Take A Stand!

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Every so often I just have to take a break from making masks and do some fun sewing. This week’s break involved the Take A Stand tote in size Small, from byAnnie patterns. This zippered tote has exterior zippered pockets and interior mesh pockets. It’s ideal for carrying sewing supplies to a class or keeping them organized in your sewing space. I actually think my Spousal Equivalent would like one in a denim or heavy duty fabric to hold some of the tools from his workbench for when he goes to do handyman tasks for friends.

The zipper used to close the bag is about six inches longer than the actual opening. That means that the stand-up bag can be opened fully to enable you to access all the contents. When the zipper is closed, the 6″ zipper tail can tuck out of the way in the little strap on the right side exterior. The body of the bag is made with byAnnie’s great foam product, “Soft and Stable.” This stand-up tote is no slouch!

The adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy to carry the bag. You can carry it crossbody while your hands are busy schlepping something else. (I’m always carrying too much stuff, trying to avoid multiple trips.)

But this tote bag isn’t limited to use as just a class bag. It would make a great purse. It could carry my iPad Pro and my page-turn pedal and Apple Pencil for piano gigs. I could tuck my knitting supplies and yarn inside for road trips. The uses are only limited by your imagination. The Large can be enhanced with a clear acrylic stabilizer for the base of the bag.

The finished dimensions of the two sizes are:
Small – 8¾”H x 12″W x 6½”D.
Large – 12½”H x 16″W x 8″D.

Here’s the cool thing about the Small version of this tote: It’s got a companion pattern then adds to its organizational ability. The companion pattern is the Running With Scissors tool case which works fine on its own, or balanced over the Take A Stand tote. Measuring 9½”H x 12½”W x 1½”D when closed and 12½”H x 20½”W when open, decide what you want to store in the Running case before you start the project, and size your pockets accordingly. Then, when you get to class or are working at your sewing machine, open it and turn upside down over the Take A Stand bag, and you’ve got easy access to all your tools. This is one brilliantly designed bag!

But back to the Take A Stand tote. Annie Unruh, the byAnnie designer, makes construction easy by providing short videos for the most challenging tasks of this tote. I also like that her printed instructions include checkboxes by each step of the process so you can mark each task off when complete and always know where you are in the construction. The instructions also include small labels for each pattern piece so you can label them as you cut the pieces. You never have to hold a 3″ x 12″ (or whatever) strip of fabric and ask yourself what on earth that piece is to be used for.

If you’re a regular reader of my blog posts, you know I like to share my dos and don’ts after finishing a sewing project. So what did I like? I love the size of the bag; I love Annie’s standards in her design presentation—her patterns are doable, makeable.

What don’t I like or what do I wish I had done differently? The exterior, the lining, and the Soft and Stable are quilted together. I marked my quilting lines with chalk, and then was pretty sure the only way those chalk marks were going to come off was if I washed the quilted piece. I was pretty sure it was going to shrink but decided to do it anyway. I was sure I’d like the look. And I don’t like the look. I wish I had either marked with a marker that would have disappeared with heat a a drop of water. It’s not terrible, but it’s not up to my standards. (Perfectionism rears its ugly head again.) And I will tell you that the curved edges of the end pieces are challenging. They’re not impossible—obviously—but they’re not easy.

One other thing. If you’re going to use a stripe for the accent fabric, as I did, pay attention to the upper border and binding pieces on the front zippered pocket, Pocket A. My stripes didn’t match from the bottom side of the zipper to the top side. I can never unsee that! So either don’t use a stripe, or make sure you’re cutting the 2″x12″ Pocket A Binding so that the stripes match the 2½”x12″ Pocket A Border.

I highly recommend byAnnie’s patterns. Go for it, and have fun. I think you’ll be very pleased with your resulting bag.

Fabrics –
Designer: Tula Pink;
Exterior fabric – Collection: Pinkerville; Fabric: Fairy Dust in Day Dream
Accent fabric – Collection: All Stars; Fabric: Tent Stripe in Orchid
Lining – a hand-dye in lime from my stash.

So Sew Easy Carry All Bag

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Way back when Craftsy was Craftsy, long before it became Bluprint, then was sold, and now will become Craftsy again with all their databases of classes we’ve purchased intact, I saw a bag kit that I thought was very pretty. I bought the kit – the beautiful Modern Meadow line from Joel Dewberry with his Dogwood Bloom modern print on an aqua (“Pond”) background, lining fabric in the Herringbone print in Pond, and accents from the Herringbone print in navy (“Lake”). The pattern was the So Sew Easy “Carry All Bag,” a free pattern. Because of the Craftsy/Bluprint debacle, I can’t even look back and tell you when I purchased this kit, but I’m sure it was more than three years ago. Sometime last year, when I had a break from all my piano work, I started making the bag.

And then the fall semester of insane schedules and the spring semester of Covid-19 took my mind totally off this bag. It sat on the end of my cutting table, nagging me every time I cut out and sewed a mask. The exterior of the bag was finished, and the lining was cut out and interfaced and the pockets were complete, but something was holding me up. Finally, about a month ago I made time in the middle of all the masks to take inventory of all the pieces of Joel Dewberry fabric that were lounging on my cutting table. I determined that I had never cut out the bottom of the lining for the bag, ostensibly because I had run out of Pond Herringbone fabric. I logged on to Etsy and found a vendor who had a yard of the Herringbone and ordered it. And then looked again at all the fabric I had, realizing that even though I didn’t have a piece long enough to make the base, I had enough to piece the size I needed for the base. Finally, on Saturday, with my partner away visiting a cousin and kayaking on Lake Erie, I finished the bag lining. This morning I put everything else on hold and sewed the drop-in lining in place.

Now, what to do with yet another carry-on sized bag?

And further, why did I decide to make a free pattern when I’ve already bought carry-on bag patterns from Swoon and Sew Sweetness and byAnnie—designers that I know and love and trust?! The next time I’m tempted to download a free pattern from an untested [by me] designer, I’m going to write a post that asks you all if I should do it, to which you will quickly reply “No, No, No!!”

Anyway, this bag. It’s an okay bag. What didn’t I like? I never could get the PDF pattern pieces to print correctly, which caused a few problems. It does not have a shoulder strap. And it’s got a drop-in lining. Ugh. I do not like having to sew the lining into the back of the zipper. I’d much rather have to turn the entire bag rightside out through the bottom of a pocket than have to try to get the entire zipper and lining to perfectly match. It never works for me.

So what do I like?

The fabrics. Those colors and the big bold dogwood print—love! I like the contrast between the floral print and the dark straps. (Note to self—you could have used those Joel Dewberry fabrics to make any of the carry-ons patterns you’ve already vetted!)

The pockets. On the exterior front there’s a zippered pocket. On the exterior sides there are pockets that might hold a water bottle. In the lining back, there’s another zippered pocket. In the lining front, there’s slip pocket that’s made from the dogwood print. It spans the width of the bag and is divided into three separate pockets, one just right for my phone. What a concept—always knowing where my phone is!!

Will I use it? I might. It would be okay to throw a change of clothes, my toiletries, and my iPad and chargers into for a road trip. I wouldn’t take it as a carry-on for a flight, because of the lack of shoulder strap. Do I know how to make a shoulder strap and could I have done so? Yes and Yes. But it annoyed me that I had dug this hole for myself. I didn’t want to have to take the time to dig through patterns to find the strap pattern and hack this pattern to make the strap happen. I can be very stubborn.

Will I sell it? It’s not up to my standards. I’m tempted to figure out what my financial outlay for the fabrics, zippers, and hardware is and sell it for that plus the shipping cost and a donation by the buyer to their local food bank. I would include the disclaimer that it’s not perfect, but can be a very useful bag. I don’t know.

So that’s the story of the So Sew Easy “Carry All Bag.” At least it’s done and off my sewing table. Tomorrow I can fold up all the leftover fabric and get back to mask making.

There’s one less UFO (UnFinished Object) in my UFO box. Yea for that!!!

A Fishy Sleepshirt For Me

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Finally! A break for a few hours in all my mask making to sew something fun, something I’ve been thinking about sewing for several years.

There are a lot of independent (“indie”) pattern designers nowadays, and more popping up each month. There’s a t-shirt/dress pattern I’ve been looking at for several years. It’s called the Laundry Day Tee and it comes from Love Notions Sewing Patterns, LLC. Love Notions is Tami Meyer and I am now her newest instant fan.

The Laundry Day Tee was first released in 2015 as a t-shirt. It quickly became a favorite pattern for everyone who made it. And they started asking for pattern hacks, which Tami has created for them. The pattern is available in sizes XS to XXXXXL. It also is now available in childs’ sizes, and I believe there’s a 15-inch-doll size available.

Here’s the description from the pattern instructions:
“Why do laundry when you can just whip up one of these cute and flattering tees in less time than it takes to dry a load of clothes. The Laundry Day Tee comes with three neckline options- scoop, v-neck & cowl as well as five sleeve lengths- tank, short, elbow, 3/4 and long. You also get to choose from a regular tee shirt length, tunic or knee length dress. Both the tunic and dress have high/low options. Perfect to wear with jeans and leggings alike!”

All of that, plus there are hacks available to make a maternity dress and to make it nursing-friendly for moms with new babes.

And the pattern instructions tell you how to adjust the bust size, either decreasing or increasing. Right there in the instruction sheet! You don’t have to go searching to find the info—It’s. Right. There. !!

I’m impressed. I am very impressed.

So what did I change to my standard size Large? It’s designed for a 5’5″ frame, and I’m 5’8″, so I added 3″ to the tunic length. That’s all. I wish I had started a stopwatch when I started sewing. Let me tell you: this thing goes together in a handful of heartbeats!

It’s been so long since I’ve sewn a knit garment, I had forgotten some of my standard practices and had to search through my blog to find some of these notes. I use a strip of tricot interfacing to reinforce the shoulder seams. I sew the seam and then sew a second row of stitching between ⅛” and ¼” away from the first line of stitching. (I do not use a serger.) For my hems (designed to be 1″ deep), I cut 1″ strips of tricot interfacing and fuse those to the hem allowance on the seam hems and the bottom hem. Then I fold and press those hems and stitch the hems with a double needle and wooly nylon in the bobbin.

That’s it. I sewed the short dress, put it on, and took pictures. Done. No fiddling with anything about the pattern to make it fit.

I’m thrilled.

If you haven’t yet made a Laundry Day Tee/Dress, what are you waiting on? Really! Just do it!!

Masks and a Pouch for Storage

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One of my lovely accompanees asked if I could make a couple of masks for her. After showing her the fabric choices, I made three masks. Then I ended the day by making a little pouch so she could store the clean masks safely in her bag or backpack.

The pouch is from Sew Sweetness—the Hexi Zipper Pouch. This is a free pattern, a quick sew, a multi-purpose pouch. The pattern specifies foam interfacing, but you could just as easily make it with fusible fleece or even just Pellon’s Shape-Flex interfacing. I find if a bag has curves, it’s harder to make the curves smooth when using foam. Next time I make this pouch, I think I’ll use fleece. If you want a slightly larger pouch, print it at 110% or greater and you’re good to go!

But what a great little pouch!

Think of the ways you can personalize it:

  • English Paper Piecing – hexagons, or other patterns you might find.
  • Machine embroidery – monogram? cute animal motif?
  • Hand embroidery – a favorite stitch or sampler of stitches.
  • Use leather, cork, faux leather, denim, a favorite upholstery scrap.
  • Sew with clear vinyl, with a fabric binding around it to take to concert venues where big bags aren’t allowed. Remember live concerts? 😊 You wouldn’t line this. If you have the Sew Sweetness Minikins Season 1, look at the I-Spy pouch instructions for ideas.
  • Use coloring fabric and give the recipient several fabric pens in their favorite colors so they can personalize it themselves. A number of fabric manufacturers are making coloring fabric these days. Go to Etsy .com and search for “coloring fabric.”

And just look how easily this pouch holds three Zippy masks.

The Zippy mask pattern, from Renée McCloud, has a zip tie in the center front vertical seam. This forces the fabric away from the wearer’s face. When inhaling, the fabric is less likely to be pulled into the wearer’s mouth or nose.

I make these masks with adjustable ear loops and a twisted craft pipe cleaner over the nose. My goal is to have a comfortable mask with as few gaps between the mask and the wearer’s face as possible. And I use a coordinating but different print on the inside than the outside. This way, the wearer, after taking the mask off in their safe space (car, home) can put it back on, knowing which is the outside and which is the side to put next to their mouth and nose. No cross-contamination. The inside fabric also creates a filter pocket. The mask is made with three layers of 100% cotton and one layer of non-woven interfacing that acts as a filter. But if the wearer is anxious about the environment in which the mask will be worn—how many contaminants might be in that space—an extra filter or bit of filtering material may be tucked into the filter pocket for extra protection and ease of mind.

I hope I’ve given you some new ideas today.

Please wear a mask when you go out of your safe space and wash your hands frequently.
Stay safe. Be brave.

Remembering Travel

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Now that we’re five months into staying at home because of COVID-19, any memory of travel is precious. We don’t want to get on a plane or walk through an airport or even travel by car longer than two hours (y’know, because of the need for bathroom stops). In mid-May, the travel trailer rental site RVshare had reported a 1,000% increase in travel trailer bookings since April, as cited by the Boston Globe.

Week 1 – the materials are gathered.

I have to admit that my idea of roughing it involves a Marriott hotel, any Marriott hotel. I’ve tented before. I’ve camped in a pop-up trailer before. I didn’t love those vacations. If I have to walk more than, say, fifteen feet in the middle of the night to get to a bathroom, I’m not going to be quick to sign on for that activity. But I know a great fabric print when I see it!

Besides, I’d rather stay home with my sewing machines.

Week 2 – pattern pieces cut out and interfacing fused.

My nextdoor neighbor is a textile designer for Richloom Fabrics, and works primarily with the RV and manufactured housing market. When she has extra samples of her textile designs, she graciously walks across the backyard and feeds my stash of bag-making fabrics.

I had seen this cool travel trailer print on fabric.com and fell in love with it the moment I saw it, having no idea that she had designed it. The next time she brought me a stack of samples, there were the travel trailers, right on top of the stack. I swooned. I couldn’t wait to find the perfect bag pattern and cut into it.

Week 3 – Pockets inserted and zipper panels sewn, ready for insertion.

My previous blog post documented the sewalong I participated in with fellow lovers of Sew Sweetness bag patterns. Once I signed up to participate, I knew this would be the perfect use for the travel trailer fabric.

The pictures accompanying this post were taken to coincide with the various stages of the sewalong. The first week, we gathered the pattern, fabrics, and notions (thread, zippers). The second week, we cut out the pattern pieces and fused the interfacing. If any quilting of fabrics was to be done, it would be done before cutting. The third week’s assignment was to make the interior zippered pockets and prepare the main closure zipper for insertion by sewing on the zipper panels. If we wanted any extra pockets on the bag, now was the time to plan and create those. During the fourth week, we sewed the sides and bottoms and then finished the bag.

(See the previous post for an example of quilted side panels.) (If you’re on Instagram, you can explore the tags #clydebanktote or #clydebanktotesewalong for more examples of this great tote pattern.)

The “good” pocket. 😊

The Clydebank Tote is a free pattern. It comes in two sizes—small – 9-1/2” long x 14” tall x 3” wide (24cm x 35.5cm x 7.6cm), and large – 13” long x 21-1/4” tall x 5” wide (33cm x 54cm x 12.7cm). I made the large for both my bags, and I could hardly fit it in my big photo cube to take the pictures. It has a million uses. You can even sew the handles front to back instead of side to side; it could be hooked over a wheelchair handle, or with added VELCRO® fasteners, hooked to a stroller or walker. Depending on your fabric choices, the large size could be a beach bag, an everything-you-need-for-a-road-trip bag, or could carry a lightweight sewing machine to a class, once those resume.

Week 4 – Bottoms and sides of the exterior and the lining constructed. Purse feet installed on the bottom.

What do I wish I had done differently in the construction of this bag? Well, those little zippered pockets. Rather than order another 14″ zipper for two interior zippered pockets the pattern specifies, I decided to use two of the shorter zippers I had purchased in Bali two years ago. What I ended up with was downsized pockets that are hard to get your fingers into. What can they be used for? I think a lipstick and a lip balm; your change, to keep it from getting lost in your wallet; your driver’s license and other ID and a credit card, and a few bills, for when you don’t want to take your entire wallet along; and so on. Honestly, when I realized how small those pockets turned out, I should have stopped right there, ordered another zipper, and done the pockets as suggested. Live and learn!

There are two important points about patterns designed by Sara Lawson: 1) She records instruction videos for all her patterns. If you are a visual learner, it’s absolutely worth any extra charge to have her video nearby while you’re sewing. 2) Sara knows how to write pattern instruction sheets. I had a long career as a technical writer; I know fine writing designed to help laypersons conquer a task. This is fine writing!

The fabrics and notions I used:

  • Richloom Fabrics upholstery fabric featuring travel trailers, from their RV and Manufactured Housing line;
  • Cork fabric for the exterior side panels, purchased from Sew Sweetness. I’ve purchased cork fabric from a number of different retailers, and the cork that Sara Lawson stocks on her Sew Sweetness site beats all the others, hands down. It’s like sewing butter, and does not crack (as many cork fabrics do). If you want cork, go to Sara’s site. (I believe this Coral is what I purchased, but it may have been the Candy Red or Brick. I just don’t remember.);
  • Lining: Moda Grunge Basics from their GrungeGray line, the color is Maple Sugar. Search Etsy; most stockists are sold out.
  • Foam interfacing is Soft & Stable from byAnnie. Sara also stocks it on Sew Sweetness.
  • YKK zippers. I like ZipIt on Etsy or Sew Sweetness or byAnnie.
  • Purse feet from JoAnn’s.

I have a little more of this great travel trailer print, and will be making some small zippered pouches as soon as I get some relief from mask making.

You can always check my Etsy site to see what’s the latest hot-off-my-sewing-machine item.

Thanks for reading.

Clydebank Tote Photo Gallery

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An Hour Here, An Hour There

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Those hours add up. Pretty soon you’re talking about a whole bag! (Photo: the front of the large Clydebank Tote from Sew Sweetness sewing patterns.) Link to Clydebank Tote pattern.

Large Clydebank back with slip pocket to hold my phone next to my body for safety. The bottom is folded here for a better photo.

I’m been making mask after mask. But before you envision thousands of masks flying out of my sewing room, let me admit that I make rather complicated masks, and each one takes a couple of hours to make, so I’m lucky to “crank out” three a day! And when people see my pictures of them, they ask me to make them one. Note to self: stop posting mask photos on FB and IG!

So what did I make when I took a break? If you follow my blog, you know I’m a big fan of the bag patterns designed by Sara Lawson under the name Sew Sweetness. Sara is a brilliant and incredibly generous designer. She makes wonderful bags that she sells, but she also makes available some very nice free bag patterns.

The top zipper panel. The zipper extends beyond the side of the bag, making it easy to access everything inside.

Sara hosted a book group a year ago, featuring novels about sewing. One of the books was set in the town of Clydebank in England, and Sara released the Clydebank Tote about the time that book was being reviewed. The bag did not appeal to me at that time. I saw everyone’s Clydebank Tote photos, but just felt I didn’t need to hop on that bandwagon.

Open bag, showing lining. Zippered pockets on the front and back of the lining.

Now we’re in a pandemic, and people who have never sewn before are hauling their grandma’s old machine out of the attic or going to JoAnn’s and buying a new machine to make masks for those in need. My friend, Donna, who kills all the dust bunnies in my house, decided she would learn to use her husband’s industrial sewing machine and make masks for all the employees at the Sparkle grocery store where a relative works.

During this pandemic time, the moderator of the Sew Sweetness Facebook group decided to start a sew-along for people to make the Clydebank Tote. She knew many people had lost jobs and income, and thought a free pattern would allow everyone who wanted to to participate without having to buy a pattern. We would work together virtually, helping each other out when we got stuck on the bag construction. At about this time, Donna told me she was enjoying sewing so much that she wanted to find something else to sew when she was done with masks. I immediately thought, “Clydebank sew-along!”

So, even though I hadn’t initially been attracted to this bag, I told Donna about it and we both signed up.

The pattern is designed for you to be able to use a different fabric on the side panels. Many people use the fabulous relatively new cork fabric that is imported from Portugal. Others use leather or vinyl. I had lots of this Bali batik, so decided to just quilt some of the batik to the foam that is used in the construction to make a sturdier tote. I love how that looks. My second bag uses cork for the side panels.

Fast-forward four weeks and I’ll confess that I L*O*V*E this bag. I made the large size – actually I’m making two of them. I’m using this bag to move some fabrics out of my stash. I don’t know if I’ll give it away, offer it in exchange for a donation to the local fod bank, or put it on Etsy to sell. But I certainly have enjoyed making the bag. More photos will follow as I finished the second bag.

Long Weeks of Maskmaking

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We went into self-isolation on March 16. This time has meant three things to me: 1) Because of the lag time in transmitting sound over the internet when using Zoom or FaceTime or a similar app, I can no longer accompany my “musical theatre kids;” 2) I’m playing a lot of piano anyway, as I started recording a song each day and posting it on Facebook and Instagram; and 3) I’m making a whole lot of masks, because it needs to be done.

I have not yet gotten to donating masks to hospitals and other healthcare institutions, because friends keep asking me to make masks for them. I’ve read dozens of mask patterns, as I want to make the best and most protective masks possible, and each pattern is just a little different than the previous one.

My standard has become three layers of 100% cotton—high quality quilting cottons—plus one layer of non-woven interfacing that has filtering capabilities. I use ties rather than elastic, as I’m hearing from wearers that elastic hurts their ears with extended wearing. And I include a filter pocket, into which wearers can tuck a paper towel or a filter material or a thin (unscented) panty liner to provide more filtering.

One of the first masks I made. Simple. Easy to make.

The benefit for me is that I’m getting to decrease the size of my fabric stash. I’ve been inadvertently collecting fabric for twenty years. I never set out to be a fabric hoarder. It just kind of happens. I see a cute print or a pretty fabric and think, “Oh, I can you that in ….”

Another technique I’ve learned, as the next photo shows, is to use a different fabric for the back, preferably a lighter color fabric. This enables the wearer to know which side has been exposed to the public, if they’re going to take it off and then put it back on again before washing. Some patterns suggest using flannel for the inside, the side which will touch the face, because of its softness. But many wearers—especially health care providers who might wear the masks for hours at a time—comment that the flannel makes the mask hot with extended wear.

The back of the previous mask.

Another benefit? Several of the friends I’ve made masks for leave a bottle of Chardonnay waiting for me on the front porch when I drop off their masks. Nice exchange.

Sometimes I get tired of making masks. Every day, getting dressed and heading to the basement. I wish for the time to just make what I want to make, a garment or a bag. But then another person asks me if I can make them a mask, and I can’t say “no.” Many of the people who are asking are immunocompromised, and I feel it’s most important for them to have a mask, and to have it as soon as possible. So I keep sewing.

One lady, with whom I became friends when we sang together in the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, asked if I could make several masks for her husband, who is a physician. They have three small children at home and are so worried about his being able to stay safe during this terrible time. He went right to the top of my whiteboard list. Some people must get priority.

And so it continues. Stores are reopening. People are being encouraged to wear masks. A few states—not enough—are mandating mask-wearing. And I fear it will be months before a vaccine is developed. So I, along with all my thousands of brother and sister mask-makers, keep on keeping on.

Please wear a mask.
Please stay home as much as possible.
Please stay safe.

More Masks

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Happy Birthday to Jill!

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One of my closest friends during the second half of the eight years I lived in Tucson was a wonderful woman named Jill. We’ve kept in touch since I left, and occasionally she appears in my dreams and I wake thinking I need to go back for a visit.

Last week, in the midst of the COVID-19 self-isolation, I picked up a birthday card for her during a frantic grocery run. When I got home, I realized the envelope was not with the card. There was no way I was going back to the grocery store, into that anxiety-filled pandemonium. The solution was simple: I needed to make a little bag for her birthday.

But the bag needed to be made completely from my stash. My stash of fabric, hardware, thread, and zipper pull charms. Luckily, there’s no shortage of any of those items in my sewing space!

My friend, MaryLou, hand-dyes the fabric that she uses to make her stunning quilts. You’ve seen her work before in my posts, here and, recently, here. I have a large container filled with this shibori, all in gentle, lovely shades.

I have not made the Sew Sweetness Persimmon Dumpling Pouch before, but have had the pattern pieces cut out, ready for the fabric inspiration or occasion to spur me on to make it. This was the perfect occasion!

I cut out the strips for the piecing of the sides of the bag and laid them out on my cutting table before FaceTiming my sewing partner in Oregon. We moved strips around and discussed the pros and cons of various combinations. Once we decided on the best mixture of these lovely fabrics, I sewed the strips together and texted her the final result. Yummo! MaryLou does such beautiful shibori, and I totally loved these fabrics together.

Next, I needed to add a lower fabric to the front and back. I looked through my stash of cork fabric and chose one that was a deep blue with turquoise accents. I really like it, but cork fabrics are not all created equal. I’ve had problems with cork flaking after being folded and sewn, as with this bag. This particular cork looked like it might flake, so I took some blue and green fabric paint, mixed it together, and carefully brushed it onto the folded edge of the fabric. I let it sit overnight, and I stewed about it every time I woke overnight. When I woke in the morning, I knew the solution was to get rid of the cork and find some other fabric to substitute. I found a hand-dyed pink cotton, sort of bubble gum pink, that I thought went great with the pieced front, especially since the zipper I had chosen was a lovely deep pink. And when I finished sewing the panels on the front and back, I was very pleased. It was bright and happy, just like Jill. 😊

I hadn’t been sure what I wanted to use for the lining until I saw the finished front and back. I dipped back into MaryLou’s castoffs and found a bright pink/hyperpale pink piece large enough to cut the lining pieces, and before I knew it, the bag was finished. I grabbed the last of Emmaline’s “Handcrafted” zipper pull charms from my hardware stash, and it was picture time. And then time to sit and wait for the shipped package to arrive in Tucson.

And last night an email arrived telling me the bag was beautiful. I’m so glad she thinks so. All that effort could not have been expended on a nicer person. 💖

Pattern: Sew Sweetness Persimmon Dumpling Pouch
Fabrics: MaryLou Alexander, not available for purchase
Accent Fabric: Hand-dyed cotton from an unremembered vendor in Tucson, sitting in my stash for 18 years.
Zipper: Etsy Vendor, Zipit
Zipper pull: EmmalineBags.com