And another one finished

Tags

bag, Bank Holiday, iphone, lining, pocket, tote bag

I’ve finally made a bag for my friend, who I’m seeing tomorrow, who’s recently had a baby.

For the construction, I used a standard tote bag pattern (looking at this one and this one for reference).  But for the lining, I interspersed a method from this tea cosy tutorial which I have previously used but for some reason not written about.  The part I used was to do with the lining.

After cutting out my lining and outer pieces and sewing them separately right sides together across 3 sides, I did the following:

Turning the outer lining (which had been inside out) the right way out, I then turned the top over to the inside 1/4 inch and pressed.  With the lining, I left it inside out, folded the top over 1/4 inch to the outside and pressed.

Then I put the lining into the outer of the bag & matched up the top edges.  I placed my handles about 3 inches from the ends, pinned and then top stitched around, reinforcing the handles as I went.  I realised I’d topstitched a little too close tot he top and hadn’t ‘caught’ the lining piece, which then was starting to slip.  Rather than unpick, I just did a second line a bit further down for added strength and decoration.

I must say I’m rather pleased with it.  It’s not perfect, but should be good enough!  I like the pocket I stitched on the inside too – using fabric from the outer part.  I even tried to make it so that one part would fit an i phone in it for ease and convenience!

Pocket detail

Cute!

Tags

Bank Holiday, peg bag

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve just finished this little peg bag for my friend who heads up this lovely soft furnishings business.  I’m really pleased to start using the fabric I got in January.  Slightly concerned it’s not deep enough for enough pegs for an entire clothes line though.  But I hope she can find a use for it, even if it requires a bit more lateral thinking!

Another bank holiday sewing project completed!  I’m sure the pages of this blog would be filled with tales of many other projects, if every month included an extra day or two off work in it!  For tips of how to prioritise time, maybe I should take a leaf or two out of my friend’s book.  She was featured in this Washington Post article recently.

Finished – zzz

Tags

Bank Holiday, customised cami, pajamas, pjs

Sometimes nothing beats the sense of accomplishment.  No trumpet fanfares or champagne needs to be uncorked.  Just that quiet satisfaction and restfulness that comes when a job is finished.

Here is the set of pjs I made as a birthday present for a friend.  I tweaked the pattern a bit since my first attempt at the bottoms a few weeks ago*, and customised an off-the-shelf cami top to make a matching set.  Maybe one day I’ll make my own top.  But for now, bed certainly beckons…

* Funnily enough the last time I made PJs, it was a bank holiday weekend.  As it is now here in the UK.  Maybe bank holidays or time off is when I have time to finish off/ do those creative tasks?!  Next one will be Christmas – argh!