First-time Wedding Project

Gathered Wristlets

My first official wedding order is finally done! Before I closed my shop, my friend's sister-in-law to-be placed an order and gave me plenty of time to work on them since her wedding is in January. She selected this "Emerald Explosion" Kona cotton print fabric to go with the emerald color theme of her wedding and bridesmaid dresses. The interior is a matching dark green. She needed six total for all the bridesmaids!


Off to PA they go...

I'm Still Here

Hello!

Oh, it's been a while since I last posted anything real here...just finding the time to sew has been hard, so I am not surprised I don't have much going on with the blog! But now that hubster is working later shifts, I have free time to sew at night, although I'd rather be spending time with him. :(  Such is his life in retail!

I am currently working on a handbag project for a dear friend. I will post pics of it when it is finished, which should be this week if all goes well. 

In this pic, I am installing a recessed zipper. I am really loving this technique and would like to try this on the small satchel someday. It is 100% handbag security since there is no way anything can fall out.

Here is a random picture of a jar of buttons I got today at Ross. I had no idea I would find anything useful there when it comes to crafting, but these buttons are PERFECT for what I have in my sewing plans. They are big, colorful, and fun. Yum.

In other news, I have changed the look of my shop (again). I really like this design! It is sweet and fun and totally me. The redhead with the bird on her hand is just so perfect! A graphic designer from Brazil made this banner, and it is quite different from anything I've had before. She did an awesome job!

So I hope to start some new things for the shop once this custom order is finished. I want to incorporate some children's stuff as well as *big girl* stuff.

:)

Another Bag

Here is another pleated bag that I have completed for a sweet customer. I love this fabric. I named it after her, of course. I love her unique name.

Busy, busy!

I have been happily busy these past few weeks, making custom orders for friends and customers. Three people have requested custom-made Plover Pleated bags (as I now call them--after the bird, of course!) in black, gray, and a plant print. I loved doing the solids because I NEVER use solid fabrics unless it is for the linings. I don't know why I never do, I guess I just prefer prints and lots of color. But there is nothing wrong with a solid color, especially when it comes to matching your wardrobe for everyday use.

So, I would like to keep trying new things and want to do a bag in solid plum for fall. And maybe one in a cinnamon or chocolate brown. Yum.

The solids showcase the details of the bag so nicely. Prints tend to overpower them and you don't notice them unless you are looking close. That is another positive of a solid colored bag.

I Never Thought I'd Use Algebra in Real Life

While googling to find out how to calculate the size of fabric I would need for the exterior and interior pieces of a handbag with boxed corners 2.5" deep, I came across something that initially made me cringe, but in the end proved to be very useful and dare I say it... fun??!!

A + (B x 2) + C = D
(C/2) + E + F = G

- A = finished width of bag
- B = seam allowance
- C = depth of bag
- D = width of fabric to cut
- E = finished height of bag
- F = bottom seam allowance
- G = height of fabric to cut

C'mon, I know I'm not the only one who just felt their stomach turn at the sight of that algebraic equation and that long list of variables (I think that's what they're called)!! These are the formulas for finding the fabric-to-cut's height and width. I usually just make the bag the size I think it should be, and then box the corners by about 1.5" (I make my own sewing patterns). But this time I wanted to do them a bit deeper and was scared I would mess it up, especially since I only have a limited amount of this certain fabric I am using.

When I first read the instructions, I immediately dismissed the project all together because I thought it would be too hard. But then I went back timidly and tried the formula. A short while of chickenscratch later, and presto! I had the dimensions of the bag and they were close to what I had assumed I would need to cut!

Math is not that bad! I hated math in school. I always passed with the lowest score you could get. I guess I needed the right motivation...sewing! :)

The next time you are going to create a custom bag, give the formula a try! It is kind of fun.

Example of a boxed-corner makeup bag from my store (2010)

Basket 'O' Tea Books

Almost there...here are 8 of 10 tea books! 

I had fun with all the different patterns and colors.

I will be completing these by this Thursday and then on to other custom projects and gifts for people, and then hopefully I will be getting some new things in the shop! It has been pretty quiet in there for awhile.

Happy Sewing!

Making a whole lotta these!

A large order of teabooks are keeping me busy these days! I love these little things and they are so fun to have in your purse. I am making a wide variety of colors and patterns and can't wait to take a photo of them all in the end.

This is an example of a sold teabook from my shop. They make the best gifts!

In other news, Sweet Sparrow is moving from North Carolina to Vermont! Hopefully I will be able to set up a sewing space in our new home not long after we arrive (April 2nd).

Happy Sewing!