Just checking in.......................

Well, you knew that once I had made a camera strap cover that I would have to make checkbook covers.......
so here they are - so incredibly simple simple simple.
Just lay out your fabric, then lay the opened checkbook on top, cut around making sure to leave at least 2" on each end to fold back in as flaps. Turn the flaps in, right sides together with the main cover, sew, cut corners, turn, and place checkbook inside. Easy peasy!

If you need a pattern, check out Zakka-Style or Amy Butler's book - there are so many fabulous sewing books out there right now - what fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks for reading,
Chris

Getting a handle on things

I keep seeing camera straps or camera strap covers on blogs and on etsy so I decided to make one of my own.  A piece of scrap fabric cut  (actually pieced as it wasn't long enough) to approximately 5-5 1/2" wide by 27" long.  Hemmed up one inch on either end (fold in one inch and then fold in another one inch). Sew long side with right sides together, turn, iron, and place over strap. I swear the hardest part was taking the strap loose and then refastening it.  I hand sewed a tacking stitch through the cover and the strap at the very top. Projects like this are so incredibly easy and quick - most times I can just figure out the size to cut - I always add a bit just to be sure!  If you need a pattern, there are so many great books out right now with instructions on how to make all kinds of things. I think my next quick and easy will be a checkbook cover. I think I have 4 checkbooks, and at least three of them have those horrible blue plastic covers - so ugly!

Hope your weekend is fun,
Chris

Sewing for spring

Time for a little sewing -
I purchased these fabric scraps when I was in Portland, OR last summer - just some remnants of Japanese fabrics - don't you love the subtle patterns! I only had so much so I had to think how to use them. I came across a vintage pattern in my stash that showed tops in which the fabric (a single pattern) was cut in different ways (some on the grain and some on the bias) and then sewed back together to create an asymmetrical top. I played with my fabric and the pattern to make it work - and I really like the result - totally unique.

I am now working on a second top from another piece of Japanese fabric - it too was not quite enough so I was very creative in how I cut it. Here you see it pinned onto Bella (my model) and ready for sewing this week.

Hope your week is going well and thanks for stopping by,
Chris

Sewing a new purse

I will be going on vacation for a couple of weeks this summer and wanted a new and very noticeable purse/tote to take along so I decided to make one myself out of things in my fabric stash -
(have I mentioned that I am on a very strict budget this year - oh yes, I know you say - but you are going on vacation - yes, but it was planned and budgeted for a while back - and - I have been a miser so far this year in anticipation of it - plus - not to mention - there have been so many increases in our expenses, like home insurance, car insurance, my health insurance, having to pay the whole amount for my skin cancer surgery - believe me, you do not want me to get started on the insurance industry!!! - but I digress.)
So I dug through my scraps and came up with some Heather Bailey 5" squares that I had bought several years ago, a big-enough piece of a yellow/peach stripe for the lining (this was hard and took some forethought), a leftover apron string made from HB fabric and enough of a similar fabric to make a second strap (pieced), several pieces of leftover quilt batting sewn together for internal padding, some scrap velcro, and a piece of cardboard for the bottom.

I sewed the squares together in rows of threes and then the rows in fours to create a back and front prox 14 x 18. I pieced and cut batting to fit and then quilted in the ditch. I sewed around 3 sides and then did the cross the corner deal at the bottom corners to create a bottom when you turn it right side out. I cut out the lining to fit and added lots of pockets to hold various things. I sewed the lining together leaving a space for turning at the bottom. I made the 2nd strap to match the apron string that I already had (I have no idea how I could have had one left???). I then sewed them to the outsides and finally sewed the lining to the outside at the top edge, right side together. I turned it all through the opening in the bottom of the lining and topstitched around the top. Finally I whipstitched the lining. I cut the cardboard to fit into the bottom and covered it with scraps of the lining, and then finished the purse with a velcro closure. I made this without a pattern but I have to admit that I had made a similar tote/purse a few years ago as well as a much larger fabric tote, and really this kind of project is super easy. 
thanks for reading and hope you give this a try!
Chris