who knew

This one was shared with me by Ginger, and it deserves a cross-link.

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MSPT: a Japanese knot bag

I’ve wanted to make one of these since the first time I saw one. And then several years passed, and finally there are loads of tutorials on youtube.

Boy, is this a simple bag.

First, I wanted to test my hexi skills, so gave those a go. All hand-sewing and a lot of ironing, but they are pretty satisfying. I got to showcase some favorite fabrics. When I was completing the sewing of the whole hexagon applique, I said to myself, “You better remember to place this so the apple is not upside down.”

Wouldn’t you guess I forgot when the time came?

I didn’t clip the round corners, either. It looks awkward in this flat version, but isn’t noticeable when in use.

I forgot to take a photo, but the lining fabric is that the same as that one with little red and pink flowers. It’s a line called “Forget-Me-Not” by Riley Blake. It has a pretty, folklore feel, and I really like it.

This will be my new project bag, so I can carry around my little sewing box and some embroidery thread and maybe get to work on more tiny necklaces during spare moments (like I have any! spare moments, that is).

I’m already picking out more fabric, because this would make a great lunch bag, too….

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mspt: embroidered fox

Remember I used to write “make something pretty today” posts? Yeah, I really ran out of time for making pretty things. Looking forward to retiring, and having endless days for projects. One day….

I spent several evenings working on this little embroidery. I haven’t embroidered in a long time, or at least not tried to make up my own designs, so it probably took a lot longer than just sewing to fill in an existing pattern.

I had only 3 colors of wool felt to choose from, and thought this green a better choice than the orange, but upon finishing it I decided I should have used the dark brown.The orange and the green here look like the same value, so the fox doesn’t pop as much as it should.

Altogether, I am happy with how it turned out. I purchased 4 of the necklace setting in different colors, so I will be trying again. I am thinking of a parakeet, and an owl. The fourth one has yet to be determined….

We will see!

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sewing: covered journal & mug rug

February is almost over and I am waaayy behind on my yearly sewing. This is it so far.

This covered journal is to be my “house diary.” Where I put the paint chips from the hardware store and make notes of where the paint was purchased, and when the walls were painted. Or makes notes about which plumber I called when, for what–so I don’t call that company with the name almost identical to the other company, but one charges three-times as much as the other. I don’t want to call the wrong one by mistake again!

I used my Tilda fabric. These are from the “Cottage Rose” and “Harvest” collections.

 

I used one of the sketch books with really big spiral binding, so when I add my photos and paint cards the pages won’t become too over-stuffed.

 

A pretty vintage button and a hair tie keeps the whole thing closed.

 

I think this is a great idea to keep all the changes made on the house easy to refer to–and then when you move, then next people can keep it and know when you did what. And if they need to buy just a little touch-up paint, they know exactly what to buy.

 

And then remember I was making a tulip wall hanging from my Tilda fabric? It’s still not finished. But I used my tester pattern as this mug rug. It was too pretty to just discard.

 

You can see from the way the whole pattern seems to start sliding off to the left, that I really need to buy a walking foot for my sewing machine. The tension from the feed dogs is greater than the foot up top, so the top fabric starts being pushed. It becomes worse with the more lines of quilting made. I read a blogger who said, “Don’t flip the fabric and stitch back in the opposite the direction, as this will create waves,” but that might work when you have a walking foot, but if you DON’T, then the above is what happens. So I started flipping the sewing direction on each row, which is why the top of the tulip is more successful than the bottom half.

 

If you like the Tilda fabric, you can buy it in the US at http://www.intrepidthread.com.

I’m excited for spring, so my mug rug can double as a doily. Can’t wait for all the flowers!

 

The below photos are of the curtains I made. They don’t photograph well because of the light, but here’s a couple snaps to show the fabric. It’s “Poetry” by Moda.

I gave the pieced area an extra layer of white fabric on the reverse side, to help make them less see-through.

So that’s my slow sewing for this year. I hope you are being more productive than me!

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projects finished in 2017

 

 

 

 

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sewing: lunch bags

With Christmas coming up, I decided to not be last-minute and so whipped up some pretty lunch bags. These did not come together as quickly as I intended. Somehow I think I can get sewing done in the morning before I go to work, but I never do. Sitting with coffee and reading the internet seems about all the energy I can muster–which is odd, since I get a full night’s sleep. A few days, though, the thought of working with pretty fabrics was enough motivation, and I got a lot of work done.

So pretty, right?

I’m a fan of the draw-string top. Your lunch is entirely safe.

Above is Tilda fabric, and Lecien.

I finally found a use for the silverware fabric! Remember I found it a couple years ago for $3 a yard? It’s not a bargain if you never use it, so I’m glad I know what to do with it now.

If you want to sew your own, it’s a free pattern found here:  http://ayumills.blogspot.com/2010/08/tutorial-lunch-bag.html

 

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pretty video friday

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