them in hot.
I finally finished the Butterfly Superbloom, but it is bittersweet. The organization to whom I planned to donate it has decided they have something similar and don’t want it, or the Dogwood Pouches, for their auction. 🙁
I have to figure out to whom to gift it or whether I can do my own raffle and send the money to the scholarship fund. Let me know if you want to buy a bag for a good cause!
I am happy with the way this came out. I like the positioning of the butterfly on the side.
Of course, I love the side pockets. They are so fun!
I think I am done with the Superbloom pattern for awhile. I think the white of the zipper tape stands out a bit, however the rainbow teeth go well with the fabric. The side seams stands out a bit in the photo, but it isn’t as noticeable in real life.
I accidentally put a treat inside one of the side pockets. I hope whoever ends up using this bag will appreciate the various places where the butterflies are located.
The lining and interior is similar to the Hindsight Superbloom.
I think I am done with the Superbloom pattern for awhile. It’s a good pattern!
I cut out some more Dogwood pouches the other day. I am using the same sizes (F & J), mostly because I didn’t want to take the time to print more templates. The organization to whom I wanted to donate the set is having their luncheon soon and I wanted to make as many bags as possible. I have only the Superbloom and the Cotton Candy so far.
I need to get busy sewing.
I finished the two Dogwood pouches at the Retreat. This is a worthwhile pattern as there are multiple sizes, but also a couple of new techniques to use in making your pouches.
Pouch F is the larger one and would be great for chargers and other small electronics. It went together very quickly.
The zipper instructions were a little tricky, but I watched the video (glad I brought my tablet to the Retreat!) and it was clear. I was actually kind of excited about the zipper instructions. They make a very cool finish to the zipper ends.
Pouch J is the smaller one. It would be good to corral small items in your handbag.
I found that the boxing of the corners was a different technique as well. I had to watch the video (Yay tablet, again!), which made the technique clear.
These are already off to their new home. I haven’t had a clear answer as to whether the Angel Mama likes her set of bags, but I feel good having made an effort to thank her somehow.
I started the Vervain at Sew Day the other day. The Vervain is a small belt bag (fanny pack). A front pocket on the outside and a lining zipper pocket on the inside lend storage space. The main compartment secures with the top zipper.
I am making this for my aunt, mostly because I have more iris fabric. She wants to use it to hold her cell phone on her daily walks I am happy to do it as she is my favorite aunt and I have wanted to make this bag.
Honestly, I almost cut out two of them. I restrained myself, though. I decided just to make the one and go from there.
Sew Sweetness has no templates for this one, which is a shame as the pieces are weirdly shaped. I used my scissors and that worked fine. I have a couple of pieces of foam I cut separately rather than on the fold. I’ll either stitch them together or cut a new piece on this fold this time.
The Dogwood Pouch is another Sew Sweetness pattern. The pattern has multiple sizes, so it is a good one to buy (no affiliation), if you want to try out making pouches.
I haven’t made any of the sizes yet, but cut a couple of sizes (F & J) over the weekend. These will be more gifts for the angel taking care of my stepdad.
The pieces are mixed up to fit my photo setup. I used the same fabrics for both and I am interested to see how they turn out. If these are easy to make, I might make more.
I measured the leftover zipper pieces from previous projects and have some that will fit and match the color scheme. I just have to find some zipper tabs.
I finally finished this Superbloom. The Hindsight Superbloom was a high. This one felt like a slog. I don’t know why except that everything that could go wrong did go wrong. This is completely my fault, because I have been somewhat distracted by life. It was still frustrating.
The outside looks fine and I am pleased by that.
My aunt loves irises and I found some iris fabric that I knew I had to use for her. The the fabric looks fine , but the lining is too saggy for my tastes, despite my use of a 5/8 inch seam allowance. I know the Muggles won’t know, but you’d think by now I could manage a non-saggy lining. 🙁
Normally, I would use a white or very light fabric for the interior, but that iris fabric is so perfect for my aunt. I could have used it for the outside, but I really wanted to use the canvas I bought at Bolt for her for the outside.
I had to buy that ochre fabric after the fact for the zipper panel as I thought the iris fabric would look too chaotic. The ochre fabric is a weird color, but goes with the background of the iris print. Also, it was wonderfully soft.
I think it goes very well with the purple zipper. I don’t think it should, but it does.
I did use some dots on white for the inside pockets as I thought they would be too dark if I used the iris fabric. I also think I want to make a pouch or a smaller bag with what’s left of the iris fabric.
I still like the design of this bag. The side pockets are especially cool. I haven’t ever used this bag as I don’t have one of my own, but maybe I need to try it out.
Once I got close to finishing this tote, I stopped working on the SMAP version. I needed to send this one off to my aunt and I wanted to get it done. now that it is finished. I can get back to that bag.
I am making good progress on the Superblooms, but not enough. I really want these to be finished today, so I can take my aunt’s to the post office and mail it. I also want to show at least one of them at the meeting on Saturday. I don’t know if either will happen.
As you can see, I have made good progress. The exteriors are finished and the handles on my aunt’s are sewn on.
For my aunt’s Superbloom, I used cotton webbing for the handles that Cyndi made me take from the free table one time. It is wider than called for, but I think looks good with the exterior fabric.
The SMAP version is less far along. I had to rip the handles out twice. Hopefully, third time is a charm.
I’ll be working on the lining next and that is always the last step. I have a couple of interior zipper pockets for each bag to make and then lining assembly.
Almost there!
I am preparing to start a new contract and the company is really a pain. It has been taking me many hours I could be sewing to set everything up. Finally on Friday, I had a nice chunk of time, so I got to work on the two Superblooms I have been wanting to make.
I was able to get all the pieces interfaced and the side pockets made. I had some trouble with some fusible foam. It turned out to be fusible on both sides. Since it was a scrap and, I hadn’t marked it, I didn’t realize it was fusible on both sides. I don’t normally buy fusible interfacing. I especially don’t buy double sided fusible. The piece was just big enough for me to cut the foam for the bag sides. Perfect, right? Yes, until I figured out that both sides were fusible. On one hand it was good, because I could just press it on the fabric. On the other hand, I had to use a press cloth and I am not sure if my press cloth is gluey. Iron-off** is a wonderful thing for cleaning the iron.
I have a couple more pieces to cut from the new fabric I bought at Needles, but otherwise I think the rest will go quickly.
As I have mentioned the prep is the hard part.
**N. B. : Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this blog.
I finished the Paint Tube Day Trip! Yay! This one went together a lot more quickly than the Hindsight Day Trip, but that’s the way it works, right?
I was thinking, as my Mom has started using the bag, that a slip pocket might be a good addition to the front. It would add to the layers, but would also be really useful.
I mentioned that I was making it so she could carry her cell phone with her and didn’t have to hold it in her hand as she moved around. That is working really well. She has also started using it as a wallet. When we go out, she takes it instead of her purse.
I was pleased, once again, that the cell phone pocket fits her new phone very well. I am also glad I reinforced the magnetic closure. I think it might have ripped already if not for the extra (Decovil Heavy**) reinforcement.
I also made the straps/tabs for the D-rings slightly longer. I did that because one pulled away from the edge stitching on the Hindsight Day Trip. I didn’t want that to happen again, but I noticed that the D-rings spin around now. The triangle hardware pieces would not have worked for this application, sadly. My mom doesn’t care, but I care. Another learning moment, I guess.
The inside went together well and I love that I can turn this bag through the openings in the interior zipper pocket.
I used leftover zipper tape for the interior zippers. They are the handbag size, but it doesn’t matter.
I put different colored zipper pulls onto the the interior pockets to give a visual cue of the contents. The pulls are nice and large so easy to grasp.
I don’t really want to make a bunch of these, but I have the templates and some ideas, so I might make another one or two. One would definitely be a good Pink Project addition.
Check out all of the Minikins patterns I have made as well as some of the other Sew Sweetness patterns.
**N. B. : Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this blog.