New Item? Insulated Lunch Tote

So a billion years ago (maybe just a few years ago), I told my husband that I would make him a new lunch tote.  He had one that he used all the time - it was pretty large, but it finally wore out.  I reclaimed the strap from it and stuck it in a drawer.

Sunday I decided it was time to finally make this.  So I had him tell me the measurements that he wants this new tote to be, and took a look at how the one he's currently using is constructed.  It's a pretty small little tote.

The dimensions he gave me were 10" wide, 7" deep and 6.5" tall.  He wanted a pocket on the front for his napkins and utensils.

The fabric he chose was this black and gray houndstooth - very manly!

Along with the strap that I reclaimed from the old lunch tote, I put a webbing handle across the top.

The zipper around the top and for the pocket are the larger pull ones - easier to get it open.    

Here you can also see the webbing pocket on the front

Webbing strap across the top.

 Shoulder strap attached to the side.

I used fusible fleece (heavier weight) with the exterior fabric.  Then I used a layer of PUL (water proof) and a layer of Insul-Bright to help keep the items cool (he also uses a freezer pack), and finally, I lined it with rip-stop nylon,

I wanted to make sure the base was sturdy, so before I put the lining in, I spray glued a piece of foam to the bottom.


He carried it to work for the first time yesterday and had lots of interest from his coworkers.  So hopefully I get some orders for these.

I can adjust the size as needed and can use fabrics of your selection.

Happy Sewing!

Susan

Year End Review

Here we are at that cusp - getting ready to go from the old year to the new year - and all the crazy thoughts that seems to bring.

I thought I'd take a look at how 2012 has been for Sew Darn Simple.

I organized (and reorganized) my sewing space throughout the year.  Here we are and it's still a mess.

I wrote my first patterns and sold them both in my etsy shop and I also opened a Craftsy pattern shop.

I did two patterns in 2012 - the zipper wallet and the patchwork purse.  Hopefully I will do at least two in 2013 - although I'm not sure what they will be yet.

I spent a lot of time perfecting a zip around case for the kindle fire - and I did sell a few.  The issue I have with making cases for these items is that each one is a different size and every new one that comes out is different which means that the cases aren't always interchangeable.  So I'm not sure if I will continue down this path in 2013.  With a 'regular' job, I don't feel like I have time to commit to making a huge number of custom items.

Jennifer Paganelli from Sis Boom has become one of my great friends - she sent me a great bundle of fabrics from her Girls World Vibe line - I in turn made some items that I did a giveaway for.  I had the opportunity to meet her at the Country Living Fair in Columbus this fall - what a great weekend that was!

I did several craft shows this year - with varied success - we had such crazy weather this year - and that always plays into the show turnout.

As I reach the end of this year, I'm trying to determine where I want to take this business in 2013 - I have some craft show applications that I need to complete in January - so I need to get some new photos and potentially some new products in the works.

Stay tuned to see where 2013 takes us!

Happy Sewing,
Susan

Custom Orders

I've had a few custom orders come from friends and other local customers the last couple of weeks.

My neighbor asked me to make another cross body hipster purse for her niece for Christmas.  I made her one earlier this year for her birthday and she loved it.


A local customer who had me make a purse for her mother in law also this summer has asked me to make her a 'winter' one - for her 90th birthday!  She loved the first one, but it's a bright print, so she said she wished she had one for winter.

I have another friend that I'm making several items for, but I can't talk about them here.....

Happy Sewing!

Susan

What? No Sewing?

I normally take my main sewing machine to have it cleaned, checked, serviced - about once a year.  The last time I took it was August of last year, so it's been more than a year.  Based on things that are going on the next couple of weeks, it looked like now was as good a time as any to get it to the shop.

So here is my empty sewing desk.  You can admire the lovely purple paint job (I have a friend who paints furniture), but it's really a scary sight for me!

If I have time, I may get some items cut and prepped, and if I really get the urge, I can pull out my backup machine, and of course, I still have my serger (although I'm looking at new ones, I think I've beat this one almost to death).

Mimi hasn't been up to see this yet - you know one of her favorite places to be is behind the machine - especially when I'm trying to use it!

I guess I'll survive - you might see me on Twitter a little bit more than usual!

Happy (no) sewing!

Susan

New Purse

A few weeks ago, we were visiting the in-laws.  My mother-in-law and I went to a local quilt shop to check out what was new.  While there, I told her to pick out a fabric and I'd make her a new purse - the one she was using, which I made, was beginning to show some wear.

So she picked this great brown and green batik - I think it was actually a complementary fabric to another I'd had - at least it was the same colors.

She mostly liked the purse I'd made her before, but she wanted to add pockets to the side with some elastic at the top of them.


Here is a side view, I also added a strap with a swivel hook (which is hidden in the pocket) so she can attach her car keys.


 It has a set in zipper top, the straps are the length she requested, and inside is has a zipper pocket and a flap pocket, with a pen slot.

I like this fabric a lot.  I bought more than I needed for her purse, so you may see some other items show up in my etsy shop!

If you would like a custom purse, I'd be glad to work with you on the style, size and features.

Happy Sewing!

Susan

"Double" Zipper Wallet

I had a request to make a "double" zipper wallet - you know - put two of them together and add a wrist strap.

Sounds easy?  Actually, after mulling it a couple of days (I didn't have time to try anything until today anyway), I think I came up with a pretty good sample.

First - do you love the zebra stripe?

So I took the finished measurement needed for half (4 tall x 5 wide) and doubled the height (so 8x5), and added my seam allowances.

I cut the front pocket top the same as I always do - 2 1/2 x width (so I cut 2 of them) and then the fun begins on figuring out how big the middle needed to be.  I ended up at 13" with a 1/4" seam to make it a loop, but once I got the zippers on it was just a little too big, so next would be 12 3/4" instead.  It always depends on how evenly and close I sew the zipper. 

On one side, I added the split ring loops at the top placement and so those are what I use to attach the wrist strap with the hook.

I think it needs something on the other side to keep it together - I'll work on that for the next one.

Is this something that you would use?  I kind of like it!

Happy Sewing!  Susan

My Helper

I have a set of short pleated curtains to make.  I don't do pleated curtains or drapes very often.  Most of them require me to be able to measure a piece of fabric longer than my cutting space - which makes me very uncomfortable.

But these are short - 45" finished length, for a friend of a friend - you know how that is. 

So I got out my book that has the best instructions for calculating the measurements of the fabric and instructions for sewing them with the buckram heading.

As you can see, I have help.

I see my friend in a couple of weeks, so I was planning to get them done this week - I'll have to wait until my helper has done all the math before I get back to it!

Happy Sewing!

Susan

Perhaps - Not So Basic Black!

Yesterday I blogged about the basic black purse I made for my friend.

She has bought several of my purses in the past, and while she sews, she doesn't like to make bags, although she has done a couple.

She found a pattern and brought it to me, and then did some shopping in my 'fabric closet'. 

The purse is just basic black twill - the pattern had a flap with velcro/magnetic snap closure, but I put a zipper in the top instead.

The straps were kind of short - I know my friend like a longer strap for her shoulder, and to dress it up, I added the rectangular metal rings.

So, then the fun starts!  This isn't such a basic bag after all - those buttons are there for a reason!  The bag gets a cover that can be changed - and in this case is reversible! 

So on one side we have the bright colorful flowers and on the other side a basic black and white.

Now, think of the possibilities!

Happy Sewing!

Susan

Basic Black Purse?

A friend bought a purse pattern and asked me to make her one for the fall.

Looks pretty much like a basic black purse, doesn't it?

Well, the buttons and rectanguler rings on the handles dress it up a little bit.

The pattern was just a flap closure with a magnetic snap - I made it a zip top.

Happy Sewing!

Susan

Box Pouch Bounty

I recently worked out the details for a custom order that was for 14 small box pouches for a wedding party.  I usually make 2-3 box pouches at a time, so decided that the best way to approach this project was to break it up into parts and do some other work in between.

The long holiday weekend also helped with this - the picture shows the final result.  These will be going out in the mail this week. 

Happy Sewing!

Susan

Custom Purse

I just completed a purse as a custom order - the woman is giving it to her 80-something mother-in-law for Mother's Day - so I completed it just in time!

I happened to have a purse made from this fabric combination hanging on my sewing room door the day she came over to pick her fabrics for some other items, and we discussed size, etc for the purse for her mother-in-law and this is the result!

She wanted it to have a zip top, so I took the opportunity to do it in a style I'd not done before.    I think it turned out pretty well.

I'll give her a call this evening to make arrangements for her to get her items.

I'm always open to making an item to your specifications.

Happy Sewing!

Susan

Mission.....Complete

The duffel bag is completed.  It's pretty awesome, if I say so myself.  And my husband thought it was awesome - and when was I making him one?

 I have it hanging here on my dining room chairs - wish the middle hanger could have been used - it sags a little in the middle when it's not supported.  You can maybe make out the handle at the top, the zipper - once again, the largest zipper I have ever worked with - but not bad to work with at all.

Here you can see the shape of the bag - it's a little shorter in the back.

You can't see it in these photos, but there is a row of the webbing on the bottom of the back, and about the middle of the curved bottom front.  That's just to give it additional support.

The fabric is a nylon canvas - waterproof - I tested it in the sink.  It really is.

This was a fun project and I'm glad my friends on twitter thought of me when it came up.


Happy Sewing!
Susan

Custom Order - Part 1

I'm starting a custom order today for what I will call a duffel bag.  It has a unique purpose - it's being made to fit behind the back seats of an SUV and attach to the rings on the back of the seats to hold it in place.

I'm just getting started - so far, so good. 

Here's where I am - my supplies:

1. canvas material (nylon, waterproof) - black
2. webbing - beige
3. handle
4. velcro (black so it doesn't show against the fabric)
5. zipper - special made with two heads
6. black thread - heavy duty of course

I'm just starting to cut it out, but I'll be sure and take some pics when it's done too!

Happy Sewing,

Susan

Other projects

From time to time I do some sewing for a local interior decorator.  Over the years I've done pillows, drapes, valances, and other small sewing projects for her.

This weekend I started a project making some throw pillows and a valance.  Here's a picture of the first pillow - I'll be making four from this fabric. 

There's a second fabric for four more pillows and a valance - I haven't opened the fabric yet, so I'll get to be surprised at what it is!

I enjoy the variation of work that a decorator provides, and love seeing the fabrics that she and her customers have selected.

Happy Sewing!

Susan

New Item - Zip Around Kindle Case

Month ago, I started making the zip around cases for iPods, cell phones, etc., and planned to make then for both Kindles and iPads.  It's a little difficult to make cases for these items when you don't actually own one.

I made the first prototype for the Kindle case and bummed a test from a friend who owns one.  While the Kindle fit, when it was zipped it was pretty tight.  So I needed to make it just a little larger.  Then I got busy and didn't get around to making another one.  And I didn't get around to making one for the iPad yet.

Recently, a great customer asked me to make one that would hold two kindles, along with the charger/cords.  So back to the drawing board I went.

I knew for there to be room for two Kindles, that I needed to add a little depth to the case, as well as expanding the size so the zipper would move more easily.

The first prototype was ok, just a few minor tweaks, and here it is completed:

The outside has a zippered pocket that will hold the charges and cords.  The case has a hipster style strap - adjustable and detachable.  The zipper goes around three sides of the case. The inside has two lightly padded insert slots - which will house the kindles. Along with the slots being padded, the outside has two layers of padding for protection.

Since this was a special request, I don't know if I will make any more with this particular configuration, but it was good to be able to get back to a project that I'd set aside.

Happy Sewing!

Susan