Knitting Project Bag

 My blogging buddy in the UK made a zippered pouch utilizing the Pythagorean theorem
With this method the sides stand straight-up-vertical instead of sloping up towards the zipper.

I ended up with a tall zippy pouch with a somewhat narrow opening that would be perfect for a knitting project bag.

This, of course, was never my intention, as I rarely knit.

But it's tall-ish and has plenty of room for that sweater/shawl plus an outside clear vinyl pocket for knitting stuff.

To offset all that tallness. I added a riveted leather strap and to made the proportions work very nicely.

I cannot re-create this.

On the outside I used some awesome fabric from Ikea - yes! Ikea sells fabric.
The lining fabric is a gospel quilting cotton that I bought too much of for a fabric swap.

The two fabrics pounced on the sunny yellow zip because we're all tired of grey, drizzly days.  (or, the infamous minnesota blizzard, if you're over that way).

For some mid-weight structure, I quilted the inside lining. As I was winging it, I free motion quilted after I attached the zipper. this is not a recommended technique.

Finish measurement is about 9" long x 5" wide x 8" tall.
I didn't add enough sub-structure so my sides don't stand up straight and vertical, but they are.

 And, here it is. In my hand.

And, In my etsy shop, RunningWithHandmade

Half Stitched and Mollie Makes Giveaway

I'm carving out some stitching time. I had some errands in the next town over and ran by Joann's, 'cuz that's what you do when you're out and about.

They had the May issue of Mollie Makes on the rack plus some Portland Timbers' fabric in the clearance bin at $3 bucks a yard.

And weirdly enough, they now carry EOS lip balm and hand lotion. Which my friend's daughter likes. At 50% off with the coupon.

Successful outing on all fronts.

I  enjoy small embroidery projects. I did some cross stitch when the kids were babes. The only thing I got out of cross stitch was to mind how the backside looks - 'cuz people (diehards) look.

I can't quite decide what I'll make with this finished floral heart. I'll either make a card with it or stitch it into a frame purse. Or, it will wallow in the drawer to age it a bit. It's a cute little thing at less than four inches across.

I, ahem, also have an unfinished sashiko project of pretty pink cherry blossoms. It's almost halfway stitched. This is definitely a small space project, suitable for airplane rides up to Anchorage in May to visit my dear daughter.

GIVEAWAY!!!

I read through this latest issue and almost tried my hand at crochet and a fun granny square pattern. I'm in my spring clutter-free mode and I would love to give this magazine away to someone who can use this magazine or just wants a fun read through. It will be missing it's project ('cuz I did do the stitching fun).

All the projects inside are detailed on the cover on the left. Pretty botanical papers in the middle, a cork wallet, that super fun granny square pattern, some awesome felt bakery food items.

If you're interested, I'll ship anywhere in the US or Canada.

Leave me a comment. If you aren't a blogger, please leave your contact email in this format: You(at)email(dot)com.

I'll pick a winner this weekend - April 8th, 2017.

Stitch on!

Project Snap Bags

Another bit of sewing I did this weekend. A couple of snap bags. I haven't made snap bags in forever. A look via my blog search bar (web page - not available on mobile devices) reveals it was spring of 2014.
I was always fond of the dinosaur snap bag that I made for my nephew.


I was trolling the net looking for a project to make (for a certain purpose coming up) and I came across these mesh zippered bags on the Sew4Home website. They used mesh and fold over elastic and were cute... then I read the first comment and made these snap bags instead of a zipper installation

This is a plastic mesh screen I bought at the now defunct RCT fabrics for a pet carrying duffle bag. Which I have yet to make. But I have all the supplies.

I changed up the tutorial to finish my top dfferently. Plus, I didn't have any colored elastic (?). I also only had a smidge of fold-over elastic (FOE) and finished the second with grosgrain ribbon folded in half instead.

These are 8" wide x 7.5" high. The mesh is opaque. You can kinda see what's inside.

Anyhoo - you want to know about the snap - don't you? It's an old tape measure cut into pieces.
When you bend it, it makes a snap sound.

My tape is about one inch shorter than the width. Up there at the top, I inserted the tape and made a pocket to keep it in place. When you open the bag, it SNAPS open. And closes back up. Ingenuous? They are. I just love the snap. There's a video below - turn your volume way up.

I'm a fidgeter. I just love opening and closing these bags repetitively - just to hear snap!

Back of project bag.

Miniature Irises - a month later than last year. Not as warm.

My construction notes for later: 8" wide. Cut mesh 12.5" long, fabric 2.75" wide. Thin batting, and sf-101 on two of the fabric pieces.