Wow! Over a year since our inaugural post! That's pretty pathetic, but damn there's been alot going on! We moved back to California last September, so it's been a whirlwind of packing, moving, unpacking, holidays, etc. I still can't find our flatware and most of my fabric, but that hasn't stopped us!! Mavis has been working her ass off. We've squeezed lots of sister time in by visiting our parents in Tucson, having a sisters week on the coast of Oregon and spending a week here, drinking margaritas, sewing and sitting in the hot tub which is actually the cold tub during all this heat.
We. have. been. sewing. Market totes, zippered bags, pajamas. Mavis and I got together for a week and smoked the Singer! She's going to tell the world alllll about Adventures in Pajama pants. It was pretty hilarious and it's my mission to bug the crap out of her until she finally posts it.
We just started making these little envelope bags to hold gift cards for birthdays and holidays.
I started taking pictures after I made a few, but here are the rough instructions if you want to have some fun.
I used some old grain bag remnants for the base and the rough size is 5.5 inches wide by 9.5 inches tall. I didn't even measure until I had finished it, it turned out to be a pretty good size. Measure, cut in the shape of a tall house and then I hemmed the bottom which isn't necessary but it made me feel good.
Then the fun part! Pick your fabric/fibers/etc. I went with antique violet/earthy colors for one and the complete opposite for the other- bright and sunny blues, greens, etc. You don't need much since they're pretty small. I used contemporary fabrics with some vintage, lace, silk sari ribbon, linen, and some printed fabric pieces of a hare and songbirds.
Dig in and start! There's no right or wrong way. I trim the edges and thread as I go along, only because the excess starts to bug me. I leave a fair amount of thread, it adds visual and tactile interest.
Not everyone is impressed. ;)
This is a finished bag minus the side seams. This was the second one I made and probably my favorite so far. I love the mussy look! After you're done adding all the bits and pieces, you simply fold up the sides and stitch them closed. You can stitch around the entire piece if you want, it's up to you. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't.
The hare and birds bags came out great!
Mavis got in the act and whipped out a chicken bag, which I LOVE ( I miss my sweet Maine hens so bad). Isn't that "barbed wire" fabric the best? The bag is coming home to roost right here.
A few more
I'll add some ties or buttons and call it good on the ones I have stitched so far. For now they're tucked away ready to add a gift card to. Only 147 days until Christmas. ;)
