Completed Project: Modern Accents Tote

All the hanging threads have been snipped and all the crinkles ironed out! My Modern Accent Tote is complete, and just in time for me to take it his weekend to Cape Cod.

I found the pattern extremely user-friendly and it was full of informative pictures. The pattern itself was about 35 pages due to all the pictures, and it also included pattern pieces and dimensions for the patchwork pieces on the outside.

I only made a few minor changes. For the straps, the pattern recommended folding and ironing 1/4 inch down both sides, then folding in half and sewing. I constantly burn my fingers when trying to iron little seams, so instead I sewed a tube then turned it right side out and top-stitched both sides. I also added gussets to the bottoms. It made the bag a little smaller, but it suits my needs because I was going for more of a "purse" than a big tote.

Amy Butler Haul...

In anticipation of upcoming sewing project, I took a little drive into Franklin, MA to shop at the Franklin Mill Store. As a drooled over the various prints by Amy Butler, Anna Maria Horner, Joel Dewberry, and Heather Bailey, I finally decided upon six prints by Amy Butler.

Fabrics from top to bottom:
lime/eyelashes (Belle)
fuschia/honeycomb (Midwest Modern 2)
ivory/floating buds (Midwest Modern)
orange/ripple strip (Midwest Modern 2)
fuschia/martini (Midwest Modern)
blush/peacock feathers (Soul Blossoms)

Now it's time cut!

53 pieces...

Let me preface this post by saying that when it comes to sewing, I would rather get in there and start sewing and skip all the prep work. I hate to prep, to cut, to fuse, etc.
After my crafty excursion to the Franklin Mill store, I sat down and read through the directions for the "Sweet Harmony Handbag" pattern. Needless to say, it required a lot of prep work.

For projects like this, I wish that I had a spectacular craft room, equipped with a cutting surface. Maybe if I had a craft room, actually a studio like this, all my cares in the world would disappear.


source: jenny b. harris

Now I fear that I'm becoming distracted, dreaming of my future craft room. Maybe I should first aim for moving out of my parents' house, then worry about craft room bliss.

So anyway, I read through all the pattern directions, and started cutting. Two of this, four of that, cut on the fold, fold the pattern, cut 3 of interfacing, it just seemed to go on and on. By the time I was finished cutting, I had accumulated 53 pieces. This total includes my two main prints, interfacing, and fusible fleece.



While it doesn't appear to amount to much in this picture, it was a backbreaking endeavor. Next stop, fusing....

Crafty Road Trip

Normally at this time of the year, the weather in New England can be dark, dank, dreary, and dull (not to mention that there's the possibility of snow well into April). Finally the blanket of clouds parted and we were graced with the presence of a little bit of sunshine. This mini "heatwave" lent itself well to a crafty ROADTRIP.

In actuality, I really only drove 29.7 miles. But I live in Rhode Island, and the mindset here in the smallest state is that driving for more than 20 minutes is a big deals. My little crafty excursion was bordering on the verge of being called a "daytrip," to some.

So where did I go, you might ask. I finally made the trek to the Franklin Mill Store located in Franklin, MA. Normally I get most of my fabric from Joann Fabric. You really can't beat some of the prices, and I hoard those 40% off coupons like it's nobody's business. But being a Joann's shopper, also means that I miss out on some of the gorgeous designer fabrics from Amy Butler, Heather Bailey, Anna Maria Horner, etc...


source: Mattapoisett I.

Last summer after a bit of googling, I stumbled across the website for the Franklin Mill Store. It wasn't terribly far from where I live and they boasted that they sold many of these designer fabrics. I was intrigued....

So this week I happened to have nothing to do and some extra money to burn, so I talked my mom into driving "ALL THE WAY" into Franklin, MA. When we arrived, the sun was shining, birds were chirping, it was all meant to be.

We walked into this expansive mill space, and the first fabric display had a bunch of Amy Butler fabrics to choose from. I needed to pace myself! This was the first time that I really ever saw any of these designer fabrics in person at a store. I saw AB's new "Love" collection, and boy was I in love!

So as I sauntered throughout the whole store, I past through the quilting fabric, into the home dec rolls, and they also had a huge yarn selection. After I felt confident in the fact that I inspected very inch of the store, I went back to the quilting fabric to make my selections.

I was also purchasing the "Sweet Harmony" pattern by Amy Butler, so I figured I should buy the fabric to go along with it. After a lot of deep thought, soul searching, weighing pros and con, and being incredibly indecisive, I settled upon prints from Amy Butler's Midewest Modern 2 and Daisy Chain collections.





After paying for my wares, I was delighted to see that the incredibly friendly salesperson placed everything in a translucent bag and secured it with a pink ribbon.

A perfect end to a perfect day.....


PS - The Franklin Mill Store has a blog, . Check it out!

BEHOLD

Over the past few months, I felt like I was in a sewing rut. Even though the drawers of fabric in my ever-growing stash very extremely tempting, I did have the urge to sew anything. No creative ideas were coming to mind, and I couldn't even look at my lonely sewing machine, collecting dust on my bookshelf.

In order to cope with the lack of craftiness, I was organizing my computer files last week and I stumbled upon a pattern that I purchased off Etsy over the summer. The pattern was the "Amy Tote" by Jenna Lou Designs, and it was precisely what I needed to turn my sewing frown upside down.

Searching through my stash, I remembered that I scored some Amy Butler fabric on sale from Crafter's Vision (might I add that it was my first ever AB fabric purchase). So I had that fabric sitting in my drawer for several months, and now I finally had the drive to use it.

Here's the finished product:


The pattern itself was very easy to read and it also featured photographs that were really helpful. On a personal level, the bag was a little bit challenging for me because I sewed my very first zippered pocket. The pocket ended up a little crooked, but hey, at least it opens and closes.


I'm anxious to make another one of these bags for my friend as a birthday, and perhaps that pesky pocket will be straight!