Sweater Bag Progress

I've had a great time working on this bag.  The embellishments are sewn on and I'm adding a few beads.  Gotta have a little bling!  Next, I have to decide on how to trim the upper edge.  I'm thinking a knitted or crocheted ruffle.  Here is what it looks like, all the way around at this point.

Yes, it is totally gaudy, but it's supposed to be.  I love looking at it.   It may just take it's place somewhere in my home as a piece of art.  Because it makes me happy!

Now to figure out the trim for the top.  Just in case there isn't enough fru-fru on it!

Happy Weekend

Handbags are Art

I recently took a workshop at Needlework & Textile Guild of Michigan.  The instructor was Kathleen Shanteau of http://originalsbyyarnpaintings.com/default.aspx.  Her bags are sold at fiber art shows and she teaches the technique to make them.  These bags are similar in construction to the "free form" knit/crochet bags.  However, these bags are made using felted sweaters, with whatever you wish to use to further embellish them.  There are flowers made from the felted sweaters, knitted and crocheted pieces, beads, jewelry, etc.

The bags start with a plastic canvas base.  Here is mine, with goodies inside.

The base is then covered with pieces of felted sweater.  Done BY HAND, the sweater pieces are sewn on wrong sides together.  The seams become part of the embellishment and texture.  Here is my bag with it's slipcover on.  She's ready to be embellished.

Doesn't look  like much right now, does it?  The pocket I decided I didn't want on the front, so I moved it to the side before beginning covering the bag with fru fru.  And speaking of fru fru, here's mine. Oh, and look at those gorgeous handles.  Kathy makes those handles.  Every one is different.  Aren't they beautiful?  This is only a small portion of "stuff" that I'm putting on my bag.

My bag is quite far along now, and I'll post photos when it is finished.  But, here is a picture of one of Kathy's bags.  THIS BAG IS NOT MINE, but shows how these artsy bags look when finished:

The bags are done by hand, stitching every embellishment securely.  They are lined and the handles sewn on.  Lots of work.  But, I am having a blast making mine.  In fact, I bought two kits--the one you see above in rusts and pinks, and another in red.  I start working on it and get lost in time.  A good place to be!

More to come.  As it progresses.

Is It a Suit?

No!  It's a handbag, made from men's suit jackets.

The challenge at my Designer group for this month was to make a handbag from men's suit jackets.  Not only should we use the fabric from the suit, but the pieces, such as collars, lapels, pockets., etc. should be visible on the handbag.

The pattern I chose is B5197, View D.

I went to the thrift store and found two suit jackets that coordinated.  One is black with a very narrow burgundy stripe and the other is a burgundy/black hounds-tooth.   Threw them in the dryer with some Dryel and then cut them apart.

I began by cutting each piece of the bag from muslin.  Next I cut the same pieces again out of fusible fleece, eliminating the seam allowances.  Fused the fleece to the muslin, which became the foundation for the bag.  I used the black stripe fabric for the main part of the bag, and sewed the muslin foundation to the wrong side of those pieces.  Then it was a matter of decorating the bag.

Here is one front/back.  I made a pocket the width of the bag from the hounds-tooth.  You can see the collar and lapel, trimmed with black lace.  There's a black lace applique and a ribbon flower on the lapel.  At the bottom right-hand side of the bag is a label and a small sequin flower. There's a sew-in magnetic snap inside the pocket to keep it closed.

The other front/back is again a pocket running the width of the bag.  This one utilizes the jacket flap/welt pocket, which is a working pocket also.  It's trimmed with lace, a ribbon flower and a label.

For the sides of the bag, I made small pockets (cell phone pockets) using the sleeve cuffs.  I removed the buttons on the jacket and replaced them with rhinestone buttons.  The little tab you see above the cuff is a "zipper pull"--a piece of fabric you hold to make using the top zipper easier.  Both sides of the bag are identical.

I stacked the jacket buttons and sewed them to the bottom of the bag for "feet".  The lining is black and plain except for another label off of one of the jackets.  I bought a black and silver beaded handle and attached it to the top.  This handbag, although made from masculine materials is very girly.  It has a Victorian look.  As soon as someone gets a post up on our Designer blog, there will be photos of other bags from this challenge.  That website is:  http://designersiiigroup.blogspot.com/

I'm hosting the next challenge, so for the next month I'll be busy working on that.  Also, I have a two day workshop coming up-- deconstructing sweaters and making a handbag from them.  I have two yucky medical tests in May.  Throw in my babysitting days and running to concerts with my husband (he plays a trumpet in 3 bands) and that pretty much fills up the calendar.  Those of you who are working--don't quit.  For some reason, when you retire, you get busier than ever!

March Challenge

I'm finally sewing again.   But this is an insanely busy month for me, so I don't know how much I will accomplish.

I belong to a sewing club, which is termed a "designer" group.  Every other month, one of the gals issues a challenge.   We each tackle the challenge, interpreting it our own way, and bring it back for show and tell.  The challenge for March is to make a handbag from men's suit jackets.  Not only are we supposed to use the fabric from the suits, but parts of the suit such as the lapel, cuffs, pockets., etc. should be visible on the bag.  Yikes huh?

The person who is hosting this challenge got her inspiration  from this site:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/mandinka  The bags on that site are selling for $140-$280.  Can you imagine?

I went to the thrift store and found a couple of coordinating suit jackets, threw them in the dryer with some Dryel and took them apart.  I have the front and back of a bag finished.  Wish I could post a photo, but it must be kept under cover until the next meeting.

Hopefully I'll be able to finish it in time.  It will be scramble.

Sewing on as time permits.
More to follow

Did I Mention Tubes?

Alas, I spoke too soon.  I am just home from another stay in the hospital.  Same condition as before--blockage in the lower intestine.  I had another NG tube stuffed up my nose and down into stomach.  They pumped my tummy again for a few days.  Medical people out there--you know how invasive that is.  Plus--ouchy.  And miserable.  All of that.

My last CT scan showed no blockages, no tumors, no nothing, so they released me from the umbilical cord.  Then the surgeon told me that it will probably happen again, maybe next week or next month.  Whenever.  And that I can't do anything to prevent it.

I cried so hard I had to be sedated.  My family Doctor came in and when I told him the conversation with the surgeon he said that we are not going to lay down for that, and he is sending me to  a GI Doctor.  I have an appt. tomorrow.  I don't know that anyone can help me, but I'm going to try every avenue I can.

My sewing has been nill this entire year.  There are so many things I want to do.  I just haven't been able to get on my feet.  But I will. My husband took me for a little walk  outside--it's so pretty today.  I'm a bit wobbly yet, but making an effort to move around and get my strength back.

Meanwhile, I have a week's worth of your blogs to catch up on.  I know you are all making fabulous spring clothes.  I'm so glad to have them to read while I recuperate.

Be well.

No More Tubes

Seems like just about the time I get going, something happens to knock me down.  I started having excruciating abdomen pain and nausea.  I just went to bed, thinking it was a stomach virus.  But it got so bad, I had to go the ER.   A scan determined there was a blockage of the intestine.  Had I stayed at home, I may have been spinning clouds into silk about now.

I fought like hell , while an NG tube was thrust up my nose and down into my stomach.  You medical types know it's a lousy way to spend your time.  Doesn't feel so good either.   Four days, I laid with that tube pumping my stomach.  As if that weren't bad enough, my heart decided to have a party.  I have A-Fib, and the trauma of everything caused those heart issues to resurface.

A week later, I am home, and resting.  Tired.  Weak.  But I will get better.  I have several Dr visits coming up.  My cardiologist wants to do another workup on me, and I'll see my family Dr. this week.   This issue had been going on for a while, and I was ignoring it.  I was lucky this time.

Sewing?  Probably not for a few days.  But I can catch up on my blogs and magazines and books while I recuperate.

Pay attention to your pain.  It's trying to tell you something.

The Eyes Have It

Time passes fast, even when you're NOT having fun!  The month of January and part of February have been consumed with getting my eyes fixed.  It takes a lot of I-Doc appts. and may I say I was sincerely tired of eye-drops!  I didn't feel like sewing.  All is better now, and I've getting back to what I love to do.

For some time, I've wanted to have a basic underarm bust-dart jacket pattern.   Try to find one.  Actually, I found TWO.  One is Burda 8332 and the other, Butterick4963.  These two patterns are almost identical in their draft.  Most jacket patterns have a Princess seam, which of course, is a nice shape, and makes fitting a bit easier.  But, I want a basic TNT bust-dart jacket pattern for a couple of reasons.  For one, I want a TNT pattern that I can design upon.  And, sometimes I don't want a print broken up with a seam.   Having a TNT eliminates constant fittings and muslins.  All pluses.

I made muslin(s) of B4963.  Bust dart correctly placed, shoulders and sleeve all good.

I used this new book as a reference.  If you make muslins, this is a very good book, with real photographs showing fitting problems/solutions.

Now, I'm going to make an actual garment with lining, for a final check.  If I'm happy with the results, I'll start drafting collars, sleeves, princess seams--and have a bunch of interchangeable parts.  Also, I can superimpose another pattern onto my TNT and copy design details.  I'm looking forward to having some fun with this.  A few pattern designers have tried to do this with their pattern lines.  Shirley Adams had "Alternative" patterns with interchangeable parts.  It never caught on.  People didn't really know what to do with them.  Nancy Erickson has a few basic patterns and a newsletter to purchase that uses the basic patterns and applies design changes.  I've read a thread at StitchersGuild, about Sure Fit Designs, which builds upon a sloper draft.   There are some informative videos on that site.   Someday, I'm going to buy the program.  After paying for eye surgeries and  unexpected income taxes.  But for now, I  have my own jacket TNT.  It makes me happy.

I did a bit of hand embroidery and sewing pillowcases for Valentines gifts.  I embroidered white pillowcases with blue lettering for my daughter.  Sewed some ric-rac on the hem.  I love their simplicity.  These are just laid on my bed to photograph, and they are large pillowcases,  and I couldn't get them in their entirety.  Here's one:

And the two, side by side:

I made these for my little grandsons.   You know that Spiderman rules don't you?  Even when you sleep!

Little Black Cardi

I want to thank all of you for your concern and good wishes about my eye surgery and resulting problem.  My eye has healed and I'm ready for another surgery next week.  Ready is probably not the right word. Reconciled.  Because of the way the anesthetic stays with me, I'll have two days that are worry free.  I'll be totally happy! Giddy.  Stupid.

I have a black knit fabric that has black, raised, textured flowers.  It's thin.  I bought it for a pattern that ended up being a wrong choice.  So today, I made my old standby cardi.  It's my "go to" thing when I want to sew but don't want to have to think about it or figure anything out.  Lazy sewing.  The fabric was perfect for it and it was quick and easy.  Painless.

The last pattern sale at Jos I bought these patterns.

I like the lines on the McCall outerwear jacket.  It has a saddle shoulder--something you don't seem often.  And the See&Sew coat has a cute, full back.  Who knows when or if they will get made.  I think of my patterns as a collection, and truly, how many of us actually sew all the patterns we have?  Still, they are comforting, aren't they? Especially when they are on sale so inexpensive.

I have traced and altered the Cutting Line Designs HeartsAFlutter overblouse.  I believe Shams may have made it so I'll have to check her blog and PR to find it.  I know it runs very large, so I used the finished garment measurements, which is what I always do, anyway.  That's on the agenda for tomorrow.

Back in the Blog Business

It was not a good week.  I had cataract surgery on one eye.  When my eye was clamped open, it tore.  Inside where you can't see it but the Dr. can.  I found out a week later when my eye didn't feel good.  It's going to be ok though.  Supposedly.   I can't wear eye makeup for a month.  I've worn eye makeup since I was 14.  May as well not have any clothes on!   I lost two complete days because the anesthetic knocked me on my butt.   Then Blogger decided to cut up, ending with not allowing me to enter my blog.

After fiddling around for several hours, instead of sewing, I finally fixed Blogger.  Actually, Blogger told me it wanted me to download Google Chrome.  I gave in.  After the download, I got back into my blog and it let me make comments again. Thanks, Blogger.

Sometimes, you just have to let it have its way.

Note to Bunny,Sherill and Rhonda

Blogger is once again throwing me a curveball.  I am not able to comment on any of your blogs on any computer. I don't seem to have any problems with others.  So, please know I'm reading your blogs but until I can rectify the situation, I can't "speak" with you.

Bunny, I didn't know Erica Wilson died.  I used to watch her show and have one of her old books.  She was THE embroidery star of her day. 

Sherill, your new jacket is going great!  I love a jean jacket.

Rhonda, wonderful idea about showing us how to make different types of sleeves.  That will be very interesting and informative.

Now, back to trying to figure out what the problem is.

Texting Gloves

Or typing gloves, or fingerless gloves--whichever name one puts to them.  I started the NewYear off right by sewing up two pair of these easy to make but kinda' cute hand warmers.  The pattern is V8703, by Marcy Tilton.

 They need a knit fabric-fleece or any other type of appropriate weight knit.  Mine are made from black stretch Velveteen, with black stretch lace trim.  These are the easiest little thingies to make, and I can see them in a leopard print or brightly colored knits, or even made from a discarded sweater.  The most difficult part of the whole thing is finding stretch trim, which I'll be watching for now.

These texting gloves would make a nice little gift, especially for those who work in an office that's drafty.   A little late for Christmas, but there are other holidays, and Christmas does come around again before we blink an eye.  Marcy talks about them here:http://marcytilton.com/index.php?cid=1703 

Daughter, you're getting a pair, sweetie.

CLD Discover Something Novel

There's nothing like a flu bug to put a damper on the holidays.  I'm taking antibiotics that I'm hoping will knock this crud out of me before Wednesday, because I'm scheduled for cataract surgery.  I don't want to have to cancel the surgery and start that whole process all over.

I noticed this vest in Threads.  It's Louise Cutting's Discover Something Novel. 

The pattern:

I love this vest.  It is a good pattern if you like to embellish.  The right front has two pieces, the back is asymmetrical, split into two pieces, and the peplum is separate pieces, back and front.  Mine is made from black velveteen, black velvet embossed twill, and white shantung.  Here's the front:



The side, showing the peplum is is split at the side seam:

And the back:

It's hung over a white t-shirt, but it would look pretty over a shiny, long-sleeved shirt and velveteen pants.  Although the pattern doesn't have a lining,  I lined mine with a black/white print.  Love.

A few weeks ago, I took a workshop called "Mixed Media", where we played with a lot of different mediums--paints, inks, etc.  We did silk screening, stenciling, dying,  sun printing, and many other techniques.  I was introduced to something called Zentangle, and was hooked immediately.  Zentangle is basically doodling repetitive patterns.  When I realized this could be done on fabric, I was ecstatic!  I bought this piece of fabric from the instructor.  It's cotton fabric, drawn on with a Sharpie marker.

Isn't that gorgeous?  The gal who did this piece drew it while standing by her kitchen counter.  My goal is to be able to draw that on something--fabric, a shirt, white tote bags.  It could be done in color, or this black and white drawing could be hand embroidered.  Lots of possibilities.  I love to sew, but I equally love playing with pens and inks.

Wishing all of you a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year, filled with fabric and patterns!

V8624

Here's a shrugg-y type jacket from Vogue, 8624.  The envelope states it has kimono sleeves, but in fact, I believe they are more dolman.  The under part of the sleeve angles down to the hemline of the jacket, creating drape and fullness at the side.  Here's a photo of mine, with my husband holding out one sleeve straight.

Mine is made from a lightweight, drapey rayon.  It does not meet at CF.  It looks much better on than off, and the photo on the pattern envelope is an accurate depiction.  It's another version of a cocoon jacket.

A couple of weeks ago, I attended a workshop entitled "Mixed Media".   We painted fabric with all types of fabric paint and ink, learned to draw images on fabric, stencilled, screen-printed, sun printed, etc.   It was two riotous days of fun!  I have a lot of samples that were done in the workshop that will never be anything but samples.  The one thing I actually finished is a white silk scarf.  I spray painted it with silver glitter.  Then, I used Shiva Paintsticks to stencil words all over it.  The paint had to cure for a couple of days, and then it was heat set with an iron.  I intend to bead the edges with silver beads.

I'm working on a silky, sheer waist length mobius wrap.  It's simply a rectangle with borders.  Easy, right?  It would be, except for the slippery fabric.  Not particularly enjoyable to work with.  I'm making french seams and  serger rolled hems.  If all goes well, I'll have it finished tomorrow.  Then, I want to make the E-Shrug.  I'm probably the last person in blogland to make it. 

I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday weekend!

Santas Got a Brand New Bag #2

Santa Bag is finished.  I will start carrying it on Thanksgiving.  At least I was ahead of the game for a change! 

No pattern for this bag.  It came out of my head when I made the first one for my daughter.  I quilted red satin fabric with red rayon thread to PellonFleece and then cut out the pieces.  For stiffness, I used Peltex. There are pockets on each side for phones and glasses.  There's a rhinestone key fob on one side (gotta have a little bling)!  White fur balls hang from red satin ribbons, and trim around the top in white fur, taken from Santa hats.  There's a "G" ornament hanging also, from red satin ribbon.   Red and white candy-cane stripe handles that I found online.  Zipped top with rhinestone zipper pull.  Stacked buttons used for feet.  And red satin lining, with a zipper pocket.  Here it is. 

                                                                         Front:



Side with key fob:

                                                                            Bottom:



                                                                             Top:

                                                                          Inside:

The tables and hardwood floors are dusty.  Laundry is backed up and I haven't cooked a good meal for a couple of days.  But the important things are done!  I'll catch up with housework while I think about the next project.  There is Christmas music playing in the stores.   I am not ready for it. 

Santa Bag In Progress

Two years ago, I made my daughter a SantaBag.  I had all the "ingredients" to make two-one for her, and one for myself.  As things go, I didn't get mine made that year.  I have started mine, finally, and will have it finished by Thanksgiving. (which, by the way, is coming up shortly)!  Can you believe it?  I misplaced September and October.

The SantaBag doesn't have a pattern.  It's just a box type bag with a zip top.  I've quilted red satin for the body, and it will be lined in red satin, also.  I have red and white candy-cane looking handles, and a couple pieces of  rhinestone bling for zipper pulls and key fobs.  It will be trimmed around the top with white fur, and will have white fur balls hanging from a satin ribbon, just like Santa's hat.  And, I have a tree ornament to hang on it also, which is my initial, done in silver and red, with rhinestones.  Today, I got the pieces quilted, and interfaced with Peltex.  I stacked three red buttons to use for feet, and have those sewn on.  I'll work it again tomorrow.  I'm thinking of Bunny as I'm sewing, because she makes some beautiful bags, and I think she's going to making some for holiday gifts this year.

Of course, I can't pass up a pattern on sale at Jos.  I was there a few days ago, and got a few Vogue patterns, and one McCall.  I have plans for V8624, a cute cocoon type jacket.  I bought a black/white rayon print for it.

A couple of weeks ago, I took a workshop at Needlework & Textile Guild of Michigan.  There's a workshop every month, and I attend all that I possibly can.  This workshop was "Nuno Felting" a silk scarf.  Basically, you layer wool roving, and ribbons, sequins, silk bits, etc. onto a silk scarf.  Cover with a thin gauze, wet with water and soap solution, make a jelly roll of it with bubble wrap, and roll the entire thing back and forth, felting the wool into the silk.  Fiber artists out there will know exactly how this process is done.  Here's my finished scarf.  It was laborious to say the least!

Knitting.  I finished this ruffley scarf.  It's made from Sashay by RedHeart.  The yarn is a mesh-type fiber, with silver metallic on the edge.  It's a no-brainer to knit-a good project to take along to knit when you're waiting for whatever.  Or whomever.  I have about 6 more skeins of this stuff to knit.



There was a big hoo-hah in the knitting community over KateMiddleton's knitted shawl that she was spotted wearing while grocery shopping.  It was all over Ravelry.  I downloaded a few patterns, and did some samples of the stitches used.  Then, Claire posted about the Kate shawl she was making, called "Ubiquitous Kate".  I found that free pattern at Ravelry also, and made a swatch of the stitch pattern.  Decided I liked it and ordered yarn from KnitPicks.  I'm using Gloss fingering yarn, in scarlet.  Gotta say I'm totally enjoying knitting this shawl.

I think that catches up what I'm doing creatively.  This week is not so busy for me as the last two, so I hope to get my SantaBag finished and maybe start on a jacket.  To those of you who got the surprise snow, I hope you had yourselves a nice sewing snow day!