Hello? Anyone there?

I know, it's like I went missing.  It's not like I haven't been working on a lot of different things, but it's hard for me to sit down and write about it.

So here's what I haven't shared lately.

1. For my birthday last year (2011) I got this great Singer Steam Press.  The first time I used it, I had too many other things (mainly my regular iron) plugged in and I blew the breaker.  We had to have some electrical work done for something else, so they looked at the power into my sewing room, and told me 'deal with it'.  So I finally decided that I wanted to try it out.  I turned (most) everything else off and found that it was ok to use.  So I've been using it for fusing my interfacing and fusible fleece, AND I LOVE IT!

2. I've been making lots of box pouches - I make them in two sizes.  I think my most popular fabric is the cat faces, which is out of print, so once they are gone (and the one yard I have left), that's it.  I also sell several of the 'manly' fabrics - the houndstooth (available in several colors) - check out the new black and white - pretty cool, huh?  I made two sets this year for wedding parties.  I think they make pretty good groomsmen gifts.  I imagine they could be great for the bridesmaids too, but haven't had anyone request that.





3. I only had one show in August - it's usually such a hot month and miserable for shows - so of course this year, it was pretty pleasant since I didn't do any.  I have a pretty light schedule for the rest of this year - I have two in September and one in October and I'm done for the year.  I'm planning on concentrating on online sales during the fall and winter.

4. To that end, I've been working on pricing, shipping, description, tags, etc.  It's a lot of work when you have close to 400 listings.

So stay tuned and see what comes next!

Happy Sewing!

Susan

Pouch Pyramid

I've been making a couple of sizes of box pouches for a while now.  These are great cases for just about anything.  I put a d-ring on one end and just a fabric tab on the other, which makes it easier to zip them up! 

You can check out my current selection in my etsy shop.

Recently my husband said that he liked the pouches, but that I needed to make some even bigger ones, and I needed to make some in less feminine prints (what, guys don't want a case with flowers or cats?)!

So the stack here is the four sizes that I will now make for these,  The two larger sizes will feature an exterior pocket, a small strap on one end along with the tabs, and larger zippers, so the pulls are more accomodating for larger hands to use.

Look for the new sizes coming soon to my shop!





Happy Sewing!

Susan

Just enough

Yesterday I worked on a wallet for a custom order.  The black and white fabric was fun to work with - it turned out really great, I think!  

This style wallet has a pocket for your bills, a zippered section for your change, a see through id pocket, 5 credit cards slots, and places for your checkbook and register.  If you want to see the ones I have made, you can see them in my etsy shop.

I'd always be glad to make you one from your fabric selection also!

So when I was done with this wallet, here's how the thread looked on my machine.

I was almost out of black thread on the spool. 

Nothing worse than being just almost done and having either the bobbin or spool run out.  But this time, I had just enough!

Happy Sewing!

Susan

Next - Complete!

Here is the tote that I ended up making from the sunflower fabric combo that I wrote about last week.  I wasn't sure how it would work, but this style works well for it. 

This is a pretty large tote - larger than I like - which probably makes it a popular size.

You can check out the detailed information on it here!

Hope you like it!

Happy Sewing!

Susan

Zip Around Case for Kindle 3G

When I started making the zip around case for your ipod, iphone and other cell phones and electronic gadgets, I said I was also going to make them in larger sizes for your kindle and other e-readers, and also for ipads, etc.

This morning was the time of promise!

The exterior of the case has the vertical zippered section (unpadded) and the detachable wristlet strap and the zipper around three sides of the case.

The inside features several pocket sections - on the left side, there is a fabric pcoket and a netting pocket.

On the right there is a pocket for storing your kindle when not in use, and then each corner has tabs to hold the kindle in place when you want to use it.

The case is padded with a heavy weight fleece, and there is a waterproof barrier in between.

I don't personally own a kindle, so once I find someone willing to let me use theirs for a photo, I will get that picture and list this in my etsy shop.

Next on the agenda will be the case for the ipad, so stay tuned!

Susan

Of all the things I should be doing.....

Making a purse for myself usually isn't too close to the top of the list.

I have signed up for more craft shows this year, so I should be building inventory. I have a several room project for a good friend of mine, that I need to get done. Just today I got a call from another friend looking to have some home decor stuff done.

So last night, rather than doing what I needed to do, I made a new purse for myself. I'm carrying an oversized patchwork purse that I made last fall. I just thought it was time for something else.



It's short and wide - I'm not going to make any comparisons....

Love the colorful print!

Susan

Challenge - Complete!

As you know, I got 10 items cut from the single yard (actually it was 35 inches once I evened the ends up) and I finally got them all sewn up.

Here's a composite picture of them all together:

Look for them to be listed in my etsy shop soon!

That was fun, but I know that a single yard of fabric doesn't let me get even one of each item made that I keep in my inventory, so I'll have to be selective with the smaller cuts to get the 'right' items made!

Happy Sewing,

Susan

One Yard Challenge - Cutting

So, I think now that I'm trying to decide what all to make from this yard of fabric, why I started buying two yards when I'm not sure what I'm going to do with a piece.

I can't get everything that I want to from a single yard. Here are the ten items I did get cut from this yard:

Lanyard

Large Cell phone case with flap

Large Cell phone case with zipper

Wrap Around zipper gadget case

Regular Box pouch

Small Box Pouch

Zipper wallet/change purse

Mini pack purse (hipster)

Round top flat bottom wristlet

Small Flat Bottom zipper case

Here is what's left:

Not much that's usable. I have containers of scraps like this - anyone interested?

Next time I'll show the selection of finished items.

Susan

One yard challenge

I make a variety of items for my etsy shop and for craft shows. Often when I work with a fabric, I make several items from that fabric. Depending on how much fabric there is, what the pattern is, how I feel that day, and what Mimi cat thinks (ok, that part isn't really true) I may get from 5-10 of my smaller items from it.

So today I am challenging myself to see how many items I can get from a one yard cut with as little waste as possible.

I'll make a list of the items that I've been making, and work on some cutting layouts and then go from there. Should be fun!

Just to clarify, the one yard will be the exterior fabric only, I will use a coordinating fabric for linings.

Here is the fabric I selected to work with.

Check back later this week to see how it worked out.

Susan

Zip Around Success

I made the first prototype of the zip around case back at the end of December. I've been using it for my iTouch and love it. I keep the earbuds in one side and the ipod in the other side. If I plan to go anywhere and need to include the USB, I can include that in the outside pocket.

I made a few more (three to be exact) until I felt like I had a good solid process, and I did list the three prototypes in my etsy shop at a reduced price ($15). The regular price on this size will be $22. Before I could get the first one listed at regular price, I sold two!

My next plan is to make this in a larger size for ereaders and perhaps iPads. I also plan to make them more in a regular wallet style - large enough for unfolded paper bills, a couple of credit card slots, etc.

Let me know if there are options that you would like to see, and specific fabrics also!

Susan

Organization - Yes it continues on!

I know you probably thought that I just gave up on the organization since I hadn't posted any new pictures or status in over a week - but it is still progressing!

I'll start with the right section, since that's the one that's done. This is a 6 shelf section a little over 5 feet tall (like me!) and I'm almost embarrassed to say that it's just fabric overflow.

Yes, I said overflow. I have a closet (a pretty large one at that) clear full, and what I put on this section was partly in one of the smaller shelving units that I plan to reuse somewhere else in the house, and partly stacked on the cutting table, floor, etc.

I like to organize fabric like such: themed fabrics, so cat, dog, animal, then by color if it doesn't fit a theme, so black and white, browns, etc.

I will admit that I have fabric under my cutting table that I haven't gone through yet. Other than my holiday fabric, I believe most of it is home decor leftovers and other remnants, but I guess I'll find out for sure when I venture under the table.

Stay tuned for the next installment!

Susan

It's a Surprise!

We have these wonderful neighbors across the street.

They have this cute Scottie dog (Kelly) who's my pal.

I found a great Christmas Scottie Dog fabric, and so I've made them this for Christmas.

Shhh - it's a surprise!

I think they will love it.

Susan

New Fabric, Continued....

My last post was about the fabrics that my mother-in-law picked out for a new purse and accessories for her.

I did a little shopping of my own that day.

I usually buy quite an assortment of fabrics when I shop, and this trip was no exception.

Sometimes I have specific themes or colors that I look for, and other times it's just what catches my eye.

This time I was looking for some masculine fabrics, which I found a couple, and I also look for new cat fabrics (because I don't have enough). I also found the companion fabrics to one I'd bought a while back, so now I have matching fabric for lining/straps when I make the totes from the fabric.

I also try to keep my eye out for dog fabrics, because I always have someone accuse me of being prejudice against dogs. It's not that (well, maybe a little), it's that the dog fabrics just aren't as cute or easy to use as the cat fabrics. I did find this dog themed fabric, so hopefully it will satisfy a few dog lovers!

You should see some items from this fabric in my etsy shop this week, as I already have some items made from it!

Susan

New Fabric, New Projects

Jamie and I were visiting his parents for a few days and while he and his dad were fishing, his mom and I did some shopping - which of course, involves fabric shopping for me! One of the local shops close to where they live is Renee's House of Quilting and my stop there was a bit lethal.



A couple of years ago, I had my mother-in-law pick out fabric for a purse for herself, and she decided while we were there that it was time for a new one - this one more fall/winter in colors.
Here are the fabrics she selected for the outside (the circles) and lining (gold/tan print). I'm also trying out a new product, but I'll leave that for once I have it made and have pictures of how it all turns out!



She also decided that she wanted a new wallet and this brown is what she selected for that.



I think she picked out great fabrics, and can't wait to get started on these!





Susan

Perception

As many fabric addicts do, I buy all kinds of fabrics in varying colors, themes, patterns, quantities. You may have seen pictures of my fabric closets (the one that isn't large enough) in previous posts.

Earlier this week, I decided that it was time to make myself a new purse. I had purchased this black, brown and butter yellow batik print a while back, and it was what I selected to make a purse for myself.

I had it all done but for the straps, but my husband hadn't seen it that day. The next day when he came home from work, he came up to my sewing room, looked at the purse and said something to the effect of 'old lady fabric' about the purse I was making for myself. Now, I do realize that I am older than him by a few years, but I don't think that I'm an 'old lady' just quite yet.

Of course, now I can't carry that purse because of what he said, even though I don't see whatever he saw in the fabric.Yesterday I decided to make a patchwork purse which I haven't done in a while. I think it turned out very well - and apparently it's not 'old lady' fabric, because my husband said when it saw it completed - 'that one will sell'!

New item in the making - lunch tote

I have a neighbor that I've done some window treatments for and she asked me a while back about making her a lunch bag. So she came over last week and picked a couple of fabrics and we discussed style, size, etc for the bag.

When making a new item, I like to experiment and make a couple to perfect the process, before I make 'real' ones to sell.

Here is the first one I made:


I quilted the exterior, added a pocket on one side and lined it in PUL for easy cleanup. I didn't use the insulated interfacing in this one, nor did I use the stiffer interfacing for the bottom, but overall I was pleased with how it turned out.

There were a couple of things that I didn't like about how I made it, so I tried a second one changing those things, and actually didn't complete the second one yet, because I liked the things I changed even less.

Once I've completed the ones for my neighbor, I plan to make some for my craft shows and etsy shop.

Stay tuned!

Susan