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!

a look back in time...

It's amazing what one can find poking around through computer files. I suppose you could say that I am a photo file pack rat. I have folders, upon folders of my pictures saved. I even save the crooked, unfocused, boring ones. You never know when you'll need a crappy picture, right?

Here is one that I found of a bag that I made a few years ago as a birthday gift.

(i used iPhoto to hopefully create that "nostalgic" look. Photoshop still intimidates me a weebit...)

This bad reminds me of Hawaii, which is where I'll be in 363 days!!! But who's counting?

happy sunday!

a new project....

So today I got a postcard in the mail advertising Vera Bradley's new "Cha Cha Handbag."
photo credit: vera bradley
I totally love it! It's ruffly and girly, so naturally I must have one. The only downside is that the list price on the bag is $58. What's a DIY girl like me to do?
Since I also have a love of aprons, I remember coming across a tutorial for a ruffled apron.photo credit: one more moore

I think if I can build off the apron tutorial, I can draft a pattern for a mock "Cha Cha Handbag." Get to go shopping for fabric!

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!