Sunday, April 15, 2012

Sew to Live, Live to Sew bag

Sew to Live, Live to Sew bag

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

Sew to Live, Live to Sew bag
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.
Sew to Live, Live to Sew  fabric

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".
Sew to Live, Live to Sew bag in progress

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...
Sew to Live, Live to Sew bag in progress

Then I flip it over and sew from the other side:
Sew to Live, Live to Sew bag in progress

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!)
Sew to Live, Live to Sew bag!


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.
Sew to Live, Live to Sew bag


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.
Sew to Live, Live to Sew bag

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:"
All the bags I've made from S8331

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:
My new ironing board cover
Pretty cool, huh?
My new ironing board cover

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?):
My new ironing board cover

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!

9 comments:

  1. Very cool latest addition and the whole collection def in the spirit of One Week One Pattern! With bags like that, you don't have to care about the outit... they steal the show.



    Do you know, for years I've been intending to make an ironing board cover... oops

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  2. Love the fabric! That's a great little bag that will surely steal the show at PR weekend. I found something on Spoonflower that caught my eye. Just haven't figured out what the project would be to make from the fabric! The ironing board cover looks aqua -- perfect!

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  3. That bag is hilarious - I'm sure it will bring you lots of positive attention. Enjoy your weekend of sewing fun!

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  4. What a good idea, making a bag for each PR event. Something to mark the occasion. That's a cute bag. Oh, an ironing board cover. I started making mine because good covers were so hard to find.

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  5. LOVE the bag! Seriously!!! I have got to make myself a bag sometime. I only own like 7 bag patterns - what am I waiting for?!

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  6. What a fun fabric find! I haven't tried spoonflower yet but you are making it tempting. Love the bag and the piping!

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  7. Wow, I like the bag.

    I nominated you for the Liebster Blog Award. =) I like your sewings.
    Please link back to my site

    www.lilycansew.blogspot.com

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  8. You have made a fabulous bag there! Great find on the fabric.

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  9. Beautiful bag -- will help when you pick up all sorts of flyers and order forms, to keep them straight and easily findable when you go back to look at them after the PR weekend. Unless you dump it all and just use the bag as a purse, of course. I've only ever used an extra-wide ironing board in a theater costume shop. It was GREAT. At my house, I don't have room to store one or to open up more than a regular sized board. In a pinch, you can use a bed or a carpeted floor to iron wide stuff. Or put a woolen blanket on a table.

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