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

Testing....

It's been a strange few weeks...last week I didn't sew at all - we had a garage sale on Saturday and I spent the entire week before sorting stuff to get rid of.

Oh, and I drove to Cincinnati to IKEA one afternoon to get new tables for my sewing room.  The old folding ones were starting to get seriously warped.  Do you know how hard it is to cut straight on a warped surface?

There are a couple of things that I've been testing - the first is a smaller size case for essential oils.  It will be about the size of the medium box pouch, but with built in pockets for the oil bottles.  I'd show a picture of my first attempt - it's really cute, but my pockets were a little small for even the small size of the bottles.  I'm not sure what I measured when I tried that one.

And the second item is kind of a re-make.  When I first started making cell phone cases, all the phones were small.  Not so much any more - so I had all these smaller cases, that are good for some of the small cameras, etc., but really I hadn't sold very many this year.  And I could reclaim my swivel hooks from them rather than buying more right now!

So I spent a couple of hours taking them apart.  Then I attempted to make a new case from the outside fabric of the cases - similar to my small zipper wallet, but instead of the outside zipper section, it will be an ID window.  And I think I'll use a split key ring rather than the swivel hook.

Stay tuned for these items to be available soon!

Happy 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

A New Pocket

Requests have been made, and yes, I've been listening!  I've been making these zip around kindle cases - great for travel because they have a firm foam layer to protect the e-reader. 

However, even though the intent of the outside pocket was to be able to store the charger, I didn't think about the size of that thing!  It has one of those super big plugs - and once the kindle is inside, then it's too tight of a fit to get the charger in the pocket.

But I like the zippered pocket.  So I've finally managed to add a gussetted pocket to the case in along with the zippered pocket.  As you can see from the photos (this is an in-process case, to test this theory out), the pocket is large enough for the charger, and I added a button flap for closure. 

So, I'm not sure if I should add the new pocket as a standard feature or continue to make some of the cases without it?

I guess I'll see how it goes!

Happy Sewing!

Susan

Custom Order - Monogram Applique

I've been making the box pouch for a while.  It's a shaped pouch - much like a dopp kit - zipper across the top and down the two ends just a bit.

I added some 'manly' fabrics a while back - one of which ended up in an 'Etsy Finds' email and another on the Etsy front page not too long ago.

I'm currently working on an order for six - I'm assuming they are for a wedding - there was a request to monogram them.  I don't have an embroidery machine - and have no plans to get one - so I found a decent block letter set and tested out an applique monogram.  Not too hard.

Here's what the first one looks like.

I'm pretty pleased with how this turned out - although I'm sure I would not want to have to make a living on applique.

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

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

Hands?

My friend Jane posted a blog yesterday challenging everyone to share their hands.  I talk with Jane on Twitter, she has an etsy shop, and a facebook page that you can check out too.

Jane also created a facebook page just for this topic:  Hands Exposed!

So first of all, it's kind of hard to take a photo of both of your hands together without assistance.  Well, unless you have a tripod, timer on your camera (that you know how to use), or magic.  I have none of those.

I have small fat hands.  I can buy the smallest size gloves they make for women and the fingers are always twice as long as mine are. 

I'm a bit of a fanatic about my (fake) nails.  I've been having them done for so long I'm sure I must not have real nail left.  It's actually time to get them done again, so they are looking a little ratty.

I'm not sure what else Jane wants to know about our hands - but here they are!

Happy Sewing!

Susan

Next...?

I finished up using the purple batik (see previous blog post), well mostly.  I have a little piece left that I couldn't decide what I should make.  I didn't make all my normal set of items from this - I made both sizes of box pouches, both sizes of flat bottom pouches, a couple of small pocket pouches, a kindle hipster purse, an ipad hipster purse, and my regular hipster purse.  So no cell cases or zipper wallets.

The next challenge is always deciding what fabric or fabrics to use next, then what to make. 

I picked out this 1/2 yard set of six coordinating fabrics - now I'm not sure what I'm going to do with them!

So I guess, stay tuned to see what I come up with!






Happy Sewing,
Susan

February Is Purple

Hard to believe that it's February 1st already - where did January go?

February is the purple month to me - after all, amethyst is the birthstone (I know, my birthday is in February). 

So my first fabric to work with in this new month is this lovely purple batik fabric.

Wonderful fabric, isn't it?

I'm not sure yet what all I'm going to make - and I have a mere two yards of it.  So I'm going to use it all up, and you can check my etsy shop within the next few days to see what I decide to make.

If you like the fabric and want a particular item from it, let me know now!

Happy Sewing!

Susan

You Can Win!

So I taunted you the other day with my Sis Boom fabrics, and said that I was going to do a give-away.

And I am - here it is! 

You can be the winner of this set of two box pouches made using the Sis Boom fabrics.  Each box pouch is pieced and quilted with a metallic thread.  Approximate size of each pouch is 8" wide by 3.75" tall x 3" deep, has a zippered closer, tabs on each end, one with a metal d-ring.

Here's how to enter the contest:

1. Make a general comment on this blog post.

2. Follow me on Twitter.  Post your twitter id in a comment on this blog post.

3. Like my facebook page.  Post your facebook id in a comment on this blog post.

4. Favorite my Etsy shop.  Post your etsy id in a comment on this blog post.

5. Join my Circle on Etsy.  Post your etsy id in a comment on this blog post.

6. Buy something from my Etsy shop. Post the transaction information in a comment on this blog post.

The winner will be selected on Saturday, January 28, after 5pm EST.

Good luck and happy sewing!

Susan

Kindle Case - Success!

For a year, on and off, I've been playing around with a case for the kindle, and other e-readers.  When I first started down this path, we didn't own a kindle.  It's really hard to make a case that's somewhat specific to a device when you don't have one - or easy access to one.

After several failed attempts, I finally have a case that I'm happy with - both in the functionality of it, and the ease of making it.

Knowing my fondness for zippers, my goal was to make a case that zipped on three sides, similar to my gadget (ipod, iphone) case.

The issue I was having was that I wanted the device to fit snuggly, but not too much so.  Finally, I figured out that I needed to make the case like it was a book - with a spine.

I love the result and I'm hopeful that sales will reflect the quaility of the item.

You can check out the selection I have for this style and a hipster style in my etsy shop!

Happy Sewing!

Susan

New Identity

My fabulous husband is working on a new identity for Sew Darn Simple.  I have a new logo - see my header above and he is also redesigning my business cards.

Here is the older banner that I was using, and you can see the new one above!

Hopefully my website will be next!

Let me know what you think!

Susan

Brand New Venture

Over the past few years selling on Etsy, I've been contacted several times to see if I sold patterns for the items that I had for sale.

So, today I am releasing my first pattern - for the best selling zipper wallet.





The pattern is written for the smaller size, at some point I will probably update it for the larger size also.  If you sew regularly, then you can probably figure out how to adjust the size for your personal prferences.





I'm also going to offer this as a kit - with the pattern already printed, and including the hardware - zippers, swivel hook and fusible fleece - you would just have to select your fabric.

Look for some additional patterns coming in the next few months.

This is an exciting new venture for me!

Happy Sewing!
Susan

Happy New Year! 2012

Happy New Year, everyone!  Here we are at the beginning of a new year and I'm one of those obsessed people who likes to (pretend to) make goals and objectives for the upcoming year. 

I'm going to admit that I didn't stay up last night to ring in the new year - I was sound asleep before then - although I did stir briefly for the neighborhood fireworks that went off at midnight.

As you may now, I'm cutting back my day job work hours to 20/week, so I have some big plans for Sew Darn Simple this year. 

To start out, I'm going to get back to organizing this room.  I started this project last year - and I did get some new storage and am using it, although not as effectively as I'd like to!  If you follw me on twitter, then you know I started doing some of the organization this weekend - on Friday, I finally got my box of zippers put away.  And yesterday, I cleaned off my cutting table.  Today I'm going to work on my filing - my new shelving has a filing drawer, and I'm going to finally use it!

I'm going to write down sales and financial goals for this year - since I will be working less hours, I plan to use those to increase my advertising and therefore (hopefully) my sales. 

I'm working on identifying potentially new art/craft shows that I want to apply to this year.  I've already applied to one new show, and I have at least two more new ones that I plan to apply to, and hope to get in!

I plan to work on some new products and expand my inventory on some of my best sellers, and I'm in the process of working on patterns that will soon be available in my etsy shop.

Also, I want to expand my blogging - and I'd love some suggestions on what you might like to hear about this year.  I may do some tutorials, always write about my latest projects, maybe some guests??!?!!

Here's to a successful 2012!

Susan

Deal of the Day - It's Back!

Deal of the day is back for the weekend!  You still have time to get items before Christmas, most everything is ready to ship.

Today's special is 25% off wristlets - and they are already marked down, so no coupon codes!

I have two styles - first is this shaped wristlet - flat bottom, round top, several fabrics available

Second is the flat double pocket style.

Happy shopping!

Susan

Deal of the Day - Day 3

This is so much fun! 

Today's deal of the day is 25% off zipper wallets.  The zipper wallets come in two sizes, the larger size is big enough for an iPhone, iPod touch, droid, etc. 

This is one of my most popular items at craft shows, so this is a great deal!

The price is already adjusted, so no coupon code or refunds needed.

Happy shopping!

Susan

Deal of the Day - Day 2

What's that you say?  Another Deal of the Day?!?

The day 2 Deal of the Day will be - Lanyards  BOGO - Buy 1 get one Half off. To receive this discount purchase both lanyards at full price and the difference will be refunded.

This is so much fun!

Susan