My Creative Space ZIP POUCHES

There has actually been some creating this week!!
I've been playing around with some different pouch ideas lately and here are two that I liked the best.

The first pouch is made of patchwork strips from an Amy Butler jelly roll. I like the simplicity of it but I'm debating on adding something...like buttons or trim? I don't know it just doesn't look "finished" to me.....

On the other one I used a rice bag and love the texture of it.

It's  good sturdy little pouch and the first person I showed it to bought it from me. I may have to add some of them in my shop when I reopen it. I think they look interesting and it's great to upcycle!!!

I love making pouches. They are quick fun projects which is great when I need a break from garment sewing.
:)
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My Creative Space

I have missed joining in the My Creative Space link up and am so excited I have actually made something to share this week.

I had the day off work so I constructed a new little bag made of Japanese canvas fabric and lined it with some Prince Charming by Tula Pink. I sewed most of this handbag using the serger which I must say cuts sewing time down immensely. It's so fast!
I thought a little button to connect the two straps together would be cute and different and I really like how it came out.

I haven't used canvas fabric before in bags but will definitely try it again. It made the final bag have a great weight without having to use interfacing which I really don't like to use. I know most people like interfacing in their bags but to me it ruins the feel of the fabric.
Anyways it's back to sewing small little projects until my invisible zipper foot arrives at my LQS. It's been on order for almost 3 weeks and my garment projects are piling up!!!!

Saturday Market Skirt

 So I finally finished this patchwork skirt for a friend. I used my scraps of Chocolate Lollipop fabric since that's her favorite line and my newly acquired gathering foot.

 

 This skirt was time consuming. The project involved 56 squares and top stitching after each seam. I really liked how it turned out though and will be definitely making more in the future. I have some requests for them actually and want to make one for ME!

 I used the tutorial out of Sewing Bits & Pieces but if you don't have this book you can get this skirt tutorial for free here.

Things I will do differently though would be elastic waist band instead of the tie strings. The strings look nice but when tied they bulge your shirt out if you are wearing a knit or close fitted top. Also I will have to look for duller fabric. While this one is going to a person in her teens it's a little too colorful for me to wear. In fact, as I was digging in my stash for some scraps for my next skirt I really don't have any "mellow" fabric. It's all bright and PINK!

Possible fabric choices would be

My Folklore -Lecien
Bohemian - Anna Maria Horner
LouLouThi- Anna Maria Horner
Silent Cinema - The top 5 prints (gray & light pinks)

with lots of solids included.
:)

I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day today.

My Creative Space

 

My creative space is filled with squares and since I feel like that's all I've been posting lately I decided to change things up a bit. Here is a bag I made the other day using the Made By Rae Buttercup pattern. 

It is actually a gift for someone so I really hope she likes it. I am thinking she will though since she picked out the fabrics herself.
I should be getting back to cutting squares out of my scrap pile but think I'll skip it and poke around in some other Creative Spaces for a break.
:)

p.s. I am now no longer a no-reply blogger!!! I always wondered why no one ever responded to my questions when I left comments on blogspot blogs.

Thanks to this post I have seen the light. :)
Now I feel silly that I was offended when no one ever responded to any of the questions I left on Blogspot blogs before.......

3:52 {Kwik Sew Top}

 Everyone kept saying "baby steps Staci" start with something easy like a skirt....
As some of you know though I'm rebellious and had to kick off my garment sewing with darts, gathers, ties, and other stuff I can't even remember.


I have had this Kwik Sew 3376 pattern for a while now and decided to dive in feet first and whip it up.
It didn't turn out too bad and really wasn't hard to sew. The end product just needs some tweaking, although I'm not sure how to go about it yet.


I think once I learn more garment techniques I will be able to fix the funky bust gathers.
For right now though I think it looks best hanging up.
Here is a photo of it in use for any of you curious people. Please excuse the mess in the background and fogged up mirror. I'll replace this photo once I get a remote for my camera...

You can also see my full review on Pattern Review here.

:)

2:52 {RSR Bag}

Wow has this ever been a crazy week. It snowed from Sunday night to Friday here and we got well over a foot of snow total. I love a snow day now and then but when you have it all week and have to be somewhere during the day it gets really annoying.
I realized Friday I hadn't made anything this week and to stick with my sew a week goal I needed something quick to bust out sooooo
Let me introduce you to my Ruby Star Rising bag...


I love this little bag and it was quick, easy, and fun to make.
I used some of the special stitching on my machine that for some reason I never use and loved the effect.


All in all I am really pleased how this came out and if I ever re-open my shop will definitely include some of these.


Now back to sewing my top. Hopefully it will be done next week {and wearable} for project 3. I don't really think I can count a dud project as one of my 52 projects.
I hope everyone is having a crafty (warm) weekend. :)

Bliss Kindle Cozy

I have been enjoying all my time off work during the holidays and have spent most of it hidden in my loft sewing.
I broke out my Bliss candy bar pack and created a Kindle cozy for my new mini Kindle.


15 candy bar strips can create the perfect outside for the little Kindle's
and it was fun creating the layout and which prints to use.

Of course there would be some free motion stitching involved since that's all I seem to do anymore.  :)


If I had any more of this fabric I would most definitely try making a quilt because the colors are wonderful.

I did end up cutting about an inch off the bottom to give it a snug fit and added a little elastic hair band and button for security.


Overall I love how this project came out and it's the perfect size to tuck in my purse for work. Plus with the batting and the soft lining I feel like it will be protected.
I hope everyone is having a wonderful New Years Day!

Christmas Coffee Cozy

 
Soooo someone pressed the cheap button at work and the new coffee cups are so thin they burn your hands. Honestly, I am not even sure if they are actual coffee cups but we have 3 cases of them so I will have to make do.

As the hot chocolate from Friday afternoon scalded my palm I remembered Terri's coffee cup cozy post and had the "ah-ha" moment. I could fix this little problem of mine and have gifts for the co-workers I like. It was perfect...well..almost.

I ran out of red thread and since the place I buy my thread is an hour and a half away I ended up having to scrounge around for this sad little spool.


I did some free motion which I have been practicing on (it's a lot harder than it looks...at least to me) and realized I didn't have any green thread either. Sigh.

Still, all in all I think the cozy turned out great. I already have a couple more done and then my mom wants one now as well.

I have many other projects and gifts I need to get started on but I keep having all these problems this week...like an ear-ache, sinus infection, a pinched nerve in my neck (which is killing me when I'm cutting fabric), things like that. Unfortunately since we only have a couple more weekends until Christmas I'll just have to keep sewing and hope I don't keel over before the holidays.

How are your handmade Christmas gifts coming along???

MHRSN2VMMMMP

Times Square Pouch

Well, I've been missing in action again around here and Flickr but life's gotten a little out of hand.
Next week is my NYC trip to visit my brother and I decided I needed a cute little pouch to tote around while I'm shopping and walking....lots of walking.


I used a City Weekend candy bar and made a little patchwork piece for the outside.
I used 5 regular strips and cut 3 in half.


A lot of people aren't fond of City Weekend and although the pinks are a little too muted for my taste, I think if you get the right combination it will look pretty.


Look at the dotty goodness...what is wrong with you people that dislike this line????
Just kidding.  :)




So there is the finished product. It has a long thin strap and is just big enough for my cards, chap-stick, and cell phone. I am really pleased with how it came out and see more being produced in the future...possibly for my shop....
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I am working on a major de-stash in my loft. I have a new project in my mind but don't want to say anything about it yet because with my luck it won't happen if I do. :)

Button Bracelets

Button bracelets are everywhere. However, for some reason I never made one for myself. I have jars and jars of various vintage buttons and decided to make one the other night while watching a movie.


I really love how it came out and it gave me something creative to do while I waited for the weekend. Tomorrow I'll post some of my progress from Danita's course.
I'm absolutely loving it and have been learning lots of new techniques.

At some point this weekend I need to do some work on here. Bloglines is shutting down in a couple weeks which is going to mess up my whole blog reading and link list. Does anyone recommend a good reader? I really liked how when I added a blog to my bloglines it automatically put it on my sidebar here. If you have any recommendations please leave a comment or email me.
Aside from my reader issues it's about time to change the ole summer banner up there. I did so love that photo though and will miss it.

Hope everyone is having a creative weekend.  :)

Pleated Fall Bag

Whew. I finally finished my fall bag. It took a couple of days and a lot of tweaking but it's finally complete.

I was supposed to be doing a post of I guess a tutorial of sorts on this bag for a friend but since there was so much editing as I went I'll just post some photos and come back and put directions later. I need to make another one of these first with my notes and make sure it comes out alright before I even attempt to explain it to someone else. :)

Piece
Press

Pleat

The three P's went smoothly until it was time to attach the top to the pleated part.
I won't get into the details but I ended up cutting some excess fabric and actually ended up with a semi-decent bag. I'll go into more detail of this bags creation soon. Maybe a couple weeks. (I'll let you know when I edit it Amy).


I am beginning to grow quite fond of pleats.

On another note I am signing up for Danita's Free Motion workshop. I can't wait!
I am really looking forward to all the Creative Lab classes that are coming. It looks like a fiber arts one is in the works. Of course between that and my art classes I am going to have to choose my favorites. I don't think my bank can afford them all.

Until next time friends. Sigh, Monday......