11/18/2021 2 Comments Crossbody Bag Review
I have found the holy grail of bags and I'm shouting it out from the rooftop!
This bag is the biggest-little bag I've ever laid eyes on. It's a game-changer for sure and everyone needs to have one or two! It's honestly the best travel bag I've come across! You can fill it with everything except the kitchen sink. This day-use crossbody bag is perfect for walking around museums, theme parks, concerts, national parks, etc. I'm not getting paid for this post, I am just in love! Haha! I've always carried my regular handbag whenever we ventured out and after a few hours, my shoulder would hurt something fierce. I eventually bought a tiny crossbody bag from a big box store for $5 because it was $5! Oh, and it was in the shape of cherries. Super cute!! Well, my newest phone is too big for the cherry purse. So, I searched Pinterest high and low for a crossbody sewing pattern and nothing came up. Is it me or is Pinterest extremely lackluster nowadays? I wanted pockets and the bag shape to be more horizontal than vertical. My next stop was Etsy. Thank you Etsy, for coming through. I found the best pattern and I'm sharing it with you today. Hold on to your teacup because she's a doozy. This bag has so. many. pockets! It's comfortable to wear (aren't all crossbody bags?) and will hold allllll of your things. I'm not sharing a step-by-step tutorial in this post because the bag creator has Youtube videos and an extremely detailed PDF that comes with the pattern. This post is more of a pattern review. I made this one for myself so, it is full of bright colored fabrics. If you know me, I'm the opposite of a neutral person. Ha! Clarendon Crossbody Wallet
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Need a gift for someone? Only have a yard of fabric to use? This book is your best bet. It has 101 patterns for things to make with only 1 yard of fabric! Yep, you read that correctly, only one yard of fabric.
We all have at least one yard of fabric in our stash, waiting to get used. This book has patterns for aprons, toys for kids and pets, other pet items, and even clothes!
It's a great beginner-friendly book too. I've had this for years and pull it out whenever I need a quick handmade gift idea. The holidays always creep upon us. Grab this book and start making gifts now. This might give you new ideas for everyone on your list. And, why not pick up an extra copy for your niece who recently learned to sew?
We all have at least one yard of fabric in our stash, waiting to get used. This book has patterns for aprons, toys for kids and pets, other pet items, and even clothes!
It's a great beginner-friendly book too. I've had this for years and pull it out whenever I need a quick handmade gift idea. The holidays always creep upon us. Grab this book and start making gifts now. This might give you new ideas for everyone on your list. And, why not pick up an extra copy for your niece who recently learned to sew?
4. The Colette Sewing Handbook
by: Sarai Mitnick
This is another pattern designer sewing book. I love Colette patterns. They are feminine without the fuss. The 5 patterns in this book are sweet and simple. She shows you how to create a scalloped hem, which you will love. The patterns are beginner-friendly as well. This book makes a wonderful gift for any sewist, new and seasoned.
Sarai has a blog that she is no longer on but, everything is archived.
She has, however, created an online sewing community and is very active in it. Seamwork, have you heard of it? It's is a great membership sewing community. It also has classes and patterns too.
Sarai has a blog that she is no longer on but, everything is archived.
She has, however, created an online sewing community and is very active in it. Seamwork, have you heard of it? It's is a great membership sewing community. It also has classes and patterns too.
5. Tilly and the Buttons: Stretch
by: Tilly Walnes
If you love wearing cozy knit fabrics, you will love this book. Tilly's style blends modern with vintage to create something for everyone. If you've never sewn with stretch fabrics, she shows you how. From picking out the perfect fabric to the seam finishing. You don't even need a serger! She includes patterns for dresses, overalls, tops, and bottoms. The patterns aren't difficult and you can wear the clothing every day.
This book is also beginner-friendly. She will walk you through needle choice and stitches as well.
I've recently made a Freya dress with star and moon fabric. It was such a fun pattern to sew!
Tilly Walnes also has an active blog, chock full of great information and more patterns.
This book is also beginner-friendly. She will walk you through needle choice and stitches as well.
I've recently made a Freya dress with star and moon fabric. It was such a fun pattern to sew!
Tilly Walnes also has an active blog, chock full of great information and more patterns.
Other Books You Might Enjoy:
You can find all these books online and in book stores. You may even score a copy in a used bookstore.
Each book pictured below offers different options. I love visiting the bookstore and rifling through all the sewing books. I never leave empty -handed.
Hope this gave you some sewing inspiration. When I want to sew but, don't have a project in mind, I grab a small stack of books. Plop down on the couch with a warm beverage and just look through them. Flipping through the pretty pictures seems to get my sewjo train started. Toot-toot!
Let me know in the comment section if you have any of these books. Or, share some of your favorites instead.
Happy reading and happier sewing,
Annette
Let me know in the comment section if you have any of these books. Or, share some of your favorites instead.
Happy reading and happier sewing,
Annette
9/18/2020 3 Comments
Sewing a circle bag
The air is crisp and the leaves are sprinkling the ground as I type. Apple picking season is among us. I tried to hold on to summer but, there's no escaping it. Fall is here. Yay! I am ready, bring on my favorite season.
My creative side has been lacking lately so, I wanted to try something new. Usually, I only share patterns that I love or havecreated myself. But, I wanted to shake things up around here. So, I'm sharing one of my sewing fails. Yes, a fail. A major sewing fail. Face-palm.
Here's the circle bag.
My creative side has been lacking lately so, I wanted to try something new. Usually, I only share patterns that I love or havecreated myself. But, I wanted to shake things up around here. So, I'm sharing one of my sewing fails. Yes, a fail. A major sewing fail. Face-palm.
Here's the circle bag.
I wanted to try my hand at something new for the upcoming season. I saw a circle bag in a shop and knew I wanted to make one. I had light brown vinyl and planned on using it for a cute Autumnal bag. After scouring the interwebs for a free pattern, I settled with what I thought was a good one. Welp, the pattern was not great. I don't want to throw anyone under the bus so, I'm not saying where I got the pattern. But it was "meh" at best.
I knew from the beginning this was going to be an experiment. Yay for experiments! I created a Fall themed embroidery file to place on the front, just in case the purse turned out cute. I didn't want a boring brown circle bag.
The embroidery design has leaves, pumpkins, and a scarecrow. Fun! Although, the scarecrow was a little wonky.... don't look too close. ;)
Following the instructions, I gathered everything that was needed and cut out the pieces. I embroidered on the front circle only, that's the only area everyone will see. I used mismatched hardware for the strap (it's what I had on hand) and I used a brown zipper. Fall bag, here I come!
8/7/2020 0 Comments
7 Sewing Myths, Busted
Wow, sewing sure seems to have made a popular comeback!
Let's debunk some common misconceptions about sewing and the people who do it. Whether you're new to sewing or a seasoned seamstress, you may have heard some of these tall tales. Let's put an end to them, now. Since more people are sewing nowadays, it'll be easier to make new sewing friends. Yay!
Let's dive into some myths and bust them up!
Let's debunk some common misconceptions about sewing and the people who do it. Whether you're new to sewing or a seasoned seamstress, you may have heard some of these tall tales. Let's put an end to them, now. Since more people are sewing nowadays, it'll be easier to make new sewing friends. Yay!
Let's dive into some myths and bust them up!
1. Sewing is for old ladies
A common sewing myth is that sewing is for an older generation only. I'm here to tell ya, more young people are learning how to sew. And, men sew too. My husband learned to sew when I put him to work for mask making. If you don't know where to start, you can find online classes, head to your local college and sewing shops, or even ask a friend to teach you. Sewing people are everywhere, you just gotta look.
I have taught a handful of friends and family that I don't consider "old ladies". Although, I do refer to sewing as one of my old lady hobbies. LOL. Oh and kids sew too. I have taught all 4 of my kids to sew at a young age. It's a good life skill to have and it's not being taught in school anymore. Here's an article I found online about young people sewing more and more. I'm not crazy, I swear! Sewing is for everyone.
Busted!
I have taught a handful of friends and family that I don't consider "old ladies". Although, I do refer to sewing as one of my old lady hobbies. LOL. Oh and kids sew too. I have taught all 4 of my kids to sew at a young age. It's a good life skill to have and it's not being taught in school anymore. Here's an article I found online about young people sewing more and more. I'm not crazy, I swear! Sewing is for everyone.
Busted!
2. Sewing is cheap
LOL! I always laugh at this one. Sewing is often more expensive. A lot more expensive.
Making something from start to finish is costly. You walk into the fabric store and buy a pattern (or online) for roughly $12. You need a minimum of 1-2 yards (for most garments) of fabric which costs roughly $20+. A spool of electric blue thread to match your new fabric, $3. You need a new pack of needles too, $5. Not to mention the price you paid for your machine and all those other glorious notions you've put hard-earned money into. The cost is $40+ just for the 4 items I mentioned. And, I didn't include the price for your time. Time is money and you know it doesn't take 10 minutes to whip up a dress for little Suzie.
You can buy a nice top or pair of shorts for $25 at a big box retail shop.
This misconception always gets me and it hurts my feelings sometimes. I love making gifts but, I've gotten looks and questions asking why I didn't buy something instead. Sigh. It takes a lot of time and energy to sew something. It ends up costing more than if you purchased the same item in the store, usually.
Let's spread the word and lay this myth to rest.
Busted!
Making something from start to finish is costly. You walk into the fabric store and buy a pattern (or online) for roughly $12. You need a minimum of 1-2 yards (for most garments) of fabric which costs roughly $20+. A spool of electric blue thread to match your new fabric, $3. You need a new pack of needles too, $5. Not to mention the price you paid for your machine and all those other glorious notions you've put hard-earned money into. The cost is $40+ just for the 4 items I mentioned. And, I didn't include the price for your time. Time is money and you know it doesn't take 10 minutes to whip up a dress for little Suzie.
You can buy a nice top or pair of shorts for $25 at a big box retail shop.
This misconception always gets me and it hurts my feelings sometimes. I love making gifts but, I've gotten looks and questions asking why I didn't buy something instead. Sigh. It takes a lot of time and energy to sew something. It ends up costing more than if you purchased the same item in the store, usually.
Let's spread the word and lay this myth to rest.
Busted!
2/14/2020 0 Comments
How to make sewing friends
Before I share all the fun I recently had, I want to give you a little back story.
Around 6 or 7 years ago a group of friends and I would get together to sew. We'd meet once a month and head to one hostess' house. Sometimes there would be 3, 4 or even 5 of us. We'd eat, snack, and sew for a few hours while chatting about our lives. You learn a lot about someone if you sew together, because all you do is talk.
Those days and nights were cherished. I would take a pattern I had cut out so I could do some actual sewing. Or, I'd take a pattern to lay on the floor for cutting/ tracing. Ahh, those were the days. Well, over time, one of the friends moved and those sewing nights ended. No reason in particular, but life shifted as it does from time to time.
Fast forward a couple of years.
Another friend of mine who sews, but lives one state over found a group of sewists. She told me about this sewing social she attended last year. She met wonderful people, discovered new pattern companies and fabric shops that were local to her. It sounded like an overall great time and I knew I wanted to go to the next one!
I patiently waited for the year to go by and once she shared the event info, I bought my ticket.
It was go time! Or, sew time! ;)
For the sewcial you can bring 1-2 unused patterns and a cut of fabric that measures 1/2 yard or more. I had a pattern and fabric and set them aside for the swap. Such a fun idea!!
I even sewed up a new dress (blog post coming soon) to wear for the evening. I packed my bag and everything I needed for a quick mini vacation. No kids. No husband. Just me.
I enjoyed the drive and listened to my own music and podcasts. It was glorious!!
Around 6 or 7 years ago a group of friends and I would get together to sew. We'd meet once a month and head to one hostess' house. Sometimes there would be 3, 4 or even 5 of us. We'd eat, snack, and sew for a few hours while chatting about our lives. You learn a lot about someone if you sew together, because all you do is talk.
Those days and nights were cherished. I would take a pattern I had cut out so I could do some actual sewing. Or, I'd take a pattern to lay on the floor for cutting/ tracing. Ahh, those were the days. Well, over time, one of the friends moved and those sewing nights ended. No reason in particular, but life shifted as it does from time to time.
Fast forward a couple of years.
Another friend of mine who sews, but lives one state over found a group of sewists. She told me about this sewing social she attended last year. She met wonderful people, discovered new pattern companies and fabric shops that were local to her. It sounded like an overall great time and I knew I wanted to go to the next one!
I patiently waited for the year to go by and once she shared the event info, I bought my ticket.
It was go time! Or, sew time! ;)
For the sewcial you can bring 1-2 unused patterns and a cut of fabric that measures 1/2 yard or more. I had a pattern and fabric and set them aside for the swap. Such a fun idea!!
I even sewed up a new dress (blog post coming soon) to wear for the evening. I packed my bag and everything I needed for a quick mini vacation. No kids. No husband. Just me.
I enjoyed the drive and listened to my own music and podcasts. It was glorious!!
Author
Hi there, I'm Annette and I love eating and sewing. I usually have a cup of coffee or tea with me, but not next to my machine because I'd probably spill it. I am the reason we can't have nice things.
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