a purple lap quilt for her

my sweet niece is in her second semester of her freshman year of university. she's adjusted so well and has become quite independent. it's a blessing to see dear babes become responsible, happy adults.

i remember many, many years ago how wonderful it was to receive a "care" package from home, or from a friend, when i was in college.

hopefully we've not completely lost such kind gestures because of this age of technology.

after making a lap quilt for an older niece who is in her own apartment and has returned to study nursing, i wanted to make one for our freshman.  i asked her what her favorite colors were. she said she would like purple and light purple. the child knows how to get straight quick to this heart of mine. i really like purple. it's just plain fun.

i found fat quarters and fabric yardage in awesome shades of purple, threw in some white and decided on a nice, striped pattern.

and added blocks for the borders, keeping it simple since the fabric was so rich.

for the back I found this 118" quilting fabric of lavender daylilies here.

i had every intention of quilting, but ended up tying the entire quilt, using a curved needle to thread DMC embroidery floss at the corners of each block in each strip and in the border blocks. i was trying to stitch in the ditch, but i could not feed the quilt, all bundled up and rolled, adequately through my machine to get nice, straight lines with tidy stitches. after it took me two hours to rip out two lines, i knew i needed to stop, take a deep breath, and tie.

then it took me between ten and twelve hours to tie. i even woke up one morning at 2:30 AM and tied for 2.5 hours. i couldn't sleep, wondering why i was having such problems when i hadn't before. in those early morning hours, i relaxed and let the stress roll off my back.

the binding went on quite easily. i've heard and read about nightmares regarding machine stitching binding, but i actually like it! i cut my own which i've realized goes on much straighter with no wrinkles then the store bought i had previously used.

as i mentioned in the previous post, i like to use a decorative stitch to secure and give my binding, front and back, a finished look. i am so very happy with the end result!

i've the perfect sized box ready to package this baby off, send it on its way.

and i've decided i'm going to stick to smaller quilting projects, things i can do fun designs with, in sizes my machine can handle. like this wall hanging i did before the holidays...

Sewing should be fun, not stressful! And if I do decide to do something bigger, like lap size, I'll resign myself to tie it from the beginning. It's just as secure and the knots are cute anyway.

a new look...

I've been missing from this space for some time, but decided yesterday to give it something of a new look, add some items over on the sidebar where you can find me on other social networking sites and to give you a sneak peek at a lap quilt I've been working on. I recently purchased a Brother XR9500PRW Limited Edition Project Runway sewing machine at a great price on amazon because I really wanted an inexpensive machine with lots more decorative stitches than my Husqvarna Viking Scandinavia 200. I like to use them to secure and give my binding a nice polished, finished look. This is my very first time using the machine! I positively love the sweet, loopy stitch. It looks so nice, front and back. And the stitches are neat and tidy. That does my heart good!

I've made another quilt since I was last here and have made several sets of "prayer" or "peace" or "garden flags."  I don't have too many photos of these projects except for a few I took with my iPhone. My goal is to photograph what I do have and share here at some point.

it only took me four years and four months to finish what i started

if it hadn't been for this blog, i would not have remembered my plans for this lap quilt never mind that i had started it back in january of 2009! really?! oh my. life was a bit chaotic for a while, things up in the air at times, but obviously i've done quite a bit of sewing. what took me so long?

i know i was stumped by how to border this lap quilt. i considered my friends' preferences, but couldn't match up my triangles all the way around.

and i feared quilting and binding. the very first quilt i made, my mother and i sewed buttons to tie it down and i used the envelope method.

but tee and me have recently moved into a new home and we've re-painted the rooms in these amazing, bright, springlike colors.  he kept suggesting i make a quilt that would match "sweet mimosa."

that's when i remembered the lap quilt started so long ago. no way, no how would i start a new project with this one sitting there. i needed practice before tackling something queen size.

the wait was good because i saw it with new eyes.

i went in a new direction with the border.

and used those original triangles in hourglass blocks for the back.

(these are instagram photos in case you're wondering why they're in square format with borders and so saturated.)

before i go into the details, let me show you the completed quilt, front and back. it'll make it easier for me to explain.

lap quilt, front

lap quilt, back

i didn't match the single row of blocks on the back to any one on the front, so i decided to quilt and tie.

on the bottom three rows of the front, i quilted squares around the 8" x 8" blocks and squares in the solid 4" x 4" blocks of the hourglass.

had i continued this pattern in the tops two rows, it would have not aligned to the back and i just didn't like how it looked.

using DMC embroidery floss, i tied in the center of the 4" x 4" squares of the top two rows and all the 2" x 2" squares of the border.

the knots are barely visible on the back. besides that, i learned how easy it was to use a curved needle and how to tie a surgeon's knot.

i went store bought for the binding, having purchased it here in this color. it was familiar since i used double fold bias tape to hem before. so it would match and the mistakes would be less noticeable, i used yale blue machine quilting thread, too, that i picked up at my local jo-ann's.

though the binding bunched a little so it doesn't lay super flat, particularly over the length, i'm proud of my imperfections and feel super accomplished.

i've many ideas churning for more quilting projects starting with a wall hanging for the hall, that "sweet mimosa" quilt, some table/mantle runners and more lap size for gifts! i've already been practicing with designs. fun!

pocket purse

i don't know about you, but come summer time, i don't really want to lug around a huge bag unless i'm going to the beach, on a picnic or have a specific activity to attend.

perhaps i want to take my sketchbooks and tangle amidst the beautiful flowers of my neighborhood museum gallery gardens. In that case I'll carry my art student tote.

the saturday market tote is perfect for shopping at the farmers' market.

obviously i have bags for many occasions!

lately, however, i've noticed i just grab my smartphone and wallet to dash around town doing little errands like mailing off some letters or picking up a few groceries. and when we walk to meet up with our friends for a nice cold one...or two...i certainly don't want to carry a big, ole purse to lay on the floor or sit on a crowded counter. i've a small leather purse i bought years ago. the only problem with it is that i have to take my phone out of its protective case and i can only carry my driver's license and some cash or credit card. i just don't like that.

i searched through my pattern stash and came across this one.

perfect.

i used Wrights double fold bias tape quilt binding for the strap. it's the same width as what the pattern calls for. because it's already seamed and folded, it's quick and easy to attach. cut it to a length that fits your frame and you're good to go.

besides the zippered front pocket, i added a pocket to the back. it's not necessary unless you're like me and you want your individual items securely separated.

the bag can be made in sizes ranging from 4" - 7". this is the 5". of course, you can make it any size you want. 5" is perfect for a smartphone in an otterbox case and a small credit card size wallet like mine.

it lies nice and flat against my hip and is lightweight. i can wear it comfortably, unencumbered, and carry plenty of camera equipment when I'm out shooting. sweet, sweet summertime. i'm ready for you. bring it on!

art student tote

a new home. a new creative space. a new bag.

it's been a busy few months. but this week i've been back at the sewing table and it feels good.

i had started this bag before i knew where i was headed. as it turns out, it matches my surroundings beautifully, inside and out. i'm surrounded by light and color. i've a feeling it will reflect in my choices now, in where i go, in what i create.

i'm still hesitant when a project calls for zippers and magnetic snaps. but i'm pleased with the results and i love the bag.

i've had the fabric for some time. it's Michael Miller..."garden pindots" for the trim, "boho blossom" for the exterior pockets/divider/lining and "far out floral" for the exterior.

as with all my bags, before constructing i basted a muslin to the straps, pockets, exterior, lining and divider panels. because the strap is narrow, i used a lightweight muslin for it so it wouldn't be hard to fold and topstitch. the strap is sturdier without being too bulky. for everything else i went with a premium muslin. it's not as expensive as a canvas yet provides that stability i like.

a few things that make this bag a little different from some others i've made...

the straps are one continuous loop. you sew the main panels at the bottom then attach the strap, stitching up one side, in a rectangle, from top to bottom, and then the other.

there's a divider with pockets that is secured to the lining panel at the bottom as well as at the sides.

the pair of snaps, back to back, secure the divider in place and close the bag, a super cool feature.

it's perfect as is for me because i divided my interior pockets to hold the size sketchbook i like to tangle and my micron pens. it has the zippered pockets for smartphone, wallet, etc. and it's a nice, comfortable size. but it could easily be modified, too. it's why I love to sew bags. i feel i'm learning many techniques and studying design in a pleasant, happy environment. and i've always a bag in my closet to coordinate with any outfit, to suit any mood and meet any season.

a messenger bag in fall colors...

...that's what tee said when i showed him the fabric i had chosen for this large messenger bag. i won't spend too much time talking about it since, if you're here and have followed me for a while, you're very familiar with it. i've made it in several different sizes with many pockets and lately an adjustable strap.

i do think it's pretty, though, in this bright, bold amy butler fabric and i did want to post it here continuing this online, visual journal of my sewing projects.

this bag is for a new friend. she saw this one that i've been using to carry my notebooks to a wonderful poetry class i'm taking (an 8 week course...for free!), heard me mention to someone that i sew, and asked if i'd make her one. why, of course! she told me to pick the colors and the fabric. for some reason, maybe because of the time of the year, i felt this was perfect.

now if only the fall like temps would return and stay!

for mom. with love

at the end of july i suddenly found myself in nyc, a trip i had not planned anytime this calendar year. but some members of my immediate family were gathering at my sister's house and needed me to be there. fortunately it wasn't all business and what was passed uneventfully. there were some great moments, too, like spending time with my niece and nephew and long chats into the night with my big sis.

tee and i were also able to hitch a ride into the city on a friday with my sister. we left her to her day job in the early morning and hopped on the subway with a list of places we wanted to go in a few short hours.

on that list was mood designer fabrics. because i'm a fan of Project Runway and have been since it's first season.

i hadn't realized it was on the third floor of a building and that it took up three floors. so cool. as soon as we walked in i immediately noticed a few of the employees i recognized from the show. how exciting would it have been to spot a designer or Tim Gunn?! it may have been more than i could have handled. i got totally tongue tied when i came face to face with Jessica Mendoza at the 2012 wcws. but that's another story!

i asked tee to take this one photo of me with my iPhone to record my very own Project Runway moment.

we walked up and down all the aisles through all the racks on all three floors looking for some fabric for my mom. sometime back she had asked me to make a specific purse. this one. when my mom has asked me to sew something before, it's been for a gift, a bag or an apron she wanted to give to a friend, never anything for herself. she knows i won't let her reimburse me for the fabric and she doesn't want me to go to any unnecessary expense. moms are thoughtful and considerate that way. i'm grateful mine is, anyway.

so i found some beautiful fabric. actually tee did and i agreed with him. my mom specifically requested something mostly black. i don't think she'll mind the dark brown, the backdrop to the black flowers. this way she can use it with either black or brown shoes, slacks, coat, anything.

it's home deco of a nice weight. it held up so beautifully, even to the fusible fleece used to line the exterior panels, sides and handles. i could hear the needle "pop pop pop" as it slipped in and out of the fabric. i love that sound. it means tight, straight, even stitches to me!

for the inside i wanted a fabric with a lighter color that would pop, but nothing too obvious because i knew it would be visible from the top. i think it's perfect.

it's also a home deco weight, but 100% cotton and flat, not shiny.

the bag is very simple as you can see. i gave her an outside pocket in front and back. the inside is nice and open, has one small pocket for a cell phone or a small wallet and has a sturdy base. i inserted a piece of foamboard in the bottom of the bag between the exterior and lining.

the sides are tacked to give the purse shape and structure. i really like it. and i hope she will, too. i'll get it in the mail to her early next week and see what happens upon arrival!

a weekend getaway bag

this is it. the bag i'm going to be using for my next weekend getaway. of course, i don't have any immediate travel plans. gosh darn it! regardless, should something come up, i'll be ready.

i love this bag! i was totally intimidated because of the...gasp!...zipper. probably even more so than the tubular frame which i've never used before. so i procrastinated. i had the fabric and fleece cut out two weeks ago. and i sat contemplating it until this week. i needed to release some anxiety. sewing is my meditation. and it worked. all my troubles went right out the door! or my consideration of them anyway.

i broke two needles trying to sew through all the layers of fleece and canvas in the straps, including a super duty jeans/denim 100/16. holy smokes. i would have broken more had i not really taken my time and helped the machine along. i'm thinking the models are made on industrial type machines? no, seriously?

so, let me introduce you to the bag, the bohemian carpet bag by sew liberated. i made a carpet bag a few years ago, this one, for my older sister. and it came out really nice. but i'm thinking i like this one, a lot, because of the frame. which i got here, by the way, along with the swivel snap and feet i used.

here's a full view of the bag...

and a close up of the zippered outside pocket and the frame...

another view the frame, open...

and one of the bottom with the feet...

i really like the corner accents, that they meet at the sides and at the bottom. i like the straps sewn into the bottom seam for extra support. the feet, besides being super cute, will be nice when i sit the bag on the floor. i like how roomy it is inside, as is, with no pockets. this really is a bag to carry your clothes in for any overnight trip. the outside pocket is enough for your cell phone which most of us can't live without. and the key fob, which i didn't take a photograph of, well, it's sewn into the frame casing to hang inside. it's handy dandy so your keys don't get lost.

i would recommend this bag and this pattern, i really would. i would just warn you that the materials can be costly, depending on what you choose to use. i went with this printed cotton duck i bought quite a few years ago. it's woven and durable. i like the bulky handles from the fleece, but it is tough to sew through. just take your time. if you don't need something quite so sturdy, but like the bag, you could easily line your exterior, handles and lining with canvas and skip the fleece all together. those are my thoughts, anyway.

oh, and that zipper? super easy to insert. phew! maybe now i'll take on more projects with more zippers!

i can see more sewing in my near future, of course. i'll be back then!

amy butler's sunday sling

i had intended this pattern and this fabric as a giveaway. sadly, no one expressed any interest. perhaps the questions i suggested to qualify scared people away. or perhaps because i posted on a friday everyone was out and about enjoying the start of a fabulous weekend. i hope so!

regardless, i ended up pulling the post and i decided to make the bag myself with the fabric i had selected.  and i am so happy i did!

i took my time as there is quite a lot to cut out from the exterior and lining fabrics, making sure my designs were straight, and from the fusible fleece and interfacing. and there are quite a few steps for all the pleats and pockets, from ironing to basting and topstitiching. and the bag will end up costing you a pretty penny as these materials aren't cheap. but it's well worth it. the bag is sturdy, a really nice size (this is the small one...imagine how big the large sling would be!) and you could pretty much pack everything you need for an overnight getaway. seriously!

i like the little attention she gave to details. like trimming the outside and inside pockets with the reverse fabric simply by cutting the pocket panel a little smaller than the "lining" panel. and i love the small, pleated cell phone pocket that allows your mobile to fit snuggly and within easy reach. my otter box just happens to be the same color as my fabric, but perhaps you can see it in this photograph at the top left.

and the side pockets on the exterior are handy. the pleated pockets and main panels are a nice, decorative touch giving the bag some shape, too.

if i were to change anything it would be the handles which are designed to tie. it's pretty. and different. but for me, i'm not sure how easily the bag will stay on my shoulder. or how comfortable it would be should i be taking a long walk in the city, sightseeing, let's say. but that is a minor detail. i wouldn't let it deter YOU if you like what you see of this particular bag. and you're an amy butler fan who buys all of her patterns.

cute skirts

it's the first official day of summer and i just happened to finish this super lightweight and super cute skirt today.

a dear friend from Brazil sent me this fabric a few years ago. after giving it some thought, i finally decided to go with a sweet skirt from this pattern. i wasn't teasing about the title!

i've been working on it for over a week now, whenever i had a free hour or so. but it really should be a quick sew. it is constructed from eight panels which means a lot of stitching, but that's pretty straightforward.

i was a bit confused with the instructions when it came to attaching the gores to the adjoining panels. from the illustrations it looked like you sew to the end when you sew one gore to each of the panels. i think you should really leave whatever your seam allowance is at the tip. i confess i never read the instructions beforehand so, though i was confused, i wasn't going to rip anything out, especially when i had all the gores done. i just had to "make it work" as one of my favorite public figures, Tim Gunn, says on one of my favorite reality shows, Project Runway, which is premiering July 19th, by the way! if you've worked with gores before, it's probably a no brainer. regardless of whether i did it right or not, it looks perfectly fine, outside and in; however, if anyone has any suggestions for me, i'd be grateful if you left a comment!

those little details aside, i really like the skirt. i like the narrow waistband and the elastic that's threaded through the back only. it makes for a nice, clean front. it fits well. do be sure to consult the chart to find your measurements. and though i'm curvy, it lays down flat on the front, back and sides, no bunching or bulging. that's a winner as far as i'm concerned!

i like it so much you may see another some time soon.

now, go out there and celebrate! hope you've sunny skies and bright sunshine in your corner of the world!

what more could i need?

i've this new bag. and this new top. and now this new skirt.

throw in some hoops i also made from 1" and 3/4" 100 psi poly pipe with gaffer tape in bright, fluorescent colors and i'm not only ready to hoop dance into summer, but i'm color coordinated, too! would you expect anything less? tee most certainly wouldn't. LOL!

i'd forgotten i'd made this skirt before, some time ago. i saw the pin marks in the pattern pieces, but i couldn't for the life of me remember when or of what. until i had finished that is. the gathers on the front and back jogged this middle aged memory.

i never wrote about it. obviously that skirt is still packed away where it'll stay, for now. it's in solid black and much too dark for this time of the year.

this version is the belle skirt by favorite things. it looks nothing like the cover photo. that's because i decided to omit the contrasting band so it would be shorter. also, the fabric is a bit sheer so i made two skirts of different lengths then sewed them together before stitching both to the waist band. it's still rather lightweight and i won't feel self-conscious without a slip.

for a little fun flair and because i positively love machine sewing double fold bias tape now that i know how to do it, i hemmed it with 1/2" tape in canary yellow. it's what i happened to have on hand and i'm all about stash busting these days.

i've also made the double circle skirt from the hip skirts pattern which is very similar. you'll see them here. the size of the waist bands are not the same though they are made the same way. fortunately i fit it on myself before i made the skirt. have you noted that, too? i think i like the double circle skirt better. it fits my hips and thighs more comfortably. fabric type has a lot to do with it, too. go for a voile if you want it to flow and twirl. this was sold as an embroidered voile at hancock fabrics a few years ago. not all voiles are alike, however. maybe you can see that from the photographs. check the fabric weight before you buy to be sure you get what you want. i do like that it wrinkles nicely and you can wear it right out of the dryer without putting an iron to it.

i've a cute peasant top in a pale yellow that will pair sweetly with the skirt. but wouldn't these finish the look from head to toe?? or these???

if at first you don't succeed...

if any project merits such a title, it's certainly this one.

i know, i know. this should have been relatively easy, sewing 101. but i confess i struggled a bit. if you've visited with me here before, perhaps you remember this post. i've yet to do anything with what remains of the garment. this time, i was determined to finish and have something to show for it. and i desperately wanted something cute and fresh to wear this summer, something i made.

and so i persisted and i'm rather pleased with the results.

it's the shearwater kaftan by make it perfect. a friend has made it before. and it looked super cute.

i struggled to topstitch around the small half circle at the bottom of the placket until i chalked a line around it to follow.

and i gave up trying to serge the raw edges on the inside. i've never taken a class. i need to to learn how to manage curves and seams, especially curves within the seams. i discovered this nice small zip zag stitch on my sewing machine instead.

i did learn how to machine sew double fold bias tape thanks to youtube. i liked it so much i hemmed the sleeves and bottom with it! you'd better believe i'm going to be using this method again and again.

overall i'm super pleased with myself. there are imperfections, especially for this perfectionist. no one but myself will know them.

most importantly i got over my fears of armholes and fit. the measurements are spot on. this was a good beginning pattern, for sure.

i did make a few changes to suit me. for example, i decided against the tabs to roll up the sleeves and shortened them by a good 7 inches instead. i like three quarter sleeves the best. and i shortened the length by 4 inches. it's not too long and not too short.

another lesson well learned. i'm ready to dive into my next apparel piece!

have bag. will travel.

a few friends have asked to see the inside of the cargo bag. here are a couple of photos with slightly different views that i hope will give you a good idea of how i've set the pockets to organize my must-have gadgets and things.

in the open middle of the bag is plenty of room for a daily planner (which i'm phasing out thanks to my handy dandy iPhone 4S with all it's cool apps), a journal (i can't seem to live without paper and pen no matter how much i love technology!).

on the inside back panel is a large, deep pocket divided to hold my kindle and a checkbook (or anything else you may have of this size, like, in my case, reading glasses).

and on the inside front is a more shallow pocket divided to hold my smartphone, wallet and pens.

remember i've the pockets on the outside as well. this would make a great travel bag because the pocket on the outside back is left open to the full width of the bag where you could easily slip a map or travel guide. and the outside front has a pocket divided in half for your passport, airline tickets, etc.

yesterday i added some sew on snaps (while multitasking) to hold the flap down which would make the bag even more secure for zipping around town and across the country, by foot, train or airplane.

Oh! and to clarify about the buckles i found at jo-ann's. check if your local store sells notions for purses and bags such as handles. that's where i found them.

happy creating!