Wednesday, May 25, 2011

WIP Wednesday

What? It's Wednesday already?
Last week I gave a comprehensive status report. I won't repeat it as no progress was made.
Because I spent most of the week working on this garage sale bargain.

Before:
After:
I had planned on starting my Amy Butler Weekender bag. But again, I spent most of my time working on this:

Before:
After:
Yeah, I'm pretty happy with it. Can you tell? And it even came with this nifty tray for bobbins and thread!

All for a whopping $2! So I did a tutorial in case you find yourself a bargain hanging out in someone's driveway!

But moving on to WIP Wednesday.

The AB Weekender bag is up next. Good thing we have a nice long weekend because I hear it has 50 pieces to cut. (Can you tell I haven't even opened up the pattern yet?)


I'm in a bit of a fabric dilemma. I only have one-yard cuts of each fabric, and to make the outside in the same fabric requires 1 5/8 yards, so I need to make the body and outside pockets of different fabric.

Originally I was going to use this combination, the orange for the body of the bag, the tulips on the offwhite background as the pockets, and the blue for the handles and piping. But I'm kind of feeling like the two tulip fabrics are fighting each other for dominance. I hate it when tulips fight...
So I've pretty much moved on to this combination, with the red as the body, the blue remaining as the piping and handles, and the tulips as the outside pockets.

I'd love your thoughts on the fabric combos, and then check out what everyone else is working on here. Thanks, Lee, for hosting this every week!

22 comments:

05 08
Elizabeth Dackson said... #

Well, I adore your DIY makeover :) and I like the red print a lot for your Weekender bag. I think that set of fabrics will look lovely. Good luck with your cutting! I have a similar bag pattern (from The Bag Making Bible) that a part of me really wants to make, and the other part of me is scared to death of it. Good luck! I can't wait to see how your bag turns out!

Becky (My Fabric Obsession) said... #

Love that makeover - you did a phenomenal job! I have yet to strike it lucky at a yard sale. I think I have no vision - haha!
I like the second set of fabrics you've got. I do think the tulips are competing in the first one. I'm watching you with this bag! 50 pieces?? I haven't opened my pattern yet either. I was going to do it today and will probably wait now lol!

Grandma G said... #

I do think your second fabric combo is better. FYI, though, you might be able to get the whole thing cut out of a yard, depending if you have to match or not. The suggested pattern layout is very wasteful.

'Course you'll never know if you don't get started. ;)

Sally said... #

I think that your second fabric combination works a bit better. I love this bag, but I just don't think I have the gumption to cut out all of the pieces. Plus, if it is anything like the Birdie Bag, there will be lots of ironing on of interfacting... I'm not a fan of ironing interfacing on :(

Katie said... #

I like the second fabric option! Very cute...and LOVE the ottoman :)

Mrs Flying Blind... said... #

2nd bag combo is definitely the winner!

You know I love that trunk x

Carla said... #

Combo number two has my vote! Hope you can get it cut out between stares at that wonderful sewing case!

Tara said... #

I like that there aren't two prints the same in the second one, but the white print is going to get dirty! Maybe use it for the bag body?

Jana said... #

Your garage sale find is a fabulous make-over. I love the fabrics you picked for your bag. The second set is my fav.

Sallie said... #

I'm not an orange person. I prefer the red option!

Poppyprint said... #

I agree with you - in my mind I'd stick with one large print so combo #2 works for me. Plus I love a red bag!

Lee said... #

That ottoman is serious awesomeness!! Love everything about it! I love your new fabric combination. It'll come together great. Thanks for linking up to WIP Wednesday. : )

Katie B said... #

WOW! Love your ottoman redo!

KimT said... #

Now this post makes me want to get out to some garage sales this week! I really like the fabrics you used to revamp this treasure. It looks so modern. I love the combo with the orange. But either way, the bag will be nice.

Bree said... #

Your stool looks great! I agree, I like the second color combo better with the different prints.

Sara at Sew Sweetness did the same bag with only one yard for the exterior & explains how she made it work here: http://www.sewsweetness.com/2011/05/amy-butler-weekender-bag.html

Little Spouse in the Old House said... #

My kind of project! Turned out great! Janice

cintism said... #

Gorgeous work on the makeover. I too have never opened my AB Weekend Bag pattern and I can't see it being opened soon if there are 50 pieces!! I like the second bag combo better but I have to say that if it were me I would switch the red and blue and use the red as the piping and the blue as the body. That is just personal preference though.

Leanne said... #

I love that makeover!

Melinda said... #

Your bench is gorgeous! What a fabulous find!

Lynette said... #

Wowow! What a makeover! Cool tray, too. THanks for the tutorial :D

acandiedapple said... #

Wow, that sewing bench is adorable. Good work!

I love the red print for your bag. It will be so adorable! I can't wait to see the finished product.

Pinkadot Quilts said... #

That turned out so cool! What a great idea, I will have to keep my eyes open for one of those.