Emblem duffel bag with Art Gallery fabrics Canvas
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06 Jul
Sewing

The Time I made a Bag, and Liked it!

I would not consider myself a successful bag (or any 3-dimensional) sewist. BUT...I feel quite inclined to make more bags since I sewed this Emblem Duffel bag. The pattern is by Sara of SewSweetness and I was lucky enough to be a tester when the pattern was in progress. You can get the Emblem Duffel pattern Here. Whether or not you are a bag maker, if you are even a bit curious or have a great fabric and want to try a bag, the Emblem Duffel is it. I will tell you why I thoroughly enjoy this bag. First of all:...

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Handmade Backpack sewn by Sharon McConnell, pattern by Sew Sweetness
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26 Mar
Sewing

3-D Sewing! A Work in Progress

A while back I wrote about getting the new book by Sara Lawson (SewSweetness), Windy City Bags. The bag that jumped out me most was a little backpack, and although I am not super confident at my 3-D sewing skills, I jumped in! The hardest part of making a bag versus a quilt is that you have to cut so many pieces! (I know that sounds silly, but you have to cut the fabric, the interfacing, the lining...it kind of takes forever just to get ready to sew). I did a few things differently on my bag from the pattern. I...

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Windy City Bags, book by Sara Lawson
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26 Dec
Recommended Reading, Sewing

Recommended Reading: Windy City Bags

I was lucky enough to get my hands on a copy of Sara Lawson's brand new sewing book, Windy City Bags, and I thought I would tell you bit of my thoughts about it. I have a love-hate relationship with the Purse. I am constantly torn between the need to carry my essential stuff (credit cards, phone, lip balm, nail clippers...) but really hate carrying a purse. This is an especially real problem now that I am in school since I have a book bag and often art supplies to haul around too. Long story start: I currently carry a woefully...

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Sew Sweetness pattern, aeroplane handmade duffel bag
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24 Feb
Sewing

New Sewing: My Aeroplane Bag

I sewed something that is not a quilt! I am pretty proud of myself, but have to give some credit to help, or at least moral support, provided by my mom. She is a great sewist and helped me with this pattern. I had long admired the Aeroplane Bag pattern by Sara Lawson (Sew Sweetness), and I bought it several months ago along with fabrics and supplies, but never got the nerve (or time) to  make it up. The two blue and white fabrics are canvas in prints designed by Sweetwater for Moda. The orange ticking is also canvas that...

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07 May
For Beginners, Sewing, Tutorials, Zipper Tote Bag

Simple Zippered Tote Tutorial

This post is dedicated to sewing a simple tote bag with a zippered closure. I love making these to use up scraps of batting. I keep one in my carry-on bag filled with chargers, headphones, and such when I travel. They make a quick little gift, too (perfect size for a diaper, wipes and clean onesie!) finished size of bag: 12" x 10" x 5" wide at the bottom. Supplies and cutting: one 12" zipper Main outer fabric (blue print): cut two rectangles 12 1/2" x 9 1/2" Accent outer fabric and handles (green print): cut two rectangles 12 1/2" x 5 1/2" cut two...

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05 Mar
Announcements, Giveaway, Sewing

Winner, and an Accomplishment

I enjoyed each comment on my post last week about my sponsor, Canton Village Quilt Works, and I am so happy to announce that Cindy is the winner. It sounds like others appreciate the same things that I do about Jackie's blog and shop: she carries fabrics that few do (Kaffe, Aboriginals, and HUGE selection of kona solids). Someone mentioned that their favorite is the Steam Punk pattern by Jen Kingwell. That pattern has been on my to-do list, too. Maybe I should move it up a notch! And, an accomplishment? Now, this isn't anything big, but I am pretty proud to report that...

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