Vogue 7755

This bag did not want to be made. After firstly cutting the fabric upside down, I needed 3 attempts to get the straps on correctly! Well it is done now and I have to say it was not really an enjoyable experience. The canvas fabric with interfacing was hard to move around the sewing machine and awkward to get at.

The pattern calls for buckles for the straps to be attached to. I just sewed them directly to the bag and attached buttons (with a cute bag on them) to the front straps. The pattern also says that "All bags have inside pocket" but there is no pattern piece for one or instructions to add one?? Anyway, I added 3. Here is an inside photo:

More photos of the pockets and details of the lining and stramps can be seen in my previous post.

Sofie and I also went shopping today to Spotlight and Bunnings in Bayswater. Pretty handy as one is across the road from the other. We got some swatches for fabric and for paint for the makeover of The Good Room.

I really like the fabric on the left - chocolate, brown and blue/teal. The second fabric is a microsuede and would be a better choice for the couches as it can co ordinate with more colours. The Fabric on the right is a kind of latte colour and is for curtains. We like the two colours in the middle of the paint card for the walls. We will probably go for the lighter of the two as the room is not large. So it is to be brown, cream and touches of teal. If all goes to plan I will go back to Spotlight on Wednesday to buy the curtain fabric and start those. Next will be to paint on the weekend. Lets hope it is not too cold and wet!

Vogue 7755

I am making the large tote on the upper left hand corner. I got this pattern at a closing down sale (Remnant Warehouse in Prahran) for 50 cents. This is my first attempt at making a bag and it was the fabric in the last post that motivated me to "'ave a go".

I lined the bag from some poly cotton I found lurking in the stash and decided to make some pockets from some old sheeting. I had a bit left over from some other project - actually I don't remember why I have it at all but it was there so I used it...

I decided to keep the top of the sheet as the top of my pockets (saves on stitching ) and did a decorative stitch to pretty it up a bit.

I made two pockets for one side - a phone pocket and a keys pocket. I put tucks into the pockets to give them some depth. On the other side I just did one pocket to keep my PDA in.

For the straps I used some green grosgrain ribbon which I stitched on top as seen in this picture:

Here is a photo with the ribbon sewn on.

So, everything was going along nicely. Had a bit of trouble getting the sides stitched to the bottom but with lots of clipping I managed to get it attached without any ripples. Mmmmm, I think something is wrong.........

Lucky I have enough fabric to recut - oh darn!!!!!!!!!!!

Red Jacket on me

I wore my new red jacket to Shepparton on Thursday and found it very comfy! Here is a picture of me in it before we left...

I found that making the jacket in a knit brought about a few problems. It stretches! I had to take the sides in a good inch each. Also the shoulders are a bit sloppy and would benefit from a small shoulder pad. And the empire line is a bit lower, but that is ok. On the very plus side...it is sooo comfy. The pink jacket I made in this pattern is very restricting but the red one is just like a cardie! While in Shepp, I bought a long sleeve black top for $9.95 on special, which will look great with the jacket. The top I have on in the photo is just a sleeveless knit.

Also while in Shepparton I just happened to drop into the local Spotlight and found some cute canvas fabric in the remnant bin - it cost all of $1.96! Obviously it wants to be a handbag!

So that is the plan for today. My first handbag/tote. My Marfy can continue to wait.....