Pretty Patchwork Metropolitan Bag

Pattern: Indygo Junction IJ758 (The Metropolitan Handbag)

From the pattern envelope: "This simple style purse can change its look by simply changing its fabrics and/or its handles length. Create several moods by either using romantic vintage bark cloth or retro reproduction fabrics or even your classic cotton prints for a different look each time. The purse measures 19" wide at the lower edge and 11" tall excluding handles and has a magnetic snap closure. By using different combinations of fabrics you can create your own fashion statement. So be creative! Be daring!"

The finished dimensions of this bag are 19" W x 11" H and the pattern includes two handle lengths. I chose the longer handles. I used the country patchwork fabric about which I have previously blogged and blue denim-look weaver's cloth from Wal-Mart.

This bag is very easy to sew. I love the shape! It's roomy, but you don't have to worry about stuff falling out of the top. Also, the long handles are *just* long enough for the bag to go on my shoulder while wearing a t-shirt. If you like a *shoulder*bag, I recommend lengthening the straps.

At first, I wished this bag had pockets. I thought about adding some myself, but then I realized that the items I would keep in a pocket would come out anyway whenever I lay the purse down. I worry about having my cell phone loose in the bag, but I may make a matching cosmetic-type bag in which to carry those small loose items like lip lube & wipes.

A couple of problems I had with the pattern:

1. The instructions say to place the magnetic snap on the top band where the pattern indicates. Hmm... There's no marking on the pattern for the snap. Of course, it's pretty easy to find appropriate placement yourself.

2. When I went to pin the top band to the bag bottom, I found that the band circumference was too big for the bag body! I'm not sure if this was an error on my part or what--maybe I didn't cut the band correctly or maybe I didn't fold the pleats in the bag body correctly? (They look fine, though.) Nevertheless, I had to take out the topstitching and the seam stitching, cut off an extra 1/2-inch, then sew it all back together. All was well after that.

I followed the instructions for the bag except...

1. I added a swivel hook on the inside for my keys. I don't like having to fish around for them.

2. Instead of whip-stitching the band to the lining, I folded the seam allowance under, then topstitched it from the outside. This worked well.

3. I used Decor Bond interfacing on the entire top band piece, then folded it over per the instructions. I didn't want to buy Timtex since I already had Decor Bond.

This was a good, easy pattern with a very nice, satisfying outcome. It was easy to sew, didn't take much time nor much fabric. I'm sort of curious how it would look in leather.

Let me know what you think!

First Day of Preschool!

Today was DD's first day of preschool! She was so excited to go and sat quietly while she waited for the rest of the kids to arrive. She said she traced her name twice (a very good job, too!), colored a picture of Dora, and played outside. She seems to want to go back tomorrow. Oh, my babies are growing too fast!

Enjoy some pics taken before school...

First Day of School 2007

DS is off to his first day of first grade! He's very excited about starting school again, especially since a good friend of his will now be in his class. We always take some pics on the first day of school, so here's a few:

DD will start preschool next Monday. She's really looking forward to it. I'll have about 2.5 hours to myself in the mornings three days a week. Nothing fantastic will occur, but I'm sure I'll get my breakfast eaten and hopefully my workout in before I have to go pick her up. (What can I say, I'm not a morning person!) We're gonna have a little period of adjustment for the next few weeks while everyone gets used to the new schedule.

Sewing: I decided what to do with part of the patchwork fabric! I saw a review of Indygo Junction's Metropolitan Bag and thought that my fabric would look nice on this bag. I need to get a few more supplies, so I'll blog about this when I get it done.

Completely Unrelated to Anything: Don't bother buying Progresso's Light Southwestern-Style Vegetable soup. It has great stats: 60 cals. per 1 cup serving (2 per can), no fat, 12g carbs, 4g fiber, and 3g protein. While the flavor is good, there's barely *anything* in there to chew! It's mostly broth, so if you like to sip broth and chase around the stray black bean, carrot, and tomato, then it's great--otherwise, get one of Progresso's broth-based regular soups for about 100-120 cals per serving. My fave is Minestrone. Mmmm! See, I told you this was completely unrelated to anything!

Cheers!

Simplicity 4123 Tank Top

Pattern: Simplicity 4123

This is a fun little tank top! This top has a gathered front and back below the neck band. There are two variations--flutter sleeves (View A) and tank top (View B). This is a multi-size pattern in sizes 10-22. I made a size 10, one size smaller than usual because there is 8 inches of ease built into this pattern and I didn't want that much room.

The pattern calls for cottons/blends, silky types, and lightweight linen types. Originally, I was going to make this top out of a crinkle knit, but I found that I didn't have enough fabric. While perusing the sale table at Wal-Mart, I found a very stable polyester knit with fall-like colors/theme that I liked and for only $2/yd! I figured I wouldn't be losing much money if the top bombed!

Love the style and the fit of this top in this fabric! I think the gathering is really cute. This is a quick & easy top, especially if you don't need the instructions. I found some of the instructions confusing. This wasn't a difficult top, but I had to reread the instructions several times to "get" some of it. I'm sure you advanced sewers wouldn't even bother with the instructions! However, I thought the neck band facings were sort of weird and added some (possibly unnecessary) steps to the whole process. There is probably an easier way to create the neck band and straps than detailed in the instructions, but I usually like to stick fairly closely to the directions to give 'em a try.

I made a few modifications while sewing this top. First, I didn't put interfacing on the neck bands. Since I was using a knit, I thought I'd keep it slightly stretchy.

Second, I didn't use bias tape in the arm holes. I knew I wouldn't be happy with the look of purchased bias tape on this top and I decided I was too lazy to make my own. Plus, it just seemed unnecesary. Instead, I folded the arm holes to the inside twice, taking up the 5/8" seam allowance, and stitched them down. Worked fine.

Third, I didn't sew the narrow hem. I just folded the seam allowance to the wrong side and stitched it down. I *may* run into an issue with the hem flipping up. If so, I can always just fold the hem over again and stitch--this top is plenty long on me.

I had a heck of a time getting started on this top! I had problems finding the right needle to sew through the fabric without skipping stitches. I got out the serger and after lengthy set-up and experimentation to get the tension, etc. correct, I serged the side seams. I used my sewing maching for the rest of the project. It wouldn't have taken me nearly as long as it did to sew this top if I hadn't had problems starting out. It's all good, though, because it was a learning experience and I got a nice top out of it!

I'm very happy with how this top turned out! I will enjoy wearing it for the rest of the summer and plan to wear it under a jacket this fall.

Patchwork Perfect

I really love the cozy, country feel of patchwork. I've not done patchworking myself, but I think it's so adorable. I don't think I have the "eye" for putting together patchwork. I just don't know how people put together fabrics that don't seem to have a thing in common and it turns out looking so nice. Probably something I could learn if I gave it a try...or did intensive study!

That's why I was elated when I came across some patchwork fabric at the local Amish fabric store! The shop has mostly quilting cotton along with other fabric mostly used for the Amish's clothing. I like to shop there for fabric for my bags which was what I was doing. This isn't a printed fabric that just looks like it's patchwork--it's actual fabric squares sewn together in true patchwork fashion! Beautiful!

My original thought was to make a bag out of this. I'd like to make a taller bag than I usually do since I've had some requests for that--maybe 11"x11". I'd probably put a denim band around the top and denim handles with some type of ribbon on the denim band. That's my thinking at the moment. Hhhmm! I just don't want to waste the fabric as it was rather expensive at $11.50/yard. Eeek! I'd love to read your ideas if you have any!

Thought you'd like to know that I didn't squish anyone or anything (as far as I know) today while driving the big truck. I sorta felt like I was driving a semi, but it really wasn't too bad. Aren't you relieved?!

Have a great weekend!

Miscellaneous Musings

As proud as I was of my little monsters for jumping off the diving board at swim lessons, neither of them passed their levels and will have to repeat next year. Oh well. The lessons gave them lots of confidence and less fear of the water which is excellent. DS just didn't seem to get how to coordinate his arms and legs. DH isn't too coordinated when it comes to stuff like that, so that's probably where he gets it from! ;oP I'm just really glad I don't have to drive all the way over there every day anymore! Whew!

DH and I attended my 15th high school reunion this weekend. It was a nice time. Fun to see all those people I grew up with. Everyone really looks great! Got lots of compliments on my hair and my dress (especially when I told people I made it! He he!). Good for the ole self-esteem!

Our van is off being fixed. We've had gas tank issues for a long time now and it's finally annoyed DH enough to have it fixed. The driver's side window won't roll down either. What's with vehicles that once the warranty is out and you've paid the car off that it starts to break down?! I get the privilege of driving around our farm's HUGE extended-cab dually pick-up truck until the van is fixed. Gonna be weird. Hope I don't squish anything or anyone with it!

Sewing: I have two bag projects for customers lined up for the next week or so. Going to get supplies this weekend.

Then, I'm not exactly sure which project I'll tackle next. I really need to find some knit fabric for some jammies (New Look 6641) for DS. I should also get started on DD's jammies. Sure would like to try the lettuce edge on the serger!

I have the supplies to make a tank top (Simplicity It's So Easy 4123) for myself--found some interesting knit fabric on the sale table at Wal-Mart. The knit is barely stretchy, so I think it'll work fine.

So many projects, so little time!

Have a great day!