the long and short of it

I finished what turned out to be an intense online Photoshop course yesterday and am so happy to have more time to get back to my sewing. I've had the panels and straps cut out for a new cargo bag for some time now. When I had an hour or so to spare, I'd work at basting and constructing.

Today I'm ready to finish it. The outside of the bag is complete and I'm piecing together the inside.

I wanted to visit here since I've been away again for a spell to share a photograph of the work in progress.

I've decided to add an adjustable strap to this bag since I want the flexibility to wear it over my head and across my chest or off my shoulder. It's something very simple, but as I've never added an adjustable strap to any of my previous bags, I'm excited.

The fabrics I've chosen are from my stash, Sugar Snap by Melissa Averinos for Free Spirit, bright, but not too loud, perfect for the summer, to coordinate with casual tees and flip flops.

I'll be back soon with more photographs and details!

sugar & spice & everything nice

lest we dwell on the negative, i wanted to share this adorable little sundress i made not too long ago, late this past summer, having had a very vivid dream that i "needed" to make doll clothes. lol!

i just happened to have an american girl doll handy to dress and model.

ok. i confess. i have several american girl dolls.

we had nothing like them when i was a little girl and so later, on my own, i invested and adored each and every one, especially the accessories and wardrobes. definitely a brilliant concept and marketing scheme on the part of american girl, llc.

at some point i really do hope to gift them to a little girl. alas, the little girls in my family are now almost grown women and never took a particular interest to dolls, certainly not for safekeeping.

18 inch dolls are the perfect size to sew for. the pieces are small and require some dexterity, but nothing like sewing for barbies. i can't imagine!

i've another super cute outfit cut out and ready for the machine.

not only are these great practice pieces for making gathers, ruffles, sleeves and necklines, but great stash busters. the fabric i've used were all remnants from previous projects. cute, funky, mod!

thanks to everyone who left me a kind note regarding my mishaps with daywear. i'm really not in the least bit upset or demoralized. we learn from our mistakes and we perfect our skills often by trial and error.

read the fine print

i wanted to pop in and say "hello" and because i felt obliged to follow-up to provide  more information.

i'm working on the day-shift. though i don't like to speak negatively about a design, i must say that this dress really has no shape at all. and the "belt" that i scratched has nothing to do with it. i know it's not supposed to be fitted. maybe if i tighten up the bodice where it attaches to the skirt? this is definitely where my inexperience with apparel shows.

perhaps it's that i'm short and curvy? regardless, the sizes run much too large.

i'll finish it because my main goal was to have a "practice" piece for bodice and sleeves, not an easy thing to do when your heart has slipped out of your work.

i think i'll make another bag after this. i'm pretty good with those. lol!

day-shift

that i not lose momentum on my road to apparel and fitted garments, my next project is to make a simple dress. the pattern as you see is this from indygo junction. the fabric is an embroidered cotton (pictured in reverse) i've had in my stash for a good three years.

instructions call for over three yards of fabric. i was able to squeeze what i needed out of 2.5 by shortening the length of the lower front and back panels and the sleeves. meant to be 3/4, on me it was more like a long. i'm thinking i'll wear this little number over tights or jeans. and if i like the "fit" perhaps i can modify it to be a top by lengthening the bodice pieces.

it's a beautiful weekend. we're expecting our first freezing temps this evening. fall has finally arrived. the leaves are now turning as well. enjoy a fabulous day, an awesome creative adventure!

classic with a splash of color

as luck would have it, i went to hancock fabrics yesterday with the idea i'd simply browse some fabric to get a feel for what's available in cottons, fleece, wool blends, brocades and more. i looked on every shelf and display. so unlike me who usually goes straight for what i'm in need of. near the cutting table i stumbled upon some "sportswear wools" and this pretty gray with embroidery jumped out at me right away. it's not super heavy yet will be warm and should drape nicely. it's classy as a traditional gray, yet has some embellishment to make it fun. i think as a long, hooded cloak it will look interesting and playfully elegant. the sales associate and customer in line behind me thought so, too!

i was positively smitten when i saw it was on sale for 40% off. there were only 4 yards left on the bolt so i pulled the pattern to consult the back. it suggested i would only need 4.5 yards for a small and medium in a 60" wide material. furthermore, i knew i had taken a good eight inches off the length. however, to be sure, i drove back home (after a quick stop at the trader joe's next door for some yummy dark chocolate treats...but that's another story!), measured out what would be 4 yards and 60 inches and lay my pattern pieces on top. perfect! i jumped online to consult the hancock webpage. they showed the same fabric at the same discount. but, why wait for shipping when i can make an easy five minute drive, again, and support my own community?

i then found this delicious mauve lining fabric, also 60 inches so 4 yards would do, thread and a frog closure which i will use in place of ties.

and you know who i called first in my excitement over my new fabric and savings? my mom, of course! it was nice to hear a smile in her voice. i promised her a photograph of the finished piece.

time to stop staring and start cutting!

wishful thinking

the next sewing project i've on my mind is to make myself a cloak (i'm calling it a cloak because i like it and its not for halloween...tis the season!). i found a simple pattern and have altered the length to suit my short self.

i'm super excited to get started, but i've the issue of fabric. i want it to be eye catching and functional yet not tacky or cheesy. should anyone have any suggestions on a suitable material that is light to medium weight with nice drape i'd love to hear it. in the meantime, i continue to browse locally and virtually. i need a good 6.5 yards each for the outside and lining so i must be cautious as to what i buy and spend. i'm also shying away from stripes and fabrics with nap because of cost.

why a cape?

i've long admired the capes used by the students at the University of the Azores in Ponta Delgada as seen here in this scanned photograph from the Festival of  Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagros on my visit in may 2002.

i've done some browsing to find out where this tradition originated and i'm assuming it follows that of the University of Coimbra, Portugal found here...

One of the most visible and distinctive traditions is the use of the academic costume of the University of Coimbra, a black suit and cape used on special occasions by the students and which was adopted by other Portuguese universities and is actually used by students of almost all higher education institutions in the city and across the country.

i wore my cap and gown proudly on graduation from university, but why celebrate for just a day when you commit four years of hard work and hard play?

of course, my mom suggested i pursue graduate studies at the uac.pt (she had ulterior motives) and i'd be granted a cape of my very own. dreamy as that would be, today is about my reality. i won't have the badges associated with my academic pursuits and community involvement, but a cloak i shall have nonetheless!

lost & found

i realize that, if i had waited but one more day, it would be exactly three months since my last post. goodness. it's been much too long and i've been missing some of my blogging friends.

i've been away, if but here, in my small urban environment, enjoying what has been a glorious autumn and playing with a new camera. oh my. i do love it so!

but, yesterday on what was a rainy, gray day, i was craving a little sewing time. i've not a tan bag that i "need" to wear with jeans other then store bought, and that just won't do.

it's my go to pattern, the swing bag by amy butler, the one i find most comfortable to wear and easy to use.

i promise i'll be back when it's finished. and i'll be visiting with you!

peace and joy this december day!

in action

i enjoy ncaa softball, very much. and today the women's college world series gets underway with the eight teams advancing from the super regionals meeting in oklahoma city. fun! espn will carry the games beginning at 1 pm eastern time. holy toledo, charlie brown. women's sports. on television. what a breath of fresh air!

ok, so now you know a little something more about me other than just my bag and apron fetish. :)

but, as this is a blog primarily devoted to sewing, there IS some sewing going on in between my other creative obsessions and distractions.

i made my mom an everyday bag by favorite things some time late last year. recently, mom had a friend visit and she shared with her my sewing projects (several bags and aprons I made for mom and my oldest sister). the next thing i know, mom is calling me, asking if i would make an everyday bag for her friend as a gesture of thanks for the visit and because she absolutely loved my work. i took this as a very big compliment because mrs. g sews, professionally. super smiles!

of course i said yes!

so, here it is, hanging in my closet to "set" the fusible fleece i like to use as the interlining.


in the back and behind are my other bags, including my adorable buttercup, handy, accessible, so i can grab the perfect bag for the perfect date.

i've the handles, button, button loop and lining to work on...taking my time so i don't get in a hurry, enjoy the process and do nice stitching. yeah.

i'll post pictures of the finished bag and details soon after i'm done.

rock the day, everyone, whether sun or rain, summer or winter. creative moments are eternal sunshine.

commercial break

salvia guaranitica 'black & blue'

i've been in something of a foto frenzy since last here i came to my little space. but, i promise there are some sewing projects in the works, including something i'm super excited about. and there is new fabric because i wanted what was just right. and it wasn't there in my stash (that's my story & i'm sticking with it). it's been so long since i ordered fabric, i confess i was a bit discombobulated, with butterflies in my stomach! but, can't wait for ups. yeah. rock out. and i'm going local, too, to see, to touch.

was it ridiculously hot where you were this past weekend? it was all i could do to keep my little herb, annual & perennial gems from hitting permanent wilting point! so long, spring. hello, summer!

bits & pieces

yep, it's the daily spice apron by heather bailey in jewel mentioned in my previous post. lovin' it so far and the pattern appears to be very well written. if i can steal a few more quiet moments from the business of life, i'll start to sew!

and i hope you guys don't mind something not sewing related.


it's the first tulip to open that i planted late fall and i'm sooooooo excited! sadly i didn't make note of the variety. oh well. i'm happy to have something pretty to look at regardless of name. there are at least a half dozen more in bud. can't wait!

boy things

pattern: main panel - McCall's M5551; ties - Simplicity 2824
fabric: six color desert camo twill & moose country - designed & produced for jo-ann's
other materials/notions: none
date completed: 24February2009
a gift for: robert. 9 year old nephew

a reversible little chef's apron!

i had a pattern piece cut out on my own, but decided i wanted a designed pattern to compare sizes as i've no children with whom to work with in person. i was pretty darn close in what i thought should be the measurements, mine just a bit more narrow. wow!

i intended the camo to be the "front" but like the novelty print, moose country & wildlife trek, a whole lot. it's nice that he can use either. robert likes to help when you're cooking, frying and flipping the pancakes or waffles, always has since he was a wee one and had to stand on a chair. i made a messenger bag & apron for his sister. thankfully my sib finally sent me the measurements (yes, i asked over a year ago, but we won't fuss about that!) so i can now send him his own special package of homemade goodness. i'm a bit more comfortable with girl things as that's what i know best, being all sisters in my family. but, this was fun & i hope he'll like it. he's sweet & sentimental that way.

there's also to be a pair of pj pants for him...


...from this soft & warm wolf themed flannel. i'll start on these next to have things in the mail asap.

and the pieces are all cut out, including the canvas & peltex 70, for the large betty shopper by amy butler i've mentioned before for my other sib.


balance. i'm having to learn balance for what are now life's circumstances. making time for my sewing is super important. maybe i can sneak up here in the darkness of night when i can't sleep? if i close the door, no one will hear the machine chirp, chirping? :D

wip. scrappy apron. for the new year

pattern: scrappy log cabin apron by apa
fabric: numerous designers including amy butler, kaffe fassett, tina givens, alexander henry & michael miller seen in many of my previous completed work

inspired by the work of quite talented women participating in a virtual quilting bee (see turkey cookies december log cabin block here), i decided this morning to do my version of a log cabin panel for a new year apron. what you see laid out in the picture will be the top left corner of the front panel. once the finished piece reaches about 22" w x 20" l, i'll fashion a waist band, apron ties & choose a lining. i'm excited! i forgot how much fun it is to plan, cut & piece, a time consuming project, but perfect for the imagination and a delicious way to run through what remnants are yet in your stash.

time lapse

remember this? well, now that the christmas decorations are pretty much up, time to get back at the sewing.

i've decided to make what i plan to call "four seasons" bags. exactly. four bags. four seasons.

this will be fall, although brown is pretty much a year round color. i ordered some black for winter. however, i still can't find a lining i like for it. so, fall it is i shall now sew.

i'm using my first alexander henry fabrics...jewel. mobile. chocolate and jewel. stripe. tea/chocolate.


and from a new online vendor at a good price. they had some jane sassaman prairie gothic i liked. yep, it rocks. psychedelic. almost glows in the dark! ;)

this kind of looks like the beaded curtains from the 70s. yeah, dude. totally retro. i like it! the fabric has been serged, washed. i'm ready to iron, cut & sew. today, tomorrow, now!

wip. market tote

pattern: eco-market tote by favorite things
fabrics - amy butler midwest modern:
bag/small pocket: floating buds. sage.
large pocket/handles: garden maze. olive.
lining: happy dots. pink.
other materials & notions: cotton duck interlining. large button.
a gift for: jill. niece-in-law.

phew! it's back to work & not a moment too soon. tee & me, we enjoyed the thanksgiving week. but i missed sewing. and sadie mae, after two days inside for the rain, it's out with her to enjoy this glorious, if a bit breezy 1st of december. she was getting bored, so little for her to see & do within these four walls. tee is close by, at the office. the downstairs is all tidied up from the week long festivities. and i've the house back to myself to sew, sew, sew!

first order of business...a market tote for my nephew's wife. my oldest sister, her mil, helped me pick out the fabrics when i visited with her back in mid october. we were in agreement...earthy, subtle, but with a splash of color. the amy butler midwest modern collection is perfect! and i think jill will definitely use this bag over any other i could make for her.

and there's at least one more item on my must-do-soon gift list...an apron for andy jane..although i've a few other things in mind. yum-yum!

sew good, sew groovy days! :)

wip. another messenger bag

pattern/fabrics: same as this
date completed: hopefully today, 18November2008
a gift for: soon-to-be 13 yr old niece in the 8th grade, raqi

first made this messenger bag with raqi in mind. however, tee & me thought the straps were a little too long. there were a few other quirks to it that i've since corrected, noticeable only to me, but i decided to keep it for myself, have been using it ever since & getting compliments on how "bright" it is? :)

this time around, i added a pocket to the outside & totally think it's cute! there are two for the inside as well. the strap is shorter by 2-1/2 inches and narrower by 3/4 inch. as this is a more lightweight cotton, i decided to baste cotton duck both on the exterior & interior bag & strap. the pockets have fusible interfacing for stability. and i'll probably close it with a magnetic snap.

update: finished it by 2 pm. another one down. yeah!