Bag in a day or so I thought

I’m back with some entertaining and fascinating things you can try, if you have some spare time.

This summer, since my son has been out of school, I had a few more hours in the day to use since I wasn’t driving him back and forth. First, I spent some time at the library picking up books on all subjects from sewing to history. Now mind you, I am not the historical person at all, but I did find some reads that helped me put the mid-1800‘s and early 1900’s into perspective.

Rewind; I was looking up history for fashion purposes at first. But as I read more, fashion trends of the times fell to the background and I was able to see how people lived and how different types of people would dress. Back then fashion was similar as were the times, still, there was a difference in what people wore whether by choice or not. So every few weeks I would pick up almost seven books, most of them were sewing related but like I said I did add new ones to the mix. This first book I picked up (pictured below), I thought hey this looks interesting, maybe there is something pretty in here, simply judging from the cover. When I returned home and into the next day; I looked through the pages of all the different types of bags. The visuals are what got me to bring the thing home in the first place. The next day I started reading the directions for some of the ones I liked. One was a large tote, another a zip clutch and the last was a bucket purse.

Oh, I didn’t tell you… I REALLY like purses. At one time I had a decent collection; you know one of every color to match clothes in my closet. Your welcome Salvation Army and Goodwill! Nowadays, I am more concerned with function. The bag has to have a useable feature/ functional purpose for at least several months to the cut. That’s why trying this make a bag thing seemed like a good idea. Also as a seamstress, designer and stylist, I try to challenge myself and add new things into what I make. I make slot of clothes and this seemed like a nice break from my daily routine.

It was a Saturday morning, two weeks ago when I decided to start the bucket bag. I went to Wal-Mart and Hobby Lobby to get all the materials I would use and need including purse feet. Several hours later I returned home supplies in and began. No problem the first few sections went off without a hitch. So I keep going; thinking YEAH I can so do this! And I did keep going. I worked the rest of the day on this thing. I had to stop to let the glue dry for the tabs that hold the straps. I decided then to put in the grommet holes for the drawstring.

Arrggg! This is when it became frustrating. You have to hammer in these things good for them to hold. In the past, I did maybe two snaps for a top and it was easier, they were small and went together rather quickly. For this purse, which is made of a mid-weight black vinyl the holes 8 to 10 holes and grommets took two hours. My body was starting to ache because I had been sitting on the floor with this since I started. By now I am eight hours in with more to go. I call it a night.

The next day I start on the heavyweight snaps for the straps. Those went in a lot better than my grommets. Anyway, following the remainder of the directions I was able to get the purse assembled that day. The next day one of my grommets slipped out of place so I glued it back in place. For me, this was a two and a half day process.

 

  The Back Inside

 

Not bad for my first try at this! I think she looks sleek and pretty.

I would definitely try to make another purse or bag again. I just have to get used to all of the little steps in the process. If you have about a day or two or three, try this let me know how it turns out.

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Hello again Friends,

Okay, so I've come to the decision  I want to and will post more often. I have so many unpublished drafts that I've written, that it is time to do something about it. You see I've had this blog a really long time and I like what I've written so far and the freedom it gives me to communicate outside of my circle.

So what's the problem?
My issue is that when I started blogging it was just for fun after I opened my businss. You know a place to connect, talk, vent, laugh whatever. Well as work came in and I spent more time sewing, opening boutiques, building websites and other social profiles ...unfortunately I let my blog down. Just being honest I've written word docs, on scrap pieces of paper and Post-it-notes but have never published or released what I was thinking or wanted to communicate.

Why not?
Aside from being strapped for time many days of the week, overly exhausted or just life in general happening. I wasn't able to make it a priority. But throughout the years I've learned that connecting and sharing is highly important and should continue to be a priority. It has been a huge part of my life, so what am I scared of? As I type this I am not afraid of conversing and I have plenty to say and share and I would like to hear your feedback. At the same time I do not want to get burned out from over social media-ing, you know? Been there and don't care for that so I may have to pace myself.

This almost sounds like a love letter to a friend I haven't seen  in a while and I'm explaining why I haven't called or written consistently. There isn't much excuse to use going forward because from today on I will speak, listen, share and laugh with you more.

So where do we go from here?
Well you can get all caught up with the goings on. I did post on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest so I was not completely off the grid. There are pictures and other content posted. I post this today and in a few days  I will be back to post and chit chat some more. So what do you say to that?
I think I will start with some pattern reviews for the projects I've been doing these past couple of weeks. If you didn't know I sew for myself and others so I will add as much as I can. Some clients have non-disclosure agreements and I cannot say or tell what their things are or I can get in trouble and I don't want that.

Thanks for reading I'll talk to you very soon!💚
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Floral

If you have ever looked at my Instagram or my Facebook pages, you can tell I love flowers. So it’s not a surprise I find fabric other than lace that has flowers. This year it seems to be craze. I have been using it for years and I don’t really plan on stopping. The thing is when you make clothes you can make yours different than what is sold in stores. And that’s usually what I do for myself and my clients.

Here’s the fabric, a light-weight cotton jersey.

Here’s the lace, a sheer and sparkly navy floral lace.

Let’s marry them ❤

I’ll show you the top and bottom later in this post. I did mention in an earlier post I was addicted to lace. See it continues lol.

The pattern I used for the lace top is one I’ve had for a while. I wanted to use it and I figured these pants with this top would make a nice addition to my summer wardrobe. Butterick 4988 without the extra trim on the sleeves. I didn’t do the scalloped hemline as this lace doesn’t exactly have the bottom for it. Had the lace flowers been a closer pattern to allow it, I would have done it. Well that leaves room for me to do this pattern again.

The pants are a McCalls pattern 6404a, they suggested stretch knits, which is fine I wanted some light pants almost leggings for summer. So I went at it. The pattern was pretty easy. Next time I would take out the pockets as I don’t really like them but they don’t really show with the top. Otherwise it is fun and breathable for this hot summer we have had.

Well there is more sewing going on here so please stay tuned and thanks for reading, talk to you soon.

Thanks for reading, talk to you soon.