Skillz: Bag Construction (Part 1)

Admittedly, I've been terrible about following through on my first goal of the new year:  to "blog more regularly."  On the other hand, I've managed to challenge myself by learning a new skill (which is goal number four!).  More than one new skill, really. I both furthered my pattern making skills and learned a whole lot about bag construction (including the effects of different types of interfacing, how to sew in a neat and tidy zipper [stay tuned for installment part 2], and more).  My first project was to create a pattern for (and then construct) a messenger bag for a child.

The idea came from a sketch I drew over a year ago, and then found while looking back through my sketchbook.  I started by looking at all the messenger bags in our house, as well as at patterns of bags in my ever-growing sewing book collection (I clearly have an addiction!).  Then I made two muslins:  one with only a front and back panel and a gusseted bottom; the other with a separate bottom/side panel to connect the front and back.  I much preferred the second construction.  I also used the same muslin technique to try out different ways of constructing a pocket that would best hold a water bottle (see the final result below).

Next, I researched different types of interfacings (or stabilizer) and then tested several types on fabric scraps before settling on a woven interfacing for the main denim fabric of the bag and a light-weight non-woven for the cotton lining.  Before this project, standing in front of the bolts of interfacings at a fabric store made my head spin, and I certainly had no idea there was such a thing as woven interfacing.  Now, it's still a bit overwhelming, but not quite as much of a mystery.

So, as you may by now have gathered, the bag features a large appliqued letter which just happens (hee-hee) to be the first initial of my son's name.  Here he is showing off his new bag!  Coming later this week:  more bags, this time with zippers!

Sunday Market

Hey folks!  This post is for all you Chicagoland people.  The pics above are a preview of a few of the items I'll have for sale this Sunday (2/12) at the Urban Folk Circuit's February Market.  Besides aprons, scarves, bottle cap magnets (all maps this time!) and owls, there will be new "thank you" greeting cards, kid's t-shirts, felted wool jewelry, and really cool market bags made from upcycled t-shirts.  Plus... maybe... a Valentine's Day surprise or two.  Oh, yeah.  There will also be live music and 19 other vendors selling their awesome goods!!

Just in case that's not enough to entice you, I should probably mention the theme of this month's market is "Handmade Sexy!" (just in time for Valentine's Day).  You can check out the Facebook event page here.

Hope to see you there!

2012 Goals

New year, new lists.  I love the potential that comes with a brand new year.  And I'm really good at writing lists, although not always so good with the follow through.  I suppose it would help if I actually looked at the lists again after writing them.  I started this one yesterday and thought it might be best to record it here.  Then it's official, right?  I'll now be bound to it more so than if I just keep it to myself, and, heck, maybe I'll inspire you to write your list, too.  So in lieu of resolutions for the new year, these are my official goals for 2012.  This is not by any means exhaustive, and I'm sure I'll add to it in the coming days... and months.

Blog regularly.
Make my first quilt -- something simple, so I'll actually finish it.
Create a better, more organized, work space for myself.
Learn a brand new skill.  Not sure what this will be yet.  Maybe learning to use a serger... or perhaps a business or computer skill.
Make homemade bagels AND cream cheese.
Be accepted as a vendor at Renegade.
*Finally hang the prints and photos I've been collecting since last March for a wall 'o' art in my living room.
Try some new local restaurants (and have more "date nights" with my hubby!).
Get more projects/patterns published.
Continue to grow my business.
Make enough in profits so I can afford to buy Abode Illustrator.
Write and post a tutorial here... on this blog.
Design a chicken softie and make a bunch for the shop.

*I started this one today -- just need a few more frames from IKEA to finish it up!

I'd also love to hear your goals for the next year, if you care to share them.

Cheers and happy 2012!

DIY: Fabric Ornament Tutorials

It's not too late!!  Maybe you're even one of those people who have already finished your shopping, making, and baking... and you're looking for another project.  There are some of those people, right?!  Just to be clear, I am NOT one of those people.  Yes, I'm still shopping, making, baking, decorating, cleaning, strategizing, and otherwise preparing for Christmas. In fact, I just started last week, when I took down the last of the [ahem...] Halloween decorations.  I know, I know... pretty pathetic.  Anyway, these fabric ornaments are so adorable, you may have to add them to your "to do" list, no matter how long it already is!  I know I'm planning to make a bunch of the cute little houses to give as gifts... even if I am working all the way up 'til Christmas Eve.  Shh... don't tell.

Here's the round-up of tutorials, clockwise, from top left.
1.  Home for the Holidays ornament from Retro Mama
2.  Owl ornaments from Juicy Bits
3.  Felt polaroid Christmas ornaments from Katie Cupcake
4.  No-sew fabric ball ornament from Everyday Beautiful
5.  Simple sewn bird ornament from The Purl Bee
6.  Holiday mitten ornament from Oliver + S

Happy handmade holidays!

And the owl goes to...

I had so much fun participating in this giveaway and really, truly enjoyed reading all of your comments!  Thanks so much to everyone who stopped by and visited my blog.  I am continually blown away by the online sewing/crafting/making community.  There are just so many great resources and creative people out there (here?), and I enjoyed finding new inspiring blogs during this Sew, Mama, Sew! giveaway.  I hope you did too!

I used a random number generator to draw the winner of Mr. Owl (actually my 4 year old daughter had the honor of clicking the button).  And the owl goes to comment number 80:

Rachel said...

So cute! My favorite tradition is decorating the tree and seeing all the ornaments I've been given over the years!

December 15, 2011 3:37 PM 

Congratulations, Rachel!  I'll be contacting you for your mailing info, and will do my best to get Mr. Owl to you before Christmas.

Sew, Mama, Sew! Giveaway!

I'm so excited to be participating in Sew, Mama, Sew's Giveaway Day!  I absolutely love the Sew, Mama, Sew blog.  It's a wonderful place full of tutorials, inspiration, and all sorts of other sewing-related goodness.  Plus, Sew, Mama, Sew! sells amazing fabric, patterns and more on their website.  Okay, enough gushing, and onto the giveaway!

I'll be giving this owl away to one lucky winner!  Mr. Owl was designed and handmade by me with brown wool tweed suiting material (for the body) and 100% wool felt (for the face, wings and feet).

Simply comment on this post anytime before Friday, December 16 at 5 pm PST.  In your comment, please share your favorite holiday tradition, or not... it's up to you.  Please be sure that I have a way to contact you if you are the winner!!  If your email is not connected to your blogger profile, please include it in your comment.  I will use Random.org to chose the recipient of Mr. Owl, then I'll announce the winner the next day.  I am happy to ship domestically or internationally.

My favorite holiday tradition is unwrapping the ornaments, and then watching my kids decorate the tree -- now that they can do it themselves!  And also staying in the house (in our pajamas most of the day) on Christmas day.

If you're not the winner, but would love to have an owl of your own, you can purchase a similar one in my shop.  Also, be sure to check out all of the generous giveaways on Sew, Mama, Sew! and to discover some amazing new blogs to follow.  Click the link below to get there.

From textile to print

I've been busy printing, scoring, cutting, and packaging sets of holiday cards so I can post them in my shop and have them to sell at a couple of upcoming local craft fairs.

The images on the cards began as fabric appliqués.  I was originally inspired by Syko's lovely postcards.  I love the way she uses stitches almost as if she is drawing on the fabric.  I also love the bright colors and whimsy in her work -- check out her stuff if you're not already familiar with it!  Anyway, I just couldn't stop thinking about this idea of turning one medium into another. And maybe I was also intrigued by the idea of using a medium I'm pretty comfortable with (fabric and thread) to create something else I love, but am less skilled with (ink on paper).  So, I rolled these ideas around in my head, and at about this time last year, I designed the Christmas tree appliqué below.  Here is the process of how it went from sewing machine to printer.

The image on the left is a photograph I took of the original appliqué.  For some reason I used a beige-y speckled muslin for the background.  Please don't ask me why, since my intention all along was for the background to essentially disappear.  Fortunately, I am armed with a version of Photoshop which, although rather old (actually, ancient!), still takes care of the basics.

So, I photographed the textile, taking care to get as little glare on the shiny buttons as possible (something else that was fixable in Photoshop).  Then I imported the image and began playing with brightness and contrast until I was happy.  The image on the right (above) is what I ended up with.  I was having so much fun, I then started playing around with hue and came up with four more funky versions of the tree.

Last winter, I printed these on pre-scored card-making printer paper from Avery and called it a day.  But I wasn't quite satisfied.  This year, I've experimented with several different paper types, weights, and textures. I finally settled on Paper Canvas from Red River Paper.  I has a lovely textured surface, a nice weight, and it takes color beautifully.  I bought myself a bone folder and a mini paper cutter... and away I go!

I'll be selling them in sets of 10 (some with only the original tree, and some with the original plus assorted funky colored trees).  Oh, and I've added a new card design this year.  It has similar bright colors of fabric, but is made of many circles... that form a circle...  Can you guess what it is?