September 1, 2010

In Stitches

I've become enamored with sewing again. For the most part, my poor knitting has been abandoned and all I want to think about is sewing. I've even picked up a couple of sewing magazines, "Sew Stylish" and "Threads." (Just what I need -- a new type of magazine to feed my addiction!) There is a capelet in "Sew Stylish" that is so cute, I must have one. It seems simple enough. I just have to figure out which lightweight fall/winter fabric will be right for our warmer Arizona temperatures.


My middle sister is having a birthday today and she is working at a new dream job involving photography. She's been on my mind a lot lately so I decided to make her functional birthday gifts, starting with a tote bag to carry her lunch or a book to read during breaks or maybe a sweater for chilly days.


I made View A. The outer fabric is a heavyweight brown twill and the lining is cotton quilting fabric with blue and brown dots and circles on it. I also learned how to use fusible interfacing on this project. It's good stuff.


And I decided to put a lined pocket on the outside of the bag that wasn't included in the pattern. I personalized it by embroidering her initial on the pocket and put a decorative circle around it to mimic the circles on the lining fabric.


Once I actually started sewing the bag together, it went pretty quickly. Just like in everything we do, it's the prep work that takes so much time. Remember the house painting project last Fall?


Miles is calculating how many treats and chew bones he could fit in it ...


I am pretty happy with the way it turned out and will probably make a few more of these now that I know how it goes together. Since my sister is on her feet all day, I also knitted a pair of Funky Footsies to cozy up in when she gets home from work. (After she received her birthday package, she emailed me that the furry tops of the socks will blend right in when she decides not to shave her legs! Ingenious!!!)


And I made a card with one of my glittery garden critters that reads inside, "Sisters are the blossoms in the garden of life." Love you, Sis ... Happy Birthday!!!



12 comments:

kayembee said...

My prayer for all your blogging friends is that they have a sister as awesome and thoughtful as you. Thank you again with all my heart!

Duchess said...

You are so wonderful! That is a beautiful bag. I have my sewing machine and can't even sew a straight line - I'm coming over so you can teach me, ok?

:0)

Loren said...

OH I LOVE THIS!! You are sooo awesome and well, if you ever need another Sister ~ I will be first in line!!

Seriously, your tote is just DARLING!! Happy Birthday to your Sis!

Baby Sister said...

That bag is so cute!! And those socks...they look heavenly!!

Melanie @ Whimsical Creations said...

What an awesome gift. I bet your sister LOVED everything.

Snowcatcher said...

I love how you personalized the bag. Very creative. I also laughed out loud over her fuzzy ankles comment.

I had to go through my material storage in July looking for something patriotic, and I fell completely in love with some of my fabric all over again, and I can't wait now to get back to my sewing machine. I'm jealous that you found time!

morethanthestarsinthesky said...

Love the blog you made for your sister!
Cute blog!

Amanda

Debby@Just Breathe said...

You are extremely talented. I love that bag!

AiringMyLaundry said...

Wow, what a fabulous bag you made! You are so talented.

Anonymous said...

Oh...to be so talented!!! I loved the bag and the socks!

Tiffanee said...

Very cute things! I LOVE that bag! I have been into sewing bags lately but yours is much better. You won a giveaway on my blog. Please email me at tiffaneeg@yahoo.com so I can get you your prize!! Congrats!!

Sara @ Domestically Challenged said...

You are crazy amazing! I love the bag!