I just can't find...

Ever find yourself starting a conversation with this line??

I just can't find... a perfect jacket, a really cute skirt you have in mind, or a perfect dress for a party.

Well I couldn't find the perfect weekender bag.

Okay I take that back. I HAD the perfect bag and 5 years, at least 50 trips and random in town events later it was headed to the weekender bag graveyard. So, I started my search for the perfect, simple bag... Why didn't someone tell me this was impossible for less that $400?!?!

All I wanted was a classic, clean line bag that was spacey and not too big or too small.

Again, why didn't anyone tell me it was impossible!?!?!?

So my gears started to work and I searched and I searched...

 

I found this...



and this...

and this...

But not in my budget.

So I did what we all do in this situation. I went to Pinterest.

And no offense to those that like them, but I HATE floral printed quilted bags... and that's all I kept seeing. So I took matters in to my own hands.

I found this free pattern that was the exact shape that I wanted. Weekender Bag Pattern

Since this was my first try I didn't want to just jump out there with an expensive real leather and I was not a "bag guru" yet. So I visited old faithful, Fine Fabrics. I found this faux leather that was pretty thin, but I planned to use a very thick interfacing with it to give me the stability I wanted.

 

The pattern was very straight forward and once I printed it I noticed that is was slightly smaller than what I was looking for in my bag. So I graded out the pieces to about 14 1.2 inches.

I picked this pretty purple satin for the lining

This was going REALLY well and I discovered that I could use a candle to seal the edges. I just lightly ran the cut edge along the flame to melt the edges to prevent fraying.

Of course I had a "design inspiration" while working and I embroidered my initials on the front of the bag.

I love the final product! It's just the size that I wanted and it's one of a kind! Now I'm totally confident in buying a more expensive leather and trying this again!!

 

 

HAPPY SEWING!!!



Corset Makes Sense!

Well, it's January of a new year and I should probably talk about my organized plan for destashing my stash, or doing something more useful with my time than fixating on the next sewing sequence.  But, that's not me so I will just start by talking about what I love doing more than anything else - sewing! And by sewing, that usually means something I don't have or something I want more of in my collection.  That brings me to this divine little number.  I saw this pattern, Butterick 6151. 

I thought this was simply lovely.  I have never owned a corset and I thought this was something I should have in my possession. (Because, I personally think every woman should own and wear a corset!)  I also thought this was an interesting take for Butterick.  They suggested using upholstery fabrics! Well, now, that was enough of a challenge for me. I found this photo of the corset paired with this most divine skirt and thought, oh how I would love to wear this combination someplace.  I don't have this skirt (yet), but don't put it past me!

So, I found this simply fabulous fabric and thought it would be perfect for my corset creation.  I did initially look at upholstery fabrics, and while I found a few, nothing really jumped out at me.  But, then one day, while minding my own business at JoAnn's, this delightful piece just called me.  It's either a bottomweight or a denim.  I'm not sure which, but it had some weight to it and a bit of stretch and I loved the pattern.  

This came together very easily.  There is boning in (most) of the seams.  I say that because I think the instructions told me to put boning in all the seams, but honestly, I didn't have enough and I was determined to get this done so I could wear it out this weekend.  That meant I needed it before the coupon hit (LOL).  So I decided that boning needed to be strategically placed! And so I did.  I think it works.  I will add a photo of me in it as soon as I can force my daughter to take one.  

I decided to line it with some gold cotton I had in my stash and I really like how well it came together.  I could have added carriers to it so I could do the belt thing, but I didn't really think I wanted that.  It felt a little too "Missy Kitty" and Gunsmoke to me with all that extra hardware.

I think it's a little vampish and sexy and while I will certainly wear it with a jacket of some sort (Its cold everywhere, including Tennessee), but it's like having a secret that everyone kinda knows but not totally.

And this is me and my favorite comedian this weekend.  As you can see, I paired this with my favorite leather blazer.  I really love this new addition to my weird collection of stuff!

What's on the table?

So after being beat up for several months by a person who will remain nameless (if you read over the other posts here it won't be a mystery for long!)

 

 

I'm starting off with the only resolution I have... Sew more!

I have to confess it's not like I haven't sewn at all... just haven't posted it!! But I also had a "valley moment" with my sewing. I went through a total lack of motivation for my craft :-( After a New Year moment... I'm back on the wagon!

For this year we will profile "What's on the table?" and I would love to hear the same from our readers!!

What's on your table?

What's in the "I'm cutting that out today" stack?

I'll post as we go along and see how it all turns out.

My first what's on the table project is this Simplicity 2413 (inspired by project RUNWAY) pattern I've had for so long and just hadn't found the right fabric to make it click for me... and then I went to "our store".

Any one who sews in Atlanta knows about Fine Fabrics in Duluth...at least I think that's Duluth :-) Well they are the Mood fabrics of the south and with some great prices to boot! I walked in and found this amazing selection of wax cloth at the store and had an inspirational moment. I instantly knew I had to have it!!

 

 

This was my pick! I love the purple and blue in it!

So that's my first What's on the table?... Can't wait to show you guys the final project!

What's on your table?!?!?

 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!