A Little Bit of Sewing

I went a little bit project bag crazy. Here's how the story went down and the results.

Upon retiring I thought I would be a sewing fool. That didn't happen as I have learned even though I know all the book knowledge I need to be great (home ec major) I don't have the patience or desire to be a great seamstress that my mother was. 

That said, I have wanted to do a project bag for a long time. When I finished my last cross stitch I thought it might be cute in a project bag. I had saved this tutorial which is good, but something was amiss for me. 

https://averyclaire.org/tutorial-for-project-bag/

Along came Kindred Stitcher with a Flosstube video using the same tutorial, so now I had written directions and a video to guide me. 

https://youtu.be/lSgX0hboxKg

IT took BOTH.

I will share a bit more in between the pictures.

My first attempt. Not bad but not perfect. Don't look too close.

I had this fabric in my stash as well as the zipper which had no hole to add a pretty pull ornament.

You may recognize the fabric from my spring monochromatic stitch pillow. I love this fabric and bought a good bit of it for something such as this.

I also felt I might need to practice before I attempted the bag for the first time using my cross stitch project.

Bag #2

The stitch was slightly crooked, but I am pleased.

This fabric came from Joann's.

Oh and I was able to add a cute little pair of scissors to the pull.

Bag #3. Again fabric in my stash. It called my name one day while I was at the quilting fabric store. I bought a half yard which is perfect for the bag.

What is not to love about blue, birds, and dogwood blooms.

The pull has a spool of thread and a needle.

Happy insides too.

I should have stopped because the machine ran out of bobbin thread which you know has to happen and I made two bad mistakes.

Before I tell you what they are...

Let me tell you why I needed the video. 

I had to look at it E-V-E-R-Y SINGLE TIME I went to do that zipper placement. 

On the FOURTH time, I thought...I have got this. 

Big mistake. The zipper pull is on the left. I am not left handed so I guess I should have looked at that video one more time.

Cute thimble pull though. I ordered these off of Etsy a long time ago.

I had this fabric too. The one above and this one coordinated with this most perfect bee fabric.

Onto my second mistake.

I got in to big of a hurry and rumpled the zipper part of this one.

ARGGGHHH...

Oh well, here is my loot and should suffice any sewing urges I have for quite a while!!!

One other thing that is not mentioned in the written tutorial that Kindred Stitcher mentions is the kind of interfacing to use. IT is Pellon 911FF which is found on a bolt and is an apparel interfacing. It is fusible but a bit thicker. The kind you would use on a waistband or sleeve cuffs maybe. It makes the bag a bit sturdier. I would definitely recommend that interfacing.

I will leave the sewing to my mother and continue on with my passion - cross stitching.

Sandy

Stitching, Dogs, and Books

I am getting later each week in posting. All is well. IT is just finding time to stop and write. I am afraid it will be that way for the foreseeable future.

I did finish Berry Days at Thistle Hill Farm by With Thy Needle and Thread on Saturday morning. 

I did a bunch of substitutions of colors and I stitched it on 32 count rather than 36 called for linen. I really had no idea when I asked for it for Christmas how I would finish it. It was shown on a box sold by a specific store. It was made to be a sewing box. It has another piece to stitch that is for a needle holder.

You can see that my colors on the house especially are brighter.

Anyway, I think I have decided to make a zippered project bag like I have seen so many with. I found a blog tutorial that looks easy to follow and then a Youtube video that actually used that same blog tutorial and shows it on a video SO hopefully it will work. I am planning to put the stitch into the front of the bag. I will then decide if I want to do the needle book. I have enough fabric left. 

I figure if I mess it all up that I will restitch this piece with the called for colors.

I then moved onto one of those works in progress from last year.

I have been working on the space shuttle piece since the weekend. I made progress on the dark underbelly of the shuttle that has a lot of grays and black. The remainder should go faster.

Lemony had a 10th birthday this past weekend as well. She was queen for the day and had cookies and milk.

Here she is this morning on the way to pick up Tucker riding shotgun. She usually chooses the back seat and Gus sits in the front. She decided to commandeer the front seat this morning. I kind of had to chuckle because she just popped up there and sat on Gus. He had no choice but to retire to the backseat. I guess she is feeling her oats.

Gus... jealous that he isn't getting a bottle.

Speaking of Gus. He is not 2 years old until June. Just when I think he can stay out of his kennel box when I leave the house, he does something to make me regret it. Honestly three quarters of the time he is an angel, but then he has those moments. 

I came home from church this week to find that he had strewn a plant from the front door all the way down the hallway through the living room and finished in the kitchen. I had place  the plant there in the foyer thinking I needed to go downstairs and get a plant stand I had for it, but had just been lazy. The night before I actually thought I might need to move it or Gus would get into it. 

Oh why did I procrastinate?!

Anyway, that led to repotting about four different plants on the coldest day we have had this year. Life at our house is never ever dull.

One last thing.

I finished my John Grisham book, The Reckoning last night. You may remember I said the reviews were very mixed on Amazon. They were either 5 or 1. There were very few 2, 3, or 4's. I found that odd. Now I know why. I am really glad I read it. It had two thought provoking themes, but I would not recommend it. The reason is it has some pretty graphic and long Bataan Death March and guerrilla warfare scenes. IF you aren't a history buff, then you would definitely not like the book anyway. That was why many didn't like it. They didn't feel the description and length he gave to the topic were necessary for the storyline. It was a very long book and I think I come down somewhere in the middle of the 5's and 1's. 

I am now back to finishing my George and Barbara Bush: A Great American Love Story written by their granddaughter. I think it will be a little lighter reading:)

That is all for now.

I am enjoying my little blessing and bundle of joy each day. He is an angel. 

Spoken like a true Grammie!