Recent Sewing Projects

I have been sewing lately, but I've been terrible at photographing and documenting my projects. I blame my 10 year old camera...I can't take a decent photo to save my life!  Or maybe its this house...I haven't yet found a window with decent lighting. Or maybe its my complete lack of photography skills...yes, that's probably it.
Anyway, I made myself a new set of pot holders.  We had friends over for dinner last week, and as I was taking the pan out of the oven, I was so embarrassed by my ratty pot holders. It was time for new ones.

This is about as close to quilting as I get. None of my lines match up, so you quilters out there, don't look too close. :)   But these were just for me, and I love the colors with my kitchen, so I'm happy.
I also made a new zip clutch purse.

 Mainly just testing out a new pattern shape, so I haven't yet decided if this one will be mine, a gift, or offered on Etsy.  I used a home dec fabric I bought on sale from fabric.com.
And lastly, I made myself a laminated cotton travel bag before we left for our Florida trip.

Mine is the large blue one.  I wanted something that would hold all of my cosmetics and toiletries and still have room for a damp swimsuit.  Its about 14"x14" and seemed to be the perfect size.  My MIL liked it, so I made a slightly smaller one for her.
I also got the basement family room done. But decent pictures continue to elude me.  I think I need a new camera...any suggestions? Until then, I'll try to get a few shots with hubby's i-phone.
Have a great week, everyone! 

A Fold Over Clutch in 70's Brights

I was in the sewing room last week working on a custom order clutch. She loved the fold over design, but wanted something in bold bright colors. After looking at some fabric options, she chose a fun lime green daisy print from the 1970's. We paired it with a teal corduroy and a green print for the lining. I think it fits the bill for "Bright and Bold" and will be a fun bag for spring and summer.

Blue Cut Velvet Boho Bag

I apologize for yet another bag post. But honestly, its been so long since I've spent any quality time in the sewing room, I got a little carried away. :-)For this bag I used one of my favorite cut velvets. Its a gorgeous blue design on a shimmery beige ground. Although still an upholstery fabric, this one is a little more supple and probably dates a little older than some of the other cut velvets that I've been using. It, too, goes well with the corduroy and I've outfitted it with the same features (interior zip pocket, magnetic snap closure, and long cross-body strap). With the left over pieces, I made a small matching zip pouch. This bag is available on Etsy.

Lime Vintage Cut Velvet Boho Bag

The next bag to come out of the sewing room is this boho gypsy style hip bag. It sports a vibrant lime green vintage cut velvet upholstery fabric paired with corduroy. A long strap can be worn across the body to hit comfortably at the hip or knotted to create a shorted shoulder strap. This design is slightly different that the previous champagne velvet with the addition of corduroy at the bottom of the bag. Although it was out of necessity, because of the size of the green remnant, I think I like it even better! :-)This one also has a magnetic snap closure and interior zipper pocket. I'm lovin the size of this bag and already picking out fabric to make one of my very own. :-)

This bag is available on Etsy.

Champagne Cut Velvet Bags

I've been in the sewing room making some more bags. My focus this week was a lovely shimmery champagne colored vintage cut velvet. I've been wanting to make a larger shoulder bag and this upholstery fabric was perfect for it. I paired the velvet with a tan corduroy and added a long shoulder strap that can be worn across the body. A magnetic snap and interior zippered pocket will keep items secure.

I also had enough fabric left over to create a matching foldover clutch. I love the simple design and think it would be right at home with jeans as well as a fancier evening out. Both of these bags are available for a limited time on the website with free US shipping before being added to the Etsy Shop. I have a couple more of the larger bags almost completed and will share those soon.

Has cooler weather inspired more activity in your sewing room, too? :-)

New Vintage Velvets for Fall

I was thrilled to be able to buy more of these wonderful vintage cut velvet or sculpted velvet upholstery fabrics a couple of weeks ago. They are from the same local estate that the others came from. A talented woman, who did freelance upholstery work for years, had acquired many, many lovely fabrics. Her daughter has been working to clear the house and fabrics and was so sweet to contact me again. Some are large pieces cut from bolts, and others are swatch size pieces, which are great for wristlets and pouches, and many have multiple colorways.

There are cut velvets ( or raised velvets, sculpted chenilles, not sure of the correct term)...

printed velvets...

And my favorite, the multi colored floral velvets! Here are just a few...


I have 2-3 large bins filled with these types velvets as well as other damasks, brocades, and

matelasse. Needless to say, I've been busy sorting and hand washing these beautiful textiles and creating new wristlet and bag designs for the fall and winter seasons.

Have a great week and happy sewing, everyone!

Tailored Boho Chic Bag

This is the newest Boho Chic bag to come out of the sewing room. You may remember from this post the thought process that went into designing this bag. I wanted to incorporate the best of two worlds...Bohemian chic, with its generous size, richly textured vintage fabrics and saturated colors and Tailored Classic, highlighted by my love of linen and a more structured, clean line construction.
I've also included an interior zippered pocket on this one.
And a pretty velvet rose to accent the front.

This project is also part of The Twice Remembered Cottage "Make Your Monday" link event. Click the link above to see all the fun things bloggers are making this week.

I also wanted to pass along to the fans of Anna Maria Horner fabrics (gorgeous!) that Fabric.com has her Drawing Room line on sale right now for a great price! (Update- It looks like its all sold now. I hope you were able to get a yard or two.) Even though I already have a cupboard full of her fabric, I couldn't resist getting a few more yards. :-)

More Vintage Cut Velvet Chenille ~ Clutches

Yes, my obsession with this vintage cut velvet, sculpted chenille type upholstery fabric continues. :-)

After purchasing a piece of fabric earlier this month, the seller graciously included these fabric pieces. I immediately set out with my new purchased fabric and these fun freebies to find coordinating prints to use as linings.Mission accomplished! I found these two Japanese floral prints; the blue is from Joann's Kimono Collection and the orange is from a local quilt shop (didn't get the maker). They both have gold accents which help to tie in with the slight shimmer of the upholstery fabric.
I turned the lovely cerulean blue into a fold over clutch with magnetic snap closure.
And the orange became a small zippered hand clutch with a hidden back strap.

I have a couple of small home projects planned for later this week, so hopefully I'll be able to share them with you soon.

This project is part of The Twice Remembered Cottage "Make Your Monday" link event. Kim has a fun project oriented link event! Pop over to see all the fun things bloggers are making this week.

Latest Dogwood Branch Tote

Just a quick post to share my lastest project... another dogwood branch applique tote bag. This time I've used gorgeous fabrics designed by Patricia Bravo of Art Gallery Fabrics along with linen and a pretty pink and green dogwood print put out by FreeSpirit. Enjoy the long weekend, everyone!

"Dancing Leaves" Barkcloth Tote

I love this barkcloth and have been dying to use it in a project. Its a midcentury modern print entitled "Dancing Leaves" and has been attributed to the surrealist artist Salvador Dali.
For this tote, I've paired it with a green linen that is a shade somewhere between olive and chartreuse. A geometric black and white fabric was used for the other side as well as the interior pocket.Black piping was used to help the two fabrics stand out against the green linen.
Since this is an open tote, I think I'll make a matching zippered pouch for it. I haven't decided yet if this is for me, or to sell. If I succumb to the pressure to make some money, it will be on the website, here. :)
Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Latest Sash Bag and a New Bedroom Light

I needed a new light fixture for the bedroom. The previous one was an old chandelier and a couple of the lights had started to ficker and sometimes wouldn't come on at all. The idea of an electrical fire from wires shorting out did not sit well, so I started looking for a replacement.

We found this fixture at Lowes. I like that it still has some sparkle but in a little different, more contemporary shape. (Its really much prettier than my photos show.)

Little crystal daisies spread out across the ceiling on airy stems.

And on a completely different note...

So, here's what I've done with those gorgeous fabrics I showed you in the last post. I sewed up another of my Linen Sash Totes and used a combo of Garden Party fabrics for the sash and a Bellbottoms Block print for the interior. Both of the prints coordinate beautifully with the golden yellow lining fabric, but with each side of the sash the bag takes on a different personality.And with multiple ways of tying, knotting, folding, cinching, and pinning its like having several bags in one.

I also picked up some metal rivets to try on my next bag. I was able to find a store that carried them just minutes from me, thanks to Stephanie of Lulu's Cottage. :)

I've been playing around with them this weekend and I'll show you the results in a future post. Enjoy the weekend, everone!

Oh, before I leave I just wanted to let the Typepad bloggers know that for some reason I can't get my comments to post on some your blogs?? I press POST and that little wheel thing goes around and around (which tells me its doing something) but it never finishes. :(

If anyone knows what I can do to fix that on my end, please let me know. Thanks!