Fabric Intervention

I had big plans for the weekend. I was ready to create. Friday afternoon I made a visit across the hall from my craft room to check out the fabric stash in my laundry room to find a little inspiration. What I found was a disaster area. Obviously it had been this way for a while, but I've been seeing so many great organized fabric stashes around here. You know the ones, folded beautifully and organized by color. I just couldn't stand it any longer. I took a couple quick before shots and got started. Here are the befores...

The main cabinet where all the fabric was supposed to fit. I love this cabinet. Its huge and weighs a ton and was a great bargain. It is a custom made piece from the cabinet shop my dad works for. (Not custom made for me though! Hence the bargain, it was made wrong somehow. Looks pretty good to me though!) Anyway, at some point I got sick of trying to shove everything in here and new piles started popping up here...

and a little more here...

So, as you can see, it was taking over. Time to organize.

I spend Friday night, a little of Saturday and most of yesterday afternoon working on it. Folding and smoothing and stacking. Here is my after...

I decided it was better to have small more organized stacks, so I sorted by type and color in each stack so when I remove material I know exactly where it should go when I am done. Because I decided to have more stacks with less in them, I had to expand a little. My DH put up a couple additional shelves in the left portion of the cabinet, and I cleared off another shelf in the laundry room for some larger heavier pieces of fabric that just didn't fit.

There it is. Finished! Ready to create!

Apron Prototype

I finally finished the apron/tote bag for Sydney. This is a prototype for some I would love to make for my Etsy shop. I have some kinks to work out first though. Sorry for the dark photos, I think I stood in front of the window when I took these!

The main idea is that the top of the apron folds down into a pocket on the back to make a tote bag. So I had to think of some way to have a loop on the front that didn't look dumb. I originally saw this idea on a vintage apron I got at an estate auction. That one has a clown on the front and the handle loop was his smile, but I'm not too big on clowns. So I figured the daisy was a good alternative. I used heat and bond on the flower then blanket stitched around it all. Added a couple pockets and a ton of bias tape (homemade of course:) and it was done! I'm thinking a boy version with a dinosaur or frog would be really fun too. I won't point out my flaws, I am sure you can zoom in and find them for yourself! But, like I said this was my first go at it. I found some things that worked well, and some things that need some improvement. Overall though I think I am pretty happy with my results.

So, one more thing I get to check off my list. No big plans for the weekend, so hopefully I can get a couple purses cranked out for the shop. I'm thinking something like this and this that I made for myself last month. We'll see though, maybe I will get a new shot of inspiration when I visit the stash!

Have you been saving your scraps?

I found a great way to clean out the scrap box yesterday! I saw these on Stardust Shoes and had to check out the pattern. Since I am all about trying new things lately, I thought I would give it a go. I have to say I was a little nervous, JoJo said she had trouble matching up the points on the end. So, I took my time, copied the pattern exactly (make sure you copy the circles at each point and only sew up to that point) and it didn't go too bad. The hardest part was sewing up the opening where the balls were turned and stuffed (as you can see on the pink one if you zoom in. This was my first attempt, it got better don't worry). I stuffed mine with 1/2 rice and 1/2 poly-fill. This gave them a nice bean bag feel, but still cushy. (So, when someone gets nailed in the head, it will smart for just a bit!) My mind is racing now with lots of ideas for these. I just used up some scraps for these since Sydney will be playing with them, but I think I need a pretty one that might double as a pin cushion. Hey, another thought, maybe I need one of these as a stress ball next to my sewing machine! :) I think these will soon be popping up dressed in recycled sweaters as well...oh my gosh, wouldn't they be really fun Christmas ornaments! Okay, I've gotta stop, smoke is starting to come out my ears. Let me hear your ideas and be sure to let me know if you try your hand at these!


P.S. I did not enlarge the pattern the way it instructed. I used it as is. The finished ball is about the size of a tennis ball.

Sewing 099

I am, because of my own stubbornness and stupidity, mostly a self-taught sewer. I have received a couple very valuable lessons from my mom and my Grandma V in the past couple years, but prior to that I tried hard to rebel against the very specific method of sewing. Sewing in the begining was simply a means to an end for me. I knew what I wanted to create, and unfortunately there was no other way to do it other than sew. By now, I have grown up a little and accepted sewing for what it is. Not just a medium to create with, but an art form in itself. An art form that has been perfected over more years than any of us even know about. And so, when I finally break down and take the time to really learn it, it sometimes amazes me!

Last night I made bias tape. For the first time. Obviously I have heard of it before, and possibly used it (I can't really recall), but I've never made it before. Its pretty incredible stuff! I always thought it would just be a waste of fabric...you want me to chop my fabric up at an angle?? There wouldn't be anthing left! Turns out, its worth it! I am currently working on an apron for Sydney that converts into a little tote bag. I'm hoping after I have perfected it a little to sell a couple and of course share the pattern with all of you guys. But, it might be a while! Anyway, bias tape is a God send on aprons! Makes them so much easier. I know what you are all thinking - Duh!, right? I guess some lessons just take this very stubborn girl a little longer than others!

In light of this epiphany, that the basics of sewing are the basics for a reason, I have decided I need to make a change. I need to slow things down. I need to enjoy the moments of sewing, not just the moments of completion. I need to learn how to do things the right way (button holes!! aahh) and take pride in each step of the process. I'm sure this will slow me down a little and you might have to bear with me through a couple more WIP posts, but I think in the long run it will teach me some valuable sewing skills, and a little lesson in patience.

Edit: I had to come back and tell you guys to check out this link. Words to live by don't you think!

The Great Fabric Challenge

I just finished up my project for Mary Ann's Great Fabric Challenge.

Mary Ann - If you want to be surprised, don't read this post!

I know I've told you all about this before, but just in case you missed it here are the details. I sent Mary Ann one yard of fabric from my stash (as did 10 other people!). She made me an amazing scarf and really cool notecards and sent it back to me, along with one yard of fabric from her stash. I was to make something out of it and send it back. Isn't that a great idea! What a fun way to use up your fabric and get a new perspective on something (especially in my case) you've been staring at for years not knowing what to do with it.

This is the fabric MaryAnn sent me. Challenging, right?

So, I decided to punish myself and take the challenge one step further and really push myself. For this project I: 1. Used a pattern (I even followed it, down to the smallest detail. This is extremely rare for me.) 2. Sewed in a circle, which for some reason is very hard for me. It requires lots of pinning, which I am not a fan of, and 3. Sewed in a zipper! (semi-successfully). Without further ado, here is the finished product.

I would say this bag is made purely for function. It turned out cuter than I expected, but not exactly runway fashion or anything. It does however hold a ton of stuff! In order to take this picture, I had to shove it full of 12 skeins of yarn! I also made her a small zippered pouch pictured here (thats where the zipper came in).

Here is a picture of the deflated bag and the pile o' yarn that came out of it!

So, if any of you are planning a camping trip, are making one of these, or plan to run away from home and must take all your fabric with you...this is the bag for you! The pattern (Butterick #3562 Bag F) is relatively easy.

Hope you enjoy it MaryAnn!

On a side note, you should all go visit Amy. She is doing a giveaway every day this week! She has awesome stuff over there, hurry and leave a comment so you can win!

Monday, Monday...

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend! My sister and I had a little photo shoot session with my purses to get ready for this! Here are a few that didn't get used. Thanks a million Becky - you did a great job!

I've been thinking of all the things I would like to accomplish this week (well, besides reducing the mountain of laundry I can see out of the corner of my eye. Hang on, let me shut the door....okay, better!) I figured the best way to hold myself accountable and get off my duff would be to share my list with all of you...so here goes!

1. 
   Complete 2 more purses to list in my shop



2. 
   
   
   Work on kid's apron pattern/ideas



3. 
   
   
   Finish Mary Ann's fabric challenge project (this should be easy, just need a quick trip to the fabric store)



4. 
   
   
   Organize my fabric so it all fits in one place (this may be an ongoing project!!)



5. 
   
   
   Decide on my March Christmas in Progress goal and get working on it!

Guess I better get busy!! Have a great day!

Just another tote bag

Here is another purse that I hope to sell some day soon. Hope you guys aren't getting sick of these yet! This one is made from a really dark wash denim with green cotton accents. The interior fabric is a really cute golf print. I don't golf, but it is still fun and reminds me of Spring! Happy Friday!