Have Needles, Will Travel

I wanted to make a small bag that closed, to hold a portable sewing project and supplies, that I could take along when I'd have a chance to sew away from home.

I used a small basic tote bag pattern I'd made some years ago (it's 10" tall--just right for a take-along project, or as a child's tote bag), then I added a drawstring cover like the one I made for this lunch bag (a link to the lunch bag tutorial is in the post). To adapt the size of the cover for this larger bag, I measured the width of the opening of the tote bag, then cut the width and height of the two cover pieces large enough to fit.

I sewed the cover into the top edge, between the exterior fabric and the lining. That was simpler than the technique for the lunch bag, and made the project bag as roomy as possible. When I hit the road, I can stuff the cover and ties into the bag, nice and tidy, and everything inside stays clean and all together.
(And thank you, JoAnn, for stocking so many lovely designer fabrics these days! This one is by Patty Young for Modkid. It's one of my favorites; I have it in pink-and-yellow, too. It makes me think of Art Deco peacock feathers.)

 I keep my traveling sewing supplies in this tea tin--a needle book, scissors, small tape measure, a thimble of my grandma's I never use, and a seam ripper which I unfortunately do use.

Those sleepy bears are so sweet. The little ones all tucked in under their bright patchwork quilt. I've treasured this tin a long time--it's around 30 years old now. *gasps to self*

 Let me show you the little needle books I made, a year or so ago. I followed this tutorial by nanaCompany. They are tiny patchwork front and back, a combination of machine and hand stitching, with white felt 'pages'. The one in feedsack fabrics lives in the tea tin; the one in the bright little prints stays home on a shelf.

 A happy weekend to you all, and Happy Halloween!

Lynn

Linked up with Finish It Up Friday , NTT and MontagsMacher.

Gettin' Zippy Wit It

Every once in a while I go on one of those sewing sprees where I make a whole bunch of one thing...whether I need them or not. This time it was zipper pouches. I could justify making all of these by saying they're so practical to have around, which is true, but who am I kidding? I just love putting pretty fabrics together, and they're such fun to make.

I really like this red with bright turquoise.

Sock monkeys! The top two look like they're swinging from the zipper.

Cheerful flowers. (Real ones will be blooming outside soon...right??)

Bikes, scooters and little red wagons.

This one's a gift for someone who did me a big favor this winter. I hope she likes it!

Each one is made of quilting cotton and linen, and measures 8.5"x 6"x 1.75".

Oh, there's no way I could resist taking this photo. I love to make softies, but this lanky fellow was made by someone else and given to me by my mom, years ago.

Okay, I know I'm not the only one---what sewing projects do you like to make bunches of?

Have a good weekend, and thanks for reading!


Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish It Up Friday.

Out with the Old, In with the New

I actually do have some finished things to show you! Not everything around here is a WIP (work in progress)--though there are certainly plenty of those. I recently made this charming little lunch bag.

I used Ayumi's tutorial. It may look long, but she takes it step-by-step with lots of helpful photos, so it's easy to follow. Usually I'll adapt other people's patterns here and there to make an item just the way I want it, but I made my lunch bag just like hers. (I box my corners differently, though: I cut them off before I sew them. I want to be able to see both side and bottom seams, to make sure they're lined up perfectly.)

I'm very pleased with how it turned out. I haven't used it yet, though. The thing is, I don't pack many lunches...but I do sometimes, and I say that's reason enough to make something cute!
Here's my old lunch bag. I got that one in the early '90s; it's held a lot of lunches. I'm glad you can't see the stains in the photo. Truly a sad sack.

And while I was at it, making cute practical things from one of my favorite Alexander Henry fabrics, why not a couple notepad organizers? I made the larger one as a grocery list/coupon holder (below it is the worn-out specimen it replaces). I dislike grocery shopping, even under the best conditions (are there any best conditions?), so I'll do what I can to make it more pleasant.

The little one lives in my purse, for whenever inspiration might strike...which I'll scribble in a hurry and won't be able to read later. (Remember "Flaming Globes of Sigmund" from Seinfeld, when Jerry scrawls something that later he--and everyone else he asks--can't read correctly? "Salami salami baloney". Yeah, it's like that.)
Each one has a pocket on the left, a slot on the right to hold a notepad, and is held closed with elastic.

It makes me happy to take something that's usually mundane--a lunch bag, a grocery list--and turn it into something pretty and cheerful. Functional things should be beautiful; they're even more special when they're handmade.

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts for finish it up Friday. (Look at her latest quilt--gorgeous! Another one to add to my quilt bucket list.)

Have a great weekend!