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: 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 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: 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: 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