Showing posts with label sewing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sewing. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Upcycled Leather Bags - Finally!

If you are looking for the Lampwork Earring Giveaway, please go here.  Good luck!

Those of you who know me are aware that I love to do both lampwork beads along with other jewelry making AND I love to sew.  I have been sewing since about age 8 or 9 with my first 4-H apron.  Most of my female relatives (grandmothers, aunts and mother) sewed and passed on those skills.  My mother and grandmother also made lots of our clothes while we were growing up.  We were soooooo lucky!

So, for a while, I have been promising some upcycled leather bags and purses.  I have made a couple of bags as a test and am now ready to reveal one.  Get ready 'cause it is a BIG one!


See how big!!  Check the magazine in the pocket.
 

And look at this fabric used for the lining.  I love, love, love it.  See the bird?  And there is a butterfly hidden down inside too.

 
 
 The handles are so soft and comfortable riding on your shoulder or arm.  


This bag is padded so you can carry your tablet and maybe even a lightweight laptop.  And so many extras inside - center zipper pocket, key fob, side pockets... 

 
 
and pen slots.


The big secret is that this bag is made from 3 upcycled skirts - 2 of soft, dark chocolate brown leather and 1 of red batik.  I love giving garments a new life.  When using the leather skirts or jackets, I try to use any interesting seams or pockets from the original item in the bag design.  On this one, it was seams on the front of the bag.  With jackets, I often get great pockets which you will see on future bags.

So what do you think?  Do you like it?  Would you carry it?

Keep creating,
Carol



Sunday, February 10, 2013

2013 Mystery BOM or Two

I have started a Block of the Month project with a local quilt shop.  Here is my first block.

I have wanted to do a BOM for quite a while and now is the time.  I am also going to try to do the BOM with my local quilt quild.  Both of these quilts are Mystery BOM projects. 

The funny thing is that the first block for each is quite similar - lots of half square triangles.  For the block above, the red and tan fabrics were chosen for us.  For the one below, we make our own choice of fabric and I have gone in a very different direction.  I have chosen to start with bright pink and white. 


My plan is to later integrate black or gray in the quilt.  It will depend on what the next block/s look like.  Be sure to come back and see my progress each month.

Until time to work on the next blocks, I will be working on beads and jewelry.

Keep creating,
Carol


Saturday, May 12, 2012

Fabric Treasure Chest

A few years ago, I found a treasure chest of fabric at an estate sale.  I almost walked away from it as there was just so much at this sale.  You could get lost just in looking.  For once, I had the presence of mind to pick up this unassuming sewing basket and hang on. 


When I looked inside, I saw all these little squares of cotton fabric.  So I began to carefully feel down through the layers to see what was underneath.  And ouch!  There were straight pins stuck in randomly throughout and apparently all pointing up.  So I became even more careful.  But as far as I could feel and see there were many more layers just like this top layer. 


What would I do with all these little squares?  I had only recently resumed my sewing hobby after my children had gone off to college.  And I had just completed a crib quilt for a great-nephew.  So, of course, I had grandiose ideas of the many quilts that would be churned out. 
Whoooooosh! 

Yes, that was time flying.  I have finally pulled out and sorted the many squares all measuring 2" x 2".  I have picked an Irish chain pattern that uses 2 inch squares.  Typical of most of my projects, there is more work than it would appear.  All of the squares are cut, right?  Well the squares do need to be cut accurately so I am checking each one to make sure it is exactly 2 inches square.  They are surprisely accurate, though I have found a few that don't make the cut (pun intended).  Stayed tuned to see what these little squares can become.

Happy being creative,
Carol 




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