Backlog: Almost a Pillowcase

I liked my checkbook cover so much, I went back to the store and bought more of the Kona, with the intention of making pillowcases-my sheets are close to the green and I thought it would look nice.

Before I could start, I stopped by another local fabric store, where I saw the sample for the this pattern. Unfortunately, they were out of the pattern in store, but I quickly rushed home with the zipper and magnetic fasteners and bought the pattern online. The pattern was decently easy to follow, but the strap took me an extra week or so, because I kept waffling on what hardware I wanted to use.

Fabric: Stripes - 'Serenity Garden' is the name I saw on the selvedge (Fabric Place Basement) Green - tonal remnants (Jo-Ann) Solid (also the lining) - Kona Solids (Fabric Place Basement)
Pattern: Noodlehead 241 Tote
Other Materials: Zipper, magnetic clasps, interfacing, batting (see below), strap hardware

Modifications: I switched up the way the pattern calls for inner and outer fabrics and did the entire lining in my solid. I only did one zippered pocket. The pattern did not call for batting, but I thought it was needed. I also added a magnetic clasp on one of the side pockets, and decorating top stitching as well. I used this tutorial to give myself an adjustable strap, which I used decorative top stitching on as well.
Changes for Next Time: Welp. Some of my modifications don't work as well. While I would use batting for the main portion again, I would not use it on the pockets, nor would I add a magnetic clasp to the pockets. I would also add another inner pocket or two, including a zippered one. And plan the straps a bit better, because I've got open ends being held together by copious amounts of fray-check at the moment. There will definitely be a next time, because I love this pattern, but it is getting a bit worn at the moment.

Backlog & In Progress: Learning to Quilt

Somewhere along the way, I decided I wanted to learn how to quilt, so I took to the internet, supplemented my own fabric stash with a few more on sale at the fabric store, and made a quilt top.

I say this is in progress because I'm still not done quilting it.

Fabric: Uhhhhhh I can't actually remember. There are ten or eleven in total, plus plain back flannel for the backing (not pictured)
Pattern: Here
Other Materials: Starch. So much starch. Batting and binding, though I haven't reached the binding point yet.
Modifications: I think I changed the size of the half-square-triangles.
Changes for Next Time: Probably not going to be a next time, to be honest.

Backlog: Checkbook Cover

I didn't take any pictures of this open, because it's full of personal information, such as my checking account number.

Fabric: Outer - 'Serenity Garden' is the name I saw on the selvedge (Fabric Place Basement) Inner 1 - tonal remnants (Jo-Ann) Inner 2 - Kona Solids (Fabric Place Basement)
Pattern: I'm 90% sure I used this tutorial
Other Materials: none

Modifications: I do not have duplicate checks, so I skipped the vinyl. I also added decorative topstitching to the pockets.
Changes for Next Time: None

Backlog: Actually Useful Potholders

Fabric: L-R: Fat Quarter (New Zealand), Valentine's Day Remants (Jo-Ann), Licensed Dr. Who and Star Wars Fabrics (Jo-Ann), Klingon print (Spoonflower). Lining: InsulBrite (Jo-Ann)
Pattern: None
Other Materials: bias tape
Modifications: NA
Changes for Next Time: NA

Backlog: Nostalgia and Fear, Part III

 If you thought I was over my fear, I was not. 

Fabric: I think the polka dots are Keepsake Calico and the white is Kona.
Pattern: Simplicity 1086, headband was my own addition
Other Materials: velcro. after the pictures were taken, i also added buttons on the front
Modifications: except the addition of the headband, none
Changes for Next Time: none that i can remember?

Backlog: Nostalgia and Fear, Part II

Yep, I still couldn't bring myself to sew clothes for myself, instead pulling out some remnants for a slightly more modern looking dress.

Fabric: Remnants
Pattern: Simplicity 0172
Other Materials: velcro closures
Modifications: I don't remember? I think I did something different with the bow than it called for, but I can't remember what.
Changes for Next Time: i think i'd use more fabric for the skirt, give it more shape?

Backlog: Nostalgia and Fear, Part 1

Like many others my age, I was a big fan of American Girl dolls as a child, especially the historical dolls and outfits. Somewhere along the way, I parted ways with some-but not all-of my collection. That's where the nostalgia comes in.

At this point, emboldened by my recent successes with bags, I thought it time to sew clothes. But my confidence did not extend to fitting clothes. I am not any of the measurements on the pattern envelope. Yet, there were clothes I could sew without having to worry about fit-doll clothes.

And so I turned to my favorite historical fashion era for that.

Fabric: One of the premium quilt fabrics from Jo-Ann. White plain cotton, Kona, I think?
Pattern: McCall's 3627
Other Materials: velcro for closures.
Modifications: I don't remember making any changes to the pattern, actually.

Changes for Next Time: I don't like the construction of this one (skirt has a white bodice and then the top goes over that?) so I don't think I'll be repeating it. Further attempts at 18th century doll outfits will involve drafting things from scratch.

Also noteworthy is my first attempt at the sleeve gathers, which was a bit terrifying:

Backlog: Tote Van Gogh

Sometime in my early college days, I found a remnant I fell in love with and sewed a tote bag. Though I still have it to this day, it is a bit embarrassing, because I had no idea what I was doing. I knew I wanted it lined, but didn't know how to actually line something, so the seams are all exposed.

But, now armed with the knowledge of how to line a bag (and sew in a straight line) I found another remnant of beauty, matched some solids, and created a replacement.

Fabric: Starry Night is a Keepsake Calico (Jo-Ann) 80% sure the blue is Kona and the yellow is Country Classic (Jo-Ann as well)
Pattern: Drafted by hand
Other Materials: Interfacing
Modifications: NA
Changes for Next Time: The straps are a bit long? That's about it, actually.

For the record, I used the scraps to make my mother one of these.

Backlog: Theoretically Useful

My next project was an attempt to get myself under control and more organized in my approaches to sewing. With a pincushion, elastic, and a lot of pockets, I would surely have everything at my fingertips with a sewing apron.

The update a few months on is that it lives on the back of the chair in the sewing room and has become a repository for pens, pencils, and safety pins.

Fabric: Remnants from Jo-Ann
Pattern: Drafted from scratch
Other Materials: Batting for pincushion. Can't remember if I interfaced this or not. I probably did. I was really into interfacing at this point, because I'd finally found one that I liked (Pellon SF-101 for the record, I think I'd already bought an entire bolt)
Modifications: NA
Changes for Next Time: If you can't tell from the pictures, the pincushion causes some bunching. Possibly one of the reasons it ended up on the back of the chair is because the straps are a bit short and I can't easily tie them in the back. Also, you can't have two rows of flat pockets and put pens in both layers. And the elastic straps for the scissors won't hold the biggest scissors or the smallest ones-the ones on the left in the picture fall out if you lean over.

Backlog: My Knitting Kit

After making a couple (dozen) knitting bags, this one quickly became my favorite, and I decided to make a few accessories to match. First, a notions pouch.

Fabric: Dots and Blue were both fat quarter from Jo-Ann. Black is either Country Classics or Kona, probably found in the remnants bin.

Pattern: I now had a bit of a grip on bag construction, so I did not use a pattern.
Other Materials: Zipper. Can't remember if I interfaced this or not.
Modifications: NA

Changes for Next Time: NA

Next up, a sleeve for my DPNs.

Fabric: See Above
Pattern: I used a tutorial, but it has since been lost.
Other Materials: none
Modifications: NA

Changes for Next Time: The flap was too long for the width of the case and length of the needles-it doesn't flip over the needles!

A few weeks later, I finally bought myself a set of interchangeable needles and set to work immediately making myself a case for them. Each side has a sleeve for needles (black) and a sleeve for cables (blue), with a zippered pouch for other necessities in the middle.


Fabric: See Above
Pattern: Drafted myself
Other Materials: zipper, velcro
Modifications: NA
Changes for Next Time: Get iron in velcro or sew it on before construction-I meant to get iron on at the end and instead bought sew-in, which I glued on. Not that I'm going to sew another one of these-that zipper was a nightmare!

Backlog: I Find a New Pattern and Get Carried Away

Sewing pairs perfectly with other crafts, particularly knitting, and you can make yourself a nice project bag to carry your knitting in. Or two. Or ten.

Which is what happened to me. I started with one, and then didn't stop. I don't even have pictures of all the ones I've made.

Fabric: A large assortment. Ask me if you want specifics on any of these.
Pattern: Here
Other Materials: Interfacing, bias tape for cord for some.
Modifications: Changed sizing here and there, did single outside and lining for a few.
Changes for Next Time: NA

Backlog: Sewing with Souvenirs

On the hunt for yarn while I was in New Zealand, I happened upon a delightful little shop which sold both local yarn, NZ themed cross-stitch, and an extensive collection of NZ-themed fabrics. I just couldn't resist picking up few fat quarters before I left. It was an excellent idea and one that I have now resolved to do more often when I'm traveling, as this lovely fern pattern worked perfectly for a laptop sleeve.

Fabric: The solid black and green were from Jo-Ann, either Country Classic or Kona
Pattern: Basic Construction using this pattern
Other Materials: zipper, batting
Modifications: the koru, of course! I can't remember where I found the actual thing I traced for it, but I used Mansewing for advice on the appliqué

Changes for Next Time: It was a little snug at first, but stretched with use so probably not necessary. Also, batting+black fabric was an issue. Maybe find black batting or use a foam batting instead?

Backlog: The Bag that Started It All

My job requires me to be a frequent traveler, so I'm often thinking of ways to make things easier as I'm hotel-hopping and racking up miles. Unable to find the perfect travel purse, I decided to embark on the challenge of sewing my own. As you can see, it's got a special feature that makes it perfect for popping onto my spinner suitcase and adventuring with me.

Fabric: Both bought at Jo-Ann, I believe the arrows are Quilter's Showcase and the purple is Country Classic Solids. It's meant as a subtle reference to a certain comic ;)
Pattern: Takeoff Tote, Dog Under My Desk
Other Materials: zippers, interfacing, batting, Peltex, chipboard
Modifications: I did my own patterns for the inner pockets instead of the single pocket as called for by the pattern, including an inner zippered pocket. This was incredibly nerve-wracking.

Changes for Next Time: The elastic on the inner pockets is not necessary. I'd love to try to add a waterbottle pocket to it. Otherwise, this was a bang on pattern that fit my needs perfectly. Its almost a new travel season, so I'm thinking of making a new one soon.

This was my first major sewing project in years and also the first one that I could rate as 'very successful'. Pretty soon, I was sewing a lot more-I quickly made two more of these for my mother and grandmother for Christmas, but didn't take pictures of those, and then kept going with other projects, which will be coming little by little.

Update July 21: I have found a picture of the bag I sewed for my grandmother:

Welcome!

So I've been knitting forever and sewing rather seriously for a bit and have discovered, while Ravelry is great for knitting, I need a better place to document my sewing projects.

I will occasionally post knitting, but this will probably be a sewing blog. My first gazillion or so posts are going to be catchup of some previous projects.