I have been neglecting my sewing machine lately.
It lives in my basement these days, so it's not the most inspiring place to visit when the leaves are turning and there's something warm simmering away in the kitchen.
Also I dug into a project that is a bit more than I can handle. (Okay, it's not. I'm just ignoring the shear scope of the task.) I decided to sew new box cushions for our camper. Our camper which – when we move to the country – will serve as an adorable little guest house. But only if I sew the darn cushions. So for now the cushions and loads of laminated cotton are strewn about my sewing room.
(Did you hear that? I said something about moving to the country. The dream is alive, dear friends!) Edited to say: don't get too excited. Nothing concrete, just dreaming and working and manifesting in that direction. I'll surely keep you posted…
So in the midst of all of my people falling to the flu of one sort or another for the whole of this week, I carved out time to throw together a new purse for myself while Sage and Lupine were reading and Pete was sleeping off this bug.
I love this pattern.
It takes longer to cut out than it does to sew, and it doesn't take long to cut out. Seven pieces plus a zipper if you wish. Fabric-wise it takes a single fat quarter plus less for the lining.
Just like the last ones I made (oh! here's another one!), I assemble the whole thing like my zip bag tutorial. Ideally I would have added topstitching on the zipper like I did last time, but I was hustling and forgot. I did add a bit of iron-on interfacing to the handle this time because after a year of daily use the yellow one got pretty gnarly.
As for inspiring other girlie sewing, I am contemplating this book. Hoping it has some solid boy patterns in it too.
Have any of you sewed from this? Intrigued by the mad ruffles and such.
Love,
Rachel
I super-duper love this purse! And it held up to all my over-packing. So, thank you. And please feel free to make me one for every season! 🙂
I forgot I made you one too! Glad you like it Titi. xo
COnGratS on moving to the country!! Yay! (the purse looks cute too:)
Nice purse. What about the wallets on the inside? Did you make those too? The fabric is gorgeous. I am dreaming you make it to the country too. I live “sort of” in the country and love it. We have neighbors, but they are an acre away. It is also my dream to live in the “really country” one day. A street with dirt roads, little traffic, and farm animals. Ahhh. So different from where I grew up. In Detroit.
We’re still in the hoping and manifesting phase, but thanks!
I did make the wallet and a friend made me the checkbook cover. There is a better picture of them in this post: http://lusaorganics.typepad.com/clean/2011/09/buttercup-bag-.html .
If you’d like I can dig out the pattern and find a source. Let me know!
I quickly recognized that as the Buttercup Bag, which I have yet to sew (need to get the zippers!). I’ve done a lot of sewing, though, since I’m placing some things in a locally handmade shop – I’m so excited! I’d love to try some new things, though. I’ve also been making some upcycled wool soakers and knit hats for baby #3 on the way!
I got that book from the library and LOVED it, though some of the projects seemed really details and time-consuming. I added it to my sewing Pinterest board for reference because I liked it so much.
Thanks for link. Both are gorgeous and would I have been looking for. When you have the time, I would like if you could dig out the pattern for the source.
Thanks again!
Fantastic idea! As Christmas approaches, I’m once again in the place of ‘what do I buy that isn’t the same old over priced fill-your-house-with-plastic-crap stash’. This is perfect, as the oldest of four girls and with many nieces and Aunty’s I can imagine this will go down a treat! Many thanks xx 🙂
I can’t wait to stay in that little camper…get sewing! 🙂
I’ve checked that book out of the library because I had several sewing friends recommend it. I made DD the Dorjte pants and they turned out really nice (just did a plain corduroy pair). I’ve also seen a few finished Feliz dresses that are pretty cute. I thought the book could have used better pics, they were cute, but hard to tell exactly what the patterns looked like. I don’t recall a lot of boy stuff in there though. For basic boy stuff, I LOVE Fishsticks Designs patterns, but I’m not sure if the sizing goes up big enough for Sage. The patterns are well written and have excellent, easy to follow directions. http://www.fishsticksdesigns.com/patterns.html The mama that makes those patterns is part of a sewing forum I’m on and she’s a very talented, sweet mama (those are her kids modelling all those patterns!).
Looking forward to seeing more of your sewing!
Thanks for the feedback about the book. It isn’t in our library system so I can’t “test drive” it.
Love it!
Deal! xo
Thanks so much Carli! Great feedback and resources.
that’s a great purse. perfect for fall. i really need to get back to crafting it’s so good for the mind.