Monday, July 29, 2013

Dottie Lunchbag

I was asked to test another pattern for Paco Bean Patterns. Woo Hoo!! I love testing patterns. This time I got to test out the Dottie Vintage Bag. It's a cute little piped bag that can be used as a small handbag, a cosmetic bag, or (in my case) a lunchbag! How cute is this?



So instead of the inside interfacing, I used insulated batting and quilted it with ripstop nylon. I also eliminated the inside zipper and added a pocket on the outside.



Another modification that I was forced to make was the handles. My local Hobby Lobby did not have cording. NONE! ZERO!!! How do you run out of cording?!?!?! AHHH!!


And how cute is that rhinestone zipper? So sparkly and adorable!

So I had to improvise and use prepackaged piping for the bag and cotton webbing (with added scrap fabric accent) for the handles.



And now I have an adorable lunchbag! Overall, I highly recommend this pattern.



Funny Story: the day after finishing the bag, I walked in my local Home Depot and what did I see at the very front? Cording! Lots and lots of rope and cording of all sizes and materials. I might have mumbled some bad words under my breath. lol.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Saltspring Sundress

Lightning struck twice!! I must be really lucky lately! I was chosen, yet AGAIN to test the newest Sewaholic pattern. It does not dissappoint!!!!!


The Saltspring sundress!!! Isn't it beautiful?


It is a gorgeous, blousy spaghetti strap sundress with pockets! Pockets!!!! And thus my love affair with pockets continues...

The pattern comes together fairly quickly and it's so easy to wear. Perfect for the 100+ degree Texas heat (It was 99 degrees outside when I was taking these pictures; yuck).

As with all of the sewaholic patterns, the instructions are easy to follow and the diagrams are awesome. Tasia deserves an award!

Lol, pretending to be aloof

I used a "simply silky print" from Joanns. The fabric is lovely and has such a beautiful drape, but it was horrible to sew with. It was soooooo slippery! Many curse words were uttered from my mouth as I was sewing, but I'm glad I stuck with it. The results are stunning!

This dress makes me feel so pretty!




Here's to hoping lightning strikes a third time!

Friday, July 5, 2013

More PJs for the Kiddo

More of the Alex and Anna Summer Pjs. Enjoy!

Featuring Old High School Shirts...






Old Shirt with New Knit






And Old College Shirts


With a Cameo from the Dog

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

The Bag Lady!


I've made a few bags in the past. In an effort to blog more, I've decided to share them online.

The first bag I ever made was at a beginner's sewing class at the Made Studio in Dallas years ago. Up until that point, I never really had any "formal" sewing classes. I taught myself in high school by trial and error, having found my mother's old sewing machine and needing pants hemmed (my mother had a sewing machine, but didn't know how to work it).

To be honest, I didn't learn much about sewing in the class. I knew how to sew before taking the class. But what I did gain was confidence that I was doing everything right! Confidence... and a super cute, simple bag.

The next bag I made was a quilted duffel bag that has served as my gym bag for the past 3 years. It was made using the now OOP Simplicity 2600. It's a cute, yet sturdy bag.



Next up is the Anna Maria Horner Multi-Tasker Tote. My favorite bag. I might have picked the loudest color to go with the loudest possible print.



I LOVE this bag. I'm a pocket fiend, so this bag is my bff. The four outside pockets are the perfect size for bottles (or sode cans). The only pattern changes I made were to interface with fusible fleece to the outside panels for a sturdier bag, and to add a magnetic snap closure.

Finally, I was recently selected to test the lovely Eleanor slouchy hobo from Paco Bean Patterns. I chose a brown weathered leather-looking microfiber for the outside, and leftover quilting cotton for the inside lining. I added a beaded trim to the outside from an old broken belt from my middle school days.



Featured on the inside is a single zippered pocket.



I will probably use this bag most often simce it's a neutral color and it goes with more. Usually, I gravitate toward the loudest and most bold prints and colors that I can find, so this bag is a nice change.



And that's all for now, folks!