Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Amy Backpack (Chris W Designs)

This is my third entry for the Purse Palooza 2013 going on over at Sew Sweetness.  My first entry can be found here and my second one here.
If you are looking for the All About Boys Blog Hop post it is the one below this.


The Amy Backpack from Chris W Designs, once again I was very lucky in getting this pattern for free from a girlfriend of mine Shirley at SimpleSew.  I really needed a backpack pattern so I could make my daughter one for our trip and this is the first time trying to make a backpack.

Pattern:  Loads of instructions and pictures, best part is that she also gives you the option to print just a few pages in a condensed instruction section at the end after the pattern pieces.  Bad part, I didn't like the way the interior part of the bag was supposed to be sewed in, this gave me a hard time, so I modified the pattern.


Materials:  Pretty basic, bag construction materials, I was out of fusible interfacing so I quilted batting onto the interior fabrics.  I also did not use the suggested elastic for the front and side pockets, instead I used a zipper and buttons.  The fabric I used is mostly Riley Blake, the fabric you see above is part of a panel it is the "closet" from the Princess Pillow Panel, that I purchased from The Intrepid Thread.  The fabric for the inside and the back is "Dress Up".

changed the 2 straps for an over the body doll carrier.
Instructions:  I really didn't follow any of the instructions, I think I have a problem with that, good thing I was never in the military.  But the Instructions are very well written, I just wanted something different and I wanted to use what I had on hand.  The basic shape of the bag is true to form.

Modifications:  The straps turned into a baby doll carrier, the pockets are not gathered with elastic, I had to change the gusset, if you don't know what that is, and I didn't, it is the material that goes around the 2 main pieces, the one that you see above with the pocket on it and the zipper.  I changed all of that so I could sew my interior lining in, instead of hand sewing it to the zipper as suggested in the pattern.
I added a little hoop to one side so I could attach my daughter's traveling pillow.
That is a bed with a little princess, the second part from the Panel that I bought.
Some extra photos.

I am washing the pillow right now, because my daughter threw up all over it on the plane, no fun at all.  But they are doing really good at traveling and we are very excited about continuing our trip.  Leaving for New Mexico tomorrow, but not before trying out some American Barbeque today!

Monday, November 11, 2013

For the boys blog Hop!

Hello from Denver, we just landed yesterday after a 25 hour journey, okay only 14 hours on the plane, but we had to drive 5 hours to get to the Athens, Greece airport and then you loose a few hours in the airports.  For this epic journey I created a messenger bag for my son!
Don't you just love it?  I do! the N is for Nikolaos, his name, but we just call him Nik, or Nikos.  In Greece it is tradition to name your children after the paternal grandparents, so that is where his name came from, my husband's father, who passed away 7 days after my daughter was born, but just adored Nik.  The alphabet letter is from Blossom Heart Quilts FREE tutorials and patterns.  I have made all of my newphews bags, but I need to find some interfacing while here in America and then I will finish sewing them together.
under the flap is a zippered pocket.
Now I have a tutorial all ready for you, but I left my awesome photos on my computer and they are not on my husbands so I will post the tutorial once we get back from our trip to the States, and I will also post the Boys Car Play Mat at the same time, if you haven't seen it yet, check it out also for your little boys.
with an adorable zipper pull from Zipit
On the back is a felt robot and that is supposed to be a batman signal on his front of his body.


A complete view of the back of the bag.

Inside pocket with the cutest fabric from Anne Kelle

The interior of the bag is just big enought to fit his travel pillow and his markers and paper and a few toys at the bottom.
closed up.

Travel Pillow!

A few pictures before we left for the States.


Taking a nap on the side road with his kitty, who I am sure we will miss a lot.
Many thanks to Amy of Sew Incredibly Crazy and Madame Samm of Sew We Quilt
 for putting this all together!
Make sure you check out all of the other lovely blogs today if you haven't already since I am last.
November 11th
 
 
 

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Leather Accent Fold Over Pouch (LBG Studio)

This is my second entry into the Purse Palooza 2013 going on over at Sew Sweetness.  You can see my first Fylerion Bag here.

I was the lucky winner of the pattern Leather Accent Fold Over Pouch, thanks to Vanessa of LBG studio.

I also won some suede at the same time, but have not decided on which one to get, they all look so fantastic from Lindsey at LRstitched.

I really wanted to get working on it right away so I can give it as a gift to my Step-Mom when I see her at Thanksgiving.  So here is my non-suede version.
Pattern:  Is easy and simple to follow, she gives great directions and photos.
Materials:  She talks a lot about up-cycling and I love that, because sometimes I forget so I used an old pair of jeans that are so buttery soft they started to fall apart, I interfaced them with Vilene G700 and the corduroy corners are from a t-shirt that was my sons when he was 6 months old.  But my mistake was in using batting for a interlining, I didn't have anything else and it made the pouch really bulky.
Instructions:  Simple and Easy, She gives really AWESOME tips on how to sew over so many bulky layers and what needles to use.
Modifications:  Well I screwed up using such a bulky interlining, the bag is definitely ready for winter, which is why I am so glad I made the other modification and did a little button art on 1 side.
If I was to do this again with the corduroy I would applique it on with some Lite Steam-A-Seam, I don't think the suede needs it, but the corduroy sure could have used it.  I used this cute zipper-pull from Zipit
I think it adds the perfect touch.
I will definitely be making a lot more of these in the future, especially after I get a hold of the proper type of interlining suggested :)  I think it looks really nice and classy, especially the leather suede ones.

Linking to Purse Palooza 2013

Do you think my step mom will like this one or my shabby chic clutch.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

For the Boys Blog Hop Schedule

Well I wasn't going to do it, but once again Madame Samm came up with another blog hop that I just couldn't stay out of, it starts today.  Get ready to find inspiration for making things just for those boys in your life.
November 6th
 

 
 


 
November 7th
 
 

 
November 8th

 
 

 
 November 11th
 
 
 
November 12th
 
 

 
 

 
November 13th
 
 
 
November 14th
 
 
 
November 15th 
 

Friday, November 1, 2013

Pushme & Pullme Block Blog Hop

Hello, my name is Mara and I live in Greece, today I get to show you a cute new block called "Pushme & Pullme", previously know as "This Way, That Way" :)

Kona Charcoal for outer ring, unknown Kona blue in center and JoAnn's spaceship fabric

Michele of Facotum of Arts, created this block pattern and asked for a few people to test it out and I was one of the lucky recipients in trying out her new block pattern.  Today she is having a small hop so make sure you check everyone else's rendition of the block.

Ashley @ Wasn’t Quilt in a Day
Kristel @ Work-in-Progress Girl
Mara @ Secretly Stitching - you are here.
Sarah @ Sarah Quilts

What did I do with my block you ask, well I can't wait to make a quilt with these blocks, but at this time I could only make something small.
 A Car Play mat Tote
This is a gift for my nephew who will turn 2 in a few months, on the front is the block pattern and on the back is a zippered pocket with a felt car garage. 
Back of tote.
Inside of the pocket garage.
Open it up for a road play mat.
Most of the fabrics used are Riley Blakes Peak Hour and Moda's Road 15 by Sweetwater, the solid is Kona Charcoal (a blue black) and the linen is Robert Kaufman Denim.  I did a little embroidery stitching on each square.
Click on it if you want a bigger picture.
The kids had great fun testing it out.


A Fantastic block that is perfect for a boys quilt or the big man in your life.  I am so excited to make it that I had to make another.
again unknown Kona blue for the solid and Tula Pink Salt Water for the arrows.
Check Michele's blog for more inspiration and perhaps a giveaway.  The pattern can be found on Craftsy and Etsy.

If you are interested in my making a tutorial for this play mat, just let me know and I will work on one after I get back from my vacation, just in time for you to whip one up for Christmas for that little boy in your life.

Linking to Such a Sew and Sew: A Stitch in Time Linky Party.


October Finishes