Bags

Jen Giddens Classic Messenger Bag

June 28, 2013August 31, 2015 Ms. ChinchillaLeave a comment

I love messenger bag style purses and was excited to try out Jen Gidden’s Classic Messenger Bag pattern. I have made her Pleated Tote pattern and really liked it. Very simple and clear instructions.

I used decorator weight Lovesme Lovesmenot in Leaf from Anna Maria Horner’s Innocent Crush collection.

For the inside lining, I used a polka dot from American Jane Patterns from the Look and Learn collection by Sandy Klop. There is just a simple pocket inside, but you could really customize here adding a zippered pocket or specialized pockets for your phone, etc.

For the interfacing, to give it body, I used Pellon 809 Decor Bond. This made the flap a little stiff. Currently, it looks very nice, but I wonder how it will really stand up to real world use.

All in all, this was a very fun project and pretty much instant gratification, which was exactly what I was looking for!

For the Home

Pearl District Table Runner

January 9, 2013August 31, 2015 Ms. ChinchillaLeave a comment

I have been working on a Pearl District Table Runner by Busy Bee Quilt Designs since November. Here’s what I have so far…I’m waiting for Essex Sand to get re-stocked in the shop so I can finish my binding. I’ve used fabrics from Anna Maria Horner’s Field Study Collection. I have enjoyed making this a lot. I chose to make the circles by sewing a circle on squares of fabric and interfacing sandwiched together, then slicing open the interfacing with my seam ripper, turning right side out, trimming and ironing flat. While probably the most time-consuming applique method of the three suggested in the pattern, I liked the neatness of this one. I tend to be messy with fusible interfacing and get glue on my iron and fabric. Ugh!

Some of the prints from Field Study are larger scale, so you only see a partial part of the design. Maybe this would have worked better with smaller scale prints, but I think I still like it.

Not sure how I’m going to quilt this yet. I’ll probably just do something in the border and leave the circles alone. My free-motion quilting skills are still in the development stage.

I have a lot of left over circle in a square blocks that I didn’t end up using. Perhaps they’ll transform themselves into coasters.

As with every new year, I always have a bevy of goals, resolutions, etc. I am a dedicated list maker. So, one of my goals is to always do more sewing. I really want to conquer some of my many UFO’s (unfinished objects) that are sitting around my office. I also want to get over my fear of the serger. I have this beautiful machine, but it scares the heck out of me. I think another round of classes is in my future.

Garments

Pajama Bottoms

November 15, 2011August 31, 2015 Ms. ChinchillaLeave a comment

I decided to make a quick pair of pajama bottoms for Asher because I was inspired by all the cute flannel, especially the Anna Maria Horner, we had at work. Unfortunately, not any of it was very boyish.

So…I resorted to Jo-Ann’s and found this sweet, but not high quality owl flannel. I love the colors, but I’m not sure it’s going to wash up well. I see it getting pilly pretty quickly.

Anyway, I used Kwik Sew 3589, which is a very basic pattern — only 2 pattern pieces, with an elastic waste. This type of pattern only makes me want a serger more and more. I could whip these out pretty fast and my edges would look so much nicer. There’s always Christmas!