Sew to Live, Live to Sew bag

Hello new bag!
I started sewing it last weekend and finished it today.


I make a bag for each Pattern Review weekend, but wasn't sure what fabric I would use this year.   I thought I'd check out Spoonflower and the rest is history....it's whimsical and funny.  

The fabric is called "Sewing Forever Tattoo" and  can be purchased here on Spoonflower.  The fabric designer is Cynthiafrenette.


Here's what the fabric looked like, after ironing it. I bought the Kona Cotton option, 1 yard at $18 a yard.


Here's a nice close-up of the flaming pin cushion heart while I was sewing on the pocket...which says "Sew to Live, Live to Sew".


Here's an action shot of the making of the strap...first I iron on some craft interfacing (extra-sturdy interfacing) and then I fold the strap like so and sew it down...


Then I flip it over and sew from the other side:


I piped the edge in pink. I used purchased piping that was in my stash as it was the right size and matched the color of the pink roses perfectly (though I was kind of itching to make my own piping; like I said last post, it turns out, it's easy to make piping!)



The inside of the bag is lined with red canvas that I had in stash. The canvas gives some shape to the bag. I made the pocket larger than recommended, so I could get the "Sew to Live..." in there...also it will hold my camera and phone nicely.



I sewed a smaller pocket on the other side (which says "Sewing Forever") to hold my calling cards. I'm ordering new cards soon with a different design.


If I had to do it over again, I think I would order the fabric in canvas and line it with some pink or red cotton I have in stash. But it's a very cool bag and I look forward to bringing it with me first to Atlanta later this week and then to NYC in May for PR weekend!

I've noticed the "One Pattern One Week" trend going around the sewing blogs, where sewists wear garments they've made using one pattern during one particular week.  I think the most frequently made pattern that I may have sewn 7 times is a pj top pattern, not really practical for such a week, but I have made the Simplicity 8331 bag 4 times now.

So, I present to you "one pattern, half a week-ish and a holiday:"


In case you want to read more about the other bags I made, here you go:
Scissors bag
Santa bag based on Gwen's amazing bag
Pattern pieces bag

In other news, my ironing board cover was totally shot and I was having trouble finding a replacement cover I really liked. I hit the jackpot at the Marshall's in Princeton.
Check out this cover for $9.99:

Pretty cool, huh?


I especially like that the padding is actually batting and not foam, and it has velcro straps to secure it snugly.  It seems like an ultra-quality item that is worth a lot more than $9.99.
And check out that cute tag (The Macbeth collection?):


I ironed my bag on my new cover tonight and really love it.

I saw that Bed, Bath and Beyond has extra wide ironing boards that are $100.  Does anyone own such a board?  Is extra wide helpful in most situations or a hindrance?  Is it worth $80 (because let's face it, we all use the 20% off coupons...)
Please let me know!

Be well and good night!