My Very First Bag

Wanna see the very first bag I sewed? I had been sewing for a few months and really wanted to make something out of this adorable cowboy fabric I had seen at my local craft store. It took what felt like forever to put together, and I had to sew the lining to the bag three times (because I didn't know where the handles were supposed to go so I kept sewing them in-between the lining and the exterior), but I got it. I've used this bag for over four years now--I lug my lunch, water, current read, etc. to work in it.  It's finally starting to look a little worse for wear...

I used a bandana for the red bits and felt like a genius for doing so. The little cowboys and girls have that wonderful vintage look that I love. I'm keeping this forever and am going to use it to hold my other firsts that are beyond practical usage but very nice for purposes of nostalgia.

It's still completely usable but it is looking a little bit grungy...especially since the red bandana got wet at some point or another and bled everywhere.

This weekend I made myself a new one, and I'm starting the tutorial for it as soon as I publish this post. It's the tutorial I mentioned in this post on how to do an inset bottom (it gives your bag a flat bottom but not by doing it this way or this way). I'll have it up for you this weekend :) Here's a sneak-peek of the finished product--I used a more...mature fabric this time.

I used four fat quarters for the outside and the straps (with a bit left over) and a half yard for the inside and straps (with none left over). I also used about a half yard of fusible fleece, and a piece of plastic canvas to give the bag a rigid bottom (that part is optional). Come back Sunday for the complete how-to!

Corduroy Patchwork Bag

When we were down the shore in August we were in this cute little boutiquey shop that sold all kinds of handmade goodies. There was a handbag there that my sister admired. She didn't want to drop the dough on it (her shopping list now includes diapers and formula, which don't come cheap) so she said, and I quote word for word here, "I'm just going to let Bethany make it for me." Reread that. She's going to let me make it. Ummmm....ok. My other sister is going to let me make her a leather bag once I educate myself and assess my sewing machine for leather-working capabilities.

I took my time with this one. As I finished a part of it I walked away and came back to it. I tend to marathon-sew, which lends itself to tiredness and frustration (and mistakes). It took me four evenings to make this, but only because I was figuring things out as I went. If I made it again it would take two evenings, max. Wanna see it?

The version she saw was made of a burlap type of fabric, but way too tightly woven to be burlap. I could find nothing similar, but there aren't many fabrics that are more fall/winter than corduroy. So I went with a fine-wale corduroy that felt almost as light as quilting cotton.

I varied the direction of the wales to give it some textural interest...or something. I took my time and was super precise with the patchwork bits so that all the squares were even and neat. I didn't want there to be a bunch of seams on the bottom, but I also wasn't in the mood to do an inset bottom, so I sewed a few strips of gray to the bottom, and did the squished triangle method of creating a flat bottom. Wow, I just used the word 'bottom' four times in one sentence.

I made a sample corner on some scraps to make sure my measurements were correct. I tend to overthink and then "correct" something that was just right. It came out just the way I wanted it to. There's a piece of plastic in the bottom (I use plastic canvas cut to size) to keep everything from sagging.

The version she saw in the shop didn't have the black band around the top, but I like the contrast it gives. I also didn't want there to be stress on a bunch of seams if it was patchwork all the way up with the drawstring running over them. I've never sewn a strap tab onto the side of a bag like this, so that was a first. A very fiddly first since I did them a step or two later than I normally would have.

There's not a spot on the fabric up there, even though it looks like it. Just needed to put that out there. I found a great gray fabric for the lining at Joann's--not really a solid, but not a print. Just enough something to it to give it a little oomph. The inside has the usual--slip pockets on one side, and zip pockets on the other. It may be my finest zip pocket ever.

I was also going to do a zipper closure but once the drawstring was cinched I didn't know if one would be interfering with the other. So I went with a mag snap. Sometimes they aren't desirable (though oh-so-simple), especially if a bag is kind of shallow. This bag was perfect for it.

There are a gazillion and seven tutorials (give or take) on how to insert magnetic snaps, and the packages usually come with directions. When I do mine I fuse a small square of fleece to the wrong side of the lining where the snap will go. Once inserted, I don't spread the prongs in different directions. I squeeze them towards each other over the back of the snap. To get an extra bit of pinch I use pliers and protect the snap surface with a fleece scrap. I then place another square of fleece over the back of the snap, and sloooooowly stitch a square around the snap (see just above), and then trim any excess. To my mind this makes it a bit more secure. I once had a snap come out of a bag I had made for someone (talk about horrified!) and started doing them this way. I haven't had any issues since (and maybe I wouldn't have anyway), but at the very least the weight of the bag isn't directly on the snap but on the stitching.

It's funny--I put this off and put this off...and put this off. I was nervous about replicating something, even though it's basically a boxy patchwork bag with a flat bottom and some hardware. I certainly didn't want to rip a bunch of stitches out of anything--have you ever tried to rip stitches out of corduroy? Not even a little fun. But I couldn't be more pleased with this. While it's interfaced and sturdy, it's not stiff and structured. The fabric is soft and warm looking, and while it is a pretty basic bag, the hardware steps it up a little bit.

Want to see the original that caught her eye? My version is a little taller, but all in all I don't think I did too bad.

What do you think??? Pure honesty is A-OK and preferable to the alternative, which will give me a false sense of awesomeness :)

Linking up here:
Under the Table and Dreaming*** Skip to My Lou *** Pinkapotamus *** Sew Can Do *** Craftomaniac *** Homemaker on a Dime *** C.R.A.F.T. *** Today's Creative Blog*** Creative Itch Boutique *** Funky Polkadot Giraffe ***Chef in Training *** Tip Junkie *** My Girlish Whims *** Sew Much Ado *** Free Pretty Things for You *** JAQSStudio *** Tea Rose Home *** Someday Crafts*** Somewhat Simple *** Fireflies and Jellybeans *** Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom  *** Creation Corner *** The Shabby Nest *** While He Was Napping *** Tatertots and Jello *** Be Different Act Normal *** To Sew With Love *** Sugar Pink Boutique *** Craftionary *** Family, Home and Life 

Comments

You folks leave me so many wonderful comments. When I'm all "Waaahhh" about something you're all "There, there." When I'm all "Guys, I think this is a major fail" you're all "No! I love it!" A well-timed, well-worded comment truly brings a smile to my face. And then there are the comments that don't get published (yeah, I exercise control over that). But in the interest of total honesty I thought I'd share a few with you, just so you can see what I get to ponder behind the scenes. You're welcome :)

Wow! Two hours of surfing and you found nothing better than the post where I ask for prayers and/or money? Clearly you're doing something wrong...

Four hours? Wow. Ask the guy up there for help and you can cut your browsing inefficiency in half.

Nothing much to this comment. Until you read their webpage. I do have an annoying co-worker this might work on, bwahahahahaha.

Awww, genuinely fastidious. Of course.

Really? Fastidious used twice? Eyes on your own papers, people!

 I always watch out for brussels, too. As in the sprouts. Blech.

You hear those crickets chirping too, right?

Just keepin' it real, yo.

Preppy Pleated Bag of Ugh

Ahoy ahoy! Did you know that 'ahoy' was the recommended way to answer the telephone when it was first invented? Saw it first on The Simpsons, saw it again on The Big Bang Theory,  so you know it's spot-on accurate. Anyway, I decided to make myself a bag for the winter. I have one that I've used for a few years now (and still receive compliments on), but it's more fall-inspired and I wanted something new. I butted in front of my sister on the to-do list figuring that if I left myself until last it'd never get done, but if I put her last I sure wouldn't let her down. I should have not done that, as I think karma was wagging its little finger at me going "Tsk, tsk, selfish selfish!"

Honestly? I don't know when I've ever had so much trouble making a bag before, especially a bag I've made more times than I can count. It was kind of embarrassing. It's almost as though it did not want to be brought into existence, and was fighting tooth and nail to stay folded in its plastic bin instead of being cut and stitched. Shall we review the issues? Let's!

Before I even touch on the stitch issues, let me just say that I sat to sew and was out of brown thread. This is maybe the third project I have not had thread for. I've apparently reversed my former ways--instead of having seven of a weird color for no apparent reason I am down to a bobbin's worth of some. What is that? I'm just going to revert to my old ways and buy too much thread. It's better than speeding off to the shop in a tizzy and starting a project already annoyed. OK, onward.

First, the bag was supposed to be plaid. I agonized for about an hour over the brushed cotton that I thought would be just right--not too flannel shirty, not too...flannel shirty. That was pretty much the only requirement. I found one that was brown, cream, and just enough pink to have some color to it without it being dominant. The bag ended up being decidedly NOT plaid as the fabric was woven crooked. At first I thought it was because I had a headache when I was cutting out the pieces, but nope, crooked fabric. I tried to make it work, because I'm overly optimistic about my skills to make crooked things look straight, but nah. So it ended up being houndstooth. Which I still insist on calling herringbone.

I had just the right amount of this and the brown in my stash to make this bag. Those side elastic-top pockets? Had to redo those about three times. What I thought was a notch in the pattern piece wasn't, it was just a nick in the paper. Then I measured from the incorrect notch. Then I measured incorrectly again. It was at that point I started truly cursing the bag. It was really bad. I should be ashamed of the things I said. I didn't have enough to cut the piping fabric on the bias, so that didn't want to cooperate either. It was only twice that part had to be done. At this point I think I uttered "If you don't start following directions you will never be seen. Never." I think it laughed at me.

Thank heavens for the lining. The inside of the bag is so me, and such a fun surprise when you unzip the top. The zipper pocket was sewn to the wrong side initially--glad I didn't cut the slit where the zipper goes. If I had done that, I seriously would have trashed the whole thing from frustration. Who, me have a temper? No way. But the inside is so worth it.

This is a huge bag, but I tend to cram so much stuff into mine that it'll be nice to not walk around with something completely overstuffed with junk. The outside pockets will be great for phone and keys, and the inside pockets for whatever else. The outside of the bag is actually kind of plain:

It's a great example of why I shouldn't sew when I have a bit of a migraine. I would normally not  have chosen a small-scale print like this for such a large bag (I am quite pleased with the contrasting handles though). I have been online and in the shops much more than could possibly be healthy, and I have not seen a single fabric that stands out and says "Oh yes, I AM the one." Oddly, though I say this bag looks bland, my bag last winter was bland too. It was one of those brown shearling bags with what looks like wool poking out of the seams. This one needed SOMEthing extra, so I found this pin in my stash of stuff, and it gives it just enough color now to break things up.

I left it hanging in the dining room so I could see it with fresh eyes in the morning. It looks much better with a pop of color. I was thinking a red crochet rosette would look good, but then thought it might look too fallish. I'm not fully in the mindset of warm wooly-looking tweed-like fabrics so I think I will appreciate this much more when the weather turns cold.

With all the frustration it ended up being worth it, but I need to put it away and forget about it until I'm ready to use it. It's like I have handbag cabin fever. I'll love it. But after it gets away from me for a few minutes. I wonder if that's why when I make a bag for me it has to be a quickie...maybe I'll get so tired of it before it's done I won't want to use it... Hmmm..... something to ponder.

On the other hand--I have figured out exactly what I'm doing for my sissie's bag--corduroy patchwork and grommets. I hope the stitchery gods take pity on me and make it easy breezy. Everyone cross their fingers!

Mostly Sunny, A Little Breezy at Times

After a busy weekend, some nephew(s) hang-time, some intense sewing frustration (next post, folks :) and a wee bit of shopping, the best place to be was on the porch, alternating between crocheting and reading, sipping on some tea. And enjoying the view.

More like this, please. See you tomorrow, gang!

An Appeal

This post is a bit difficult for me to write, as it goes against the grain of my blog and my psyche a bit to put something personal on here that isn't a passing comment of temporary unwellness or down in the dumpishness.

My close friend's husband has been sick for the past three-plus months with an illness that is yet to be diagnosed. There have been numerous emergency room visits, doctor's office appointments, and visits to specialists. Johns-Hopkins has not even been able to give them an answer. He has lost a ton of weight, and is unable to work. He is self-employed, so they are dealing with a big loss of income right now. Though they have insurance coverage through her work, limits can be reached and all those co-pays add up to ridiculous. Next week they are heading to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for more bloodwork, scans, punctures, taps, and whatever other things they make people endure for the sake of "some tests."

I don't know what's worse about the whole situation: the financial worry, dealing with a serious illness, or not even knowing what that illness is. Their kids have been amazing through the whole ordeal thus far. They truly are one of the best families I know--they are just honest, loving, all-around good people, plain and simple. As I watch what I feel is the decline of morals in our society, they are people that you look at and think "I wish I knew more people like them." At least I do.

Why am I telling you this? Because for the next few months you're going to see a widget at the top of my sidebar for donations for Brian Schaffer (and I just wanted you all to know it's legit and not a spammy kind of thing). And also that if you fancy yourself a philanthropist (or know any actual rich folks who like to dole out money for worthy causes) you can click on the widget and be taken to the fundraising page. It shows an amount in the widget, but you can change that--that wouldn't be the amount you are donating. I don't even know why they programmed that in there. Every little bit can help, as it all adds up to a big bit (just like those co-pays). I know it's weird to ask people you don't know to donate money to someone else they don't know, but it never hurts to try. If you can spare a few bucks I (and they) would be infinitely grateful. If you can't perhaps you could say a prayer or think a few good thoughts? It certainly couldn't hurt to have more positive energy floating around the universe, right?

Twelve of One, a Dozen of Another

In just one week (even with work and sewing thrown in) I've managed to get a nice healthy start on my granny-square afghan. Last weekend I had gone out and bought my colors--

...and planned out what I wanted to do. The original idea was for a full-on seventies' inspired blanket, in goldenrod yellow, marigold orange, avocado green, cocoa brown, and almond. These aren't colors I normally work with outside of seasonal crafting for fall bits, and I was very worried I would get completely sick and tired of it and end up wasting time, money and effort. I wanted it to still be a bit retro, but also a bit cleaner-looking, and not something that would make people say "How many greats did the grandmother who made that have in her name?" So I consulted with my in-house design team (Mumsy and Alicia) to see what they thought about these colors softened by extra white (well...off-white). So that's what I'm going with.

Each square has a round of each color, with two rounds of white (I just checked the label and the color is Aran--not really an off-white, not a cream, more like an oatmeal, I suppose). Every other square is a solid color center, surrounded by white. It's not so in-your-face seventies, but that's ok. That part is in the details, while the overall look is more muted and sedate. Here's what I have so far:

I was going to do an eight by eight layout, but it would be a wee bit small, so I added an extra two. Once I get the border on it should be just right. My plan for the border is to do a stripe of each color, but looking at the photo above I'm wondering if a plain white would be better. I suppose I'll get a bit more done and then I'll be able to tell for sure. Or I'll ask you folks and you can tell me for sure :)

When I told my mother my original plan and she saw the colors, her face expressed her thoughts. And those thoughts, based on her expression, were along the lines of "I think that seafood I ate was dodgy" or "What's that terrible smell?" But now she loves it, because of the white. It certainly makes the colors pop a bit, to have such a contrast instead just blending together in riot of crazy-ugly.

I'm using a join-as-you-go method. I was thinking of sewing each square together, and then I made someone slap some sense into me. Then I thought I'd slip-stitch them together, but that would add a bulkyish seam. The JAYG is working out beautifully. The only thing is that it takes a bit more planning than waiting to lay out your squares, but planning probably isn't the worst thing ever (if I really meant that I'd have made a quick sketch of color placement to make it easier on myself. OK, it's not that I don't mean it...it's that I didn't think of it until just now). I had pinned at tutorial on joining yarn invisibly, but when I tried to access it last weekend it seemed to be a dead link. Twenty squares later I checked one more time (I was going to delete it otherwise) and it was back! I'm bugged because you can see my join in the early pieces and not in the latter, but oh well. Hopefully that's not the detail that people focus on in the end.

I'm weaving in my ends as I go on this one and I am quite thrilled. At first I wasn't going to, but changed my mind and I'm glad for it. It took two whole nights to get them all in. It would be a ridiculous amount at the end, instead of a few minutes after each block to hide them. You would think that would have been a lesson learned quickly after the rainbow ripple, but not this girl!

After taking these pictures I sat down and cranked out the 24th square. Just so I could honestly give this post that title.

The light changes so quickly now it's crazy. The sun was coming in picture-perfect when I started, and set to  deprive me of its light by the third round. I do love when it gets dark early (so cozy!) but the need for light for good photos bothers me slightly. Then I have some hot chocolate and get over it. I pride myself on my ability to move on :)