Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Messenger Bag & More

I don't know about you, but I always feel like a need to do a bit of frivilous, easy sewing, void of instructions and tricky technique to get me through the more challenging sewing moments. Just little fillers, when I need a break. I've been doing quite a bit of sewing lately that requires concentration and patience. What I'm sharing today are a few of my recent quick-fix, therapeutic projects.


1. MESSENGER BAG

I was seriously in need of a new work bag. I've been using the same one for maybe 7 or 8 years now. It was a gift from my sister. I think it may have actually been one of her earliest works. It's now horribly stained with mildrew which I have been turing a blind eye to for some time.

I made my new bag using the left over fabric from an almost-complete dress. I used up all the leftover piping from the dress also. The strap was made using a remnant of rubber-backed upholstery fabric so is tough but quite soft and supportive.


- Thread sketched owl on green upholstery fabric - 

  - External pocket (leg side)-

- Internal pocket with zipper - 

- Mobile phone pocket - 

- Shoulder strap, piped on both sides - 

- Long view -

 2. JOGGING POUCH


(Sorry about the 'bum' shot)



I've been wanting a slim-line jogging pouch for some times now. I had a look around in the shops, but the only ones on offer were bulky bum-bag (fanny-pack) types. I wanted something that would sit against my body and be big enough (or small enough) to hold my car keys, mobile phone, tissue and asthma puffer - nothing more and nothing less!

I made this using some fabric I picked up from the op-shop. It matches my running pants perefctly!

3. PENCIL ROLLS





My kids have been invited to quite a few birthday parties during the holidays. Pencil rolls (with watercolour pencils and brush) are now my go-to gift for all children (This idea was stolen from my sister). They're great scraper-busters and such a fabulous plastic-free gift.




IN SEWING NEWS:

Vogue 1247 (Skirt) - I am so ridiculously close to finishing this skirt it's not funny. In fact, I could have finished it instead of writing this post!

Simplicity 2927 - I'm definitely on the home stretch with this one. Only an invisible zipper and hem to go. Woohoo!

Vogue 1247 (Top) - This pattern is a little 'off'' in my opinion. I'm currentlly working on a muslin which is proving challenging to say the least.

Ottobre Girl's Skirt with Flounces - All set to go. The measurements have been made, the pattern is traced and the fabric is pre-washed and ironed. Hand me a pair of scissors and the next episode of Mad Men and it will be ready to sew together.

10 comments:

  1. What? What? What? What?

    What?

    Are they 'fillers'? They're major sewing ventures!! You're incredible.

    I think you've lost weight too. Too much sewing, possibly. Too much liturgical dancing, maybe. Hmmm?

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  2. Whoa! Slow down lady your productivity and jogging is showing me up. Very interested in your Simplicity dress.

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  3. That's a lovely and most groovilicious bag. If I hadn't just made myself a new bag, I'd be asking you to whip me one up.


    Looking forward to your completed dress and skirt. Hope you get the top sorted.

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  4. I love the cheerful new messenger bag. Also the pencil roles are such a perfect gift. The jogging pouch is inspiring. I need one!

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  5. Wow! You have a load done. Love the messenger bag! The fabric is lush- and your finish is impeccable!

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  6. That bag is so cool! Can't wait to see your new creations... and especially hearing your thoughts on the "off" Vogue top. Vogue so rarely produces off patterns, and they are so expensive for us Aussies, so it's good to know if there are problems!

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  7. Love that bag. The little owl is such a neat touch. I think I'm going to have to sew myself a bag before I'm back to school this year.

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  8. WOW - great bag, great bum bag and great pencil wraps - such a great idea - I need one for knitting needles - not that I can knit or anything!

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  9. The messenger bag is my absolute favorite!! The strap, with the piping and the green, and the fabric. Yum. (I think I need a bunch of exclamation points, but I feel fake if I use too many. So with much sincerity--!!!!!!!!!!)

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  10. Love your running pouch! Can you elaborate on how you made it? I'd like to make one (need to get my butt out and running again). ;)

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