Bottle Bag V2 - 03

I found some Ralph Lauren pillow shams at the thrift store the other day that were 100% cotton and the price was right so the set came home with me.

Immediately, I thought masculine bottle bag.

I have made this bottle with my new process.  Create 2 finished strips with the outer fabric, a flannel inside and a lining.  The 3 layers were cut 4.5" x 29".  Quilted the outer to the flannel then adding the lining and turned right side out.

Outer: 100% cotton

Batting: 100% cotton flannel

Lining: Maroon polyester lining fabric

I then place these 2 pieces in a cross and sew the bottom square.

Then I sew the sides together.

The strap is cut 12" x 4" and folded in half then raw edges to the center, tuck the ends in and top stitch all the way around.

I stitched the strap/handle to the side panels once I decided which was the front.  I use a X pattern to ensure a secure hold.

I added the "My Bag" tag.  The concept of "My Bag" is that a person has reusable bag for a certain purpose - in this case to carry a bottle.  You bring the bottle to your host in the bag but you bring the bag home and reuse it next time you are invited to a party.  This way the bag represents your style and is always there when you need it.

I added an accent of a button, a maroon square, and gold grosgrain ribbon with dove tail ends.

I was going to try keeping the Ralph Lauren tag to the bag but it just did not work out.

This fabric is beautifully supple.  The bag does stand on its own but it is quite soft so it does not quite have the presence of the others I have made.

I was going to make 2 but unless I can find a way to stiffen the fabric a bit I will not go ahead.

Sewing Project - Every Day Carry Bag

I worked on bags today. I was looking for something I could add slow stitching to which I could sell.

Of course, I love Every Day Carry Bags. I have made a couple. Mine and one for a show.

I started with a piece of blue striped cotton fabric. It was cut to 8.75" W x 11.125" T.  

The flannel was cut just inside the seam allowances so it would not bulk up the seams.  It was quilted to the cotton with the curvy decorative stitch in vertical lines matching the lines in the pattern.  I used ivory thread.

The lining is good weight polyester fabric in medium grey.

It was cut the same size as the outer fabric.  I sewed the side and bottom seams on both outer and lining then boxed the corners to 2 inches wide.  I pressed the pieces then put the outer into the lining and sewed the top seam leaving a gap to turn it right side out. 

The zipper insert was assembled separately with 2 tabs on either side measuring 1.5" finished. I sewed the bottom tab to the zipper then top stitched the top tab on top on both sides. Now, I had to finish the ends. I trimmed the ends of the zipper insert to the width of the top of the bag which is 7.5" wide. I added a binding to both ends in the same fabric. With all the edges finished I sewed it to the top of the bag with the curvy decorative stitch. 

Note: My planning was not good because I could have added the pocket to the front panel before sewing that up but I had to do it after. Same with the handles - They should have been attached to the front and back panels before assembly.

A quick access pocket on the outside is always nice.

The top zipper provides full access to the bag.  I embroidered it with a paisley design in the blue and emerald.

A zipper pull is helpful because the zipper tab is small and it is pretty incorporating the emerald as an accent color.

It is fully lined which leaves no raw edges exposed.

The Clip Strip is handy for things you don't necessarily what to dig for in the bag. Keys, cart token, measuring tape, and who knows what else. Maybe even a pen could live there.

The boxed corners helps to give the bag body and space for larger items. Maybe a small book, post in notes, and whatever else.

The straps measure 12" long which gives enough room to sit on your wrist.

Finished size is 10" tall and 8" wide at the top with 5" wide at the boxed bottom.

Slow Stitching - No. 031 - Shisha and Kutch Area in India

I have caught up on my slow stitching.  This piece is for week 31 of K3N Cloth Tales Slow Stitching Challenge.

The shisha are the small decorative mirrors on Indian clothing.  I chose a plastic sequin since I anticipate this piece being put into a possible quilt. This is washable.

I decided to use a piece of salmon colored linen on a cotton foundation cloth.  I also decided to make a paisley pattern with the shisha at the round end.  I traced with a white marker.

I managed the stitching on the shisha. The proceeded with satin stitch.  I had a really hard time when I  stitched through a single strand.  

I added the a blanket stitch around the outer edge of the paisley then closed it with a row of back stitch. After my problems with the satin stitch I took the easy way out.

I used 3 strand embroidery thread in several colors. I made several circles around the shisha.  Then I followed the inside edge of the with a couple of rows of satin stitch. Then I added the daisy flower and filled the field around it with satin stitch.  I used gold, teal, purple, yellow, and pink thread in various places.

I put a border in blue at the bottom and an upper in gold. 

Sympathy & Card Set

I made this card for a friend who lost her husband recently.  They had recently moved to BC after his retirement and he passed very suddenly.

I used some designer paper from Michaels called Teal Paisley.  I love the watercolor effect of this paper with the colors ranging from turquoise to green.   I cut the paper into 4" squares. Here I have ripped it in half and shifted the piece up and down.
I stamped the sentiment from Stampendous in Green Tea Versamark and embossed it in clear powder.  I ripped the to and bottom of the greeting and adhered it in the center of the card.
I punched a butterfly with a Martha Stewart punch from warm green card stock and adhered it above and to the left of the sentiment.

I made a set of cards that coordinates for her to use as she needs during this difficult time.  The butterfly die in white was cut with the Sizzix Winged Beauties die.













The memorial service is today and my brother in law will be by his sister's side.  I have spent many a Christmas Eve with this couple unwrapping "Treasures".  He will be missed.