Heather Ross Bag

 I finished this bag a few weeks ago.  I have been meaning to use my linen Heather Ross odds and ends to make a bag and finally got around to it.

I used the free Phoebe bag pattern.  I pieced each side on interfacing before cutting out the pieces.  That gave it a little extra weight and something to piece onto.  I knew the strap length was Way Too Short so I lengthened it....and had to do an awkward fix when the bag was finished because the strap needed to be shorter....like the length specified in the pattern.  Note to self: Follow the instructions the first time you use a pattern.  They may know what they are talking about.  :)

The back.

The first time I used it in public I felt kind of odd.  You don't see a lot of peach pieced HR bags out there.  I've gotten over it and it feels normal now.  And it is perfect for me.  It has my favorite fabrics and is the perfect size.  Not too big, not too small and it hangs just right on me.  I can see making another when this wears out.

If you are looking for a handmade Christmas idea this pattern might be a good idea.  If you didn't piece the panels it would go together pretty quickly.

I know in the next couple weeks people are going to start posting pictures of all the cute things they are making for teacher gifts.  While that is great, I decided a couple of years ago that I was just going to buy our teachers books.  Something they will be sure to use and that the whole class can enjoy - and something I can quickly buy in Amazon.  So, if spending 50 hours making teacher gifts isn't in the cards this year, buy the teachers in your life a book.  They'll love it!  :)

Linking to Scraptastic Tuesday.

Heather Ross Bag - At Last

I bought some Heather Ross fabric years ago planning to use it to make a bag and last week I finally did!  The coral print with the little girls playing with horses was the inspiration fabric.  I thought about doing the whole bag with that fabric, but then decided that it might be a little much.

So I made a bag with lots of different HR fabrics all improvisationally pieced together.  (To tone it down?)  I picked linen fabrics that were in the warm orange/coral/pink family and then added a punch of aqua (not HR) to keep it from getting to boring.

I used the free Phoebe pattern but lengthened the strap because it was blatantly too short --- and then I had to shorten it back up because the pattern was correct.  Note to self:  Make the pattern as directed the first time round - the author might just know what they are talking about.  :)

 

I love the inside pockets.  The rose and tape measure fabric are some of my favorites.

Part of me feels kind of silly walking around with a coral patchwork bag but the other part of me knows that everyone else wishes they had one too.  ;)

The Des Moines MQG are having a holiday swap this week and I think I am going to have to make another bag to swap.  The Phoebe bag is a great size and shape and goes together quickly.  And if I am busy sewing then I can put off raking leaves.  Win-win!

Friday Finds

I just wanted to give a shout out to some great resources that I have seen lately.

First the Make A Bag series at ikatbag.  Holy Uncontrollable Detail, Batman!  This series of post goes into amazing detail on bag shapes, straps, finishing and linings with more posts on the way.  It is not a series of tutorials, but an in depth discussion on bag theory so that you will be able to design and make your own bags.  You will want to keep reading even after the series is over to see the incredible things she makes for her kids from cardboard.  The woman is amazing!  And a hoot to boot.

The Curve it Up Quilt Along with the Quick Curve Ruler has been going for awhile, but I want to order a ruler and jump right in.  

Look at the latest block they made in the series - The Curve it Up Log Cabin - tutorial found here.  I think I am in love!  Check out the flickr group for more pictures.  Links to the block tutorials can be found in the flickr group discussion or on the side bar of Jenny's blog Sew Kind of Wonderful.
What great things have you seen lately?

Simple Drawstring Bag

Check out my new tutorial over at the Moda Bakeshop.  I love how simple this bag is.  

Perfect for lunches, presents or all of the "special" things your kids might "need" to tote around.

Sewing With Kids - Messenger Bags

My 6 year old LOVES to sew, but Emily, who is 11, isn't into it.  But I wanted to sew something with each of them this summer, so I gave her lots of options of things she could make.  She choose a messenger bag.  She even pestered me about it when we didn't get started on it right away.

 But procrastination turned out to be a good thing.  Our friends came to visit and Emily and her friend made matching messenger bags together.  They did really well.  They are both perfectionists, so even the smallest of mistakes were a concern, but I ended up making the big mistake - the only one that required a seam ripper.

Emily picked out the plaid corduroy at Hancock's and the girls picked out some bright green fabric I had on hand as lining.  We used this simple and straight forward tutorial.  The girls sewed and ironed everything except for the side seams (where 8 layers of shifting fabric proved difficult) and attaching the straps onto the bag (it was challenging for me with at least 12 layers of fabric to sew through).

After a few afternoons of work, they took their bags on a bike ride to the library.  The bags turned out so cute that I think I might have to make one for myself!  Good Job Girls!