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!!!    

  

Hand Dyed Quilted Purses

I have been hand dying fabric for about 8 years or so - I just LOVE taking a piece of white fabric and making it all colorful and bright!  Earlier this year I made a whole bunch of purses, totes and pouches out of my hand dyed fabric that I quilted on my longarm - it was great practice on the longarm and the purses turned out cute as can be!  Here are photos of a small sample of what I made:

 closer:

 even closer:

 really close, my longarm has amazing stitches!!

These were all made with Michelle Patterns sadly they are also patterns that she recently discontinued!  She has new patterns that are also very cute and her directions are very good.  I quilted the fabric before I cut out any pattern pieces, I also quilted the top fabric with out any backing - just one layer of Pellon Thermolam (Non-fusible!) for batting, it worked out really well and made for much less bulk in the seams!  I also tried using some regular cotton batting with out any backing it worked OK, but not as good as the Thermolam - the thermolam is very stable so it was easy to mount onto my longarm and just float the fabrics on top.  Happy Monday!!    

Straps anyone?

Thought I would show you one way I make purse straps that is a little different from some of the patterns I have used lately.  I use light weight 100% cotton twill tape and wrap the bag fabric around the webbing - it makes for a nice strong strap - see my photos below of the steps I go through.  (I have purchased lots of cotton twill tape from an Etsy shop called - Sewing Supplies I'm not affiliated, but have bought lots of stuff from her and I've been satisfied every time!) 

Fabric would be the length you want your strap and 4 times the width of your cotton twill tape - my twill tape is 1 inch, so my fabric is 4 inch's wide and 16 inches long.  Press fabric in half to give yourself a guideline for the twill tape.  

Use a little bit of Uhu Glue Stick to keep the twill tape tight against the creased line - iron it a bit to dry the glue.  (This brand of glue stick is one of my favorite sewing supplies, sadly I can't buy it locally anymore so I will have to resort to an Amazon 12 pack of glue sticks!)

Use a little more glue on-top of the twill tape and fold up the bottom fabric to cover - hit with the iron to dry the glue and set a crease.  

 Now fold the top fabric over - two times see pictures, no glue this time, but use your iron (careful not to burn yourself!) to crease it nicely.

Next after the fabric has cooled, that last fold that is on the outside, needs to be moved to the inside and pressed to make a nice crease

  

It should look like this now:

Open it up and use a little glue stick to "baste" it together, don't forget to iron it after putting the fabric together, this drys the glue so it won't hurt your sewing machine.  

Top stitch about 1/8 inch in from the edge on each side - sometimes if I want an extra strong strap, I will stitch several rows of top stitching until I get to the center of the strap.  

 TA-DA - nice strong strap for a bag of your choosing.  (I forgot to take a picture of the bag these straps went to before it got stuffed into a box and mailed off to my Niece - lucky for you guys I have another Niece that I will be making another lunch box for so stay tuned!!)    

Have a great weekend and thanks again for all the nice comments!!

Not for the faint of heart!

This is the Professional Tote by The Creative Thimble.  I made this back in February.   

I purchased this pattern at a quilt show at least 6 years ago!  I loved the sample that the vendor had, it was so cute and had SO many pockets, a zip top and looked so - not - home - made!  (Not that there is anything wrong with home made!)  The problem was the directions scared the heck out of me!  I would open up the pattern package and see the cutting labels (18+) to put on all the pieces, everything rotary cut and then the sewing directions were 13 pages long - I was scared to start!  One day, I told myself I couldn't buy anymore purse/tote patterns till I actually made up some of the patterns I already had.  I had become a purse/tote pattern collector - almost in need of a file cabinet!  I think this was one of the oldest pattern in my stash, and one of the hardest so why not start on that?  I dug around in my stash and found this cute flip flop fabric - I had about 3 yards so even if I screwed up I could re-cut any parts that needed to be replaced.  I think it took me 3 days to finish this tote - this is the reason I say not for the faint of heart - it's not a quick project, but really not hard and a very good pattern!  The directions are very good - just take it one step at a time like I did and the results are very nice.  I think the only thing I don't like is the interfacing used - decor bond, which is not really bad - I just hate that it wrinkles so much.  It's not noticeable on this tote because of the black background.           

Thanks to everyone who left nice comments on my 1st post  - I have lots of other projects to share so keep checking back!  I'm not sure how often I will post yet - we will see how it goes!

Have a great Monday!!! 

First Post!! My bags made with Geta's bag patterns.

I've been on a bit of a bag making spree for the last several months.  I think I will start off by showing you the bags I made from Geta Grama's patterns - she is from Romania and very talented.

First I made the Chantel Bag - The pattern was very well written and quite easy to make.  I chose to quilt my version just like Geta does on hers.  The fabrics are Piece of Cake designs from years ago - I had 2 fat quarters of each color, just enough but I did have to piece the blue gusset - if you look really close you might be able to spot it!    

Second I made the Belle Bag - this one is made from a decorator weight cotton - they were samples a friend gave to me so it was FREE!!  I didn't quilt it, but did use some fusible fleece as interfacing.  This pattern was also very well written and very easy to make.

Third I made the Amelie Bag - this is made with quilting cottons that I quilted.  This fabric is Central Park by Kate Spain - I just happened to have the matching mottled fabric in my stash - nice!  Again, a very well written pattern that was very easy to make.  

Fourth I made the Nicole Bag it was a bonus that came with the other patterns - for this one I did change it a bit - I changed the size when I printed it to 80% as the original is very large.  I have a tendency to fill all bags to capacity, so a bit smaller is easier on my back!  I think this is my favorite so far.  I did the quilting a bit different, I did a water type squiggle on the black background and outlined and filled in some of the trees and boats with matching threads.  The fabric is "Boat Cruise" by Alexander Henry and is a VERY large print - the palm trees are 9" tall!  The final tote size is 16" wide by 11.5" tall - nice size!  This pattern doesn't have assembly directions, only pattern pieces, but once you have made the Bella and/or Amelie you will not have any problems putting it together.

   

I hope you enjoyed looking at my versions of Geta's Bag Patterns!!  Have a wonderful week!