A Day (and a half) In The Making

Phew! As I type this up I'm struggling since my fingers are so sore and probably slightly swollen. I made myself a new purse the other day and it had a little bit of hand sewing to finish it off and my fingers dislike me now for it. I started working on the pattern the other night after supper, and started the purse right from when I got up in the morning, with only breaks for food. I wasn't stopping until it was done.

Totally worth it.

BAM! Check it.

My old record purse was falling apart and I wanted something new. Record purses don't fare well in the winter anyway (the records crack much easier) and I used this one far past the point of it looking good or being responsible. One of the straps was worn away to just threads and it was going to let go any day.

I kept seeing people around with these really good looking bags, with two huge side pockets and a zipped pocket in the middle. After searching 'purses' on pinterest and scrolling for ages, I finally found a reference picture to go by.

Not the most helpful of pictures without zoom..

From there I sketched out the pattern (which took a while, I kept getting stuck on one piece until my fella miraculously solved the mystery!) and made a pattern to size.

One of the pieces.

From there it was pretty basic putting together-ness..

And after ages I finally got my finished product!!

From the side. My zipper pull will always be a key. 

I love the detail on the strap. It's simple but came out looking great. 

The outer pockets are lined with snap closures.

Top down. 3 huge pockets!! This purse holds everything, it's fantastic.

Since we were taking pictures of the purse anyway, I wanted to get one of my shirt.. I seriously love this pattern, it's so comfy and fits like a dream!

But because I'm a nut case, one thing led to another and we ended up taking blurry pictures of me being a moron.

If you actually sat through this ridiculously long post, thank you! 

Leather Scraps

A few months ago I got a huge bag of leather scraps in the mail from home. If it hadn't been for me feeling so sick lately (since November!) I probably would have done more with it by now but alas, that's how things roll.

I did however get inspired to finish this bib necklace (which has some leather from my last batch and swarovski crystals, cute!) and some more fortune cookie charms, which are going to become bracelets and necklaces, along with these earrings.

I can also finish my patchwork belt, much like my patchwork corset, which was the reason it's not finished. I ran out of black leather! I can't wait to start wearing it so I guess I should dig it out. I've had it shoved in a bag for ages waiting to get more leather to work on it.

New Years Casual Shirt

So after much time spent trying to shove random fabric into any nook and cranny it would fit in my apartment, I decided to go through it all and get rid of some. Now it all fits nicely in one drawer (well, two, but it fits nicely and that's the important part).

It's very cleansing going through and making the decision that 'no, you won't ever make that sweater so stop holding onto that fabric you don't even really like it' which gives your brain a whole new open slot for ideas. One of which ended up being this shirt.

I took all the measurements, sketched it out onto wrapping paper (now I know why I'll hold onto all my extra paper this year, it's big enough for patterns!), and it ended up working perfectly!

Now I have a fall back tshirt pattern that is simple, looks good, and can be changed up easily with a different curve of the neckline. Sweet!

It was also my first time trying a double needle, and let me tell you: total game changer. No more zig zag stitch finishing for me!

Another first? Sequins. Also a last. This shirt was a labour of love! Having to remove all the sequins from the seam allowance not only took so much time, but my apt was covered in little silver slivers of glitter afterwards. I vacuumed. Still there. There's one stuck to the wall. Never again.

It's really the perfect shirt for the holidays, casual enough being essentially a tshirt, but the flattering fit and the pattern of sequins really makes it do-able for an evening out.

Another one, with cuffs on the sleeves and bottom this time.

The pattern. 

Recycled Sweater Coat

This past Monday was Value Village's 50% off sale, and I had the day off work. Actually I should admit something.. I took the day off work. There were a few things I wanted to make, I knew I'd need quite a few supplies for it, and there was no way I was waiting until after work to go down there. Who knows what I would have missed out on if I waited all day?! Oh no Sir, I got up early and was there within the first hour they were open. I got a few things for a final item in my Secret Santa swap item (which I will show you on or around Dec 8th when we open), and as many good brown sweaters as I could find. I think the total was about 8 or so. This is one expensive project for anyone willing to tackle it.

The end result? This.

It started with a pile of sweaters, then several piles of cut up scraps, and it slowly started to come together.

I actually really enjoyed making this! I learned a lot on how to improve it should I decide to make another one, and you know what? I had so much fun that I'm sure I'll make more.

The hardest thing about making these is I constantly was sewing 'right sides together' by reflex and had to resew pieces the opposite way. I think it would look really beautiful if the seams were hidden though instead of exposed...

Fun facts:
Bottom hem measurement: 174 inches! That's 14.5 feet!!!! That's insane..
One of my serger spools ran dry making this, and I had to trade in one of the black threads for burgundy near the end.
It weighs almost 3 pounds, which doesn't sound like a lot but you notice when you're wearing it!

Thanks to the Mr for putting up with me not once but twice to help me get pictures.

Craft Shows and Craft Swaps

Well, ladies and gents, I luckily enough was able to squeeze into the Hintonburg Artisan Craft Show's lineup on November 24th (Saturday) at the Hintonburg Community Centre from 10-4. I've got piles of half sewn things that I can't wait to show you all and that I will have ready come showtime.

Oooooh, what could they be!

In other news, I signed up for this years secret santa swap on craftster. I've got one thing started (part of the small) then I just have one 'medium' sized thing to make, plus extras. Always extras! I understand that not everyone wants to or can make extras for swaps, and that I may very well not get any extras, but I myself can't help but always spoil whomever I have as a partner. I'll share with you what I make, but after everything has been sent to avoid spoilers :).