A little bit of sewing

It's been a long time since posting, I have almost given up on this, but couldn't resist sharing this. I purchased the book Pretty Little Pincushions with a gift certificate that my son Nathan gave me for Mother's Day. (Yes, he is very sweet)

Last weekend, while traveling on a long car ride, I made this little bottle cap pin cushion. Isn't it just too cute?

Red on Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day! It seems like red is the color of the day, so here are some illustrations from my life. Red cards ready and waiting.




My valentines gift from dear hubby. A red polka dot teapot, perfect!




My gift to him, a home made cherry pie.




More red on the dining room table. Flowers, candle, Japanese doll and plum candy - decorations from our Chinese New Year celebration last weekend.

Whatever you may be celebrating today, I hope it includes the passion and sweetness associated with red.

Polka dots for Betsy and Meg

My friend Betsy gave me a wonderful piece of polka dot fabric based on Eric Carle's book The Very Hungry Caterpillar. I decided to make a larger wristlet bag, more of a large pencil case shape as a gift for Betsy. Big enough to hold scissors and other sewing accessories. I put a large round wood bead on the zipper pull.

I just love the bright colors of this print and how the polka dots are so plentiful and crowded joyfully together. Can you believe The Hungry Caterpillar was published in 1969? This must qualify as a classic now. It even has a wikipedia entry, where it says that it is one of the best-selling books of all time, with over 25 million copies in print.

I also made a smaller wristlet for Betsy's daughter Meg. Meg is a school teacher, so this seems to be a perfect print for her.









I just love making these wristlets, I am ever appreciative of the tutorial posted here for the instructions.

Yoga mat

I have resumed Yoga classes after a break of a couple of years. So, I now need a yoga mat bag. Now here is a bag that I have not yet made. Yea! I found these instructions on line and followed them, pretty much. My goal was not to purchase anything to make this bag. So I used some upholstery material that I purchased at a discount decorator store in Columbus, Ohio, a shoe string in my stash, and a chincher (? I am not sure what these are called) that I also had in my stash.

Since the fabric is an upholstery weight I figure it will be somewhat rain resistant, if I have to dash from my car to class in the rain.

As they say in Sanskrit, Namaste.

Sewing with Katy & Maggie

My friends Katy and Maggie visited up north (with their folks) and we took some time to do some sewing. I forgot to get pictures while we sewed, but in the photo you can see the bag that Katy made. Katy's bag is red on one side and purple on the other, with one red and one purple handle. These were fabrics that she choose, she did add a polka dot pocket, which I highly approved of. : ) Don't you love the gold fringe? Katy did most of the sewing herself, she is a natural at the sewing machine, which I love to see. Gives me hope for the next generation. Maggie made a curtain/drape kind of thing to put over a house that she has made for her cat. I did not get a picture of it, but was told that it fit very nicely over the cat's abode.

For each of them I made a change purse/wristlet. They both chose to add a little fringe trim to the wristlet bag, very cute indeed. Here is a photo of the 2 writstlets with one more that I made that will go to a friend who really likes snakes. I love making these, they are super simple and a great use for scrap fabric.

Polka Dots for Mikayla

We had another beautiful week up north, the week before Labor Day. At the beginning of our vacation we were visited by Mikayla and her folks. Since Mikayla is too young to sew for herself I had her pick some buttons and polka dot fabric for a bag. I love her pink and green color combo.

She choose a blue polka dot for the inside pocket, she is showing it in this picture.

She was very pleased with the bag, and proceeded to fill it up with her books and toys.

I made her a little change purse / wristlet to match the purse. I used the tutorial here to make the pouch with a zipper top. Adding the little strap makes it a "wristlet".

Up north sewing extravanganza

While up north at our cottage I had 4 teen or pre-teen girls visiting who all wanted to "sew something". My two sisters were also there, so we had plenty of coaches. I used my standard grocery bag pattern, made it a bit narrower and and instructed them in making a lined bag. They were all quick learners and very handy. I also had this tutorial printed out and a selection of zippers. I had my polka dot stash on hand and my sister brought a collection of cottons as well. Between the four girls they made 10 bags. At one point I noticed a lot of pins flying around, so I showed them how to make simple pin cushions. What fun we had! The girls really enjoyed making the tote bags, they made ones for themselves, for other family members and for friends.
I have heard that there was a trip to Joann fabric after getting home, more fabric purchased and more bags made!

Happy Easter and Thank you Mom.

I made a blouse for Easter out of some fabric that I inherited from my mother. The pattern is McCalls 4384, which is now out of print. Mom has been gone for 10 years now, so making something with her fabric is a nice way to honor memories of her. She loved polka dots, and I do too. I don't know what her plans for this fabric were, but I am sure she would have been pleased with my creation.

Diaper Bag and Remodeling Sewing Plans

I am making this diaper bag pattern with the fabrics in the photo for a friends daughter. The pattern is from a company called Bar-Bee Designs in Wisconsin. I couldn't find any web address for them. I got the pattern at my local quilt shop.

The front pocket is a 10 inch quilted square, pattern of your own choosing. I thought and thought and ended up with my favorite, a crazy quilted square. I brought in some other colors from my stash, and got to include a slice of polka dot (of course).
The pattern has lots of pockets of course and also has two zippered pockets that are within the the larger pockets. I will post more as I go along. The baby is coming via c-section on October 1st, so I have to keep at this.





That's all the sewing I got in this weekend. We are remodeling our bedroom, bathroom and hall. We have selected some Waverly fabrics for the bathroom and the bedroom. The bathroom shower and window curtain will be Waverly Grand Central in pewter. This print is really fun and will blend nicely with the black and white tile and gray counter top.












For the bedroom, I am planning to use this Waverly Garden Images Magnolia print in sage. I ordered a small amount of the complimentary print below for pillows.

purse refinements, rick rack then and now, mini collage

I cannot post many of the projects that I am working on right now as they are gifts to be given out and the recipient(s) aren't even expecting gifts. So will post those items later.

I added a cell phone pocket to my polka dot clown purse. At first I put it up near the top, but that weighted down the purse side, pulling it in. So then moved it to the bottom. I also added a wide pocket with rick rack trim and a button.

The rick rack was from a flea market $1 bag. This rick rack is 100% cotton and sold for 15 cents for a 4 yard package. My most recent rick rack purchase sold at Wal Mart for about $1.08, is polyester and is only 2 1/2 yards. Here is an interesting then and now shot of the packages. I kinda prefer the package with Mr. Wright, he looks so serious, "get out that machine and make something girl, God gave you the time and the talent, get to it!". While the more modern Ms. Wright looks a little spacey to me, she doesn't look like she is at all sure what she will do with this rick rack or if she even likes to sew.

While sewing I noticed my glass of tea was sweating on my sewing table, so made up a quick sewing studio coaster. This is a mini fabric collage. Here it is in action. Oops, there is a fabric in the background that is being used for a gift. Just a tease, I wonder who that could be for?

Five Polka dot purses.....

I am back from a week up north on vacation and had some wonderful sewing time. Anticipating one or two grand-nieces coming by, I took along my clown & polka dot fabric collection. I am pleased to say that my sisters and 2 grand nieces had a great time selecting fabrics and making purses.

I had made up three purses as prototypes, so that they could select the style they wanted to make.
The Bias Purse bag, shown in the previous post.
A shoulder bag based on Tiny Happy's tutorial, here.
And a quilted patchwork purse, the tutorial is here.


The quilted patchwork won out with most of us. For 9 year old Miranda this was her first sewing project. She was really excited about selecting the fabrics and as she put it together she just kept saying, "I love how this looks". This was a great pattern for a first project because it is all straight sewing. She was great to coach, she was even a good sport about having to rip out some of the seams that had wandered too far from straight.











What a wonderful look of pride on her face, she made this herself!



Miranda's grandma, my sister Bonnie, made this version of the patchwork purse. The two side stripes of denim give the bag a nice look. Note the one strip of bobby pin fabric, I selected this especially for Bonnie, as she is a hairdresser.




Here we are, what a trio!






Next came Makenzie and my sister Karen. Makenzie wanted to make the bias tape bag shape with the quilted stripes. Makenzie has experience sewing quilting squares together and has a note book of designs for doll clothes that she wants to sew.

A budding designer, what fun to work with her. We did make one doll outfit together but I forgot to get a picture.

I made this bag for my sister Karen, Makenzie's grandma.






The second batch of polka dot purses...
Sharing this creative time with my family was a highlight of my vacation. I can't help but think that my mother, the late Suzie the Love Clown, would be thrilled to see her offspring sewing and enjoying polka dots and clowns as we all did last week.

Am I tired of polka dots or this purse pattern? No. I have plans to make one for my sister in law. : )