Monday 28 November 2011

Amy Butler Weekender Bag

It's finally finished. I can't believe I did it. I absolutely love how it's turned out.



Keeping in mind that I am a beginner sewer, these are my thoughts on the bag:
  • I think it was really worth paying attention to lining up the pocket panel and the main panel so that the design on the fabric lined up. (Too bad I forgot about the sides) But that doesn't bother me TOO much.
  • There is a lot of cutting.(Naive me thought that was the worst part)
  • I thought the way the zipper was installed was genius. 
  • I don't think the straps are wide enough to be comfortable. Especially if you had a heavy load.
  • I used heavy Duty interfacing instead of the peltex. It still sits quite nicely. And it was cheaper.
  • If you make this bag - it's probably worth adding a new pack of pins to the notions list. (Mine are totally destroyed)
  • Keep a pack of bandaids beside you when you are sewing the bag together. I had a couple of injuries with all those pins!
  • It got really frustrating sewing the bag together, I thought it was never going to end. And I was muttering swear words in my head the whole time.
  • Hand sewing sucks. Alot. I would pay to have somebody do all the handsewing.


But now that I sit back and look at my completed bag - I think I could possibly entertain the thought, that I might, one day.....make another. Eeek - did I just say that? Just not anytime soon!

Saturday 26 November 2011

What's in the box?

So yesterday afternoon some green boxes got delivered. Hmmm. What could they be?


Squeal!!
My new KitchenAid mixer & Ice cream making attachment.


But what colour did I get?



Why, only my favourite colour in the whole world....Aqua!

Oh, she is so pretty. And so shiny. And will be happily replacing my little hand mixer that I've had for 11 and a half years that is on it's last legs. Hooray!

Today - I'm off to sewing class to work on my weekender bag. Hopefully I'll get it finished today.
Wish me luck. I think there's a fair bit of hand sewing and I'm not so good at hand sewing.

Anyway have a happy weekend,

Friday 25 November 2011

Busy hands

 Last night I went to my sewing class and made the sides for my Weekender bag.
And put in the zipper at the top.
Going back tomorrow so I'm going to be a bit more closer to being done. Woohoo!!
And yesterday I completed a quilt top, using this tutorial. I'm scared about quilting this one. Might start with the other 2 first. And save this one for last.
Slowly working my way through my to do list.
Now- some Weekender bag homework.
Have a Happy Friday -

Monday 21 November 2011

Amy Butler spice tote

Yesterday I worked on my Amy Butler spice tote. Only to discover that I had sewn one lot of my handles on sideways. I decided to call it quits right then and there.
Fast forward to this morning - I got home, made a coffee, grabbed my scissors & upicker and headed out into the sun to get started.
It took so long. But I was determined to finish this project.
So I kept going at it till it was done.
It's not very neat but for my very first bag - I'm pretty happy with it.

I'm thinking I could probably get a small one out of the leftover fabric I have from it. Just not sure if I'm ready to tackle another one so soon. And my sewing to-do list is already long enough. I might try and get one of those quilts completed this week. Wish me luck!

Friday 18 November 2011

TGIF

This morning I am enjoying my second favourite breakfast - tahini & tomato on sourdough toast with a coffee. Mmm.
My favourite being ham & avocado on sourdough toast - but I didn't have either in the fridge this morning.
Last night I headed off to my sewing class with all my bits packed in a crop bag
And in class I made the piping and the two pocket panels. It's going to be one big beautiful bag.
I am so excited to finish it. And I certainly can't wait to use it. I have a bit of homework to do today. Gotta make the handles ready for next week.
And I'm hoping my December Daily kit arrives today. I haven't played with paper in so long. I am really looking forward to it.
Well - I better go and plug my sewing machine back in and get started.

Have a Happy Friday. I hope you are getting time to do the things you love too -

Wednesday 16 November 2011

A great time

I had a great time away. There's nothing like recharging yourself with a fill of your bestest friend. I love her dearly. Missed my family though and am pretty glad to be home.
While I was away, my jelly roll and bag stuff arrived-
I am making that bag for my mum for Christmas.
And I used the jelly roll to finish my quilt tops. Except I miscalculated a little and I'm going to have 3.

I'm a little short on one of them so I'm going to have to come up with something to add to it.
 Last night as I was getting cranky in the heat, my hubby pulled a table out of the garage and set me up a sewing area in the air conditioned lounge room. It was the best gift ever! Now I can sew in the cool and be where everyone else usually is. Love it!
But I am under strict instructions that I cannot bring all my material in there. And with the way it's piling up - I think that's a pretty fair deal ;o)

Have a Happy Wednesday,



Friday 4 November 2011

A little Lark

Last night I went to my sewing class to start on the Amy Butler Weekender Bag. These are the fabrics I've chosen to make mine.
I've read so many horror stories  - so it's kind of intimidating. But broken down into smaller chunks should make it less stressful. And today I am still cutting pieces out.
Hoping my other fabric arrives so I can finish off either of the quilts I've started.
Will be spending my weekend packing my bags and getting everything organised. I'm getting away for a couple of days to visit my best friend that I haven't seen since 1999. So long ago!
So if I don't pop in before - have a fabulous week.
I get back next Thursday and it's straight off the plane and back to class again. See you then with some more progress,

Wednesday 2 November 2011

Woohoo - Happy Mail

Today my package arrived -
And I was so excited to find a mouse mat in the top. So now I can finally upgrade from the magazine I've been using! Awesome
And I can't wait to play with these goodies. It's going to be so much fun.

And in other news, I've started another quilt. I did have a plan but now I've changed my mind. So I'm not really sure where this one is heading. I'm still waiting on some more fabric to arrive for it. Hope it gets here this week so I can finish this by the weekend.
What is exciting you this week?

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