Saturday, July 30, 2011

"To Succeed, Fill a Need"

This title is a catch phrase that I heard long ago when I was in a direct sales business, and the phrase has stuck with me.  Today's sewing project reminded me of this phrase, "To succeed, fill a need." 

I was chatting with a fellow frugal friend last night, and she expressed a need for an apron that would hold clothespins while she was hanging laundry to dry.  She showed me a picture of the kind of apron she had in mind, but she wanted her apron to have "really deep pockets".  I understood her need since I, too, line dry all of my laundry.  It is tedious business picking up pins for each piece of laundry. 

She was not particular about the fabric choices but was partial to flowers and birds.  I sifted through my fabric collection which you can see on the shelves in the picture, and found a lovely piece of fabric in a bird print.  I paired it with a large scrap of denim which I thought would add stability and durability to the apron. 

In my pattern stash, I found this pattern:  Simplicity 8720, a collection of retro aprons.  For this project, I chose view F, a half apron with a rounded bottom edge and pockets.  I decided that I could achieve even deeper pockets by drafting a different pocket for this apron. 

For my pocket inspiration, I turned to a cute purse pattern that I have made in the past: the Margo Handbag from Lazy Girl Designs.  I like the look and the functionality of these deep front pockets on this purse (which, by the way, I do not make to sell since the Lazy Girl patterns are copyrighted designs).  I knew that if this pocket style worked on a purse, it would work on an apron.



After making my own pocket pattern and cutting out my project, I just had to put it all together.  This was not a difficult project, but as always, the first run of a pattern always takes longer than the repeat performances.

Here's the completed apron with "really deep pockets" for my frugal friend Michelle.  This apron will be on its way to Kentucky on Monday. 

I will certainly be making myself one of these aprons in the near future.  I will probably make mine in pink or maybe I'll use a rugged manly print since my husband sometimes helps with the laundry duties.

If you need a clothespin apron, you'll be happy to know that I will be adding these to my list of items that I make to sell.  Don't forget that I can mail any custom made items anywhere in the U.S.A.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

IT'S A SNAP!




A zipper is not the only kind of closure for a handmade purse.  I sell a lot of bags with magnetic snap closures.  I even carry bags with magnetic snap closures and have never yet lost any valuables.

This bag on the left is from a pattern called Bow Tucks Purse.  The pattern includes instructions for a button and fabric loop closure, but I much prefer a magnetic snap closure. 

In this photo on the right, you can see the magnetic snap in the center of the top lining pieces.  These snaps offer a secure closure for these purses and totes.




Here's my favorite fall purse which was made using the Bow Tucks Tote pattern.  Instead of the patch pocket on the front of the purse, I added a zippered pocket in the back of the purse.  I use this zippered pocket to hold my matching wallet to keep it safe and secure. 

Magnetic snaps are also useful on purse designs which include a flap.  Take a look at this messenger bag which is one of my original designs. 

This pattern makes use of a magnetic snap to secure the flap and also a zipper to create a secure pocket under that front flap making this a great purse for shopping or traveling.


Below is another purse with a magnetic snap closure on the flap.  This pattern in The Classic Purse from Palm Harbor Patterns.


Obviously, zippers and magnetic snaps are not the only methods of closing handbags and totes.  I have used hook and loop tape, buttons and loops, and ties. 

The bag closure should look stylish, provide security, and ease of use.  And for the seamstress, any of these methods can be mastered with some patience and practice. 

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Zip It!

Anyone want to guess what today's sewing topic is?  That's right:  ZIPPERS!

That "Z" word is enough to strike fear and panic in the hearts of some home seamstresses, but it doesn't have to be that way.  Anyone with some sewing experience and a sewing machine with a zipper foot can learn to install zippers.

I make a lot of purses these days, therefore knowing how to set in a zipper is a must for me.  Personally, I prefer a handbag with a zippered top mainly for security reasons.  I don't like the idea of someone being able to reach inside my purse to remove items that belong to me.

If you've ever had your non-zipping purse topple off your car seat spilling your contents throughout your car, you may have come to prefer a zip top purse, too. 

Here's my current summer purse.  This is my large zip top purse pattern.  This purse is based on a Palm Harbor pattern, but I've made so many changes to the original pattern that it no longer resembles the original design.

For this purse, I used a contrasting bright green zipper.  It may look like a design feature, but actually it was a necessity since I did not have on hand a zipper that blended with the backround color in this fabric. 

Check out this example of a zippered pocket on a tote which has a magnetic snap closure. 
For this particular tote, I also added a zippered pocket in the lining of the tote. That way, a wallet or coin purse could be securely tucked into that zippered pocket.




BTW, this particular zipper application is explained clearly in most of  the Palm Harbor Patterns . It is well worth learning how to insert a zipper this way if you like to make handbags or totes.

Here are a few pictures of other zipper applications that I often use in my custom handbag business. 
 


Stay tuned as I show you some non-zippered purses tomorrow!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Baby's First Dress

We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new great-granddaughter in October.  I've accepted the challenge of working up a wardrobe of hand-smocked dresses for the little one.  The dress you see here is a white baby bishop smocked in a pink and white geometric design.

I used Imperial white babywale pique since she may be needing something warmer than batiste.  My pattern is Tiny Bishop Baby Layette by Kathy Crisp.  I love the pattern and have used it more than a dozen times. 

Hand smocking is one of my favorite kinds of sewing.  It makes a baby garment extra special, but it really isn't hard to do at all.  And I love old-fashioned baby clothes so much better than some of the baby girl clothing that is available now. 

Here's a shot of the dress after the smocking was completed but before the construction had begun.
You can still see the pleating threads in this picture, too.  The fabric is drawn up using a pleater like this one  http://www.sewingmachineoutlet.com/aj24pleater.htm .  The threads are then drawn up to the appropriate size, and the smocking stitches are made by hand on top of the pleats.  When the smocking is complete, the pleater threads are removed, and the pleats are held in place by the smocking. 

This bishop style dress is perfect for tiny babies, and this is nearly always the pattern I use for a newborn baby gift.  Since this new baby is so close to my heart, I'm hoping to make lots and lots of handsmocked dresses for her. 

And just in case one of her baby friends tries to take her dress, I've added her initials to the hem of this garment.  This is the first time I've used the monogramming stitches on my new Janome Memory Craft 6600 sewing machine, and I am pleased with the results.


ACR,
I can't wait to meet you!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

E-reader and Tablet Covers

My husband surprised me with a Kindle last Christmas, and I love it!  I was concerned about keeping it safe when I carried it in my purse, so I purchased a cover for it.  I hate that cover!  It is bulky and heavy.  I knew that I could make a cover for my Kindle, but I could not find a pattern that I liked. 

That all changed when I spotted this set of patterns on etsy. 
http://www.etsy.com/listing/62666994/you-pick-any-3-patterns-for-15?ref=pr_shop


I paid for and downloaded the patterns, and I was off!  I have used this pattern to make covers for my Kindle, my friend's Kindle, and the Kindles of some of my customers.  I have also made Nook covers and iPad covers using this pattern. 

I would highly recommend this set of patterns to other sewists, and I highly recommend these covers to any e-reader and tablet owners.  Incidentally, these covers can be purchased from me. :)  Contact me for fabric selections, prices, and shipping information.

My favorite thing about this Kindle cover is that the large pocket on the left inside cover is large enough to slide the Kindle into when I am carrying it in my purse.  This prevents items in my purse from sliding inside the cover and scratching the screen of my Kindle. 

Another great thing about these covers is that they are padded, but still lightweight enough to hold when reading from the e-reader or iPad.  I never use my Kindle naked anymore.  I have a Kindle cover to match every purse that I own.  (More about my custom made purses at a later date.)

Here are a few pictures of some e-reader covers that I have made. 



Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Who needs a mug mat?


Now that I've found out what a mug mat is, I can think of tons of people who need them! 

A mug mat is bigger than a coaster and smaller than a placemat.  You can see from my picture that my mug mat comfortably holds my mug with room for a tea bag, spoon, or a small snack.

I first saw a mug mat when looking at ideas for hostess gifts, but if you are curious, do a search.  There are plenty of tutorials for mug mats online.

As soon as I saw the picture and tutorials, I knew I needed some mug mats.  I often have two drinks at a time--one hot and one cold.  So I put one drink on a coaster and one drink on a newspaper. But not anymore!

Now I NEED a set of mug mats to use when we play board games at the dining room table.  We can keep our drinks on the mug mat so that the cards don't get wet and still have room for our pretzels or chips. 

Here's a few more pictures of my first two mug mats.  For my first one, I used bright scraps and added an appliqued circle for the cup.  I finished it off with bias that is mitered at the corners. 

My second one is not quite as pretty.  I finished the edges of the red, white, and blue one with a zig zag stitch. 


I'm sure I'm going to be making some more of these in different designs.  This is a great project for using up scraps of fabric and scraps of fusible fleece. 

Saturday, July 9, 2011

This new pattern of mine ....





















I started the sewing last night, and I could tell from the get go that this tote was going to be huge! I chose a fall print that had been given to me by a friend. I like to try out new patterns using fabric that was not terribly expensive. Trust me, I learned that lesson the hard way!





The sewing was not difficult, and as with the other Palm Harbor patterns that I have used, the instructions were clear and easy to follow though they do not include illustrations.





When I finished the tote this morning, I was amazed by the roominess in this bag! It is ginormous! I think that I will make this pattern again, in fact, I plan to use it soon for a diaper bag. I will, however, make some changes to the pattern. For one thing, I do not like the handles on this particular tote. They required a lot of fabric, and I do not like the look nor the feel of them. Next time I will make standard straight cut handles for this bag.





Let me know what you think of this one. Big is beautiful? Or not?

Trying a new pattern




With a sewing business, it is important to be on the lookout for new products to sell. Since I had some free time this week, I decided to try out a new tote pattern that I purchased over a year ago. The pattern is "A Traveling Purse-O-Nality" from Palm Harbor Patterns.