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: 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: 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: 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: