Mindless Chatter

Well here I am, once again, sitting in front of this computer screen after a days work and playing Mahjongg (or however you spell it).  But I have not disappeared.

I have started a diaper bag.  My friend Vanessa has a baby shower in a couple weeks.  She had some fabric she wanted to use for a gift.  And who else would she get to make her diaper bag but yours truly.  When it is finished I will show you the end result.

In the meantime, we have some catching up to do.  My remodel project is coming along, although not fast enough for me.  When it is done though I can sort out fabric so I know what I have to work with.  I also have some leftover yarn scraps that may get used for some embellishing.  I have decided that I really need to use some so I can buy more without getting overloaded.  Too much means confusion for me and I just don't know where to start first.  I do think though that since I have a small container with small pieces I may make some cosmetic type bags to use them.  That means I will have a start on the church bazaar for this fall.  Maybe even something for this summer.

I have been wanting to do some more crazy quilting and crumb piecing.  Many many ideas have been floating around.  I have started putting them on paper so I don't forget.  That is where the ideas, crazy as some of them may be, end up.  If only I could do these things as fast as the mind conjures them up.

I have been visiting some blogs that have giveaways.  Don't you think they are fun!!!!  I may have to put that idea in the pot with the others and think about that too.

I should probably shut down and decide where I will start tomorrow after my 2 cups of coffee.  Catch ya all soon.

No Stash for Me

I, for one have a large amount of fabric. (I refuse to say a huge amount, for that would mean I would have a lot of trouble justifying buying more.)  So in my own defense and for the peace of mind of all my fabric  and patterns buying friends out there in the sewing world, here is my new explanation (and making my self not feel guilty) when purchasing more fabric than some think I need or any type of supplies for any number of sewing project that I deem necessary it shall, from this day forward, be referred to, not as my stash but as my RESOURCE CENTER.  We all know that we need lots of resources
 LOL  now don't we.

Livin' Life

Well it has been way to long since I added to my blog.  I did finish that bag and a friend of mine saw it and absolutely loved it.  Sooooo I gave it to her.

My son is spreading his wings and is living with 3 of his friends.  At this point is a trial.  But he needed to give this a try.  The day after he took the jump I had half of the carpet pulled from his room and the following day the rest was off the floor.  Plans are working out quite nicely for this room.  It is just not going fast enough for me.  Paneling will come off, drywall and paint will go on.  Laminate on the floor. Light fixture.  All the fun stuff is pretty much planned.  Hopefully it will be done soon.

Because of all that going on the sewing has kinda been slow.  What do I mean kinda.  There has been none going on.  I did order a couple patterns from "fabric for quilts and more".  I need a boost in the sewing department.  Too much work and to little play.  I am really excited about these patterns though.  I have a couple small things that I may pull out try to start.

Spring is hitting Michigan.  We have been having 50 degree temps.  But alas it is only March and we will probably have at least one more big snow storm.  We saw our first robin the other day and are now waiting for the hummingbirds.  They are so much fun to watch.

Well the spare room is calling.

Following Patterns

Some of you know me from Yahoo Groups--others don't.  Well, those who do know that I like doing my own thing when I make bags.  This week I followed a pattern.  Yes I DID!!!!  It was really hard for me to stay on track with this one because that little voice just kept saying "But!!!!!!  Don't you want to do it this way.  It might be better this way.  Come on, ya know ya want to."  Well that was what I kept hearing.  I did do a few things a little different.  But nothing that would affect the appearance of the original pattern.  Right now I can't get a picture in here, but as soon as I can I will.

This is the Hobo Pattern from jcaroline.

http://www.jcarolin ecreative. com/Merchant2/ merchant. mvc?Store_ Code=JC&Screen= HOBO_BAG

I had the idea for members in the Yahoo Group "sewingtotebagsandpurses" to all work on the same bag so that some could help others with problems, just being funny in the suggestion.  Well of course I had to join in, it was my idea, oh my, not even thinking that far ahead when I mentioned it. But it was fun and I learned something new.  That afterall was the plan.  To learn something.

Now that bag is done I have enough fabric left to make another bag of some sort.  I really haven't figured out where I am going with it yet.  I have about three others that I am working on.  I don't quite have them on paper yet.  They are just floating around.  But the night is young and Bob is at his cousins watching the Super Bowl.  So it's me and the dog.

Boxed Bag Bottom

  This is my first tutorial. We are going to hope I can make this understandable enough.

There are different methods for squaring off bag bottoms. I am going to try to explain my method which may or may not be like anyone else’s.

I am not going to go through the process of getting to this point. Only from this point to make your bag bottom.

You will need:

Your bag with side seams and bottom stitched together

Ruler that is at least 4 to 6 inches X 4 to 6 inches. (mine is 4 X 13)

Pins

Fabric marking tool

Iron

Sewing machine ready to go.

At this point the bag will look very similar to this. Wrong side out and flat. Very flat. Pressed to the point of maximum flatness. The goal here is to be able to see the crease in the bottom.

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The next step is to press the seam open part way to the corner on the bottom. DO NOT trim the seam at the bottom or cut off the corner. This will be used in the squaring process.

Now with a bit of finagling (what a word) that seam is laid flat to the bottom of the bag and matched up with the crease to the seam. This is shown in the picture below The crease is shown with a purple line so it is easier to see. Then grab the point (shown in the last picture)of the seam and pull this point out so that the stitching is the point.

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Now the big decision-----How big do you want the bottom of your bag. I know decisions, decisions, decisions. Well now is the time. For purposes here we are using 4 inches.

The seam is laid to the side at the point and press making sure the crease and seam match (like above) and the stitch point is a point.

Now to make the bottom a bottom. You will need your ruler at this point. Line up a mark with the seam and 2” deep. When this is lined up perfectly it should also measure 2” either side of the seam. This is why it is so important to have the point really pointed. Whew I hope that makes sense.

I then mark this with a fabric marker, pin and stitch opening that seam to eliminate bulk. I usually sew across, pivot and sew back on this line.

Then press and turn right side out. You can trim off the triangle or leave it. Whichever method you prefer. Poke out the corners and press again.

Please give input.  I would really like to know if there is something that is not clear and feel free to contact me with any questions.

2010

It is January 1, 2010.  Another year starting with many hopes for the new year. My first hope is that my husbands job goes from temp to permanant.  My 2nd is that maybe I can go visit my older children in PA and FL.  The rest don't mean much compared to these.

My creative juices will take me where they will.   I have made many friends in the yahoo groups I am in.  I am moderator in one, it is really getting to be a fun group.  But the main thing is that there are like minded people who love doing the same things I do. 

But to all of you I sure do wish you all a wonderful New Year with all the blessings that may come your way.  Enjoy the adventure.  I received a text from a friend today that said this--Today is the first blank page of a 365 page book, write a good one.  I loved that thought and am passing it on to you.  HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

Monday Again

Yes it is.  Monday!!!!  Christmas is 4 days away.  I have a ton of little stuff to wrap and big stuff that is way to weird shaped to wrap.  I did finish 2 bags for gifts and sent them out.  They are really cool.  I went back to my crazy patch which now has another name.

Free Form Crazy Patch.  My friend Barbara gave it that name and I think it fits it well. One of the bags is a tote and the other was made using the pattern for the "Katti Lynn".  I have also figured out that I really need to make more in the style of the original "Katti Lynn" with a few improvements.