Sunday, March 17, 2024

sewing Project - Book Bag - Navy Calico

I made another book bag/sleeve.  This time I chose a navy calico fabric from my stash.  I believe I was given this piece from a quilter that was de-stashing. 

I found the beautiful cotton lace at the ReUse Center in the last couple of weeks.  The blue bias tape is a leftover from making these ReUsable Bags

This was a smaller piece of fabric so I had to stick to the 12x19 inches to get handles as well.  I cut my flannel padding layer the same.  I then used the stitching of the bias tape then the lace for my first 2 quilting seams.  I then made them every 3 inches with the wavy decorative stitch width wise across the bag.

I used a piece of white microfiber cloth to make the lining.  I added a large inside pocket using a piece of striped cotton poly as I had no calico big enough.

The handles were cut 2x12 inches then just a 1/4 fold over on each side and then down the middle again making them 1/2 inch wide.  I would like more but it is what it is.

I found a beautiful vintage button and used white flat elastic for the closure.




Saturday, March 16, 2024

Sewing Project - Book Sleeve - Perfect Pear


 I am using up my smallish pieces of fabric.  Here I have a book sleeve/bag made with some nice cotton pear fabric in yellow and black.  I have made a banded front with yellow, black and pear fabric.  The bottom is black which works well for keeping dirt from showing.  The back is a full piece of pear fabric.

I chose a cotton/Tencel (fabric made from wood fiber) blend fabric for the lining.  It is also the panel on the front and the band at the top. Feels wonderful. 

I stitched the front to the flannel padding layer with top stitching along the black and pear pieces.  The handles are made of the pear fabric and are 3/4 inches wide and about 11 inches long.

The bag has an elastic and button closure. 

I did put a pocket on the inside which will accommodate something extra. 

Friday, March 15, 2024

Sewing Project - Book Sleeve - Blue Abstract


I found this cotton poly fabric at the thrift store and thought that would make a great bag. I liked the blue abstract pattern at the top which was different than the rest.

Cut the outer fabric, flannel padding and the ivory lining cotton poly fabric to 9 x 12 inches. Quilted the outer fabric to the padding with a wavy decorative stitch. Sewed both side seams on both pieces.  Managed to cut handles 3 x 12 inches with similar pattern.  Folded both edges in then again in half to make .75 inch wide handles. Top stitched left and right edges with ivory thread.

Placed the handles 3 inches from the edge and pinned, added the elastic on the back piece and tacked those down with a bit of stitching and checked their orientation o make sure I got it right.  Then pinned the two pieces together and sewing the top seam leaving a gap to turn out the piece. Back to flat elastic. 

Top stitched the top edge to close the gap and finish the edge.  

Added a vintage button just the right color.




Thursday, March 14, 2024

Sewing Project - Book Sleeve - Red Batik




I started with the red piece of batik fabric.  I did not have enough to make the whole sleeve so I pulled a few fabric from my stash to complete the colors in the fabric.  I added some black, red and taupe.

I wanted most of the front to feature the batik fabric.  I added black on either side then a piece of taupe on the right hand side.  The back features 2 pieces of batik and black and taupe.  The taupe was on the opposite side so they would not be together when I sewed the bag. I added a strip of red along the top front to finish off the piece of fabric.  Piecing together the fabric took much longer than using a single piece of fabric. There were more choices to make coordinating the colors and the fabrics.

I then laid it onto my flannel padding piece and top stitched the red pieces with red thread and the black the matching thread. Now those pieces were one.

I used some red cotton poly as the liner.  Again, cut the the same size at the main fabric which is 12 inches wide by 19 inches tall.

I wanted the handles both to be black as it was sturdy fabric and a dark color. I just had one piece so I made the back handle out of all red fabric.  The handles were cut to 12 inches long with top stitching.

I used a hair elastic for the loop but I would not do it again.  The center is very hard and the elastic is very dimensional which made it harder to sew into the seam.

I chose a vintage cream button for the front of the sleeve.



Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Sewing Project - Book Sleeve - Pin Stripe




I chose 100% cotton fabric from a men's shirt for the outside of this bag/sleeve.  Really nice crisp fabric.  I chose black thread for this project.

I created some cotton poly fabric from some of squares I got from the box of fabric donated to me.  I used 4 squares and sewed them together staggering the seams and then trim the excess and added it back to the length to get what I needed.  

I cut all my layers the same size 12 inches wide and 19 inches tall.  Pin Stripe outer fabric, flannel, and black taupe patterned fabric I made. The stitching I did to attached the flannel to the outer fabric was a rectangle on the front and back about 2 inches away from the edge.

I created my handles from the cotton poly fabric squares of the patterned fabric.  I cut a stripe then folded the edges into the center then ironed it half again.  I placed 4 lines of stitching both outer edges and then 2 in the middle. The handles measure 1.25 inches wide and were cut to 12 inches long.

Tacked the handles and black elastic in place then placed the bags one inside the other and sewed the top edges together leaving a gap to turn it inside out. Turned right sides out and ironed flat then pushed the lining into the bag.  I top stitched the top very close to the edge then added another line of stiching 1/2 inch from the top.

I chose a beige button but I would have preferred a gold one.



Slow Stitching - No. 011 - Kawandi and Respect Traditions

Here's my piece for week 11 - prompt Kawandi and Respect Traditions. This challenge is hosted by Kathyn at K3N Cloth Tales.
Kawandi means quilt in Siddi people of India. Traditionally, the edges are all folded over then stitched to a base foundation and an extra layer of fabric is added in the middle after the outside pieces are stitched. Grains of rice are added to the quilt to wish the recipient full bellies.  The kawandi is considered naked with out the puhlas (flowers) in each corner.

I chose a blue cotton base fabric and stitche my first pieces all the way around the edge folding the base layer and my top scraps as I went. I chose to leave raw edges on the inner pieces of the piece as it was too difficult to turn over edges on such small pieces of fabric. I confess that I forgot my puhlas so they were added at the end. I am so grateful to Kathryn for sharing and presenting videos so well prepared and educational.

Monday, March 11, 2024

Sewing Project - Book Sleeve - Blue Mottled

 
I made another book sleeve but with a different process - where we make the outer layer and the lining layer and then insert one into the other. I chose light grey thread for this project.

I cut my blue outer fabric, the flannel padding then the grey lining fabric all the same size - 12 inches wide and 19 inches tall. 

I quilted the padding to the wrong side of the outer blue fabric with a pretty stitch.  This one though is too thread intensive and very slow. 

I prepare my handles which measured 12 inches long and 3 inches wide and I folded in the edges then ironed it in half and sewed both edges.

I then sewed the side seams on the outer blue fabric. I decided to add a tiny pocket on the inside for a pen so I prepared that piece then pinned it into the seam and sewed the side seams of the lining fabric. I made sure that it stood the right side up this time.

I then tacked my handles in place on the outer fabric along with the small elastic just to give me a last chance to make sure they are not twisted. 

I inserted one into the other with right sides together and pinned it very well. I sewed them together leaving a small opening to turn them inside out. I then turned them right side out, ironed them, and pushed the lining into the bag. I top stitched the edge very close to the edge all the way around closing the gap in the same process.

I chose a button which matched very well.  This process is working well. It fits my large paper back book which is my guide.



Sewing Project - Book Sleeve - Butterflies

I decided to jump right in and try again to make a book sleeve.  I chose this beautiful butterfly fabric given to me by a fellow quilter. Used the same light blue cotton poly for lining.

I had changed my mind but my mind had a mind of it's own and I ended up with another book cover instead of a sleeve so I added side panels again.  I had just enough fabric.

I added a pocket on the inside.  I did add a pocket made with the lining fabric but it end up upside down in the side seam.  Pretty useless. 

It has handles and an elastic button closure as the earlier one did.

I did quilt a piece of flannelette which is an inch smaller than the outside fabric to provide some padding but not bulk up the seams.

The finishes size of the book sleeve:

11 inches wide

9 inches tall

2 inches deep

handles 8.25 inches long

One of the handles was twisted so I had to take it apart, turn it and sew it back in but it will not be as strong as they others.

I probably should have waited for the sun to rise into a new day before I tried again.
 
I spent some time this morning trying to define what my book sleeves will be like - size, padding, closure and handles.

Sunday, March 10, 2024

Sewing Project - Book Cover/Carrier

My sister and I had a discussion recently about products we could sew.

Book sleeves seen to sell well.  They just protect a book but don't allow you to read without folks seeing what you are reading.  I'm not sure how import that is.

We did find adjustable book covers which are not as adjustable on the height of the book only the thickness of the book.

There were book cover carriers which allow you to protect the book, open the book to read and will a flexible closure would adjust somewhat.

I did watch one video which I followed the instructions which made this book cover much larger than it should be.  I have put one of my hard cover books in it and it's still a bit too tall but about right for thickness.











The book carrier has great handles which I think are the right length. It has yellow pocket sleeves which provides a contrast to the pale blue lining fabric. There is a layer of cotton flannel in it to provide some padding. There are 2 mini pockets to carry a pen and maybe a small notebook. It has an elastic closure which allows tension to keep closed and flexibility on the thickness of the book. it has two bookmarks which may be handy. I have added a pony bead to the elastic which shorten it and works better. It also provide purchase to pull it across to the button.

The final measurements of the book cover/carrier are:

16.5 inches wide, 10.5 inches tall, cover pockets are 4.5 inches deep, mini pockets measure 2.5" w X 4.5" tall, handles are 9.5 inches long.

There are a few things to improve upon with this design. 

  • I attached some reinforcements for the elastic and the button and sewed them directly through the cover pockets which now limits the width of the cover you can put in the sleeve. 
  • I think the overall height is too tall. 
  • The width of the overall carrier may be to much as well. 
UPDATE:

I have decided to convert my book cover to a sleeve where it is a much better size and it will accommodate any book almost.  It holds my largest paper back book which measures 5.5 inches wide by 8.5 inches tall. 

I just created a narrow tab for each end and finished the ends - top folded and bottom hemmed and top stitched it into the folded length of the bag.  The pockets on the inside are largely inaccessible and I cut off the book marks. 

I am happy with this.

This book sleeve because it is in the landscape orientation allows you to hide your book cover if you choose.

Card - Slow Stitching - Flower

I love the colors in this fabric.  

I chose an ivory thread to outline the flower and a light green to outline the stem.

I added several French Knots in the center of the flower.

The stitch I used is the back stitch.

This was a long one which took 2 evenings to complete.

I chose an Early Espresso card base in the A2 size.  

A quarter sheet insert and an envelope added it is now sitting under a pile of books to ensure the double sided tape sticks the fabric on very well.

Saturday, March 9, 2024

Sewing Project - ReUsable Bag - Navy and Taupe Squares

This is the last of the 7 inch cotton poly squares in the Navy and Taupe which I received for free.  I paired it with some navy microfiber cloth to have enough fabric to complete the project. I created two 6 square panels then serged all the seam edges. I then sewed the 2 panels together with a French Seam hiding all the raw edges which created the bottom of the bag.

Realizing that it was not tall enough and I needed handles as well I dipped into my good microfiber fabric and chose this navy.  Works well with the pattern in the squares. I cut the navy panel 12 inches wide and ironed it half to 6 inches tall.  I then measured the width of my bag and sewed the strip to be exactly the same width then serged that seam.  Now I sewed the  navy panel to the top of the squares bag with the serger then top stitched fabric to the serged edge from the top on the squares piece.

I then changed my thread to navy for the rest of the project.

I ripped my handles to 3 inches wide and 41" inches long.  I sewed them and turned them inside out.  I fold the raw edges of each end to the inside leaving me a 40" handle.  I pinned the bottom of the handle to the bottom on the first rows of squares 5" inches in from the right and left side.  I created my reinforced squares on the bottom and the spot where the handle meets the top of the bag.  The handle is top stitched on both edges for both handles.

I added a decorative stitch along the top of the bag to keep that fold in place and to add my elastic to the inside of the bag which I can use to roll up if I want it to take less space.















This bag will replace my shopping bag.  This one I made a year ago. It is polyester and is very thin but I just loved the color so I just enjoyed for as long as it was going to last.  

Friday, March 8, 2024

Slow Stitching - No. 010 - Feather, Hope and Poem

This is piece number 10 for the slow stitch challenge with Kathryn at K3N Cloth Tales.

The prompt this week was feathers based on the poem by Emily Dickinson. Hope is the thing with Feathers.

I chose a turquoise cotton base fabric as well as my white cotton one underneath.  After a bit of inspiration looking at black and white drawings of feathers, I drew my own.

I cut the pieces out from the paper then applied them to small pieces of fabric in the turquoise color family.

I started with the dark blue center quill and added the top one.  Then the pieces on the right then those on the left.  I did have to adjust some angles as I stitched to keep the overall outline I wanted for the feather.

I wanted them offset somewhat and that turned out well.

These are such tiny pieces.  

I stitched the word hope from the poem on the left bottom corner which helps to balance the composition.

I really like this one.
 

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Card - Slow Stitching - Vine

Another slow stitch card. This fabric has a coarse weave so it was interesting stitching on it.

I started with the blue and added texture to the indigo areas with corresponding thread. 

I then did a couple of purple areas.

It still needed something so I started to add leaves and stems which became a vine.

I mounted the piece to a card base of Rich Razzleberry textured cardstock. I have started adding a piece of heavy duty double sided tape in the center.

A white quarter sheet insert and an envelope and there's another card in my box.

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Sewing Project - Pojagi Fabric Bags

I added to the piece of Pojagi fabric I made the other day.  I added some on the length and width.

I then had enough fabric to make 2 reusable bags. They both measure about 12x12 square.  I added handles from scrap fabric. 

For this bag I added handles in grey polycotton blend fabric which will wear well.  It came in the box of fabric I was given so bonus. The strip was cut 2 inches resulting in approximately 5/8 inch wide strip.

I sewed the handles right to the bottom to distribute the weight in the bag along a better distance. In this case I sewed the strip and then turned it inside out which was a challenge being so narrow.

Top stitched it on both sides of the strip on both handles on both sides of the bag.

This one again measures approximately 12x12 inches square.

For this bag I decided to cut down on the work.  I ironed the 40 inch handle strip of navy microfiber in half then ironed in both edges then just stitched it from the top. Folded in the raw edges at both ends before I sewed the seam. 

Then I just used a decorative stitch on my sewing machine to sew the handles all the way down the front and back of the bag. Back stitched where the handle meets the top of the bag and at the bottom of the bag.

This took much less time.

These are being donated.

Saturday, March 2, 2024

Slow Stitching - No. 009 - Nine Patch & Poem

It has been a bit of a tough week for no particular reason.

I just had to get my piece for the K3N Cloth Tales challenge before Monday. The challenge was a Nine Patch and possibly a poem you can read left to right and top to bottom. Nine patch is a traditional quilting pattern so that may have put me off.

I was not inspired at all so I had to just do something. 

I cut a piece of blue cotton fabric as my base fabric.  I chose several pieces of cotton fabric in blues with a yellow for the center. I just finger pressed these pieces the iron may have been a better choice. I did intentionally choose white thread but not sure about that being the best. 

I am happy with my color choices.  I will applique this piece to my grey square blocks so I left the outside edges unstitched.

I did not write poem but some participants did.

Friday, March 1, 2024

Sewing Project - Recycled Fabric - Everyday Carry Bag

I made a bag from all recycled materials.  The fabrics came from the box from Michelle at ReImagined Fabrics.

The bag is beige cotton duck fabric. 

A beautiful leaf pattern cotton fabric was used for the zipper insert, the tab on the front pocket and the tab on ginger pocket.  

I added a piece of ginger cotton denim to the bottom of the back to improve wear ability and keep it cleaner. 

I chose a small piece of red for the trim on the zipper insert, the loop on the front pocket and the key hook on the inside.

The bag features 3 pockets - the front leaf patterned one, the back ginger denim one, and the space between the ginger pocket and the bag.

It has a teal zipper at the top in the normal for me completed finished zipper insert

I used taupe cotton poly blend for the handles and made them as long as I could. They are placed on either side of the pockets.  They are well reinforced in the stress areas.

The the seams are finished which looks smart and there are no raw edges in sight.

I added a tab on the ginger pocket so that it provide better leverage to open the velcro closure. It is center which the velcro was not.
This button is from my stash of recycled materials as well as the teal zipper.

It was the perfect color to match the teal color in the patterned fabric.



I included a keys hook on the inside so they will always be at hand and easy to find in the bag.

The bag measures 12x12 square so it is not a big bag.  I guess, you would call it purse sized.  

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Card - Slow Stitching - Red Flower

This fabric was thinner than the others I have stitched.  I had to add a bit to the right hand side to make it wide enough.

Outlined the flower, the green leaves and added French knots to the center of the flower.

The thin fabric I added is a Crushed Curry color and matches very well.

This got a quarter sheet insert and an envelope and will head for my card box. 

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Sewing Project - Pojagi Wrap Beige and Blue

I've been thinking about doing a big Pojagi project so I decided I needed some practice before tackling it.

It does need a change in thinking to do this with the sewing machine - especially if you are using one or two single sided fabric.

I was given a gift of a box of fabric by Michelle at ReImagined Fabrics.  Thanks so much!

I have sorted all the precut squares and many are cotton polyester or all polyester.  To gain the benefit of Pojagi thinner fabrics are best. There are some cotton ones as well but I was focusing on the thin ones.

The beige in this piece is a very thin cotton poly blend and has no right side.  You can see in the photo where the texture of the curtain shows right through the beige. The squares were cut to 9.5 inches. 

The patterned pieces are very polyestery but a bit thicker and does have a right and wrong side.  Gorgeous pattern and jewel toned colors.  The squares were cut at just under 7".  I found this video about sewing Pojagi on a sewing machine.

I decided that I wanted all my double seams on same side or "top" of my wrap.  This video "Rules" of Pojagi Seams by the same person does a good job of explaining this.  I did get one of my squares right side to the back but decided to leave as that was early on and this was just practice. Later, I did undo 2 seams to get one square right side to the front. 

It is very difficult to plan and decide on sizes of fabric needed.  I just started sewing and then aimed to create rectangles and cut the excess fabric away to achieve that.

I just made a turned over hem around the edge with the double lines on top.  This measures 24 wide x 26 inches tall.  It will wrap a gift or can be used as a topper on a table cloth. I did lose track of time but this project took at least 4 hours to complete.

I think my goal would be to create a piece of reversible fabric then make a sewing project from it. Tackling the pajogi and sewing project at the same time would be too much for me.

Card - Slow Stitching - A Rose

It's a rose!

I found this heavy cotton fabric at the ReUse Center. I cut it to size finding a nice composition.

I highlighted the stamens and a few of the petals.

Mounted with double sided tape onto a Stampin Up Tip Top Taupe A2 card base.

Adding a quarter sheet insert and an envelope it is headed to the card box for now.

 

Monday, February 26, 2024

Card - Slow Stitching - Mountain Cabin

I stitched another card. With the same fabric as an earlier one, on this piece of fabric I saw a mountain. 

Not sure I got the snow caps right. 

The sky is full of stars.

The little cabin is surrounded by snow banks.

The little cabin with its door and window.

I put a border in dark blue with a running stitch.

I adhered it to the card front of a navy speckled white card stock. 

A quarter sheet insert and a white envelope is headed for the card box after sitting under books overnight.