random shots

a ____bag

Yay! Kelsey Frost posted about a bag I made for her. I am nearly out of that green toile (sorry kntgrl, I have to head to the fabric store and buy more toile!). I also need to get back in the habit of making bags, because I need the practice. I got some ideas for some places I could start selling them. Right now I’m prepping my spare bedroom for painting, though, so that is kind of taking precedence. I’d like to have that room set up by the time my papa comes for a visit in the next month or so. Anyway, something else about that picture? I have a quilt very similar to the flowery one in the background of her photo.

[Project Amy]

As if buying a house, packing, transcribing, making bags… and working full-time were not enough, I have decided that my next fun project will be to make a dress for my beloved friend Amy. I have been wanting to make a garment for another person and I thought that Amy would be a good, easygoing client. As part of this fun project, I will be documenting this exciting adventure on the blog.

I haven’t even picked out fabric and trim or anything. The only thing that is certain is that I’ll be trying out Butterick B4849, because it is a trendy pattern and also because it is labeled “very easy.” The picture above says “fast & easy” which is more of the porn way of saying “very easy.”

First thing’s first. After much thought, I decided that I’ll be making a quick test garment for myself before I attempt Amy’s dress. I have two yards of leftover microsuede that has the perfect drape and stretch for this type of pattern. At least – it’s more perfect than the cotton fabrics I’m so fond of and that make up the most of my stock. Commence Project Amy! Time to Make it work!

In other news, Kelp! received her bag in the mail!

Baggage 2

I have more bags to show you. For those who have seen these bags, please keep my brand name under wraps. For now.

This one at top left won the prize for being the most whimsical. I know I had fun making it. I hope the new owner has fun wearing it.

Pretty Orangina over to the right won the prize for second-most whimsical.

Below and to the left, we have one that actually hasn’t been given away yet. It’s similar to one that I gifted last night.

tired of bags yet?

I’m not. Why I bought more fabric just the other day.

Making them keeps my mind off the stress of buying a house.

baggage

Finally! I gave away my first batch of bags for the holidays to three of my bestest buddies. I can now share pictures of at least one of the bags. I regret that I did not take pictures of two of them, but I do have a version of the bag that Britt got that I CAN share. First up is the black and white one at left. That one went to Pat. I am especially pleased with it because I had the forethought to put two rows of buttons so that you could increase its size as you piled more stuff into it (see photo at right).

This next bag is a variation on Britt’s bag. I am a fan of these bags with the flaps, but I also like the simpler versions that pre-date this pattern. Pictures of those will come later. It should be noted that this is my first time doing any of this, so improvements will be made in the future. But, I’m pretty happy with the results. I also have a great name for the bags, but I am not releasing it on the blog.

Yes, I am taking orders for 2007.

this is the end

today is the last day of my sewing class. I skipped last week, because I was unprepared and I really didn’t think I would learn anything if I had no project to work on. So last week I spent the class time picking up new materials for a project and then cutting my fabric for the next class.

It all went by very quickly. I thought my Monday classes would go on for an eternity, but I only finished two skirts total in that time (not including tonight). I learned a lot, though. I got the sewing machine up and running for one. The Reader’s Digest sewing book is challenging me. tried to do the easy version of sewing a buttonhole, but for some reason I’m not picking up the concept. Please, internets, point me to an easy way to make a buttonhole. Other than that, I am enjoying, as always (oh liberal arts college background) the conceptual part of the book. I’m learning things about sizes and balance, darting and shaping, as well as what patterns look good on what body types. Much of it is basic female carnal knowledge, but you don’t actually know that it’s worth putting into a book until you see it there in print.

I know that I’ll never be a fashion designer, and I don’t ever want to be one. I’m quite happy in my vocation. But I’m content to be a bag lady for however long it holds my interest and maybe someday when the holidays are over, you can see some of what I’ve made.

I’ll at least show you skirt number 2 when I have a camera handy.

LOOK WHAT I GOT IN BRATTLEBORO!

Brattleboro Books is the best bookstore ever. I nearly picked up the Vogue sewing book, but I think I’m going to put that one on my Christmas list.

Maesa Rae

I wrote a piece about a new musician at Hampshire College named Maesa Rae. I thought you might want to have your attention directed to it.

So….

I have been sewing. I have another skirt nearly done. It should have been done a long time ago, but I’ve been spending my time making handbags and daydreaming about fabric. I can’t show you any of the bags because they are all going to be gifted to some of the ladies who read this blog.

buttons are expensive

any good ideas for where to find some free or cheap used buttons? You have no idea how expensive they are retail.

red tiny happy bag in pictures

The bag is done! It took me way longer than I thought, but then again, I’ve never made a purse before, so I’m giving myself a pretty hefty handicap. The first photo is the lining, which is the same as the exterior, except for a handy little (um, offset) pocket. Fast-forward a bit (second photo) and the whole thing is all sewn up, waiting for the finishing touches. I really didn’t think the finishing touches would take longer than everything else. Damn those finishing touches. The last two photos are of the finished product. Click on the photos for bigger ones.