Hand Made Burp Cloths

 I went to a baby shower yesterday, and just had to show you what I made. I have been thinking about what to make for my friend's new baby for awhile. I haven't sewn much in the past few months, and this was the perfect thing to get back into it. I found this tutorial for these super easy Burp Cloths.

 I used Chenille and Snuggle Flannel from Joann's Fabric store. These are so soft, I wish I had a use for them, but alas, I don't burp up anymore. LOL and I don't have kids either.

 Of course, I had to make my own card, and tag to match. I love these little monkeys! They are from Basic Grey: Oliver. And she is using a jungle theme in blue/green for the baby room.

The label for the set, is another of my stash of image trades. It is Stampin Up, against a hand stitched label from MFT, and that is on top of a mat stack from PTI. I used every company I love for this whole set. LOL

Fossil Purse Reconstruction Trial Run

Did I ever tell you this was my fav purse ever?! Well, it was! And I must tell you before you scroll down, prepare yourself for the horror!

AHHHH! I was just sick. I set it on the carpeted floor of a restaurant, not knowing the carpet was wet. This is the result the next day. It looked like it molded overnight. The restaurant said that I couldn't prove it happened there. (He had a lot of nerve!)
Well, I occasionally still look at it and remember all the good times we had together (in the 3 months we were together). SO! I decided to try to make my own in this same style. I would never dream that I could make a leather purse.

So I tore the lining out, and used it as a template to make a trial purse, to see if I would like it.

Notice the pleats on the front(they are on the back too).

I wanted a little hardware on there too, so I used some D-rings on the straps. And put a big Papertrey Ink brown button as the closure. I want to make a zippered one, but couldn't wrap my mind around it yet. Maybe the next one!

The only thing that I am not happy with is the way the bottom is kind of boxy, I would like my next one to be more rounded, so I am going to work on that too.
This fabric was something I had laying around that I had seen in the precut bargain bin for $1.00. Not bad for an afternoon of work!

Plenty of Pockets Travel Tote

OK! Let me say, I know I went crazy with the pictures, but I love this bag so much, I wanted you see all the details.
This was an online pattern from Sew4home. And it was very easy to follow!

I wanted to show the size by putting a few things in the pockets.

The buttons are from Papertrey, they are Ocean Tides & New Leaf.

This is one of the changes I made from the pattern, they used a double needle for side by side stitching, and I decided to use one of my new sewing machines' decorative stitches, the vine.

Nat's Diaper Bag

This is my latest sewing project. It is made from Amy Butler fabric from quilthome.com. Natalie picked what she wanted, and we ordered it, and once again, quilthome is SUPER fast with their shipping. I love them!

It is the same pattern as Lisa's diaper bag, it is really a messenger bag, so hopefully they will still want to use it when they don't need a diaper bag anymore.

One of the things I changed from the pattern is that I used fleece interfacing, so that it really stands up nice, and has a good body. I also used sew-in interfacing for the top flap, so hopefully it won't bubble up like some interfacings tend to do.

One other thing I changed from Lisa's is that I put fleece interfacing in the strap, so that it doesn't slip in the buckle. I also sewed an extra seam along the D-rings so they don't slide around too much.

Hannah's Tote

this tote pattern has come out of retirement for Hannah! with a couple changes: Hannah picked out her fabric and it is all quilters cotton from quilthome.com, instead of my usual decorator fabric. quilthome.com has so many choices, i love them because they have whole color families with fabrics that are designed to go together, so you know you will get a good color match, esp when you are shopping online. there are so many more choices if all cotton is used.
i did the faux piping again. i think it just adds so much to the finished bag. the colors are a little brighter in person, than what is showing in the picture. the name of the orange thread is "dreamsicle", makes me think of hot summer days and my favorite popsicle! ( i think we are going from winter straight to summer, supposed to be 80 again today!)

First Diaper Bag

this is the first diaper bag that i have made. it is really a messenger bag, that lisa wanted to use as a diaper bag. she can use it later when she doesn't need it as a diaper bag. this is amy butler fabric that lisa picked too, we ordered it online at quilthome.com. they are a great company to order from, they have super fast shipping, and excellent cuts of fabric.
it has 2 pockets with flaps on the front.

the pattern called for 1 pencil pocket on the inside, but i changed it, and put 2 regular pockets on the inside.

when i was cutting the fabric out, i tried to get all the fabric to line up, so the backside would look like one solid print.

once i finished the bag, i thought it looked so big, that she wouldn't use it. and i had plenty of fabric left, so i made a small tote, that looks more like a purse. it is the sweetest looking purse, that i thought i might keep it for myself. ;)

it has 2 hidden pockets, that i have never made before, but i love them.

i had enough striped fabric to do the handles and one pocket,

so the opposite side of the purse has a polka dot pocket.

Purses

These 2 purses are my latest sewing projects. I thought Sabrina needed a purse that she could take to Africa, one that could hold her valuables like passport and lipstick.;) and it would have one long strap so she could cross it on one shoulder, and keep it close.

But I had never used this pattern, so i made a test purse with this Moda fabric.
It has also been about 15 years since i had put a zipper in, and this purse has TWO. The inside pocket fabric matches the strap.

This is the fabric Sabrina picked out. It is Amy Butler fabric, and I ordered it online from quilthome.com, their shipping was superfast, i also ordered some fabric to do lisa a diaper bag, can't wait to see it finished.

One of the differences that this purse has that the Moda purse doesn't have is that the outside pocket has a magnet closure. The inside pocket is just a little deeper.

Pinki's Tote

this tote is for my aunt pinki. i love the giraffe print with the scroll work print.

Kim's Tote

here is the latest tote. kim picked out her own fabric. i think the colors match so well.

Next Generation Tote

this is my latest tote, it is small, more like a purse.
it has 3 pockets on the outside, and no pockets on the inside. i put a few things in the pockets so you can see the size. (sunglasses, hi-liter, lotion)

this one is a lot cheaper to make, because it uses regular cotton, not decorator weight fabric, like my others. and does not take as long to make. i like that part.

Semi- Retirement Tote

when i started this tote, i had the intent of retiring from my tote-making ways. i thought i was out of the "mood" for sewing. but as usual, i had fun seeing it take shape, and enjoyed making another one. mary wanted this one for her mom, and said she wanted khaki and red. i love the polka dot lining. i think it makes it fun.

i have 2 more totes that have been commissioned, then i might see what other types of bags that i can make. so stay in touch, if you would like to see the next generation of bags.