Sewing Project - Recycled Fabric - Everyday Carry Bag

I made a bag from all recycled materials.  The fabrics came from the box from Michelle at ReImagined Fabrics.

The bag is beige cotton duck fabric. 

A beautiful leaf pattern cotton fabric was used for the zipper insert, the tab on the front pocket and the tab on ginger pocket.  

I added a piece of ginger cotton denim to the bottom of the back to improve wear ability and keep it cleaner. 

I chose a small piece of red for the trim on the zipper insert, the loop on the front pocket and the key hook on the inside.

The bag features 3 pockets - the front leaf patterned one, the back ginger denim one, and the space between the ginger pocket and the bag.

It has a teal zipper at the top in the normal for me completed finished zipper insert. 

I used taupe cotton poly blend for the handles and made them as long as I could. They are placed on either side of the pockets.  They are well reinforced in the stress areas.

The the seams are finished which looks smart and there are no raw edges in sight.

I added a tab on the ginger pocket so that it provide better leverage to open the velcro closure. It is center which the velcro was not.

This button is from my stash of recycled materials as well as the teal zipper.

It was the perfect color to match the teal color in the patterned fabric.

I included a keys hook on the inside so they will always be at hand and easy to find in the bag.

The bag measures 12x12 square so it is not a big bag.  I guess, you would call it purse sized.  

For information on the "My Bag" Line

Card - Slow Stitching - Red Flower

This fabric was thinner than the others I have stitched.  I had to add a bit to the right hand side to make it wide enough.

Outlined the flower, the green leaves and added French knots to the center of the flower.

The thin fabric I added is a Crushed Curry color and matches very well.

This got a quarter sheet insert and an envelope and will head for my card box. 

Sewing Project - Pojagi Wrap Beige and Blue

I've been thinking about doing a big Pojagi project so I decided I needed some practice before tackling it.

It does need a change in thinking to do this with the sewing machine - especially if you are using one or two single sided fabric.

I was given a gift of a box of fabric by Michelle at ReImagined Fabrics.  Thanks so much!

I have sorted all the precut squares and many are cotton polyester or all polyester.  To gain the benefit of Pojagi thinner fabrics are best. There are some cotton ones as well but I was focusing on the thin ones.

The beige in this piece is a very thin cotton poly blend and has no right side.  You can see in the photo where the texture of the curtain shows right through the beige. The squares were cut to 9.5 inches. 

The patterned pieces are very polyestery but a bit thicker and does have a right and wrong side.  Gorgeous pattern and jewel toned colors.  The squares were cut at just under 7".  I found this video about sewing Pojagi on a sewing machine.

I decided that I wanted all my double seams on same side or "top" of my wrap.  This video "Rules" of Pojagi Seams by the same person does a good job of explaining this.  I did get one of my squares right side to the back but decided to leave as that was early on and this was just practice. Later, I did undo 2 seams to get one square right side to the front. 

It is very difficult to plan and decide on sizes of fabric needed.  I just started sewing and then aimed to create rectangles and cut the excess fabric away to achieve that.

I just made a turned over hem around the edge with the double lines on top.  This measures 24 wide x 26 inches tall.  It will wrap a gift or can be used as a topper on a table cloth. I did lose track of time but this project took at least 4 hours to complete.

I think my goal would be to create a piece of reversible fabric then make a sewing project from it. Tackling the pajogi and sewing project at the same time would be too much for me.

Card - Slow Stitching - A Rose

It's a rose!

I found this heavy cotton fabric at the ReUse Center. I cut it to size finding a nice composition.

I highlighted the stamens and a few of the petals.

Mounted with double sided tape onto a Stampin Up Tip Top Taupe A2 card base.

Adding a quarter sheet insert and an envelope it is headed to the card box for now.

 

Card - Slow Stitching - Mountain Cabin

I stitched another card. With the same fabric as an earlier one, on this piece of fabric I saw a mountain. 

Not sure I got the snow caps right. 

The sky is full of stars.

The little cabin is surrounded by snow banks.

The little cabin with its door and window.

I put a border in dark blue with a running stitch.

I adhered it to the card front of a navy speckled white card stock. 

A quarter sheet insert and a white envelope is headed for the card box after sitting under books overnight.

Card - Slow Stitching - Tapestry

I found this fabric at the ReUse Center and decided add stitching to it.

I selected a few shapes that would be fairly easy to high light I started.

I tried matching the thread to the original color on the fabric as best I could.

Once stitched I adhered the panel to the front of a SU Hello Honey card base with 3D tape.  The red shapes which I satin stitched were very bulky on the back so double side tape was not going to do.

A quarter sheet insert and a white envelope and another card for the card box.

Loving the stitching

 

Sewing Project - Food Storage Coths

I made another batch of food storage cloths as I found the very cute flannel at the ReUse Center this week.

With pizza on them there will be no mistaking them.

I use these in my veggie and fruit tupperwares in the fridge as well so now I have plenty for all my food storage needs.

They are 6x7 inches and I just cut it into 8 pieces and serged the edges.

Job done!

Sylvia's Simple Shots

Its been a week for improvements in the sewing room department.

I have started buying distilled water for my steam iron which lessens the amount of times I have to clean it.  The cost is minimal about $2 and it is better all the way around.

I also found a water cup for the iron at the thrift store this week.  I have wanted one for a while and since I bought my iron second hand it did not come with one.

I have been reusing a disposable water bottle but it does not have the point to direct the water.

This cup works very well and it again was a bargain at the thrift store.

Another improvement in the sewing room was this clamp I found at the ReUse Center.

This the spool holder that my brother in law made me for Christmas a few years ago. It works well but the corner of my sewing desk is a bit short on space.  Whenever I pull the board to raise the machine it would topple over.  

This clamp is minimal but very effective.  It has been quite a while since I have worried about not toppling the spool holder.

I found this small bag of buttons at the thrift store when I met my sister in Wetaskiwin a while back.

They are vintage for sure with metal inserts in the holes for reinforcement.  There are about 50 of them so I am sure there is a project where they will fit in perfectly.

I had a visit with my youngest sister for Family Day.

She had a couple of friends over and we talked crafts, sewing, and all manner of other stuff.

We managed to make this puzzle while we chatted.

It was nice to be with family.

Card - Slow Stitching - Pojagi Butterfly

I created the pojagi cloth element from thin fabrics I found at the ReUse Center.

The green butterfly was on one of them so I chose to keep it. I found some fabrics which worked with the color of the blue fabric.

All handstitched then backed with another fabric to finish off the edges.

A great organic element.  I added the small orange button for a bit of interest and dimension.

Mounted to a Stampin Up Baja Breeze card base. 

With a quarter sheet insert and a white envelope it is pressing before it hits my card box.

Card - Slow Stitching - Heart Flower

I brought home some heavy cotton printed in blues from the ReUse Center this week.  

I found this piece with a heart flower so I did the flower in white thread, added a stem and leaves. 

Then yellow French knots in the center with a few seed stitches above to add some interest. Then a navy frame of running stitch all the way around.

Adhered to a white heavy card base with double sided tape.  

Sitting under several books for a good pressing.

Added a white quarter sheet insert and a white envelope.

Sewing Project - Creating Blocks

I started creating blocks from my slow stitching pieces.  I needed a way to finish these so I can put them into some sort of project when they are complete I will have 52 at the end of the year.

I decided to buy a neutral fabric and headed to the thrift store. See picture below.

I was going to just zigzag them onto the cotton and overnight I came up with a better idea.  What if I used ribbon to finish off the edges? Dipped into my stash of ribbon to see what I had.  I had some gold and ivory organza - too stiff and too see through. Keep looking.  Then I remembered a roll of navy seam binding.  Yeah that will work.

I decided to buy some 100% cotton fabric in the form of the king sized flat sheet. I choose a light grey with some texture in the fabric. I had a cone of thread to match. Wonderful.

I took a bit to figure out how to use the seam binding.  In the end I just folded it in half.  By running the fold along the edge of the sewing machine I could get it to stay folded.  I did enough to get around the slow stitch piece and got started.  

The roll of seam binding I see is viscose which means it is pretty old. Viscose is a natural fabric so that is good as well.

I have owned these roll for about 10 years and you can see that I paid $2 at a thrift store somewhere along the way.  I have used it for card making in those years and there is plenty to finish this project as well.

Very happy I was able to shop my stash.

The edges of the slow stitch pieces are not crisp in most cases so I decided on a decorative stitch with a zag in it to ensure I captured the full edge of the piece. I left an open end before I started stitching and then aligned the folded edge of the seam binding on the outer edge with the open edge toward the middle of the piece. After a little practice I was able to created 90 degree corner folds with decent precision with an applique pin. Once I returned to where I started I cut the incoming end short enough to fit into the end I had left when I started.  Folded the edge over on one of them and pulled them taut and sewed over the overlap. A bit of back stitching done!

I have done the 8 complete slow stitching pieces.

Just thinking they could be used as an accent on a bag or some other sewing project.  

Slow Stitching - No. 008 - Both Sides - Pojagi

2024 Slow Stitch Challenge - Week 8 - Both Sides - Pojagi.

The idea that all things have two sides which are not good or bad but different.  

Pojagi is a Korean patchwork technique where you sew different pieces together to create one large piece of fabric. Seam allowances are concealed inside the seams, so you have the finished edges front and back. 

I chose a different color scheme this week because of my visit to the ReUse Center. Warm tones in yellows and rust.

I managed to keep all my single stitches to this side except the short one along the top.  That is the way it goes. It is also just a bit bigger than the others at 4.5 inches.

I am so grateful to Kathyrn who is passing on such useful techniques as well as thoughtful insights and life lessons. 

Card - Slow Stitching - Pink and Blue

I brought some heavy cotton fabric home from ReUse Center this week.

I thought, let me see what I can stitch using the pattern on the fabric.

I added stars in the upper left hand corner - navy on white. 

Triangles white on navy.

Some couched stitching in the bottom right hand corner - medium blue on light blue. 

Then some pink stars/flowers on the medium blue piece.

Adhered the piece with double sided tape on a pink A2 card and pressed over night under books.

Ready to give.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

My aunt and I went for a visit at the Night of Artists Gallery at Bonnie Doon Mall.

It holds wonderful art from local artists.

There is pottery, sculpture, fabric arts, photography, acrylic painters, watercolor painters, and much more.

The show in the feature area was art from local high school artists. What an opportunity and encouragement to young artist to be in a gallery.

We really enjoyed our visit and had a good chat with one of the local artists who was manning the gallery that day.

I am always in for a tea related book.  The Tea House on Mulberry Street by Sharon Owens was a great read.

Muldoon's Tea Rooms owned by Penny and Daniel Stanley has started looking a little outdated.  We get to know the regulars who seek refuge in this cozy tea shop.  Daniel is the wonderful baker who produces delicious baked goods. Sadie who is dieting comes to indulge, Brenda comes to right her letters to Nicholas Cage which she does eventually posts and Clare returns to find a long lost soul mate.

Penny and Daniel's marriage experiences an renewal as well during the story. 

We all have to be true to ourselves and move head on into our life.

My aunt and I visited the Paint Spot as well the day of our outing as she wanted some Japanese papers.

Much of the supplies in this store were beyond what I was willing to pay but I did find this tiny eye dropper bottle I can use for essential oils.  I have looked for one at the health food and they did not this size. 

It measures 1.5 inches tall so is very tiny.

I love it.

I sliced open my thumb on a microplane grater while doing up some hard cheese for my pizza. I did get a small nick the first time which I should have heeded but did not so with the lesson unlearned it got a little harder.

Needless to say the pizza was on hold.  Fortunately, this time I did not get lightheaded but there was a lot of blood.  I had to hold it above my head for 10 minutes to get it under control.

After dousing it with peroxide I wrapped it in this towel tight in order to get the blood flow to stop.

I was able to get a bandaid on it before I headed to bed.  It hurt a lot!  My right hand was out of commission for over 2 weeks.

I decided that I needed a light where my ironing table sits when I am sewing.

The general room light is behind me so I was on the hunt for a lamp.

I managed this lamp which uses standard size bulbs came home with me.  It got a thorough cleaning. 

I have hung it on the wire shelving near my ironing board.

It is working very well. 

What a great book!  Pilgrims by Paul McDermott.  This is a true story.

Val is 74 and has cancer.  Paul is in the healing profession and has come to visit Val as a Hospice Home Support worker.  Paul is a young man who feels led to do this work.

He is there to provide support to Val as she comes to the end of her life.  He provides physical support - some yard work, shopping assistance, and other things. They talk about life, books, and much more.

We learn about Paul and Val in this book.

Very good book and should probably keep it and read it again in the future.

Card - Slow Stitching - Blue Bird

A blue bird card for my next slow stitching card.

I am still using my original slow stitching background and creating compositions to fit.

I chose some blue fabric and cut a bird and wing. The bird was just held with running stitch. A tiny bead for it's eye.

I have used jute for the branches and those were tacked in place. I added leaves. 

The piece was trimmed to 3.5 x 4.75 inches and adhered to an A2 Island Indigo card base.  It has been pressed under books to ensure it stays stuck.

Adding to my card box.

Slow Stitching - No. 007 - Held together by scraps of LOVE

I am following the slow stitching challenge hosted by Kathryn - K3NClothTales.

The prompt for week 7 is: Held together by scraps of LOVE.

Here is my piece. This is a tribute to my Mom who passed away a year ago. Her favorite color was blue.  I traditionally made Mother's day cards in pink but changed it up to make them blue because that spoke to her a lot more.

In this piece, I  added a light blue layer of cotton to my foundation fabric with white shiny Viscose thread and a running stitch because these pieces will be eventually put into a larger fiber art piece.

I cut a foundation piece of cotton cut into a heart shape. I stitched various blue fabrics to the heart. I then used blanket stitch to attach the heart to my light blue fabric.  Then I added white French Knots to add some femininity to the piece. 

My Mom did a lot of work with scrap fabric and re-purposing fabric.  She sewed all our clothes when we were kids, she taught all her girls to sew, and made many quilts in her life time.  She put love in all here sewing pieces. She took her sewing machine to the lodge because it was a life line for her. She did embroidery and knitting as well.

Card - Velvet Daisy Paper

I quick card for a belated birthday.

I used an Always Artichoke card base in A2.

I added a piece of velvet daisy paper cut to leave a small border.

I punched a daisy accent from green card stock and then gold foil card stock.  A small daisy vellum flower in the center all held in place with a green mini brad.

I added a white insert and envelope.

It's off in the mail today!

 

Card - Butterfly Sympathy

I created a simple sympathy card for my aunt who lost my uncle recently.

I chose a deep burgundy card in the A2 landscape orientation.

I added a piece of warm purple paste paper trimmed to leave a bit of border top and bottom.

I cut a large butterfly with the Sizzix Winged Beauties thin die set from gold on deep purple cardstock.

I added a gold foil body to the butterfly and adhered it with double sided tape.

Card - Slow Stitching - Shooting Star

Another slow stitch piece.  

I started with the shooting star to follow the yellow fabric in the piece. I included a piece of glitter organza for sparkle.

I added the diamonds on the right which can represent houses in a village.

I added the house on a hill with it's bright windows. 

I then added the white stars in the dark sky and the green of the land.

It was adhered to the white A2 card base with double sided tape and pressed under books.

Card - Slow Stitching - Daisy

My first card with a slow stitching element.

The background is a slow stitching piece measuring 3.5 x 4.75 inches featuring black, navy and yellow pieces of fabric. The stitching was done with regular sewing thread in a color matching the fabric.

I stitched a daisy on the black slow stitching fabric.  I first cut a piece of organza into a 2.25 inch circle.  I then stitched the flower with golden yellow thread. I added a yellow button in the center.

I then stitched the stem and leaves with a bright green thread with a stem stitch.  

I added ground with thread rows of  running stitches in brown thread.

I then added blades of grass in three different shades of green.

The daisy layer was adhered to the front of a golden yellow card with 2 bands of double sided tape.