Yellow & Grey Accessories

Remember that awesome grey and yellow purse? Here's the wallet and coin purse that go with it. Pretty much perfect.

Grey & Yellow Purse

I just finished this pretty little ditty for my neighbor. Isn't it to die for? I used this pattern with a slight modification. The fabric is obv Joel Dewberry. Delicious.

Japanese Coin Purse

I've always wanted to make a coin purse but I'm kind of afraid of those clasp frame thingies. Have you ever used one? This tutorial via The Purl Bee is so cute! Maybe I'll try it with all the spare time I have. ;)

grocery totes - so cute

Did you see these? If I had these, I'm pretty sure I'd be walking laps around the store parking lot just to show off my bags. I. must. have. them. Who wants to make them for me? I'm way too busy getting ready for the Beehive Bazaar to make them right now. Tutorial here. Thanks Dana!

For The Benefit

A friend asked if I'd donate a purse to a local dog/cat adoption benefit. Of course I will! I think I'll send this one. I wish I had lots more to donate! There are a few for sale here.

Beatles fans? The title of this post has left a song stuck in my head...

Diaper Bag?

In case someone wants to buy me a diaper bag, I like this one that I found on Etsy today! I don't think it is actually a diaper bag but it would work...and so cute!

Coming and Going

I was never a purse girl growing up. In fact, in highschool I carried a boy wallet in my back pocket. Gross! I don't even think I used a purse in college. Why would I want to carry around a purse in addition to my backpack? I'm not sure when I made the transition (sometime after 2005) but now, I'm a purse lover all the way.

This green purse was one of my first big exciting purse purchases:

On a trip to Vegas earlier this year, I had to have this one:


And on our camping trip in Canada this summer, I drooled over this one:

I've always like this Coming and Going bag by That Darn Kat and I'm restraining myself from buying the pattern from her etsy shop. Isn't it just cute? I def need something more causal for my collection.

Diaper Bag?

It's not a secret anymore, I'm going to be needing my first diaper bag before the end of the year!

I've made two different diaper bag patterns in the past, Amy Butler's Nappy Bag and Everything Bag. These are both great bags...but what other bags are out there? Do you have a favorite?

I'm a little intrigued by this Urban Diaper Bag by Izzy & Ivy.... good thing I've got a little time! Can I please have one of each?

Make This

This blog makeover has been so fun! I hope you're keeping your eyes open for more changes to come. For now though, we've got to retire the "Make This" menu on the side bar. These are fantastic links that I just can't bear to part with so I'm going to transfer the links over here so we can all have access to them later.

Did you try any of these? I tried a few of them including the fabric covered tacs, cloth baby shoes, and the quilted wallet. I really want to make the rag rug still...and my ironing board is in dire need of a new cover.

• Ironing Board Cover
  
• Fabric Covered Tacks
• Appliqued Onesie
• Tiny Pin Cushion
• Dish Towel Tote
• Rag Rug
• Lunch Sac
• Tissue Holder
• Quilted Fabric Wallet
• Cloth Baby Shoes
• Vintage Smock
• Girl's Headband
• Checkbook Cover
• Rice Heat Therapy Bag

Quilted Wallet

Has anyone else tried the quilted wallet tutorial from That Darn Kat? How generous of her to post such a wonderful tutorial! I tried it out this weekend. Here is my finished product. I'm super happy with it. In fact, I can't stop taking it out of my purse and playing with it. YAY!

Mystery Bag

I didn't get to start my Mystery Bag until the sew along was over and done with. I did however sew the entire thing in one day which is such a good feeling. I lined mine with fusible fleece, and I am really glad that I did. Lola called this a Summer Adventure bag. It is large and I am a little embarrassed to admit, a perfect church bag for me.

Read about my fabric selection here.
See other finshed bags here.
Go here to make your own.

Buttercup Bag

I just stumbled upon this free pattern and couldn't wait to share it with you! The Buttercup Bag is absolutely adorable and using just one fat quarter for the exterior and one for the lining...this is a must make for sure! Made by Rae has a great site and adorable ideas and patterns.

photo credit

Mystery Purse Sew Along

I have always wanted to do a mystery sew along. Knowing Lola, and seeing all of her great creations, I know that this one will be worth it. Sew along begins. March 14th. Check here for a list of materials. Buy them here.

Checkbook Cover and Quilted Wallet

I'd much rather pull this out of my purse than the ugly plastic covers you get at the bank. Has anyone tried this tutorial or one similar? I'm off to make one right now.



Or maybe I'll go straight for the quilted wallet. The tutorial (via that*darn*kat) looks very well put together and the finished product looks amazing!

Zipper Pouches

This is one of my most favorite small projects and I'm so glad to bring it back during small project month! I posted this tutorial last year and still can't get enough of these cute pouches.

This tutorial is a great opportunity to practice working with zippers. I didn't think that sewing a zipper would be this easy! This is also a great project to learn some basic skills that can be transferred to other projects. I've already started thinking about some great variations.

Lets begin! Here is what you will need:

exterior fabric-2- 8" x 5.5"

interior fabric -2- 8" x 5.5"

canvas-2- 8" x 5.5"

7" coordinating zipper

coordinating thread

Machine baste the canvas pieces to the exterior pieces. Pin the canvas to the exterior piece with the right side facing up. Using a long stitch and just under 1/4" seam, sew around the edge of the entire edge of the canvas and exterior piece: (Do this for both pieces so that you have 2 nice and thick exterior pieces, then set aside.)

Prepare to sew the interior pieces to the zipper by pinning the zipper to an interior piece with both right sides up. Unzip the zipper approximately 2 inches:

Sew the zipper to the interior piece along the edge that you just pinned. Try to sew pretty close to the zipper. This is a great time to use your zipper foot if you have one. When you reach the zipper head, don't try to sew past it. Instead, stop there with your needle down. Lift the presser foot and slide the head up to where you have already sewn. Be sure to backstitch at each end:

Pin and sew the second interior piece to the zipper. Again, move the zipper head to keep your seam nice and straight. Be sure that the fabric and zipper are both right side up:


You should now have something like this:


Now, take one of your exterior pieces and prepare to sew it to the zipper by pinning it in place: (don't sew it yet!)


Once your pieces are pinned, measure and mark 1/2" in from each end. This time you will sew directly on top of the other seam but only between the two points you just marked. Don't forget to backstitch! Repeat this step for both exterior pieces:



Once you have sewn all the interior and exterior pieces to the zipper you should have something like this:



Next, carefully press all the fabric pieces away from the zipper. Don't even think about skipping this step. See how nice and neat it looks?



Now that everything is so nicely pressed, top stitch along exterior fabric and the zipper. You'll want to do this on both exterior pieces starting and ending at the metal stoppers of the zipper. This picture didn't turn out great but you get the idea:



Pin and sew the right sides of the exterior pieces together. Lift the zipper and lining out of the way. You only want to sew the exterior pieces so be careful not to catch any of the interior. Sew around all three sides of the exterior pieces. Use 1/4" seam allowance so that your seam is just inside the seam you used to baste the canvas and exterior pieces together. Backstitch at each end:



Pin and sew the right sides of the interior pieces together. Leave an opening on one of the sides at least 2 inches long. You will use this opening to turn the purse right side out. Be sure to backstitch around the opening. Sew along all three sides this time catching just the tips of the exterior pieces as you start and finish.


Trim all 4 corners to make them turn nice and neat:


Using the opening you left in the interior seam turn the bag right side out:


Use a simple top stitch to seal up that hole. It should hardly be noticeable once it is tucked inside the bag:

Before you get too excited about your finished product, take some good time to press the seams down nicely. We don't like puffy seams!

BlackForest

Do you like my new fall purse? I made the Black Forest bag by Melly and Me. This bag was really easy to make. I can't think of one confusing part in the instructions. I am sort of wishing I would have left out the orange fabric, what do you think?

Amy Butler Birdie Sling

I have taken a long and unanticipated break from our blog! Welcome back to me! I'm loving Molly's posts about the quilt market. I've finally gotten settled in a new/old city and picked up my sewing projects. This is the Birdie Sling I made for Gracie Lou's Quilt Shoppe: The fabric pattern is a little busy so you can't see the cute pleats around the band. I really love this fabric but I think I'd choose something different for myself. The bag wasn't too difficult to make but I do have a tip for anyone planning to make the bag. First and FYI, the bag is bit bigger than it looks on the pattern photo. Amy Butler herself is in the photo and she is one tall chica! The main tip is to use fusible interfacing instead of fusible fleece like the pattern calls for. The fusible fleece is really thick and helps the bag hold its form quite well, but I think a really sturdy fusible interfacing would do the job just as well and eliminate some bulk. This was my first time using fusible fleece and I bought exactly what the pattern called for. I'm wondering if there are lighter weights and if so, and light weight fleece might work well too.

Coming Up

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our first month of this blog! We're having a lot of fun sharing everything and getting to know some new blog friends. We love to see your blogs and what you are all up to. A few weeks ago, I whipped up this little tote as a little experiment. I was pretty excited with the outcome and actually started using it as my everything purse! So..... tutorial anyone?
This is a great little bag and the pattern can be adapted in so many different ways. I love basic patterns that I can adapt to my own style. Check back soon! Teaser: I will likely post a giveaway in addition to the tutorial. Would you rather have a kit or a completed bag?

Change Purse Tutorial (stay tuned for a GIVEAWAY!)

Lately I've had a thing for small purses or pouches. My husband gave me a cute little coin purse for Christmas and ever since then I've wanted to try to make my own. I love having a small pouch in my purse just for change, cards, coupons, receipts or anything!

This tutorial is a great opportunity to practice working with zippers. I didn't think that sewing a zipper would be this easy! This is also a great project to learn some basic skills that can be transferred to other projects. I've already started thinking about some great variations.

Lets begin! Here is what you will need:

exterior fabric-2- 8" x 5.5"

interior fabric -2- 8" x 5.5"

canvas-2- 8" x 5.5"

7" coordinating zipper

coordinating thread

Machine baste the canvas pieces to the exterior pieces. Pin the canvas to the exterior piece with the right side facing up. Using a long stitch and just under 1/4" seam, sew around the edge of the entire edge of the canvas and exterior piece: (Do this for both pieces so that you have 2 nice and thick exterior pieces, then set aside.)

Prepare to sew the interior pieces to the zipper by pinning the zipper to an interior piece with both right sides up. Unzip the zipper approximately 2 inches:

Sew the zipper to the interior piece along the edge that you just pinned. Try to sew pretty close to the zipper. This is a great time to use your zipper foot if you have one. When you reach the zipper head, don't try to sew past it. Instead, stop there with your needle down. Lift the presser foot and slide the head up to where you have already sewn. Be sure to backstitch at each end:

Pin and sew the second interior piece to the zipper. Again, move the zipper head to keep your seam nice and straight. Be sure that the fabric and zipper are both right side up:


You should now have something like this:


Now, take one of your exterior pieces and prepare to sew it to the zipper by pinning it in place: (don't sew it yet!)


Once your pieces are pinned, measure and mark 1/2" in from each end. This time you will sew directly on top of the other seam but only between the two points you just marked. Don't forget to backstitch! Repeat this step for both exterior pieces:



Once you have sewn all the interior and exterior pieces to the zipper you should have something like this:



Next, carefully press all the fabric pieces away from the zipper. Don't even think about skipping this step. See how nice and neat it looks?



Now that everything is so nicely pressed, top stitch along exterior fabric and the zipper. You'll want to do this on both exterior pieces starting and ending at the metal stoppers of the zipper. This picture didn't turn out great but you get the idea:



Pin and sew the right sides of the exterior pieces together. Lift the zipper and lining out of the way. You only want to sew the exterior pieces so be careful not to catch any of the interior. Sew around all three sides of the exterior pieces. Use 1/4" seam allowance so that your seam is just inside the seam you used to baste the canvas and exterior pieces together. Backstitch at each end:



Pin and sew the right sides of the interior pieces together. Leave an opening on one of the sides at least 2 inches long. You will use this opening to turn the purse right side out. Be sure to backstitch around the opening. Sew along all three sides this time catching just the tips of the exterior pieces as you start and finish.


Trim all 4 corners to make them turn nice and neat:


Using the opening you left in the interior seam turn the bag right side out:


Use a simple top stitch to seal up that hole. It should hardly be noticeable once it is tucked inside the bag:

Before you get too excited about your finished product, take some good time to press the seams down nicely. We don't like puffy seams!