Wednesday, June 22, 2011

On Monday I finished up the Folder Holders, enjoying the process of looking through my bountiful button jar to find the perfect button for each one! I carefully packed up all these goodies for my customer and got them ready to go out (but never fear I still have a list of projects in process, more to come!)
On Tuesday I had a yucky headache all day long and only managed to do some cutting and pressing. As much as I wanted to play with all those pretty projects, I knew that reading instructions and sewing was probably not a good idea. But today I sewed and sewed (but didn't take pictures, sadly). Sometimes that's how my weeks go. Bursts of productivity intermixed with periods of nothing useful. But two more wedding dresses arrived today for altering, so I hope I can keep the productive vibe going! It will be interesting to see if I can get all these things done and not get totally stressed out. Stay tuned...

Pamela

Pamela

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Folder Holders

Worked more on the Folder Holders today, in between movies, and a trip to the store for Dog Food. And celebrating Father's Day! The movie was Super 8, which I loved! I'm a huge fan of Science Fiction, and this was a superb movie, sentimental, lots of action and a scary alien. What's not to love? Lots of fun and a good ending, definitely one I would watch again. We haven't been to the movies in a while so it was really a treat and made it a fun day.

I got two of the Folder Holders bound today - the larger ones, so will finish up the smaller ones tomorrow. This first one is the size that the pattern instructions make. This will fit a letter size folder (or several). These are fun to make, and pretty easy to customize to different sizes, which is what I am working on. I even made one that is 1 1/2 inches deep, hopefully it will work as intended - I had an interesting time trying to get the dimensions right on it.
You can find the pattern for this here. It is another very easy to use pattern that you might enjoy making. In fact, once you start making them, it's hard to stop! And I'm sure they would be handy for a number of things, maybe to hold a sketchbook, or photographs...

Stay tuned for more interesting projects in the coming week, I still have half a list to get through!

Pamela

Saturday, June 18, 2011

More Folder Holders and a Notebook Slipcover

I really hope I am not boring you all dreadfully with these posts on the multitude of projects I am currently working on. I'm finding it helpful, like a reward for doing my daily duties! Plus I know it will be a great way to look back and see all these projects and remember how they went.


This is the Notebook Slipcover. It is also by Virginia Lindsay (Ginia18 on Etsy) This pattern si one I would also recommend highly - very well illustrated and the instructions are quite good. She even includes the math for figuring out your custom size! I know that always helps - this was made for a 1 1/2 inch 3 ring binder. I only had 1 inch size in my house, so I hope this will work out all right on the correct sized notebook. It looks like it will. I've been making similar covers like this on my own for years, and this pattern makes it much more simple and easy. Definitely easier than all the times I tried to figure it out on my own. There's just something about being told what to do step by step that makes these projects take much less time and trial and error.

This is the outside - cute, right? I love the patchwork fabric, so sweet and colorful! One of the Folder Holders will be out of this, and I quilted it on the lines so it really looks like patchwork. Fun! The Folder Holders didn't quite get finished today, but I've got four cut and quilted, so all I have to do is bind them and they will be ready to show off tomorrow.

So, you will have to wait one more day to see those. Sorry! (Guess that's one way to keep my readers coming back for more...)

Good night!

Pamela

Friday, June 17, 2011

The Art Caddy times 2


Finished up both of the Art Caddy's today! They came out very nicely - I have made this pattern before and that helped me to make good progress on making these. I think the pattern is very well written and though there are a lot of layers and details to the bags they are not too difficult to put together. I did make the bag a little taller and wider than the pattern, so had to figure out the measurements carefully so that everything would match up correctly.

I think the blue and gray in the bag made my pictures come out a little oddly colored. I guess it fools the camera into thinking the lighting is off or something! One of the fun things about this pattern is the use of grosgrain ribbon for the handles. You stitch two layers at the edges for the handles, they are nice and sturdy, and so quick to put together! These bags are very sturdy, the outer layers are interfaced, there is a layer of batting, then a layer of peltex fused in side. This is a bag that will hold it's shape with no problem!


Isn't the one in the bright fabrics cute? And the ribbon with the dots is so nice with it!

The Art Caddy Tote pattern is by Virginia Lindsay and can be purchased from her on Etsy - even if you aren't highly experienced you will be able to make this. The directions are super, and very encouraging, she tells you where you are likely to have problems and encourages you in every step - easy to read and understand throughout!

It's been a good week, I've met many goals and feel very encouraged that I am making progress in many areas! I am looking forward to more sewing over the weekend and tomorrow I will tell you more about the Folder Holders!

Pamela

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Doing the Frog-Stitch



Oh yes, my seam ripper got a workout today! Totally not the fault of the pattern, though. It was definitely my own way of thinking which was wrong, and trying to make something harder than it really was. Do you ever do that? I didn't read the directions for the side panel right and first I folded it the wrong way, then I turned the ends in and wasn't supposed to. Both times I was assuming something that the pattern did not say to do, when I went back and read again it was perfectly clear what I should have done.
Do you know what that is? Rip-it, rip-it!

But the results were totally worth it, I really love the looks of this coupon caddy! I think it's going to be really handy, too. It closes with a nice magnetic snap. And it has tabs with all the categories already printed on them (thanks to a great free downloadable file by the author of the pattern for printing them up on fabric!).

It has eight pockets and is plenty roomy enough to hold a ton of coupons.
The pattern is by iSew at Etsy. It is called the Coupon Organizer. She has some other cute patterns, too, that it would be fun to make. If they are as good as this one, you will be thrilled!

Tomorrow I will be working on a couple of art caddys. I have everything cut and fused and ready to sew - should be able to stitch those together in no time at all!

I was a bad girl, though. Didn't work on the necktie quilt today. That means I have to do extra tomorrow because I am going to have that project finished by Monday. I mean it! So I better go to bed now!

Pamela

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

How to Make Luggage Tags by StudioCherie

Did I ever have an exhausting, but good day today. I worked at Threads That Bind until mid-afternoon. I spent my day working on cutting 8 tumbler kits from Asian fabrics and waiting on customers. Not boring, but I was on my feet the whole time. Then I had to go shopping and run errands after that. I was pretty tired when I got home!

After dinner I got my second wind and quilted more on the necktie quilt. It is so heavy to maneuver around under the needle. I am just using the walking foot to quilt a 1/4 inch around each tie, but it's still hard to work with. I am not sure I am happy with the quilting thus far, but we'll see how it looks tomorrow. I will definitely be very happy to have this quilt finished and out to its owner, so am going to keep working on it daily for sure!

After that I got to work on making some luggage tags. The pattern is by StudioCherie and I am very pleased with it! I started off my prepping all of the peltex that needed to be cut for the 15 tags I need to make. Whenever I have a large project like this I find the most efficient way is to do all of the cutting at once - this way I can have some of the prep done and get right to the fun part quicker during my next work session.
Part of the reason I really like this pattern is because in addition to the full size templates, there are instructions for cutting with your rotary cutter. This made it a simple process to cut all the backs and frames without having to worry about making a template and tracing. It only took a short time to get all of this step done and be ready for the pressing and sewing!

Didn't this one come out cute? (Sorry for the bad night time indoor pictures. I'll try to get tomorrow's project done in the morning and take a nice picture that you can enjoy) The instructions were very clear and easy to follow and included great tips for working with the peltex. I will be adding eyelets to the top, but will probably do all the tags at once to be more efficient. If you would be interested in trying the pattern for yourself you can find it here. I definitely recommend it - two thumbs up!

Pamela

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

5 x 7 Folder Holder


I modified the original pattern for the Folder Holder to make a small 5 x 7 envelope. Isn't it cute? Just needs a button to hide the stitching line from the velcro. Will be making a few more of these in other sizes, so I will give you the details on the pattern then.

I did get the necktie quilt basted today and started quilting. I hope to finish that up over the next couple of days, then there will be pictures to share. See - now you have to come back and check on my progress. Clever idea, right? Other than that, it's been a long day and I'm ready for some sleep - promise to be back with more tomorrow!

Pamela

Monday, June 13, 2011

Lots of sewing to do!


Well, they say that when it rains it pours, and it seems that it is really true. No sooner than I committed to making a large box of projects in two weeks than I got an SOS from my friend with an alteration shop. I now have several wedding dresses that need some work hanging out in my sewing studio. Luckily for me, the weddings aren't until July, so I can concentrate on my fun package of bags, organizers and fun stuff first!

I plan on tackling a project or two a day, so I will have a great opportunity to review some patterns, I think all of them are for sale on Etsy, so it will be fun to support some of the great designers there! Every single pattern I received is very professional looking, so I look forward to trying them.

And did I mention the fun fabrics? Things that aren't available here in my neck of the woods and so much fun to work with... I am excited!

The first project I did was an easy one - this is a journal cover made using a logo from a t-shirt - isn't that a clever idea? I never would have thought of it, but now am dying to dig through my stash of old t's to find possible journal ideas! Wouldn't they make awesome gifts? Anyway, this one came out really great, I just love all the fun colors and bright patterns in the fabrics, and the bike theme is totally terrific - very fun!

If you'd like to make a journal cover yourself, my pattern is available in my Etsy shop - it's a lot of fun to make, and the possibilities really are only limited by your imagination! Plus that, if you buy the pdf version, I'll e-mail it to you within a few hours - so you can start sewing today.

Speaking of patterns, I'm working on a few new ones now, hope to have those in the shop soon also. If you love collecting charm packs, you will love these new patterns - I'm excited to show them!

Now it's time to call it a night, hopefully I'll be able to post the finish of a huge project tomorrow - hope I'm up to the challenge! I've got batting, backing and am ready to rumble, it may be a bit of a battle, but I am ready to get this done and off my list (and mind!).

Pamela