Sandhill Sling

Do people even blog anymore? I'm really not made for shortform, or heavens knows not longform, video, so I may be a blogging holdout.

I made a version of the Sandhill Sling by Noodlehead. The Echino print was always going to be good, and I like the contrast of the Art Gallery lining.

This was my first foray into metal look zippers, and I found it surprisingly easy to work with.

The curved corners on the sling were a challenge just because of the multiple layers of fabric and interfacing, but the pattern is well written. It even has QR codes to take your to YouTube demo videos of tricky steps, which I definitely watched. I don't think I'm a bag person, guys. But I'm glad I finally finished this WIP.

Hexie Zip Bag

English paper piecing is probably my favorite type of hand sewing. It's just so portable, perfect for scraps, and cute. Of course it stops being portable when you try to make something large, so the two panels necessary for this sweet zip bag were just right to my way of thinking.

The pattern I used to make the bag is the Perfect Zip Bag by Elizabeth Hartman. You can make it with a pieced panel or without. It is my go-to pattern for zip bags because of the method she uses for inserting the zipper and covering the zipper ends. Perfect every time.

I was trying to decide who would appreciate this sort of gift, and I think it has to be a quilter, don't you? I'm going to surprise a special woman via post this week.

Handmade Christmas Begins

I'm getting a late start this year, admittedly, but I couldn't let the start of the advent season go by without making at least a few gifts.  I used it as an excuse to make some frame purses after falling hard for so many by Kelly.  While I didn't get to take her class at Sewing Summit, I did follow the links she graciously posted on her blog to the tutorial and etsy source for materials.  If you're at all curious, you should try them out.  They are quick and easy to customize.  I made one with the basic template which has a flare at the base.

I tried one with rounded corners.

I made one with pleated strips of Liberty.

I made another using quilt-as-you-go, but only snapped a few Instagram shots before gifting it. That was my favorite method, and it was fun to use so many treasured scraps.
I found a little time to make the Idea Pouch by Michelle Patterns with some Washi fabric I have been saving.  This project backfired though, since I like it so much I need to keep it.

I have a few more handmade Christmas gift ideas up my sleeve.  Let's see if I can get them done in time.

Rectangular Wonky Stars

 

This tiny block was an experiment with making a rectangular wonky star block.  Instead of beginning with squares, as in regular wonky stars, which are a super fun block to make, I began with itty bitty rectangles.  They work out just the same, except you have to be careful to which side of the rectangle you add the star points.  I put an adorable Japanese fabric fussy cut in the center of the rectangle.  The block finishes at 1 7/8 x 2 1/4 inches.

 

I set my miniature block into the front of a Perfect Zip Bag (pattern by Elizabeth Hartman) via reverse applique and added some hand stitched details.  The outside of the bag is black yarn dyed essex which has incredible texture and at the same time is super soft.  Thanks to Rachel for sending me some!  I hope I can find more somewhere soon.  Love this stuff.

 The lining of the bag is oval elements in a great dark purple and plum.

I enjoyed making my first block so much I made another.  This on is slightly bigger and pieced into the front of a cell phone case.  I think I prefer the reverse applique setting, but this one is sweet too.

 They make a cute pair; I think I'll keep them.

Check and Check

I can check two things off my list.  I got both projects done on my sewing retreat, despite leaving early because of a family emergency (all doing okay now, thankfully).  My first priority was a birdie sling for my mother-in-law.  It was her birthday gift...last week.  She asked for a black and white bag, and I found this great Alexander Henry print called Kenyan Tea Leaves.

I made it at 75% size as I did on my first birdie.  I paired it with Kona black and some Echo on the inside.

Next up on my sewing to do list was a cell phone case.  I did finally get a new phone, like I wanted, so it needed a sleeve of some kind.  I found the adorable Japanese print at Pink Chalk.  I also got a kit to make fabric covered buttons - so easy and fun.  Expect many more fabric covered buttons here. :)

And see the little guy on the back?  I based my case on this tutorial by fairy face designs although I changed the size of the patchwork panels.  It fits an iPhone perfectly.

It feels good to check some things off my list!

Birdie Sling

I know I'm a little late to the Birdie Sling party; just about all my crafty friends have made one or two.  Here is my version.  I made it at 75% size, since I like a smaller bag, and I used a Good Folks print and shot cotton.  I wish I could find more of that fabric.

I used two layers of fusible fleece as interfacing, which turned out to be overkill (unless you want your bag to stand on its own).  Next time I'll use just one layer and include a magnetic closure. I've already picked my fabrics for Birdie number two.

One for the Road

We're just about to head out for our holiday travels, and I want to take some hand work along.  Jeni's drawstring bag is perfect to hold my WIPs.

The body of the bag is a special Koseki print, paired with Circa 1934 dots and numbers inside, with Heath strings.

 I'm filling the bag with my English paper piecing project.  Maybe I'll make some progress over the break.

Have a safe holiday season, and merry Christmas!

Bag Sewing

My paper boat baby quilt is ready for quilting, but I've got some Christmas gifts to get in the mail first.  A family member asked for a few totes, and I decided to buy the Jane Market Bag pattern, after seeing so many great ones on flickr.  I used Outside Oslo home dec weight fabric for the body, and I paired it with Joel Dewberry's Aviary 2.  They go together perfectly.

The tote is a great size for groceries, books, anything you need to tote really.  I like that it stands on it's own too (if you use some fusible fleece as the interfacing).

With the scraps from my market bag, literally, I made these two zipper bags, from Elizabeth's pattern.  She uses a unique process to insert the zipper, and it worked beautifully.  This is the best my zippers have ever looked.

More Christmas gifts to make.  Does anyone else want to keep one of each item they are making?  That's really slowing me down. :)

Kidlet

The kidlet by Jennifer Casa has been on my to do list for a while now, and I had a few days between larger projects to fit in some sewing time.  Besides being quick to make, these are perfect for storing all the little toys and treasures that seem to collect in my boys' rooms.  The handle and small size make it easy for kids to carry themselves.  It's just right for toting all those little toys around the house.

I'm thinking these will be another go to gift idea for kids.

County Fair Folklore

I finally made my first handbag. This is made from Denyse Schmidt's County Fair home dec weight fabric, lined with Kona in Curry, using the Folklore pattern from One Yard Wonders. I wish I'd googled the title of the pattern before making it. The wisdom of the internet would have warned me that there are multiple errors in the patterns in this book. Oh well, I was able to fix them, but if you like the style of this bag you should know a few things.

First, the pattern piece for the lining is too small. I adjusted for this by using narrower seam allowances when making the lining. The markings for the pleats are not wide enough on the outside of the bag. That's easy to fix. Even though it doesn't tell you to, be sure to interface the straps. Fusible fleece will give the bag a better shape than interfacing. And finally, the construction of the bag is a little odd. Instead of sewing right sides together, in a few places it has you iron under the seam allowance and then top stitch it to another piece. I guess whatever works.
In the end, I'm glad to have finally tackled making a handbag (with a magnetic closure - which, by the way, is easy peasy to put in). It was kind of fun.