Tuesday, August 7, 2012

All bagged out

A gazillion years ago, when I was way into quilting, I made a celtic knot quilt.  It stayed on the bed for many years until it wore out.  I don't know where it is now.  I suppose it is tucked away somewhere, waiting for me to fix it. 

I came across some rejected squares as I was "cleaning" this weekend.  I found the fabric in my stash and made it into a bag.  Betsy and I are teaching our last class on Wednesday.  Guess what we're making?  A tote bag.  I am pretty tired of practicing the class projects.  So I decided to gussie up the demo bag and came up with this idea.  I love it.  I used fusible interfacing so that it has some heft and I turned up the corners on the bottom to give it some shape.  Vera Bradly it aint.  But then it didn't cost me an arm and a leg.  Its original, for sure.  Shoot, maybe I can quit my day job with all the money I save; grooming my own dogs(http://mysewingmachineobsession.blogspot.com/2012/08/do-it-yourself.html and making my own totes.......Nah.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Revision

I did not like it, not at all.  I did not like the way the strap came out on Anna's bag.  So I went to the thrift store and found an old belt for a buck.  I took off the rectangle "rings" and used them on the bag.  Much better.

I made tabs and  I also made the strap narrower.  It is still just as comfy.  But I like this better.  
And for comparison...
I am pretty much all bagged out.  We have guests coming and I really should attend to tidying up the place, giving dogs baths and haircuts and perhaps dig into that new Davis.   Or finish a couple of things I have started.   Or not.....

Is it Magic?

I have wanted t find a Davis Sewing Machine for about three months.  There was one at an Estate Sale in Utica earlier this summer.  I just couldn't get there. 

Earlier this week I had a phone call from a friend of a friend.  She had a Davis for sale.  It was only 25 miles away.  Today I went to look at it and well, another machine came home with me.

I have noticed that when I decide that I want a machine, that machine pops up with in weeks usually.  Is it Magic?  The same thing happened with the Singer 31-15.  Last December I decided I wanted a heavier duty machine, preferably a treadle. By January I had the 31-15 at home.

Of course, this phenomenon is not so mysterious with machines that are abundant.  The Singer 66 with the Lotus decal was another "magical appearance."  But, oddly enough, I have not seen many Lotus decals since I found mine.  I wish I could.  I want one that is nicer.   There, now maybe one will pop up.


Thursday, August 2, 2012

ART

Class went well last night.  Everyone had beautiful colors and wonderful projects.  So gratifying to see people who don't sew learn and CREATE.  Betsy kept telling everyone "That's not a mistake, this is ART."