Mini Me

I loved the way my Bigger on the Inside backpack turned out so I decided to make a Mini-me version for my 3 year old Niece. 

As you can see - we have a princess-purple-pink girly theme here!!  (LOVE!)  I made at 85% and I think it turned out to be a nice size - course don't know how it will fit the little one, but I can just barely get it onto my back, so should work out good for her.  (And My Sister can wear it when little one gets tired of having it on her back - OHHH how I wish I could be around to see that!!!)

  Here is a side by side with the full size - who knows I may make a small one for myself, its a nice purse size.  (About 9 1/2" wide & 11" high)   

ENJOY!!  

Drawstring back pack

I'm on a roll with patterns by Erin from Dog Under my Desk!  I just finished her Bigger on the Inside drawstring backpack - it turned out SO CUTE!! (At least I think so - even Hubby said it was really cute!) As with all her patterns, the directions are excellent and assembly was very easy - I think someone with minimal sewing experience could make this!

Here is a shot of the inside, it has a slip pocked on one side and I added a zipper pocket on the other side for "secret stuff" - HA!  

Hopefully I will can get an action shot of the back pack in use this weekend - someone mentioned in a comment that photos on people are the best way to really know what size a bag is.

Have a GREAT day!!  

  

Hipster Bag

This is my 2nd Two Zip Hipster bag by Erin Erickson over at Dog Under My Desk.  I think this is a really cool pattern, very good directions and the finished product is very professional. 

Isn't this fabric just the cutest!!  It's called Kodachrome by Cosmo Cricket for Moda in the 

Clementine colorway.  I love the little cameras - super cute!        

  

One thing I like about Erin's patterns is they look good in all one print, or you can change it up and use multiple fabrics - I used a batik with a contrast for the front pocket of my 1st Hipster (sorry no picture...).  I think I'll try and make a mini-hipster next - or maybe some more wristlets??  

Happy Wednesday everyone!!   

 

Another Daytripper - ready for travel!

I made myself a full size Daytripper!  

I wanted to use this for travel, so thought it would be nice to add a strap of some type to attach it to my suitcase.  I looked at ready-made carry on size bags on the Internet that include a "trolley sleeve" (that is what it is called!) to get some ideas.  There were all kinds of things, everything from convertible pockets w/zipper at top & bottom to a simple strap - I decided to go with simple!  I didn't want to loose any of the existing pockets, and also didn't want to add any additional bulk/weight.  I used a single strap - 1 inch wide (made like this post ) added just below the back zipper.  I also added additional interfacing just behind the strap for extra strength - I'll be going on a short trip soon and let you know how it works out!  

Happy Monday - enjoy your week! 

    

Fabric, Fabric, Fabric.....

The Fabric Fairy (aka Mail Lady) left a great package in my mail box!!!  I just LOVE getting fabric in the mail and I CAN'T pass up a good sale or free shipping offer!  This latest stuff came from Thousands of Bolts  which is one of my favorite online places to buy fabric - her prices are great, shipping is reasonable and super fast - what more could you ask for??? 

Here are my latest projects - the tall thing is the Idea Pouch by Michelle's Patterns - it holds my iPad and has a front pocket with pen/pencil slots and space for a charger or whatever.  The pattern directions were very good and it was an easy project.  The other little pouch is also by Michelle's Patterns, its the Pyramid Pouch pattern (discontinued....).  I made it larger by setting my printer to print at 130% it worked out great - its about 7" wide by 4" high - nice size little pouch unfortunately not quite big enough to hold my sock knitting like I wanted it to - well as long as I only have 1 sock it fits, but for sock knitting I'm a finisher so I eventually need to have space for 2 socks in the same bag!  I just love this fabric, sadly I've used up all I had - it was by Jennifer Heynen for In the Beginning fabrics.      

Happy Thursday!  

Quick Zip Lunch Bag

A couple of days ago I showed how I make straps and forgot to take a picture of the bag they were to be attached to!  Here is model number 2 that will be gifted to my other Niece.  This is the Quick Zip Lunch Bag pattern from Erin Erickson from Dog Under My Desk Blog.  I love how this turned out, its super cute and the pattern is very easy.  It is a bit small, but I made these for children so the size should be perfect - probably played with more than really used!  I just loved this fabric, it has picnic stuff all over it and well - its PINK which I love and perfect for my two little nieces!         

 The Zipper closure was very easy and results in a professional finish.  I used Insul-Bright for batting so hopefully it will actually keep items cold.  

Happy Wednesday to all!! 

New Daytripper bags

I recently made the Daytripper bag pattern by Erin Erickson over at Dog Under My Desk's blog - this is simply a great pattern.  First I made the "mini" size that she gives some simple direction changes on her blog - its 85% of the full size pattern.  On the full size version (brown) I matched the print across the front, it was pretty easy with the big floral and I had plenty of fabric to do so, I did not match the print on the blue floral - didn't even think about it until I looked at some finished samples on Erin's Flicker site.  

 The print auto-magically matches across the back because of the way the zipper is installed.  

The top zipper is really easy to install and gives a really professional touch.  I did use a little different interfacing than she calls for in the pattern - specifically I used Pellon 926 instead of the Pellon 50 that she calls for (the 926 is a bit thicker -LOVE it!) I also used fusible fleece instead of batting, I fuse it on top of the woven fusible so I don't get any wrinkles.  I love the way these turned out - the brown bag will be gifted so I am trying to decide what fabric to make another full size one for ME!    

When I first started seeing PDF download patterns for sale at various places on the Internet I was hesitant to purchase, after all the price was the same as buying a pattern at the local quilt store and I have to use my own paper & printer ink for a PDF pattern....this was my though process anyway (cheap?) - I was VERY wrong!!  When you buy an independent bag pattern at a quilt shop you usually get a page or two of directions with some line drawings, they are not bad directions but many times I am left scratching my head and thinking to much, just trying to figure out what the pattern designer is talking about.  In a PDF download pattern (the good ones anyway!) you get pages and pages of full color photos with directions that leave nothing to question just follow along and the results are great!  I have only tried a few download pattern designers, have you had good luck too?  What are your favorites?

Have a wonderful day!!!