Misc. Pouches

Hiding the patterned fabric on the inside of these pouches leaves the outside free for a solid color and a silk-screened message. Thus far I'm finding that the paint is easy to work with if I'm careful. It dries evenly, irons, washes and is the opaque look I was hoping for. There are 5 more colors of paint to try in the silk screening starter kit. Maybe I'll make party gift pouches for K's upcoming birthday that say "4 is Fab!"

Shine On, Sun!

I'm experimenting with silk screening my own words and designs onto fabric. The first step is to think of something to say and print it from the computer. An exposure of exactly 30 seconds to the bright fall sun fixes an image of my design on a reusable screen. I'm still working out the best method to neatly paint through my stencil onto fabric. I don't want fancy or intricate, just crisp and vaguely competent.

It's reassuring to find there are still crafting avenues I have never explored.

Pencil Case

I worked for an entire afternoon to puzzle out how to make a pencil case with ends folded up in triangles as you would wrap a present. My thought was if I could make the pattern in paper, origami-style, then I could reverse the math to add seam allowances, turn the pattern inside out to make a lining, add a zipper, and I'd have a pencil pouch. Well, either the solution is awkward and no fun to sew, or it escapes me completely. I fell back on what I know how to do. Here is a pencil pouch with tapered sides and a squared-off bottom. It will stand open to reveal art supplies, but is at its heart a simple zippered pouch.

Rings On My Fingers

I'm a fan of circles. These donut beads speak to me. They could be cute earrings, a dangle on a purse, or some sort of ingenius loop hardware for some project. I have bunches and bunches of them, just in case.

New Design

My favorite pattern person on Etsy, Keykalou, has a new rounded clutch design to try. In the past I've taken her patterns and lengthened them to suit my needs, but this one I sewed pretty much as she directed. The inside has a small pocket, and the flap closes with an ultra-thin magnet snap, my latest favorite sewing notion. I like the way the red polka-dots came out, and I have pieces cut to make the same bag in some of my favorite blue Japanese linens. Maybe a black linen body and a patterned flap would work. I'll try...

Getting Ready for the Season

Before even the big box stores have thought to trot out holiday displays and merchandise, I have a holiday crafting thought. I'm going to make zippered pouches in holiday fabrics. The perfect size to hold a gift card, a zippered pouch makes wrapping easy, is reuable and regiftable, and doubles as a change purse or whatnot holder.