Embroidery Pouch

I saw this Embroidery-On-The-Go Pouch on SewMamaSew's website and I thought it looked like it could be fun to make.
About 10- 1/2" square, the bag looked light enough to fold up and throw in the carry-on.

Whistling away, picking out fabrics, finding where I stashed some vinyl, deciding to make my own bias tape because my ready-made red looked too red.

I picked this Japanese print - forgot the name - you can just make out the helicopter above the zipper to the left of the jumbo jet which succumbed to the light-reflecting qualities of my vinyl. A fun, little cityscape fabric that happened to include some aircraft.

I was really intrigued with how Jodi from SewFearless had you sew the bias trim around the project, covering your raw start point and then continuing to run the bias tape off the project to make a little handle. It snaps back onto the project about where it left it. Cool detail.

I started swearing at that vinyl early on. Any fabric, i.e. that red trim above the zipper, was squirrly next to the vinyl. Jodi showed some hints on how to sew, namely - post-its covering your work surface so the vinyl would not stick. I don't own a teflon foot so I stuck some tape on the underside of my feet. A combination of holding my breath and pulling the fabric from the back  helped get the seams through.

I don't know if the fancy machine I am thinking about buying would have helped. They have machines now that 'sense' the thickness of your fabric.
In other words, "SMART" sewing machines.
{About all I know is my new SMART phone is still vastly superior to me.}

I was having some trouble getting the fabric at the top of the vinyl pocket to sew neatly. The multiple layers of fabric sandwiching the top of the vinyl wanted to go their own way and not march together.
In the end, I took a page out of Kerry's book and hand-sewed it in place with some embroidery thread.

Basically this pouch is a quilted interior base. Fabric sandwiching some batting. Then a vinyl pocket is sewn to each side; one with a zipper and the other side snaps closed.
That was the other cool detail. The base fabric folds down to make that snap closing pocket.

The other side folds down to snap closed - thus creating the snapped pocket.

It's actually a really cool pouch - if you had a teflon foot and a machine that likes vinyl.
I rate this project advanced primarily because most sew-ers do not own a teflon foot.
I finally had an epiphany about 3/4's of the way through when I remembered I found an invisible zipper foot set at one of my garage sales. It's a plastic foot so it slides better along the fabric/vinyl sandwich. But how many people have those?

Advanced because of the level of frustration. Of having to think of multiple alternative ways to get the job done.

And also because you need to be careful with the iron around vinyl. My last bit of binding - so tired of working with the vinyl- came out puckering and I thought I could steam it flatter. Oops, a little hole in the vinyl - just like that.

I am not going to point it out.


I ended up hand-basting my bias tape around the edges to keep fabric more evenly fed through the machine and I might not remove those stitches.

I'll put this tutorial on the "Been there, Done that" pile.
However, you never know if I will find a teflon foot at my next garage sale. . .


***update October 2015
I have sewn on lots of vinyl since. The combination of bedding plastic bag being re-purposed and a dull needle caused most of my problems. Wonder clips are my friend when sewing bias tape to vinyl. Hand basting is useful still. Buying a nice weight vinyl at the fabric store helped me too.

SMS Giveaway Day - post 1

SewMamaSew - a great online fabric store from my neck of the woods facilitates the best hordes (hoarders) of givers ever. I have participated several years and have met new blogging friends along the way.
<<>>
I did the whole random number thing and it picked a low number. #3.
Candy from Candykins Crafts.
Thank you EVERYONE for entering this drawing.
Please take a minute to plug SewMamaSew on Facebook for facilitating this week of fantastic giveaways.

Here's one of my giveaways.
A big bunch of vintage sewing treasures. Buttons, eyelet trim, seam bindings, rick rack, snaps, self-threading needles. I took the photo before the light faded but I will (most definitely) find more vintage fun stuff to load up the package.
Whatever fits in a priority flat-rate envelope will be sent to one lucky sew-er.
I took some photos but will fill that envelope to the brim with as many notions and sundry as I can fit inside (haberdashery for those folks on the other side of the pond)

If you haven't been here before, I love to haunt garage sales and I find more vintage sewing goodies than I can possibly use. You can see some of it for sale in my etsy shop and many of my creations feature my finds. I live with an airplane, a lab, a husband, an acre of flowers and the kids rooms house my growing collection of machines and fabrics and crafty stuff.
I tend to ramble on about whatever is in my head.

To enter, leave me a comment  telling me what type of sewing machine that you use (the most) and why.
I am thinking of buying a new machine for Christmas. I sew just about anything - from airplane cockpit covers to tiny little purses. Cute clothes for my nieces. I don't quilt a lot but use the quilting in some of my creations.

Open to anyone - International too!
Open until Friday evening (25th) when I stumble home from work and turn on the laptop.

Winner will be determined by total randomness and please make sure your e-mail is accessible.

Please check out SewMamaSew for more wonderful giveaways.

*****>>>>>Kathy here commenting on her own blog:
I find it fascinating that the majority of you sew on old, cheap machines.
Which I do too. A 60's Singer that does great and occasionally on an similar-decade Riccar. Nothing fancy - just the straight stitch and zigzag.

Definitely food for thought on do I need one with more fancy doodads?

However, I did splurge and buy a Bernina 1150mda Serger  a few years back.   I have no clue as to how I got along without it before. I absolutely adore this serger.

Oregon Pillows

 SewMamaSew is sharing some pillow techniques and inspiration during the month of February.
This Oregon pillow is very tempting.
Or - I could make one for my sister in Minnesota and she could make me the one for Oregon.

It's the beaver laughing his head off that gets me.

 Or, we could plunk down $149 and just buy the darn things.

State Pillows.
State Park Pillows.
Lots of Pillows.

Sewing Trends

SewMamaSew has posted in their blog a chance to be a soothsayer in the sewing world.
Having two days off in a row for two weekends in a row has created a positively bored mood here with time to contemplate what's in store for sewer's.
                  *** For the year 2011;  I have some answers:

Looking back on the sewing scene of 2010, what trends stand out in your mind?
Owls and Japanese fabrics & trims.

What were some of your favorite things? (Trends, fabric collections, patterns, blogs? Whatever you really loved.)
I loved continuing to discover some very creative blogs, and fine-tuning what I want to read about. i.e. The Selfish Seamstress declaring war on hemming for others.

What was your very favorite fabric collection or print? (If not listed above.)
I am drawn to the clean esthetic of the current Japanese fabrics out there, reminiscent of prints from the 50's. I am partial to any fabric with airplanes in it and I was definitely able to hoard more of these. I continue to have fun with garage sale fabrics (church rummage sales are where it is at). However, I cannot seem to overcome my huge dislike of 100% polyester stretch from the 1970's.

What was the best thing you made in 2010? (Be sure to share a photo!)
I think the best thing I made in 2010 was the Chalk Bag for my son. Made a day or so before Christmas 2009, it still counts. I enjoy figuring out how to make something turn out like retail, but better sewn and much cheaper.

Chalk bags are used in rock climbing - to chalk your hands for a drier grip. 

The bag is designed to keep the chalk contained without spilling.

What is one of the best things you saw that was made by someone else?

This bunny is still bookmarked as something I will make.  Alluring in it's simplicity.

And this Anthropology-knock-off necklace is still calling for me to make it. I have all of the materials too.

What do you think 2011 has in store? (Again, trends, fabric, patterns, etc.)
More sewers, more blogs, more sergers.  I believe sewing will continue to bloom in it's excitement amongst newbies as well as those rediscovering the joy of sewing. I also predict  fabric stores will stock MORE than just quilting cottons, such as damasks, silks, & pant-weight fabrics.  I truly hope to predict that bloggers who claim as their own designs - designs that have been around for fifty years if not a hundred years - will get over themselves.

Anything you’re ready for the sewing world to get over?
Owls were cute...

What’s on your sewing agenda for 2011? What are you excited about? What would you like to learn more about?
I just learned how simple sewing with elastic thread in my bobbin is. Wow.
I recently bought my first serger and I am loving how fast it makes the seams disappear. I want to recreate a polar-fleece jacket that has worn out plus some athletic t-shirts with seam details I can now re-create with my new serger.

I want to not only sew more often but work on fitting issues. My work schedule is still crazy enough to preclude taking a class or two but if it is possible, I will work a couple of classes in.

And of course, the usual - I will attempt to use up more of my stash before buying more. I solemnly promise...   

Angel Giveaway

 Since I only managed one bazaar this year, I am left with some bazaar (or is that bizarre? ) items.
When I got home the other night I read that SewMamaSew is hosting a Giveaway Day. How cool.

So here is what I am giving away.

This is a handmade angel, made by me, to hang on the tree or from a doorknob or from your bedpost.  It will arrive with some special angel goodies inside.

The cornet/cone is made from a discarded damask tablecloth in the free box at a garage sale. The previous owners tried to bleach a stain out and they didn't quite like the  resulting 'tie-dye' effect.
Anyway the blue damask is lined with a waffle-weave scrap of fabric. The angel wings are made with some more damask scraps - this time in a heavier white. I took these photos outside and I notice she's a tad wind-blown in the hair-do department. Missy Angel is wearing a halo of small red berries over her curly hair.

If you want it, just leave me a comment telling me your absolute favorite Christmas carol and explain why.   
*** I am on Blogger so you might want to figure out how to leave your e-mail so I can contact you if you win - something like name at something dot com.

I will decide either by agreeing with you 100% or figuring out how to post a random number generator.
Contest opens Dec. 13, 2010 and closes December 17th, 2010. I think the idea is for all of us givers to ship it so the winner receives it by Christmas.
I will ship internationally as well as domestically.

(You do not have to wait until Dec.13 to enter)

There are a ton of Giveaways on the SewMamaSew blog.   Take time to visit the other blogs and enter their giveaways. Don't forget SewMamaSew ships extremely fast if you need something from their shop. I recently ordered some fabric and had it the next day.

Visiting with Suzi leads to...

My friend, Suzi, told me about this tutorial for a CD Holder that she saw here. She practically dared me to sew it. She needed a new one for her car visor.

In all honesty, I did say, "no".
And when I arrived home - I watched the  Celtic Thunder DVD I had borrowed from the library and worked on my crocheted scarf.
But I couldn't stop thinking about how the CD Holder was similar in construction to my Passport Wallet and suddenly fabrics leapt into my hands.
Just over an hour later, a CD holder present for Suzi.

Great Tutorial if you are inclined to rid yourself of scraps today.

And, of course, what project would  be complete unless something goes wrong? One broken needle and bias tape swearing (no kids at home - I'm safe, I guess.)