Hobo Bag

My mom and dad went to Nashville for the CMT Music Festival yearlier this month. This year is their 40th wedding anniversary and it's something they've always wanted to do. I was planning to make this bag for Mother's Day, but just was too busy to get it done. I had it cut out a few weeks before Mother's Day. I sewed it up a few days before they left for their trip. I wanted my mom to have a stylish bag that would hold her things and still have room to stash a few things she might buy on her travels. I looked at a few tutorials on the web to get some ideas of what I wanted to do for this bag, but pretty much was confused. I knew how I wanted the bag to look, just didn't know how to go about doing it. It's not perfect, but my mom loved it (I think moms have to say they like things their kids give them though, don't you?).

The fabric for this bag is home decor weight. The outer fabric is Liz Clairbourne and the lining is a cotton canvas. Both of the these fabrics were on clearance for under $5 per metre.

This bag includes 2 inside pockets - a zippered pocket and a pocket for a cellphone and pen/small note pad etc. This was the first zippered pocket I've done. It ended up pretty bulky around the zipper closure. I think I just need more practice with that. I also used some cross stitch (maybe it's needlepoint? - I don't know I hate handsewing!) plastic in the bottom of the bag between the outer bag fabric and the lining. I was hoping it would give the bag a little stiffer bottom. It looked good with a few things in the bag. There are many things I would change if I make this bag again. I guess I should have made a muslin first, but I always feel that it's a waste of time to do that. I just want the pretty end result - I'm not very patient when it comes to sewing. Oh well my mom loved it and that's all that matters. But next time I may try a muslin first!

I joined Swap-Bot. I love swaps and really wanted to find more crafty/fabric/button/trim swaps. I've particiapted in a Buttons & Ribbons Swap and in a Charm Squares and Button Swap.

The third swap I did was a Square Pin Cushion. I used the Heather Bailey pattern on All People Quilt. It was pretty easy, except the directions call for you to use a doll maker's needle and pull the trim through the pin cushion with the needle. I couldn't get it to work so tacked the ric rack in place instead. When I sewed on the button I made sure a few stitches went through the ric rack to hold it in place.

I used some fabric scraps I had in my stash and some teeny tiny ric rack I got in a swap. The button is from my button bag. I think this is so cute and my partner's favourite colour is blue. I haven't received my pin cushion yet, but I'll post a picture when I receive it.

My Janomes

June is Sewing Machine Month over at Sew, Mama, Sew. They are celebrating by giving away some fabulous prizes - including a sewing machine. Also they are doing a Sewing Machine Meme. You can read all about my two machines below.

This is my regular sewing machine:

What brand and model do you have? Janome SW-2018E

How long have you had it? 20 years

How much does that machine cost (approximately)? I can't remember how much this machine cost, but it's not made anymore.

What types of things to you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)? Handbags, mens/womens/childrens/tweens clothing, pillows, curtains, cushion covers, softies, toys, just started quilting

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get? It really depends on how much time I have. I work full-time and am away for 10 hours of the day with travel time to and from work. Lately I’ve been sewing every night for at least 2-4 hours after the kids go to bed. I usually go in spurts of a few months of sewing and leave it for a few weeks. My machine is 20 years old and when I first started sewing I would make 3-4 garments a week.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name? I love my machine and am passionate. She does not have a name.

What features does your machine have that work well for you? There are a ton of stitches and a guide at the top of the machine that shows the various stitches and what tension/foot/stitch length and width to use. It has a drop in bobbin and that is so much easier to use. Also it came with a case so I can stick it in the closet or in a corner for a few weeks or months and not have to worry about little fingers touching or playing with it. I don't have a sewing room and no designated area I can set up as a sewing corner.

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine? No

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e. Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper? Got it from your Great Grandma? Etc.!)? This machine was a 17th birthday present from my parents. I had used my mom’s Kenmore but it kept breaking and was given a used White machine that kept acting up. My best friend and sewing buddy Nicki helped my mom pick it out, as she knew exactly what I would need. It was definitely a surprise!

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why? I would recommend this machine to others. I love my machine. It’s reliable, durable and has lasted a long time.

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine? You need to know what you are going to use it for. Make a list of everything you know you want your machine to have and make dream list of what you might want the machine to have. Go to a knowledgeable dealer who answers your questions and lets you test drive the machines. Tell the dealer your price range and your show your list. Even if they don’t have something in your price range, they may have a sale coming up, or will keep you in mind if they get a trade-in. Make sure your dealer services the machines they sell. My dealer is great! One time the backstitch button stuck and he just fixed it right on the spot for me and didn’t charge me anything.

Do you have a dream machine? I would love to have a computerized machine. I would love to try machine embroidery. My Grandma had a trundle sewing machine. I would love to inherit that machine. Whenever I go to visit my Grandpa I always ogle it. Also now that I’ve almost finished my first quilted item (more on that later) I would like to have a long-arm quilting machine – hey it’s a dream!


This is my serger - I've wanted one forever and I finally go it:


What brand and model do you have? Janome 660D

How long have you had it? Since Christmas

How much does that machine cost (approximately)? It was on sale for $350 or $399

What types of things to you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)? Handbags, mens/womens/childrens/tweens clothing, pillows, curtains, cushion covers, softies, toys, just started quilting

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get? It really depends on how much time I have. I work full-time and am away for 10 hours of the day with travel time to and from work. Lately I’ve been sewing every night for at least 2-4 hours after the kids go to bed. I usually go in spurts of a few months of sewing and leave it for a few weeks.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name? I love my machine and am passionate. She does not have a name.

What features does your machine have that work well for you? I’m still learning what my machine can do. I went to round one of my machine lessons and should call my dealer for round two, but I really like playing with it.

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine? No, not that I've found yet.

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e. Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper? Got it from your Great Grandma? Etc.!)? This machine was a Christmas gift from my husband and kids. My husband had said years ago that he would buy me a serger, but they were too expensive for us then. He mentioned it again last year and I went to the dealer on my lunch hour (a 10 minute walk from my work) and checked out what he had in stock.

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why? I would recommend this machine to others. I love my machine. So far it is reliable and durable

Another Charming Handbag

Sunday was my S-I-L's birthday. I made another bag for her this year. This time the Charming Handbag from Amy Karol's Bend the Rules Sewing book. I did cheat and made it at the same time as I made the other Charming Handbag. The fabric is Amy Butler that I got last year and have been saving for a special project. The blue ribbon is some from my stash and the button is from my button jar. I love buttons and this one I think really completed this bag. I don't really like yellow and tried several different buttons, but the yellow really finished this bag off. I almost kept the bag for myself, but then realized if I gave it to my S-I-L I would be finished her gift over a month before her birthday! I love this bag and I think she really loved it too.

Birthday Zippered Pouches

A few weeks ago we had my daughter's birthday party with her friends. She wanted something different in the loot bags. So I whipped up some zippered pouches. Since she decided she wanted to do this a few days before the party and didn't really like what I had on hand for fabric a quick trip to Wal-Mart found the perfect fabric for 11 and 12 year old girls. This is an outdoor fabric, but it worked perfectly for these pouches. The lining was scrap pink canvas that I had in my stash. Each zippered pouch has a different ribbon and a different coloured zipper. There was handsewing involved in these babies - that is so not my thing. Next time I make a zippered pouch I'm going to have to come up with a way that won't have me hand-sewing.

My daughter loves penquins and we made up a penquin invitation that I got on the web somewhere. She wanted a penquin cake too. Not too hard to do. I made a 13" x 9" rectangle cake and an 8" x 8" square cake. Once the cakes were completely cooled I rounded the top and bottom of the 13" x 9" cake. I cut the 8" x 8" cake on the diagonal to make the flippers/fins, rounding the edges to make it more realistic. Then I made some chocolate icing and put some concentrated black colouring in the icing to make it more black than brown. I also made up some white icing and put a little of the white icing in seperate bowl so I could make an orange beak and feet. First I put the white icing on the belly of the penquin then put the black on the rest of the penguin. Next I used the white icing again to make the whites of the eyes and put black icing in the centre of the whites of the eyes. Then came a triangle shape for the beak and some feet. This cake was a hit and her friends were amazed that I made this cake. Over the years I've done a butterfly cake, Spongebob cake, a beach cake, tractor cake, Spiderman web cake, cow cake, construction cake, Bob the Builder cake and plain old chocolate layer cakes. This was one of the easiest cakes I've made.

Free Applique Pattern

This is the appliqued t-shirt made for my daughter for Easter by me (t-shirt is purchased and the applique is done by me). She loves flip-flops and is starting to love other shoes too. The fabric is from some scraps left over from a beach bag I made a few years ago. The ribbon is from my stash/collection.

This t-shirt I wanted to give my daughter for Easter, but ran out of time to get it done. Last year for Easter she got a t-shirt with a guitar appliqued on it (by me), but it's too small now. She had hinted around that she would love another guitar t-shirt. The fabric is also from my scraps.

I have a pattern for both of these appliques that you can download here. For the flip-flops I appliqued the shoes to the t-shirt and then added the ribbon. There is a great tutorial over at the Sew, Mama, Sew blog if you are new to applique or need some tips and pointers.

Charming Handbag Swap

Charming Handbag from Amy Karol's Bend-the-Rules-Sewing book made for the BTRS Swap. The outside fabric is from my stash (I can't remember where it came from). The lining fabric is leftover from a dress made awhile ago. The pink button I convinced my daughter to part with from her button collection.

I love the look of this bag and it's the perfect size for going out and even to take to work. This little bag took about an hour to make, but the instructions were confusing in places. Luckily there are lots of pictures to help clarify the instructions. The handle I made is a bit longer than the instructions called for, but I wanted to make it long enough that you can throw it over your shoulder and not have to always carry it in your hand.

Part of the swap was to include something crafty - either handmade or some crafty supplies.

I decided to include 2 metres of pink velvet ribbon and some other ribbon from my notions stash - each spool has 18 inches of ribbon. Also included were 2 vintage buttons. The picture above is a little fuzzy, but it gives you the idea.