Accountability to Myself

Working up my three “game plan” agendas before I left Dallas and returned home, able to get back to the studio, was the best thing I could have ever done! It so helped me stay focused on things I wanted to accomplish ~ besides a bit of housework and home renovations! Part1 is now officially done!

I created Momma’s phone pocket necklace and got it in the mail to her on Tuesday (Monday was Columbus Day, so no mail)… she loves it! I will see her this week and will take a picture of her wearing it! But, for right now, this is what it looks like…

I think he’s a cutie! I couldn’t follow the pattern/materials per se on the owl pincushion, but I don’t think anyone will notice! I didn’t have any yellow felt, so had to use the thin foam board for the beak and feet. It sews beautifully! Also, I wish I had used the more solid looking pink for the body’s front and the noticeable print for the pocket. Didn’t “see” the difference it would have made before I stitched it all together! Her instructions were clear and easy and had a bit of humor sprinkled throughout. I didn’t have anything she suggested to add weight to the bottom after stuffing… so I used washers (like bolts and washers, washers) from my husband’s workshop! He’s not fallen over once!

My first project working with Pet Screen went well, but will use a bit more screening in the next creation! I love the fun print on this one and wanted more of it to show. 

Scary zippers aren’t as scary any longer! I didn’t use a pattern, just based the bag on the size of the zipper! I like the angle of the print I’ve seen on other bags and just did my own thing on this one. I believe a fun zipper pull is called for, but haven’t yet decided what to make… still thinking about it!

Oh, My! This is what happens when you take a boring lamp & lampshade and turn it into something magical…

Boring!

Magical!

With my 1.5” left over scraps, I stitched them together, machine quilted, then applied a binding… and made a “mug rug” which works beautifully with my mouse!

And, now my sewing room will always have a yellow rose….

I have finished the First Christmas gift and I’ll get it in the mail tomorrow! Once received, yes, it’s an early gift, I’ll post pictures! Even if it’s not liked, or wanted, it’s the thought that counts! Right!?! At least, I created it with lots of love.

Okay. I’ll be honest. The fabric origami wallet didn’t turn out nicely. I don’t like the way the wrong side of fabric shows when no bills are in place. I’ve pressed out all the folds and will just do something else with the bandana fabric! Maybe someday I’ll try another origami design.

More shopping bags… a long way to go….

1,612 to go!

Fabric Origami

Creating fabric origami is a new-to-me endeavor. I’ve never attempted this technique before using fabric, but I have added to my to-do list! I don’t remember where I first saw accents or whole projects created using ribbon or fabric origami techniques. I remember finding them beautifully intriguing. I wanted a quick reference point with the how-to’s. Hopefully, you’ll find them inspiring as well.

I’ve created uncomplicated paper origami projects before. Maybe the process is similar…

I may start off with something small… just to get the feel of working the fabric folds… maybe a butterfly! Google would not translate the Chinese site for me, but the pictures are worth a 1000 words anyway… 

I found these bright cheerful colored butterflies on Pinterest made the same way! Just goes to show what a bit of imagination can do!

Rowley DIY shows us how to do an Origami Ruffle…

Threads shares a picture tutorial How to Make a Striped Origami Belt. 

It’s all in the fold… Fabric Origami Wallet

And, it’s in the bag…

I’m sew doing these! Which one will you try?

Thursday Thoughts – New Bag in the House

Saturday I decided I needed – actually, I wanted – a new everyday bag. Although the main sewing part was done by Sunday afternoon, I had to give my hands a break from working with the thick quilted fabric. I finished the tad bit of handwork last night (only because the fabric was too thick to go through my machine) and now I’m ready and excited to “stuff” it with my essentials!

The lovely piece of quilted double-sided fabric was a “just because” gift from my sister. It took a while (months) savoring and contemplating what to create, then Saturday it hit me! I didn’t want to add another fabric and lose the back side contrast. The fabric is nice and thick on its own, so no need for any type of padding, and certainly would be too thick for self-lining. It was almost a machine breaker as it was! I finished the raw edges using the serger. 

I only used a commercial pattern piece to cut out the basic shape of the bag, everything else came from “making it work” as I went along. Only one pocket is sewn in (and can be seen from the outside), and it's on the side of the bag. Two other custom made pockets inside hang from the “waistband” so only I know where they are. One has a flap to keep little things like lipstick and lip gloss from falling out. The other hanging pocket, I can easily slip my cell phone down in and its weight should keep it there nicely. I rarely put a pocket on the outside of a bag or purse. It’s not a safe place to keep anything, so why waste the time and fabric?!?

The exterior flap has a hook and loop type closure. I took a scrap of the fabric and took it apart from the padding & backside and made the pretty yo-yo, then added the button for a bit of embellishment.

I quickly discovered the recommend buckram, or some type of stiffener, was needed for the bottom of the bag. The Translucent Drapery Buckram I purchased along with the pattern was not near stiff enough for this fabric so I blew it off (originally!). Not to mention, the entire bag was already sewn together! OOPS! What I did... I made a sleeve effect and slipped a piece of cardboard inside, then stitched the end closed. I then used good ole hook and loop and attached it to the bottom! Now, if I need to wash the bag, I can pull it out without any problems!

It will be a while before I create bags for Lanetta's Creations. When I do, it will be a custom made, specific order indeed!

Don't let commercial patterns be the law of the sewing room! Make it work for you! If you ever need any help, contact me and I'll do my "bestest" to work things out with you! Or, feel free to join the Sewists Group on Facebook and ask away!

Now I'm going to transfer my things into my new bag!

Saturday Sewing - Bag

I’ve spent way too much time last night and this morning revamping and redesigning this blog site. It’s still not like I want it, but it will do for now. When changing the template design, I lost the widget for folks to easily click “like” for Lanetta’s Creations Facebook page. Oh well. I’ve tried & tried to get it back using their code, but something’s not meshing together correctly. Maybe another day, another time…

It’s Saturday and I'm ready to sew! In fact, I’m ready to design and create a new bag for me! I’m tired of the one I’ve been using for over a year now ~ winter, summer, spring, or fall ~ it didn’t matter! In my opinion, the faux leather only gets better looking as it ages. I love this purse, but I’m simply ready for a change.

The week was spent creating Kindle Fire or NOOK Color covers/sleeves for Lanetta's Creations ArtFire shop. Will continue making more next week when I go back to work!

I haven't yet decided what fabric to use for my bag...

What are you working on?