Jewelry Roll!

It's almost done; I haven't made the tie for it yet (my iron is dead and I can't really do that until I get a new one on Monday) but I finished my little jewelry roll for my upcoming cruise in July. It measures about 12 x 8 inches.

I used Tula Pink fabric, Pellon Shapeflex interfacing and a scrap of batting from another project, along with two zippers for Zippit on Etsy. I bought an assortment of zippers which is why they are two different colors. I think the blue works really well.

The ties will be made from the blue dot lining fabric for contrast.

The pattern was free online but I can't find it anymore. I saved a PDF copy to my computer several years ago because "maybe someday." Well someday was this past week.

I'm very happy with it overall but I don't love the open pocket at the top, although it does work well for bracelets. I am bringing two bracelets; a goldtone bangle and a mahjong tile bracelet, which you can see peeking out. The other pockets hold an assortment of earrings and a statement necklace. I'm trying not to go too nuts on what I'm bringing for jewelry but it is a fancy cruise, so I am being a little fancy.
 

Sew Together Bag

So I was feeling like working on something and dragged this kit out of the stash- the Sew Together bag, which was kitted by Gotham Quilts and bought at the Empire Quilt Guild's show a couple of years ago. It takes me forever to get around to making these things sometimes.

Staying safe at home has encouraged me to reach into those dark corners of my craft room and pull out kits and bundles and other things that I can work with without buying anything new.

Truthfully I was intimidated by the pattern, which is difficult, but I found a great tutorial from The Quilt Barn which made it easy-peasy.

I'm almost done- I just have to work through the final post in the Quilt Barn's series. Then I'll have a pouch!  And I only broke one needle so far.

Fall Purse!

I made this purse for fall about a month or so ago; it's the Lazy Girl Designs Claire pattern.

I love the bag; I wanted something I could sling over my shoulder that would hold a book and my reading glasses along with my other day to day essentials- wallet, phone, etc. The fabric I just fell in love with when I saw my friend post a photo on her Facebook page. It's straphanging cats!! I mean how do you not love straphanging cats when you live in NYC?

I will say that although I found the pattern somewhat confusing, I'm very happy with the end result. I made it as instructed except that I added a recessed zipper at the top. As a city dweller I'm not comfortable with open-top purses!

It's been a great fall companion and I'd make another for a different season.

Ditty Bags!

I really love this bandana-style fabric I found last spring and I think it sewed up so cute into this "ditty bag" by MichellePatterns.com. I love this pattern for its ease and versatility; you can make so many different-looking bags from this simple pattern. MichellePatterns.com is a great source of easy, fun bag patterns and I definitely recommend you check her out!

If you'd like to buy this, you can find the listing here.

Makeup Bags

I love making these makeup/cosmetic bags. I've probably made close to a dozen by now. They take me about a half hour after I'm done cutting (2 each of outer fabric, lining, two kinds of interfacing, so it's like 8 pieces).

It's such a versatile pattern and can have so many different looks and uses. Use a fabric with sewing supplies on it and it's a craft pouch. Use flowers and it's girly. Use fabric depicting the New York subway system, and it's got some cool.

You can find the pattern I used here. So-Sew-Easy.com is a great sewing blog. You should follow it and you should make this bag. Once you make one, you'll want to make a million. Two fat quarters, interfacing and a 9 inch zipper is all you need.

Bookish Shoulder Bag

I made this shoulder bag this week. I cut out the pieces a long time ago, and finally got around to finishing it. It has some issues- darts not perfectly aligned, no closure and handle is inside-out-but on the whole I'm happy with it. I'm definitely going to make some seasonal bags from this pattern in the future.

Speaking of which, you can find the pattern on Craftsy. It's called the Phoebe Bag. I used Alexander Henry's Fulham Road for the exterior and the lining on the handle. The bag lining is a plain pink.