I Made a Purse!

I've been doing a lot of sewing lately.  Hemming new jeans I bought, working on my daughter's Halloween costume, and now this purse!  I just LOVE this fabric and it's just my style.

The bag is lined with pink satin and I created a pocket.  The pocket has stitches down a portion near the center.  This divides the pocket into 2 sections, so that one part is the perfect size for my cell phone and the other part can hold other odds and ends.

The bag closes with magnetic snaps.

I'm so excited to start carrying it!!!!

If you'd like to make one of your own you can use this FANTASTIC video tutorial by the very talented Debbie Shore.  Her instructions are so clear that I was never confused.  That might not sound like much, but I assure you that when it comes to sewing it doesn't take much to have me totally lost and scratching my head instead of making progress.

All I did differently was add the pocket and the snaps.  I added the pocket as soon as that lining piece was attached to the black top.  I added the snap closure right before putting the handles on.  The decoration was added at the very end when the rest of the bag was constructed.

I'm so grateful for people like Debbie that help the rest of us figure these things out :)

Thanks for visiting!

Amber

Sewing Machine Cover

I needed a nice cover for my sewing machine.  It didn't come with a cover and I've been using a drawstring purse bag to protect it, but it's way too big and not very cute.

I found instructions on how to make a sewing machine cover with a pocket in the book One Yard Wonders.  It wasn't difficult at all and it went quickly.

Here's a side view.

I'm really enjoying sewing these days.  My creative mojo for new ideas seems to be harder to come by lately so it's nice to have a project where I just pick a fabric and follow instructions!

Thanks for stopping by!

I Sewed Some Makeup Bags

I think these came out really well!

What's nice about a project like this is that since the bags are a rectangle you can just use sheets of paper to make a pattern.  I made 3 different sizes to make this gift set.

I purchased most things at Joanns.  The fabric and the zippers at least.  I didn't get a photo of the insides but they are just plain brown.  What's nice about these bags is that the way they are sewn the edges look beautiful inside just like they do outside.  I learned how to make them look nice on both sides by watching this tutorial. 

The only things I would note is that for this type of fabric I found I couldn't sew the zipper too close or it wouldn't open and shut easily.  Also, this fabric frayed easily while working with it so I couldn't really rip out a seam and fix a mistake.  I made a bag the same way out of cotton before and it was MUCH easier.  

Here's a closer look at the little zipper pulls I made before I attached them to the bags.  I just used some beads I had laying around in my jewelry supplies and I think they made an awesome finishing touch.

After spending many hours getting these bags done I really wanted to present them nicely so I made a custom gift box.  Before assembling the box I stamped all over the lid with a Fiskars set called Winter Wishes using Stampin' Up ink in Tempting Turquoise and Chocolate Chip.  I also made a gift tag using my Nestabilities Labels One dies.  The back layer is embossed with the Cuttlebug folder Divine Swirls.  Here's the completed box they went in all tied up with pretty grosgrain ribbon.

So, there ya have it.  A custom gift set of makeup bags.  I'm very pleased with how they came out and think they made a perfect gift.  I may make more in different colors for other friends in the future.  I'm trying to do more sewing :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I'm linking these up to the following parties:

Sewing a Zippered Pouch

I wanted to learn how to sew little lined zippered pouches.  I found this tutorial on You Tube and watched it to help me figure out how to make it.  It was a bit challenging for me to sew the zipper, but I managed.  You can easily make it any size you want.  I used an 8 and 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper for a template.  The finished size is 10 by 7 and 1/2.

 

 

I'm glad to be continuing my sewing journey and learning new skills.  I am so thankful for the people who make sewing tutorials on You Tube!!!

The Dress I Sewed

I did it!  I did it!  I sewed myself a real dress that is actually presentable enough to wear in public.  Nothing short of a miracle I think.  I've always been terrified of my sewing machine.  I have dabbled in little projects like aprons, but nothing this involved.  It was a real challenge and one heck of a learning experience. 

 

For those of you that might be sewers here is the link to the pattern I used.  It's for knit fabrics.

I'd like to take a moment to note.  It isn't perfect!  There are some mistakes.  I can tell it isn't even in the shoulders and tends to slope to one side.  But oh well.  Still a wearable garment, and very comfortable too.  I am pretty short, so buying a dress like this would have been hard.  In fact, the pattern came with 3 lengths, and I took the "mid length" one and still had to shorten it a few inches.  I can only wear it with high heels even after that adjustment.  *LOL*  I'm about 5 foot 1 and 1/2.

 

That's it for today!  Just wanted to share.  I worked pretty hard on this for several days.  Honestly there isn't anything crafty I don't want to know how to do.  Sewing my own clothing has been on the to do list for a very long time.  So, it feels good to have finished my first dress.  Now that I have a bit more confidence I hope to try and do more sewing in the future.

Learning to Sew!

I am bursting with pride and joy right now! I have dreamed of learning to sew since I was a child. I used to spend hours sketching and designing clothing. I dreamed of being able to make my designs come to life. I bought a sewing machine about 4 years ago. I dabbled a bit and made a couple basic things, but never really knew what I was doing or even tried using a pattern. Then my machine sat, collecting dust for all this time.

About a year ago when my daughter was still very little I decided to try embellishing some prefold diapers with strips of fabric. It sounded simple enough, well... it wasn't. It went horribly and I gave up on sewing yet again.

Recently the urge to sew has just been tugging at me and tugging at me! I've been unable to put it out of my mind. I see beautiful fabrics and I want to create with them. I see lovely clothes and wish I could create my own spin on them, etc.

I finally decided the time had come and no matter what I would sew! I had an apron pattern I bought on impulse several months back, and my husband had recently purchased me the perfect cupcake fabric and matching thread for my project along with some marking tools. There were to be no more excuses. I would sew an apron!

Right away the pattern was intimidating to me. I felt overwhelmed. Cutting the pattern itself I had shaky hands. I have never been all that skilled with scissors, which is a real shame considering how often I use them while crafting!!!! I worried that my lack of precision would

ruin everything. I just kept telling myself to breathe. Pinning the fabric I could handle. That seemed simple enough, and I could always take the pins back out, so that gave me added confidence!

When it came time to cut the fabric I felt an intense rush as I began. I was still terrified!!! Yet, somehow I felt so empowered finally just DOING it! I felt that this was the beginning, my time to do what I really wanted to do whether I was scared or not. When I laid the cut pieces out I was beaming with pride!

I went slowly and paid lots of attention to detail when pinning and basting and pressing. Actually sewing with the machine wasn't too bad. It has always scared me. I do SO many projects but

I've always had total control with my own two hands. Something about using a machine just feels different! Yet, it wasn't so bad! Pressing certain parts was more difficult than the sewing itself, and luckily pressing can be adjusted and re-done easily, so there was no need to panic there!

The design was originally to have a pocket. I ended up not doing that. Partially because I would never use it, and partiallty because I would have had to line up the design. Overall I think the apron turned out lovely! This pic does not do it justice! The fabric has sparkles all in it that just didn't show up at all! I think the curve even turned out pretty well considering I had no clue what I was doing! The only thing I would change is the top strap, and not because I did anything wrong, because I am so short and it makes the apron hang low. I will likely add a button or velcro or something to make that a bit more snug. If I use the pattern again I will modify it to be two longer straps that tie instead.

I would love to wear my new pride and joy, and take some "action shots" but I am just too stinkin' pregnant! *LOL* I am due in exactly a month and I am as big as a house. It's the greatest torture not being able to wear my new creation, but I'm glad I got it done now instead of waiting!

My next sewing endeavour will likely be a sewing machine cover! I need one and it would be fun, probably pretty easy, and jazz up my craft space!