Never Say Never

Another Soul Blossoms Birdie Sling, this with a reversal of the prints from the last time. Each sling gets a little bit better -- my seams finally matched up!

My photos are getting a bit better too (if I do say so myself).

This time I changed up the keychain fob by shortening it and added a pen loop (on the right of the picture below). Pretty cool.

Midwest Modern Bucket Bag

I've had this fabric in my stash for a long time but hadn't been inspired to do anything with it until now.  I combined it with a nice taupe linen/cotton blend I bought at Fabric Depot last week.  I'm really liking how the combination came out with the simple lines of the bucket bag.  This one is destined for a school auction too, but I think I like it better than the gray one I'm carrying now.  Oh well, maybe I'll make another one for myself for spring!

 PS. You might have noticed the pictures in this post are pretty well-lit.  My husband set up a mini photo studio for me in the bedroom, complete with lighting, etc.!

This was really difficult

Wow, I don't think I've made anything this difficult in a very long time.  There were actually a few times when I considered giving up, and I would have, except that I'd already spent so much time trying to figure out the instructions. Also, it's a really cute pattern that I just knew would turn out well (if only I could figure out this bias binding thing).  And, for all the swearing and cussing that took place, it did turn out super cute!!!

I used a khaki colored linen combined with a print I had left over from my Bliss quilt blocks -- which is still not put together, BTW. The green binding is Robert Kaufman, and I gotta say, the colors coordinated real well. I found the pattern on Etsy from a designer named Napkitten.

Zippered Mini Clutch

Here's what I worked on last night. I love the shape of the rounded clutch-type wallets I've been working on recently, but I really wanted something with a zipper. So I modified one of the clutch patterns I had and spent some nights thinking about how best to add the zipper. I gotta say I'm quite pleased with myself right now!

This is pretty small -- only 6.5 inches x 4 inches, but I didn't want it too big. I still like the idea of having it be something you can attach your keys to and throw your credit card and drivers license in.

The flap turned out quite short, so I adjusted for that by adding an elastic loop and a big covered button. I quite like the look!

The Bucket Bag

I'm serious this time -- this is truly my favorite bag! It's another Keyka Lou pattern called the bucket bag, super easy to make and so well drafted. I used a cotton velveteen that I've had for quite some time. I was doubtful I could sew with it, because it was so thick, but it turned out to be much easier than I thought.

The lining is this fun elliptical polka dot from Moma's It's a Hoot line for Moda. I love this fabric. If you could see it in real life, it has a lovely, smooth hand, which I think might be more typical of Japanese produced quilting fabrics, and less of a broadcloth-y feel.

I added a keychain clasp and the zippered pocket. The original pattern has the front patch pocket but no interior pocket. I love the length of the strap hang and the deepness of the bag.

Another Birdie Sling

Here's the fourth birdie sling.  It will probably be the last one for a while -- I still love this bag, but there's another Amy Butler bag in her new book, Style Stitches, that I think I like even better.  

The deets on this one: the fabric is from Amy Butler's new Soul Blossoms line.  I couldn't get a very good picture of the interior (today being a very rainy and depressing day with not so great lighting), but it's lined with a nice coordinating Kona in aqua.  I added a zippered pocket on one side.  Best of all, I added a lobster claw for keys.  I was forever losing my keys whenever I'd throw them into the birdie I was using! 

My new bag

After all the purses and bags I've made this past month, I finally decided to make one for myself.  I've been using my birdie sling for the past year, and it has done its job well.  Sometimes I find it even a little too capacious, so I wanted something a little smaller.  Also I wanted a cross-body strap, as I found the birdie sling tended to slide off my shoulder quite a bit, especially when hauling around a 35-pound boy.

Well, I'm pretty pleased with the result.  This is the Kokka fabric I was talking about in my last post.  I bought it at Cool Cottons.  There's a very good selection of Kokka there, so I plan on going back to get some "boy" type prints for a mail sack for #1's music books (more on this later).  The lining is Moda's Essential Basics dots.  I should have taken a picture of the D-ring I used on the strap, it's pretty cool too (found at Fabric Depot). 

Even after all the trouble I had with this pattern (see my last post), it did not get easier with this bag.  First, I decided to start over and add the 1/4-inch seam allowance.  I had the pieces all cut and thought to use the pattern pieces from the prior Mocca bag for the interfacing.  When I went to do this, I finally figured out that even with adding the 1/4-inch seam allowance, the pieces were off-size because I forgot to turn the "scale" function off on the printer.  UGH!!!

It turned out well, nonetheless.  I changed a couple of things (again).  First, I inverted the pleats as called for in the directions.  I like how this looks better than on the Mocca bag.  Second, I added two buttons, just for decoration.  Finally, I made the inset pocket again, but didn't take a picture of it as it's the same as on the Mocca purse.

I made a matching wallet with a cute little domed button. 

I love this button.

Finally, a close-up of the little red riding hood print.  It's probably a little to young for me, but I've gotten to a point where I no longer care.