My Sewing Space

My kids start school tomorrow. The first day at a new school. They're all excited. It seems like I'm the only nervous one. The backpacks are packed, the lunches made, the clothes laid out. Everything's ready to go! These two little items are the only back-to-school sewing I've done this year. My younger daughter and I worked on this pencil case together. She sat on my lap and did some of the steering while we were sewing the seams. The fabric choices are hers. This is a boxy zippered pouch made with this pattern, A Little Duffle Do It . The pattern gives cutting dimensions for four sizes, but I needed one to fit a set of colored pencils and based the dimensions on that. So, this one is longer and thinner than any of the four given choices. I quilted the outer fabric and lining together with fusible fleece in between. The pattern gives good instructions for cleanly finishing the inside seams using binding, but I was trying to be quick and just zigzagged them

A couple of years ago someone gave me a box of quilting scraps. Her style is similar to mine and I have used many of the scraps in various projects. One of the real gems in the box was a partial charm pack of Authentic by Sweetwater for Moda . There were also some fat quarters and other larger random pieces from the line. I loved this fabric when I saw it and knew that I wanted to do something just for me with it. After pondering it, I thought it should be some sort of tote bag, but I still wasn't sure exactly what it should look like. There are a lot of patchwork tote bag patterns out there, but not a lot of them that get me excited. When I saw the Perfect Quilted Tote pattern from Oh, Fransson! I knew it was the one. It was still quilted  patchwork and also modern and unique. Generally, I followed the pattern, but I wanted a larger bag so I altered the dimensions. The pattern is good - clear instructions, helpful photos, and useful tips. Her instructions for making the l

At the end of the summer I shortened a dress for a friend. It was a dress she had worn as a bridesmaid in a wedding. Shortening it meant that she could wear it again and she did - as a wedding attendee. I was left with a pretty good size swath of fabric that was cut off the bottom of the dress. I didn't really have a plan for it, but thought it would be best to hang on to it. Fast forward a few months....and I turned some of the fabric into a matching clutch: I drew up the pattern, but copied the shape of the bottom from one of my daughter's purses. The bag is underlined with a pretty heavyweight upholstery fabric. It gives it some heft and stability. The fashion fabric actually has a lot of stretch. The flap is finished with a bias binding and the bag closes with a magnetic snap. The inside is lined. I actually made this gift using her sewing machine! She loaned it to me when mine needed some attention in the shop. She's a good friend!

 So, about the obi mentioned here ... One side of the belt is solid navy with gingham ties and the other side is gingham with solid ties. So, it's reversible, but you get the same combination of fabrics either way. I don't have any obis and haven't worn one before, so when it came time to make the pattern, I did some guessing about size and dimensions. Finished, it is 4" high at center front, curving down to 2.5" at the side seam. The back piece tapers from 2.5" down to 1". The ties are 29" long and 1" wide. I left an opening in one side seam for the tie to go through when wrapping it back to the front. I like that this enables me to pull it snug and it stays in the right place with minimal adjusting while wearing. I find my tolerance for fussing with clothing while I'm wearing it keeps decreasing. Is that an age thing? Maybe a smartness thing. We'll go with that. Generally, I like the contrast ties for this belt, but I thi