Gingham Tote

So, once I got my modern sewing machine back this week, I started stitching something for mi Madre.

I had debated designing a cross body bag for her, but in the end I decided to build a few new skills and tackle the Gingham Tote from Handmade Style by Anna Graham.

I love the Riley Blake fabric I used for the pocket!

Making this bag added some new techniques to my arsenal. Rivets. Rivets! A game changer for sure. I also installed my first magnetic snap.

Upcycled bedlinen for the slip pocket

It was fun to put together, and I think it will be a great summertime bag for my Mom to haul around all the things she needs to. 

The rivet setting took a bit of practice. My first attempt at a rivet (fortunately on practice fabric) was, eh, a huge disaster.

Yikes!

I almost chickened out on the leather handles with rivets, after trying it out. I'm glad that I went ahead, because I think it adds great function to the bag. 

Upright and sturdy

It has a good amount of heft, and I think it will hold up well. Here's hoping my Mom will love it!

Linking up with NTT, Off the Wall Friday, and Finish it up Friday.

#BraveQuilter @ Pink Doxies

I have been planing for a while now to sew myself a garment. 

This is a little scary for me, since my past experiences sewing clothing for myself have been, well, not very great. This is what happens when you don't know what you are doing, and you don't use a pattern. 

So this month it is my goal to sew myself something to wear. Probably the Sailor Top by Fancy Tiger Crafts, since they have the pattern and a tutorial on Creativebug. 

Picture of Sailor Tops from the Creativebug website

It looks simple enough, and it's something that I think I would get a lot of wear out of. 

I'm participating in Pink Doxies link up #BraveQuilter as part of the link party for May, the goal is to sew myself a garment!

Patchwork Play

I have been inching to play with patchwork this week.

HOWEVER, my modern machine was in the shop, and when I picked it up on Wednesday it would no longer sew for me at all (!!!!), so it is in the shop again. Ugh. Very frustrating.

I love stitching on my featherweight, but I struggle with keeping a quarter inch seam allowance without some of the features of my modern machine. I got used to a patchwork foot and it's hard to go back!

So, I didn't want to work on the blocks that have been building up in my to do pile (mainly Sugar Block Club BOM), since I wasn't sure I would be able to keep my seam allowances in check.

I decided to go through my scrap bins and make up something as I went along.

This is what I finished up.

Some tiny piecing (for me at least)

It is destined to become another mug rug I think. Or a Mini of some sort. Once I get my modern machine back (again) I will quilt her up. I'm thinking matchstick quilting? Or something completely different.

I have been seriously discouraged about my sew machine situation. I'm sewing on a 12 year old Brother CS6000, that no longer makes bobbins (thank goodness for my sidewinder). It drives me nuts. It has a pretty small harp space, so anything bulky is a pain. I'm over it. However there are features that I have gotten accustomed to that I want in my next sewing machine. Like speed control, and automatic needle down.

So investing in the maintenance for this machine that I don't even want anymore is discouraging. Especially since I can buy the current equivalent for 150$ and I paid 90$ for the servicing. URGGG.

I hope to get a new machine by the end of the year, I'm thinking either a Janome or a Juki. What do you sew on, and do you like it?

Linking up at NTT, Finish it up Friday, and Off the Wall Friday.

Crushes

I have a major crush right now.

The Lavish collection by Katarina Roccella really has my heart going pitter patter.

Mother's Garden in Rich

Especially this print! The colors! The flowers! I just want to meander though a meadow looking at it.

I'm trying to play it cool, and I haven't snagged any yardage yet, but maybe Mother's Day will treat me well. :)