Author Archives: Jan

And another Sew Sweetness Minikins 4. This one was designated for my daughter-in-law, as they were colors I knew she’d love. I don’t remember when I “invested in” this fabric, but it’s been in my stash for quite a while—one of those too-beautiful-to-cut-into fabrics. There was a little snafu in the construction process. The side pieces, which straddle the opening, between the front and back, are called accordions. There are four pieces, two for each side. They are to be sewn, right-sides-together, with a seam horizontally along the top and the bottom. Then they are to be turned right-sides-out and … Continue reading →

If you read the post preceding this one, you know how much I love the Enigma Pouch, designed by Sara Lawson of Sew Sweetness patterns. If you haven’t seen that post yet, here’s the link. The Enigma is part of the Minikins Season 4 collection of patterns, which was released in mid-April, 2023. At the end of that post, I said I would make another to gift to my step-granddaughter, newly graduated from the 8th grade in Traverse City, Michigan. But, for some reason, I had a very difficult time getting this pattern to come together, and I really want … Continue reading →

And there will be more to come! Every couple of years, designer Sara Lawson of Sew Sweetness designs a collection of bags and pouches that are relatively easy to sew and comparatively less expensive due to a minimum of hardware. Yes, the bundle is pricey, but always worth the expenditure, in my opinion. There are typically twelve or thirteen patterns in the bundle and they make great gifts. And a gift is just what I needed. My elder son, who lives in the D/FW Mid-Cities, has a lady friend now, after a long spell with no special person in his … Continue reading →

I love the excitement that enthuses a family when a new baby is on the way. I first learned about this Little One shortly after her grandmother-to-be did, and have felt a special kinship because of that serendipity. So it’s natural that I would want to sew something to welcome the babe. I decided to make a bag that would benefit the grandma, the mom, and the babe. Since the grandmother and the mother work together, I chose a tote bag the mom could use when Little One was being transported to grandma—something that would carry all those baby necessities … Continue reading →

We have a sextet of friends who dine together most Sunday nights at a Mexican restaurant that’s midway between our homes. In the week leading up to Super Bowl Sunday, Mary Lou suggested she cook dinner on Sunday evening and we eat at their lovely new condo so we could escape the noise of the restaurant as people cheered and screamed over the game. (A lot of local football fans are partial to the San Francisco team, as the owner is from Youngstown. And other diners are just passionate about football, no matter who is playing. That much passion adds … Continue reading →

Took off for Northern Michigan after packing the car with—I thought—everything I would need for a visit of indeterminate length. And I left the new bag for my granddaughter on the dining table. Argh! Fortunately, I had packaged enough projects to keep me busy, including another pouch for the granddaughter. And I was able to complete it before she left on her class trip to Atlanta, GA; Birmingham, AL; and Montgomery, AL. Here’s her new JanBag (her term, not mine ) to carry her makeup. Pink and purple are her favorite colors. So now she has a new Cotton Candy … Continue reading →