Make a Note of It

I have a new cell phone; it's a so-called smart phone. Now I can take pictures and keep a calendar and scan bar codes with my phone. I've been trying to make the most of the thing by switching over from paper to electronic versions of lists, notes and schedules. But, I miss paper. Sometimes what you need is a little notebook in your purse for jotting down gift idea or things to do the next time the kids have a day off from school. So, if I'm going to revert to "the old way" of doing things, I can at least cover it in fabric.

Oh, But Look

I bought a yard of red and green Marimekko fabric on Ebay, thinking it would be good for slicing into festive pieces for pouches and fabric baskets to be sold at the Lincoln Square Holiday Market and at Shared Space. Today the fabric arrived in the mail; I love its large scale, and I'm tempted. I wonder if I should replace the fabric over our fireplace with something new. Or, maybe my husband, M, would make a second board and frame it with molding so I might have two large swaths of Marimekko fabric to liven my family room--one for the warm months and one for the cold ones.
Now, to find out how often M reads this blog...

Lunch

It is astounding what patterns and ideas abound on the internet. I browse often; this lunch sack made from a Gingercake Patterns tutorial is one result. Though I'm not a fan of the time it takes to construct tapered fabric handles, I like the purse-like look of the sack. I lined it in a wipeable fabric and used insulative batting for function, but of course the real fun is playing with fabric combinations on the outside. The next time I'll substitute cotton webbing for the upper part of the handle to see if that short-cut helps to endear the project to me more.

Yoga Bag

Thanks to frequent farmers' market customer, K, for requesting a yoga bag. She googled around and found reference photos and possible patterns and got me off the dime to try making one. Her bag was the pro-type, and this one is version 2.0. It's a lined drawstring bag with banded fabric and an integrated zippered pocket for keys and i.d. The shoulder strap is long enough for carrying the bag across your body (in case you might ride your bike to yoga class).
Now that I see fabric can have a connection to exercise, I might have to try it.

Binding

I've been thinking of ways to streamline my sewing so I can have good variety at the Urbana Market at the Square when I have a booth there, and also time for other things. Using pre-packaged bias binding is a big time saver when making a messenger bag purse, for example. Usually, a solid color on the edge of the purse lid helps with the utilitarian look. But, homemade bias binding can be any pattern. I couldn't resist the extra step when making this purse so I could combine both the floral and stripe pattern by Riley Blake. I like the result.

Oo-la-la-laminate

In an attempt to make a pouch that was wipeable and good for make-up, contact lens supplies and the like, I ordered oilcloth. Oilcloth can't be ironed or pinned, but its extra body lends itself to a boxy pouch shape.
Now I've discovered laminated cotton fabric. Available in a wider variety of more contemporary patterns, laminated cotton can be wiped clean just like oilcloth. It is literally cotton fabric with a clear coating laminated to the top side, so it's softer than oilcloth. I figure if I line the boxy pouch design with oil cloth, but splurge on more expensive laminated cotton for the outside, I can have the extra structure I want along with plenty of fabric pattern choices.

Consider the Source

I had a fine time at the Urbana Market at the Square this past Saturday, and I'm gearing up to return this coming Saturday. Back-to-back Saturdays at the farmers' market is something I haven't tried before. One limitation of the tight scheduling is that I only have a few days to sew items I'm running out of. If I'm out of a raw material, ordering more to be mailed to me will be very last-minute as well.
Nevertheless, I do need a few more items. I am down to my last 2 black zippers. I explained this to my mom, and she encouraged me to order more zippers right away. A few minutes in the conversation passed, and we returned to the idea that I was short on zippers. My mom said, "Well, you better order more zippers, if you only have 2 left." She should consider the source; or course I have zippers left, more than 100, I'm sure. I just don't have a comfortable quantity of black zippers remaining. And I could really use a few more vanilla, navy, slate, turquoise....

Big Clip

While surfing around recently I came across this idea for using fabric-covered buttons as the top on an over-sized clip. I love that the small amount of fabric necessary makes excellent use of my scraps. (I just knew it was a good idea to keep those boxes and boxes of scraps!) It's also fun to isolate a small pattern or frame only a portion of a larger design.
After some experimentation, I've found a good mix of interfacing to keep any metal from showing through the different weave density of some fabrics. I've also learned taking time to prepare the metal surfaces of the clip and button back helps the epoxy really grip. I use a series of Pac Man clips to organize receipts in my purse, lists on the counter and mail that needs to be dealt with.

Original Art Days

Stop by the $10 Original Art Days at Shared Space Art Coop, on Main Street in Urbana. They are selling items donated by their crafting vendors to raise extra funds for the operation of the store. This Friday and Saturday are the official dates of $10 Original Art Days, but remaining items will be available afterwards.
My contribution is a set of this oil cloth boxy pouch. Lined in coordinating oil cloth, I fussed with the math of the pattern in advance so I could achieve accuracy. I had never tried sewing with oil cloth before; it was hard to resist taking an iron to it.

Pac Man Playing

My kids love video games. New releases and "classics" hold the same appeal. I have never been interested in electronic games, but this Pac Man fabric called to me nonetheless. The ghost icon etched onto a bead cut at the Community Fab Lab finishes off the fun. I must resist the urge to make fabric-specific beads for every pattern I use, but maybe simple heart or flower or bike shapes would be cute on more than one fabric.

Market Approaches

K and I visited Urbana's Market at the Square this weekend in anticipation of my first market booth of the season next Saturday. I hope for weather as fine as this weekend, and plenty of people with pouch needs. K looks forward to kettle korn and the vanilla-chocolate swirl ice cream in a cup.
Farmers' market shoppers are purposeful and organized. They find food at the market to make into a meal that night, and buy flowers with which to decorate the table. They come with a reusable tote for their morning goodies. Maybe some of them will be interested in setting aside their market money in a designated pouch.

New Twist

My neighbor asked me to make a purse for her. She likes to switch between bags, but have the same features in each purse. So, we started with the canvas messenger bag I already make and customized from there. I made the strap adjustable. Inside, I added a lobster clasp on an extra-long tether so grocery store loyalty cards can be clipped together and hauled out for scanning while remaining on their leash. On the flap of the purse, I added a zippered pocket for receipts, lists, and other flat what-not. I especially like the idea of another zippered pocket worked into the skeleton of the bag. I think it makes the whole project look attractive for both its fabric and function.