The road less traveled by...

100% cotton is my friend. It's easy to work with, makes nice sharp creases, and just does what it's told. It doesn't really stretch, it doesn't slide, and it doesn't misbehave.

Unfortunately, it's other types of fabrics that seem to call my name.

I decided to re-do the tote that I had switched the measurements around on before. I had wanted to make something that was out of a fashion fabric instead of a quilting fabric and it was equally rewarding as it was challenging. I've had it in my closet for so long, never having the nerve to cut into it. I bring it out from time to time to touch it and think of all the things I could do with it. But then it laughs at me and I get intimidated by it and put it away. It's thin, slippery, and a bit stretchy. It's very hard to cut or iron straight. It's flowy and soft... wait... someone please tell me why I chose this fabric???

Um, hello? Because it's gorgeous! :)

I used the free Pink October pattern from www.mamaspocketbook.com. I omitted the pocket (i was afraid it would take away from the fabric, but I'm wishing I had left it) and I added a magnetic snap closure (my first try!). It has an interfaced lining and I also adhered a stiff felt-type interfacing to the outer fabric to give it some body. The handles were quite a challenge. I also put the felt stuff in the middle of the handles but getting them straight and even wasn't easy. At any rate, I am proud of myself for standing up to the challenge and breaking out of my comfort zone. It was worth it.

"I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference"

...Robert Frost

A Real Mama's Purse: Thank you, Kaylee and Isabella, for the most adorable purse I'll ever make.

When Kaylee was 2 years old and Isabella was 1 we bought the cutest little corduroy dress that had a patchwork look and over-all type straps. I've held onto it waiting to find something to do with it and tonight it found it's new place. I sewed up the bottom, sewed box corners and top stitched around the sides and along the bottom edges. It has to be the cutest thing I've ever made and probably will ever make. (I know that this is only true because I have loved this little dress for so long). :)

It stands up by itself while it has stuff in it, but it's not that stiff since I didn't open it to add interfacing. I did cover a piece of cardboard to put in the bottom to make the bottom stiff. It works great. I love the zipper on the side, (it's definitely just for looks, but still a cute little thing) and the buttons and tags. It's obviously just a hand held purse, but I'm considering lengthening the straps. For now it's just perfect the way it is.

Here's the dress before:

Front

Back




**And here it is: A Real Mama's Purse**

Turtle! Turtle!

This turtle is a version of my heating pad cozies. It's not quite right yet but it works. Initially I had made one out of muslin and simply traced the shell design (and terrible face). Then I made this colorful one and appliquéd the shell design on. I had thought I would just sort of tack the shell on along the sides, but I couldn't get it to lay right. I've got to work with the stuffing to get the right amount so it's stiff but pliable. Because I couldn't get it to tack down well and still look good, I decided to just sew the shell onto the body all the way around.

The legs and tail are just right, but I'm still having trouble getting the head to be where I want it. It's supposed to be closer to the body, but when it comes time to sew it on there is so much bulk around my sewing foot that it inevitably scooches out and ends up being too far out, making it a little more floppy than I had hoped.

For this one I just sewed on some little white rosettes for eyes, but I also have some buttons that look like eyes that I'll use on the real thing.

It will take a few more tries before I get it just right.... although, I am supposed to have a finished product ready by Wednesday for a co-worker. I'm a little nervous to cut into the fabric he chose... I just hope that it turns out alright. *crossing my fingers!!*

It isn't meant to stand up, but I thought it was nifty that it does. There is a pocket on the belly that holds a rice filled heating pad. The turtle is completely machine washable too, which is the big plus. It sure would be easier to make a simpler version that is "stuffed" with the rice, but you can't wash it. This is much better. :)

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Prototype #2: Modeled by Isabella

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Prototype #1: The Muslin Turtle

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Warning!
The following photo may be unsuitable for younger viewers.
Viewer discretion is advised.

**TURTLE TORTURE**

**Just kidding, no turtles were harmed in the making of this cozy**

A Special Order Tote

I suppose lately I've been doing much more sewing than quilting. I gave the "Fancy Schmancy Totey-Bag" to a co-worker who oooh'd and aaahh'd over it. She has been so happy with it that she called me this morning to ask me to make a bag for her mother. On my way home from work I stopped at the fabric store and picked up some 50% off poinsettia fabric and some heavy interfacing. She requested that it be a little taller and a little wider than the bag she has (naturally) so I took a good while trying to decide what size to make it. I settled on 16 wide x 18 high pieces (before sewing) with 2 1/2" boxed corners. I had made the handle waaaaay too long and had to take it apart to fix it cutting out 16 inches of handle... lol yeah I guess I went a little overkill to begin with.

I used a medium weight interfacing which makes it pretty durable. I didn't interface the handles, but I am wishing I had, they are a little twisty when it's in my hands. Oh well, live and lern. I mean learn. ;) I topstitched around the bottom to give it more standing power. I chose to leave the sides alone, I like the half-tote-half-grocery-bag look it has.

Here it is in all it's poinsettia glory. I really like it, it's a good size for a shopping tote.

Fancy Schmancy Totey-Bag

Just made this tonight. It's supposed to be 15'' wide and 12'' high... but I messed up and reversed it, so it's 12'' wide and 15'' high. *sigh*

I also messed up the topstitching when I was closing the top where I turned the bag right-side out. I veered a little and my seam isn't straight... but oh well. Still, it's pretty. I have more of this fabric so perhaps I'll make another one and get it right.

Cell Phone Case

I wanted to make a test mini-tote bag to see if I could put outside and inside pockets onto a tote bag. The test came out so cute and I've decided to turn it into a cell phone case.

Fabric Grocery Bags

Here's the fabric grocery bag I made over the weekend. Serita on the About.com Quilting forum posted it. It's from the tutorial found here: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=79062.0;all

(Thank you Serita!)

It was a fun and easy pattern. I plan on making my own pattern for a tote with inside pockets and embellishments on the outside soon.

Quilted Cozies

I've always enjoyed making microwavable heating pads with a rice filling. They are sooo cozy and being reusable without having to worry about unplugging or turning something off makes them so convenient. I used to make them in just a plain fabric pouch, no cover.. but realized that they get dirty and aren't washable.

I wanted to see what a quilted cover would look like so I made a type of pillowcase pouch and quilted with some decorative stitching. It fits a rice pad inside made from muslin. The rice pad can be taken out and the cover is completely machine washable. I want to find a good way to close the cover but for now it's just open, but the rice pad doesn't fall out. I am thinking of using very flat buttons with tab closures or a zipper, but I want to make sure that it's not uncomfortable if you're laying on it. For now, the pillowcase idea works great.

The one shown here is the medium size, 10''x10''. It is unscented but I have made some with lavender buds as well. I plan on getting some essential oils and such to make some true aromatherapy heating pads. I have made these with half rice and half flax seed. The rice holds the heat very well and the flax seed provides the softness and flexibility to make the perfect cozy heating pad.

I'm calling them Quilted Cozies. I plan on selling them as I've already had some interest in them. :)