Sewing Room Friday, 7/21/23

 This week I decided to do a last-minute project. We will be leaving for a cruise in a few days to celebrate our 50th anniversary, and I thought "hey, why not make everyone a cute toiletry bag?!"

I had several colors of a fairly new product (at least to me) called jelly vinyl. It's a matte-finish vinyl and really easy to sew. I purchased it in six colors, along with another product I have not worked with before, zipper by the yard. You get a long strip of zipper tape, cut the length you need, and add the zipper pull. Believe me, I watched multiple You-Tube videos to figure out how to attach that zipper pull. But I finally found the video that worked for me and I consider myself a pro now. Ha!

I purchased all my supplies from Natalie of Sew Hungry Hippie (isn't that the most fun name?). She also had a great video on YouTube on how to construct the zipper pouch with the jelly vinyl. Highly recommended.

I made two of each color and they turned out so cute! And the black and white stripe zipper tape with the iridescent zipper teeth and pull just add to the cuteness. 

Natalie totally made me day when she reposted on her account along with such nice words.

Gabe was so happy with his Range backpack, but reminded me that he had requested an interior pocket for his water bottle. Hmmm. How did I forget that? So I thought about it overnight and decided I could add it "after market" without too much difficulty. It required a bit of un-sewing and some math--not my strong suit. But I think it works. It's really hard to photograph it, but this pocket with the elastic on top will keep his water bottle from rolling around.

The lining looks a little loose and wrinkly because I was just testing out the placement at this point. But he deemed it a successful addition to the backpack. And that's all I needed to hear--it made the un-sewing all worthwhile. 

That's it for now. :)

Sewing Room Friday, 7/14/23

 A few weeks ago, Gabe asked if I would make him a backpack for an upcoming trip. Of course. I've told all the grandkids that if they want me to make something, all they have to do is ask. 

His request was that it be gray. And only gray. I've made the Range Backpack (pattern by Anna Graham of Noodlehead) twice before and I had enough gray waxed canvas from A.L. Frances to make another one. I found a really nice gray print in my stash for the lining and straps. 

And a super cute striped zipper with the perfect zipper pull.

I added one of my labels to the back, along with a cute label from Kylie and the Machine.

I know he said gray and only gray, but I couldn't resist adding some color to the interior pocket.

He has also requested a blue afghan. Progress so far...

And this is the fabric pull for a new English paper piecing project--Oakshott cotton and Dupioni silk (although I have already edited the two aqua pieces out of the mix).

Good question...

Happy sewing :)

Sewing Room Friday, 7/7/23

 It's time to catch up with what's going on in the sewing room.

I finished all my Double Ruby Ring blocks. What an accomplishment!

Here they are all together. Each one is next to its striped-center "twin."

I have already sewn them as a border around my radiant star block. I'm super happy with the looks of this so far. Now I'm contemplating the next borders, but I'll take my time on that.

I made two more asymmetrical zip pouches. I love this pattern, so more are planned.

And then I spent a couple of days sewing with rope. To this point I have only used rope from Mountain Thread Company. In fact, for Mother's Day I ordered an entire 1000-foot spool! Since I was making multiple bowls, I changed things up a little bit by changing the color of the thread for the inside. I used a pretty aqua blue on two of them. My favorite was a variegated black-grey-white (the far middle left bowl). 

Here's the interesting thing about these bowls. Each began with a 20-yard length of rope. I tried to make the base 8" before shaping the sides. No matter how hard I tried, each one looks a little bit different. I guess that is the beauty of handmade.

Then I tried some coasters.

I'm taking a short break from English paper piecing, and doing some crocheting in the evenings. I had a request from a very persuasive 11-year-old for a blue afghan, and I've always wanted to make this pattern by Attic 24, Cosy Stripe. 

And that's what is happening around here...