Embroidery Hoops - Fun in a small package!

I run across tons of amazing designs that I love but have no project in mind for.  Then I saw that 'embroidery hoops are making a comeback' in a few craft books and magazines and while I'm not sure how true that is, they ARE super cute! 



(Fox and bunny watching the moon.  Or as the recipient's husband titled it, "Snack Time")

WIP Wednesday - Last Wednesday in March!

Yet another month has FLOWN by; I need time to slow down, just a little!

I did get my new Juki sewing machine, and it's AWESOME, but there is a glitch in the sewing speed setting, so I need to get it replaced.  I had hoped it would speed up my sewing, but until the replacement comes, I'm stuck with my old machine.  The new one is HUGE and so pretty, so I really hope the replacement works right and comes fast!  Once I have one that works, I'll do a post about it, but I need to have a chance to see what it can really do!

(My old machine on the left that was just named "The Machine", and the new giant on the right.  This one is known as "Stormageddon, Dark Lord of ALL," but the next one may just be called Stormy, as long as it works!)

Ramona Hipster by Swoon, and a Zipper Pocket Tutorial!

I really like purses that have 'purse-onality' (did you see what I did there?) so when I saw the preview for the new pattern Swoon was releasing, I was excited to try it out.  The pattern is called Ramona, and it's a very basic purse with a cute look.  The best part is that it is a free pattern! (More money for fabric, yay!)  The pattern doesn't have any outside pockets and only one inside pocket, but it does have a zippered top.  Well, obviously that's not enough of a challenge (or enough pockets!) so I had to change it up!

WIP Wednesday - Only a day late!

Not much WIP'ing going on this week, I'm waiting for my new sewing machine to arrive! (and have a sick kid, yay flu shot not working.)


When it comes (hopefully today!) I will have a few purses and crayon rolls ready to sew on it, so I can run it through the paces!  I'm so excited!

(Yep, decided on one ribbon on the bottom of the flap.  It was really hard to cut that ribbon!)

Embroidered Hobo Bag - Laney by Swoon

Finally more pictures of the Laney Hobo bag!  This was a fun pattern that came together very fast!  The curve sewing was a little tricky, but using ALL the pins I own on it seems to help!  If I had stuffed it full to the brim, I bet it would have taken a much nicer picture, but I didn't want to lug everything we own outside for that!

(Finally something to use my stockpiled My Little Pony fabric on!)

WIP/UFO Wednesday - Purses of course!

This week I have a Ramona by Swoon pattern on the sewing table (Yes, it jumped the line, but it is a fast sew!).  It's soooo close to being finished, just needs some topstitching and straps (and hardware for the straps, which is the hold up!)  It's an adorable little purse, and I added a few (or a lot, depends on how you look at it) pockets.  I'm going to try to include a tutorial for the pockets when I finally get some good finished pictures, but here's a (bad lighting) picture teaser to hold you over until that happens!

(Indelible fabric line, with grey glitter vinyl)

Crochet Princesses and Weeping Angels - Loveys!

What is a Lovey? It's a little something you can love, like a blanket or a doll, or BOTH!  Ever since I made Tinkerbell, I've been planning on making more of these to stock for craft fairs (and possibly Etsy), but they take a little time to make and put together.  I think I've finally gotten fast enough to make more than one a year, so time to go crazy! 

First up is a Purple princess, for a friend that is having her first in just a few weeks!  So excited for her!

(I don't like embroidering the faces, I'm always worried I'll screw them up...)

Yet another Mug Rug - With Embroidery! I Love Swaps!

I love getting mail, (not junk mail!) and when the chance to participate in another swap came around, I jumped at the chance!  Then I remembered I'll have to make something and send out...but making is fun too!

(Every swap needs some goodies!  I put in a few 1/4 yard cuts of cute animals, a sewing machine snap tab, candy, and Harry Potter elastic.  Because everyone needs HP elastic!)

WIP/UFO Wednesday - Planning for My "Next Big Thing"

I am soooo close to having the My Little Pony hobo bag finished, I just need to add on some snaps, try to iron it one more time, and take some (much) better pictures!  Then I can finally mark it off my list from sometime last year...

(Front of the Laney Hobo bag by Swoon - Free pattern!)

The Next Sew Along - Lombard Street Bag

Right now the ChrisW designs Facebook group is doing a sew along for the Lombard Street bag.  I'm not participating in this one (too many other patterns waiting to be done!) but if you ever wanted to try it, now is a great time to jump in and get lots of support while you make it!  I love mine, but there are a lot of steps (and a million pockets!) so it helps to have a cheer squad encouraging you to finish!

(There are 4 pockets alone on the front panel!)

Giving Birth...to a Purse. Almost As Painful as Real Labor.

When you are almost finished with a purse, there are a few different ways to attach the inside to the outside.  One method is called "Drop in" where you put one inside the other and VERY carefully sew over lines you have already sewn, usually having to do some hand stitching to close where your machine refuses to reach.  My hand sewing is...special, so I prefer other methods where I can hide my stitching.

Another method I call the "Birthing" method.  It involves sewing the right sides together, leaving a small hole, and then forcing the purse right side out through that hole.  Usually the hole is in the lining or on the top and it will be closed with either hand stitching or top stitching.  And of course the hole never seems quite large enough.  For the latest purse I'm working on (The Laney Hobo bag by Swoon) I think I made the hole even smaller than I was supposed to.  Usually I measure and mark so I leave at least as much as they recommend, but not last night...

(about 5 minutes into the birth)