Starfish Alley

Tag: bag

Vintage Zip Pouch

March 23, 2012 /

When I get the urge to sit and sew I often wish that I had things cut out so I could just “sit and sew”.  it’s frustrating when you want to just sit at the machine and  have to make a decision on what to sew and the fabric choice.  Now really it’s about making a decision and some days it’s just too much trouble.

I came across this piece of linen that had a vintage print on it and it had already been lined with fleece.  It was also a rectangle.  On the spot I decided it was time to make a zip pouch.  I have experimented with zipper installations.  I want to know what goes the fastest and still looks good.  I found some fabric for lining, cut a square of the same size, did a bit of quilting so the two were stuck together and made a zip pouch.  It’s cute and I do love the fabric but am not entirely happy with the zipper.  It looks ok and works fine but I like them better when they are a little more finished looking.  That will be my afternoon project today.  For now however, this will go in the pile of things until I need a gift of have a need for a pouch of this size.

vintage style zip pouch

 

 

Green apples..

November 3, 2011 /

I found another new oilcloth fabric a few weeks ago. It jumped into my fabric pile and arrived home to be made into another new bag size.  This one is a little bit shorter and not quite as wide.  I think I’ll have to use it a few times to see how I feel about the size.  The height is ok but II’m not sure if I’m going to like the width.  I do love the print made up however.  When I was cutting it out I did wonder about my decision to purchase this print.  It made up very well however and although it may not function well for a market type grocery bag, it certainly will travel to other destinations and be a good addition to the bag collection.

Third times a charm.. or is it?

November 2, 2011 /

In this case.. not entirely.  The process of a smaller bag is closer but not quite there.  This time I think I didn’t have the iron quite hot enough so the fabric is laminated but I’ve noticed as I was sewing it seems to be loose in a few places.  This has happened as I was sewing so it seems the adhesion was good but not good enough.  The size of the bag seems to be fine and I should be able to fine tune it so next time is good.  The fabric is cute and the function will be fine but the durability of this bag is in question.  Onward and upward for number 4!

Second version

October 24, 2011 /

In this second version of the smaller market bag  I shortened the bag and I also laminated some fabric that I thought would make a great looking bag.  There were a couple of challenges.  I must have had the iron a bit too hot because some of the fabric yellowed a bit.  I was able to use that section for the handles so it’s really not noticeable.  I haven’t used this laminating material for many years and I didn’t have this iron on my last laminating adventure.  It is a higher quality iron and the heat is higher which I had forgotten.  Now I’m ready to try again on a different piece of fabric.  I am pleased with the size however.  I’ll make one more and make it about an inch taller and then I think it will be perfect.  I think this size will be perfect to take to the drugstore of anyplace where you will be just picking up a few smaller items.  I’m going to keep this one for myself because it doesn’t meet my standards for a gift or for sale and I know it will work just fine.  I do love the yellow and gray although they are not colors I would usually choose.

 

Smaller oilcloth bag

October 22, 2011 /

I’m making a smaller oilcloth bag for a friend.  I’m trying out a couple of different sizes of bags because I keep having requests for a smaller size.  This first one I reduced the height by 5 inches and the width by 2.5 inches.  I like the width and think that will be fine but I think I’m going to make another bag and shorten the height a bit more.  This one is actually a good size and would be handy at the drugstore or at the bookstore where you want a bag but don’t want or need such a big one.  I’m looking forward to making a few more of these and then ask what size my friend would like what her opinion is.

Shopping in the stash..

June 11, 2011 /

I’ve decided that I want to send a few things to my niece when I send the graduation card this week.  Now she is old enough that she probably doesn’t expect anything but I think she will be surprised and pleased.  The challenge is always what to send.  I think it should have some practical use as well as being fun and something I think she might like.  So off to the stash I went and made my selection.  I didn’t really plan things to be color coordinated but it looks like that’s what is going to happen and that is a plus.  When I try to color coordinate fabrics it always seems to be a challenge.  I grew up in an era where you matched and not just coordinated colors and patterns.  It really stretches my thinking when I go for coordinating so there is some interest and it’s not just monotone and ok.  I always want that WOW factor.  Sometimes I succeed in a spectacular fashion but usually it’s at least nice and I’m pleased.  Todays project is for some travel accessories as she and her fiance will be traveling to Italy to get married in about 6 weeks.  I’m going to make some shoe bags and I think a couple of zippered pouches.  I do have a couple other things in mind so we’ll see how fast it comes together this evening and tomorrow.  I cleaned and organized my sewing space, put away some fabric and now I’m ready to make dinner and then cut and sew. More to report soon.

Birthday

April 26, 2011 /

Daughter number 1 is now a year older.  It’s been fun to sew a few new things for her this year.  I don’t think I’ve ever made her an apron so she got her own apron.  She is a coffee lover so this is made with coffee cup fabric and coffee beans. Also some giant ric rac.  It makes me laugh to see how popular the use of ric rac has become.  When I first started to sew in the 60’s and 70’s it was popular and then it became unpopular because it made things look so”homemade.” Now it’s popular and makes things look “hand crafted”.  Hmm..

 

I also made this little purse with a zip pouch inside.  I made a strap to attach it to and also used a magnetic fastener. That was fun and easy to do but I will do it a bit differently next time.  She loved the fabric and size however so that was a success.

Last year I made a barrel bag from some embroidered denim.  She has used it almost every day and said she would like another.  I made this one from ultra suede and did a zip pouch and key fob.  It will be interesting to see how it holds but it is interesting fabric and she again seemed pleased. Happy Birthday Daughter!

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