Holiday Market 2013

The Lincoln Square Holiday Market opens this Saturday (8am-1pm) and runs for 7 weeks. Vendors of all types will sell gifts, food and plants. I will have these folded fabric ornaments along with pouches, baskets and do-dads for organizing, gift-giving and display. Come visit!

Weekend with Friends

A lady I met at the Market at the Square is preparing to enjoy a weekend away in New York City with friends, and she's bringing favors. A little piecing of fabric and a custom bead from the Community Fab Lab personalize small essentials bags to be filled with gum, a little lotion, hand sanitizer and whatnot needed for an early fall adventure. Have fun!

School Supplies

Though we had a great summer, I am excited to see the kids return to school. The daily routine again allows for blocks of time in my sewing room to work on items for the Urbana Market at the Square and the upcoming Lincoln Square Holiday Market. So, while the kids returned to school with colored pencils, p.e. shoes, graph paper and thumb drives, I stocked up on back-to-school fabric. The four patterns across the top are laminated cotton for small and large cosmetic/travel bags. The other patterns just appealed to me.

Eclectic Sale

Besides the occasional Market at the Square Saturdays this summer, I am selling pouches and whatnot at Eclectic on Main Street in Urbana. Today through Saturday, Eclectic is holding their annual $10 Original Art Days sale. Member artists and crafters have donated items to the store for the sale. Everything costs $10. Check them out on Facebook to see some of the things on offer. https://www.facebook.com/eclecticartistcoop This is what I took in:

Stampin' Up! Fabric

My friend Nancy of http://nancysniftynotes.com and http://www.etsy.com/shop/NancysNiftyNotes makes cards. She primarily uses the Stampin' Up! card making line of stamps, inks and papers. It turns out, the company also has a line of fabric. In preparation for a Stampin' Up! convention, Nancy asked me to make a purse and pouches using some of their prints. I was free to mix and match, piece and cut, as long as the Stampin' Up! fabric remained the star and I used as much of the fabric as possible. The result is a pile of items, both large and small. I'm pleased with the coordinated result, and now Nancy has enough of this and that to store her everyday items with gifts for her card class participants, besides.

USS Indianapolis Reunion

One of my customers at Urbana's Market at the Square is organizing this year's reunion of the survivors and family of the World War II ship the USS Indianapolis. Among the get-together's events is a tea for survivor wives and widows. These red, white and blue pouches with zipper pull beads personalized at the Fab Lab are meant to be the favor. A basic strip of complementing fabric across the top of each pouch opened up mix-and-match fun. I enjoyed sewing a large number of pouches in a limited color scheme. I appreciate the opportunity to insert my crafts in this celebratory event to honor and thank the sailors and families of the Indianapolis. You can visit the reunion web site here http://ussindyreunion.com/

Saturday Season Opener

My first date for the Urbana Market at the Square is this Saturday from 7am to noon. I'm stocked up with a winter's worth of pouches, purses and baskets in both old fabric and new. This will be my 5th summer at the market, and I look forward to the fun of people watching, chatting about fabric and divesting myself of projects so I'll have motivation to make more.

5 of My 15 Minutes Used Up

The live tv studio of ciLiving was full of guests and cameras and activity, and really an interesting experience. Arriving 15 minutes before the show, there was little time to get nervous. As Monday's Work From Home segment feature, I was directed to the kitchen table corner of the studio to set up my wares. Then I took a seat at the table and watched the other segments. My reference photo is blurry, but you can still appreciate how large the cameras are. Mid-way through the show, host Heather Roberts rotated over to the table and we chatted about zippered pouches for about 5 minutes. Then, it was on to a song and more weather. It's clear I'm not made for tv; since my goal was to avoid catastrophe, it was a good day. Judge for yourself: http://illinoishomepage.net/fulltext/?nxd_id=499872

Live TV

I've spent some time this afternoon rummaging through my bins of completed items for the Urbana Market at the Square. Tomorrow I've been invited to show my things on WCIA's ciLiving show. I'll spend about 5 minutes chatting with Heather Roberts, one of the hosts of the show. This is great timing, in that my first summer market is coming up. June 22nd I'll open my 2013 craft-selling season. I have plenty of new fabrics, a few new types of items and some re-working of old patterns. Now to finish up the ampersand pillow cover shown above and stash the lot in bins for tomorrow.

Reverse Appliqué Tutorial

My friends J and D have been asking for hints on reverse appliqué. It's basically a process by which a hole in your background fabric reveals another fabric in whatever shape you like. Traditional appliqué neatly mounts fabric shapes on top of background fabric. This method is a little less bulky, and gives a slightly different look. The best book on the topic is called Reverse Applique With No Brakez by Jan Mullen. I have followed her basic ideas, but added the cheat of a hidden layer to help turn seams more quickly and neatly. Start with a piece of background fabric larger than your finished needs by at least 1.5 inches on all sides. Cut also a larger-than-needed piece of shape fabric and a piece of hidden fabric. I used for my hidden fabric woven fusible web. Next I center the fusible web fuse-side-up on the background fabric and trace my shape. In this case, it's an ampersand. I will only trace the outside outline and ignore the two inner ovals for now. Sew on the traced line with a sewing machine set to a slightly short stitch. Carefully cut away the hidden layer of fabric/stabilizer and the background fabric. Leave a scant 1/4 inch inside the sewn line. Trim off places the shape points in. Clip curves up to the sewn line. Cut into corners an an angle. The point is to prepare the shape for turning. Taking your time, fold the hidden layer though the hole of the shape and to the back of the background fabric. Use a hot iron to work the opening into a crisp version of what you want. Take out a point-turner for peninsula-type areas. If your hidden layer is fusible, you are sure to get sharp edges as long as you only iron the layers down when you mean it. Now you have a top layer to put in front of the fabric you choose for the shape. You can blind-stitch the two layers together without worry that frayed edges will flip to the front. It's good appliqué results without tiny stitches and hard-earned experience! To finish this design, I put the background fabric face-to-face with the hidden fabric and trace the two ovals for the middle of the ampersand. I sew around them with my machine and then slit the hidden layer enough to neatly fold it back. These last two inner parts of the ampersand will be appliquéd on top of the whole piece. (You could always repeat the reverse applique step and sink them behind the whole shebang. If you do, let me see, because it is sure to be impressive.) Here's a completed version in another fabric combination. Future study: You could use this method and topstitch layers together with colored embroidery floss instead of a blind stitch. You could affix layers with a topstitch on the sewing machine. You could piece the back shape in multiple fabrics before you position it behind the hole in your background fabric. You could use a colored "hidden" fabric layer and then turn it to the back of your background shape with a little accent lip showing, and thereby frame the shape you intend for the focus. What do you think of the overview J and D? Show me what you make, or tell me what you plan to make. I'll do the same for you!

You Can't Make Me Learn to Thumb Type

I learned to touch-type in middle school. A strict, no-nonsense typing teacher perched on a tall stool and verbally commanded the sequence of home row keys we were to type. The bells of a room full of manual typewriters rang together to signal the end of each line, and we all returned our carriages with firm swipes of the right hand. At the end of class, the teacher praised polite young men who carried their typewriters back to the storage area and then returned to transport the machines of the young ladies. My friends and I thought this was very funny because we all knew we could certainly hoist our own machines. Looking back, the typing class stands out for its usefulness. I type all the time. But, I just can't get the hang of thumb typing. Entering a note or calendar item on my phone using the minuscule pop-up keyboard and my thumbs is beyond laborious. I really would rather write it down with pencil and paper. I've covered small notebooks with fabric before and sold them as stocking stuffers. Now I'm trying larger notebooks. These composition books have the potential to show off larger or pieced prints. Inside I included an open pocket for receipts or random scraps of information. My mother suggested a ribbon in the top seam for a bookmark.

Pieced Playing

I have spent time recently revisiting my construction methods for various items I've sold before at the Market at the Square and elsewhere. As an example, I am now stabilizing the larger fabric baskets good for stashing toys or mittens or dog leashes or whatnot with two layers of craft fuse instead of one. This way the baskets stand stiffer, but the top can still be folded down for a cuffed look. Piecing a strip of patterned fabric into a longer length of canvas on the outside of a basket still looks patterned, but requires less focus fabric and helps a basket blend in to a room filled with other colors and patterns. Then again, a pieced-in panel could be pieced itself. These baskets showcase coordinating fabrics in a quilt-block style. I like the results and will think about what other pieced inserts could complement existing products.

Eclectic Purses

I have had things for sale at Eclectic on Main Street in Urbana since they opened. The coop features art and crafts from dozens of local makers, including cool jewelry and bright paintings large and small. My area of the store is in the upstairs room, where I have displayed pouches and fabric baskets of various sizes. Yesterday I dropped off at Eclectic purses. I made two types of bags that can worn across the body or on the side. Some of the purses zip closed, and some snap. All have oodles of open and zipped pockets inside and on the exterior of the bags. Before my summer farmers' market dates draw close, I have time for larger projects like purses. Made from patterns by two interesting designers (Dog Under My Desk and thesterlingowl), I'm setting aside sewing time to explore how to enjoy bits of my fabric stash in the context of these medium-sized purses.

Finished Items

The five custom order purses are completed. I am most fond of the Essex linen one. Prewashed, interfaced with both woven and craft fuse layers and topped with a large red snap, the purse says summer to me. It really is a pleasure to work on longer sewing projects while the deadline of a farmers' market booth is far off. Efficiency seems less important. Yet, I'm sticking to a supplies budget which is forcing me to use bits of fabric from the bottoms of my stash piles. I hate to use things up completely, but then again, there is always a new pattern I'd like to work with. I maintain a notebook of fabrics I'll buy as soon as summer booth sales warrant. The austerity is arbitrary, but it feels good to curate a self-sufficient hobby which continues to be more play than work.

Works in Progress

With kids tucked away at school, I enjoy a lovely, sunny day of sewing. I'm working on custom orders for 5 purses. The bodies of the purses will be navy or black denim, and one will be black Essex linen, but the linings and interior pockets will be wild. Here are the open pockets and messenger bag lids ready to attach to the subdued parts of the purses. Tomorrow's task will be all about diligent interfacing and fussy ironing of solid fabrics. Today was play.

& Another Pillow

I have been considering revisiting various quilting techniques as a way to play with some of the many scrips and scraps of fabric piled up in my sewing room. A little applique on pillows is one possibility. This ampersand pillow is reversed appliqued with a little orange embroidery floss for an outline around the character. Black piping helps the linen background stay crisp and (hopefully) modern. The reverse of the pillow is a solid piece of the patterned fabric with an orange zipper inserted for easy swapping of one pillow cover for another. Also on my mind is an initial pillow, some kind of multi-petaled flower and a dog or fish that starts on the front of the pillow and wraps around to the back side.

Looking Forward to Summer

Winter weather drags on, and continuing cold makes me anticipate the warmer days of Urbana's Market at the Square. I've selected more-or-less random dates through the summer for a purse and pouch booth. If you're out shopping for fresh Illinois fruits and vegetables, stop by and peruse fabric items. I'll be there: June 22, June 29, July 27, August 10, August 24, September 7 and September 14. Hurry up, summer!

inmyvastsparetime@gmail.com

It's time to get serious. I recently printed more business cards to insert in purses and pouches for upcoming farmers' markets and took the opportunity to add a business-only email to my particulars. Henceforth, I can be reached at inmyvastsparetime@gmail.com. Sure, the new email is free, but I get a kick out of unilaterally deciding to add or tweak elements of my home hobby/business to mimic "real" stores. Maybe I need coupons, or loyalty punch cards (make that a loyalty app, for sure) or a big sale for Presidents' Day, or even a BOGO promotion. Should I make folks "like" me on Facebook? I could invite tweets about zippers, but I'd have to learn how to do that myself, first. For today, a new email.

New Fabric

One of the great pleasures of sewing enough to populate the tables of a farmers' market booth is choosing and acquiring fresh fabric. Even though I buy more fabric than anyone on my block, I can't justify buying everything I'd want. I dutifully keep track of expenses, and aim to recoup the calendar year's purchases before a new year begins. But it's February; even the most enthusiastic holiday shoppers haven't made their lists yet. I must narrow my search for fresh fabric to the patterns and themes with broad appeal. This owl pattern fits the bill.

Two Zip and Cross-Body Pocketed Hipsters

Winter is the time to try new sewing projects. I have been hunting around for purse ideas because purses are useful and their construction pushes me to acquire new skills. In particular, I've been wanting to become proficient at installing sturdy snaps. Also, customers at the farmers' market have asked for purses that zip closed for maximum security. I found two pdf patterns that appealed. The red purse is a pattern by Erin Erickson of the business Dog Under My Desk. It features a zippered top as well as an exterior zippered pocket and an open pocket. The adjustable strap means the purse could be worn at the side or across the body. I played with the interior and added another zippered pocket along with two open pockets. A large, colored snap closes the top of the Cross-Body Pocket Hipster pattern from The Sterling Owl on Etsy. Piping at the top of the exterior pocket gives this pattern a substantial feel. The purse I'm using right now for my personal treasures is made from this pattern, and I like the extra width and easily adjustable strap.

The pattern designers of both purses allow small-scale sale of projects made from their instructions. Look for some version of a hipster to be at my farmers' market booth this summer.

Pattern Revisited

One of the first vendors I purchased from on Etsy is a pattern-designer. Her shop is called Michelle Patterns, and she features regularly-updated patterns for purses and small bags. Though designed to close with loop and button or buttonhole and button, I am revisiting the "Pyramid Pouch" wallet this time using snaps. I have acquired large snaps in a variety of colors: navy, black, purple, red, pink, and plan to make a basket-full of this small carry-all. Natural linen looks good to me as the body, so maybe I'll reserve all color for the lid and lining. If I stretch the pattern just a little and/or add a zippered pocket on the back of the purse, I could squeeze even more entertainment out of one little pdf download.

Lounging Corner

Sometimes there just isn't time to sew. Nevertheless, I feel like making something. When I need just a few minutes to organize my thoughts about a project I perch in my red lounge chair. It is refreshed for 2013 with a new accent pillow. Marimekko fabric from my friend K on the front and linen on the back are sealed with red piping. Keep your snacks and markers away. This chair is for clean creativity.

A Pouch for Everything

My sister-in-law A is a professor at Purdue University. She teaches; she does research; she manages the emerging careers of PhD candidates. I really have little idea of what that all means. But, I figure even a modern-day academic who has blogged and can use the wireless network anywhere to email, Facebook and photostream may need storage for the rogue piece of real paper. For her birthday, I mailed this pouch for her file folders. The exterior zippered pocket may work for flash drives or auxiliary cables, or just gum for later.

Work Smarter, Or At Least Neater

2012 was a good year for fabric and zippers. I sewed more and sold more than any other year. I attended more farmers' markets, tried new venues, explored a few new products and finished a smattering of custom projects. I think I have discovered the limit of my productivity; it's time to work smarter and not harder. To that end, I recently spent an entire day refolding and reorganizing my stash of fabric. Along the way I stumbled on prints I haven't used in quite awhile. Sometimes I held onto the last little bit of a pattern because I had a project in mind for "someday". Often, I hesitated to use the last of a favorite print because I didn't think I could replace it. I will endeavor this year to loosen up. It's just fabric, and they continue to make new patterns I like. Besides, it takes quite awhile to curate a fabric hoard as large as mine. Messy scrap piles of tidbits build up and slow me down. The efficient path is to slice it up and sew it--all of it (or almost all).