A few new bags....

 A few bags I've made lately!

Always madly snapped over at Instagram, where I'm 'becsibbi'. Come and say hi!

First up was this Noodlehead bag, here's the 1st one I made. It's the 241 Tote pattern. I bought the fluoro green denim for a skirt, and ended up with way too much (the pattern told me too, I swear!). I also had a go at fabric printing, a bit of gold on denim, just a bit of fun. It all went so well together with the pink zebra print, a bag was born! (well, I think it does anyway).

 I got the coloured magnetic snap in a swap I did recently, I've never seen coloured ones, so they are getting used up pretty quick!

 It's a great size for a run to the shops (er, I'm not running, just going to) or just carrying a few things. I have a large purse, so it usually does my purse, phone and keys, maybe my diary if I want it full.I left the strap non adjustable due to the thickness of the denim, and it's perfect.

The next one is another Noodlehead pattern, the Super Tote. I had a bundle of fabric I received from a friend last year (Type by Julia Rothman) and thought it would make a perfect work bag. I had 6 fat quarters to use, and the glittery black denim from the stash. Actually, all the bags in this post have been made from the stash!

I wanted to use medium to heavy interfacing, but couldn't find the one I wanted on THE night I wanted to make it (that urge hit me, and I had to get it started!) So I went with heavy cotton duck and fusible wadding. My only regret is not adding some to the strap, it may wear out quicker than the bag!

Front pocket (and coloured magnetic snap!)

 I added the key fob, and the pattern specified pockets and gusset. I love Anna's patterns, and don't need to change anything which is great!

Inside out for a better look...

I've been using it now for about 2 weeks, and it's perfect! Sturdy and functional, but cute too. 

My last bag is part of a sew a long, hosted over here. The pattern is here, and most of the MMQG joined in. I was very late to the start, having quite a few things to finish, and started and stopped for a bit. But then I just got on with it! The pattern is quite overwhelming, and a lot of cutting out! Some people did all the cutting first, then sewed; I was picking fabrics as I went, and found it easier to break it up but cutting and sewing at the same time. It is REALLY heavy, and I haven't even filled it yet! I put purse feet on the bottom, and template plastic in the base to keep it sturdy. I wish I could photograph it better!

  

I loved making the Quilt As You Go panels- no, I lie, I hated it, as I kept measuring wrong, and using the wrong bits, and it took me f%$&ing forever, but I was NOT going to let it beat me! Once the panels were done, it seemed a piece of cake (the panels are completely optional, but the way!)

  All the pockets are lined, and the denim and cotton duck in the middle make it super sturdy. also cheaper than interfacing the whole thing- but as I said earlier, I've been making things from the stash, this bag included. I think I bought the purse feet only. Those 'healthy' stashes come in handy sometimes!

  

The tops of the pockets have gathered elastic, to hold everything in.

Zippered pockets too. An observant friend noticed my matchy matchy fabric and zips- entirely on purpose of course haha. I was a bit upset I had to use the brown and white spot, as I ran out of the other brown print, but had no idea where I got it! so a fill in was needed.

Here's my kid for size comparison. not easy when the kid is 9 turning 10, but she's of average height. I haven't had the chance to use it yet, other than give the cat somewhere to sleep in (and kick out of).

The last make it one I've wanted to do for a while, and one I nearly didn't wear again and eventually photograph! It's the 2nd dress I've made that 'jinxed' me- wearing it for the first time resulted in a near disaster! The first is a longer story, and still hasn't been worn, and this one is more recent. I popped it on 2 weeks ago for a day out- and kind of wrote my car off! As in, had an accident. We're both fine, but of course I blamed my dress. Why not? So today, after getting my new (old) car on Friday, I tried again- phew, success! and bloody nice pics from Brianna too!

 Its The Washi Dress, by Made By Rae. I have a few of her kids patterns, and borrowed this one to try it out- and I'll definitely be buying it! It's as everyone is raving- comfortable, easy and fun! She's also talking about a 'expansion' pack in different versions, which would be great. Oh, Brooch by Curlypops!

I'm a big fan of shirring anyway, but love it in the back here. It's just makes it 'fit' better, if that makes sense. DON'T be scared of shirring, there are plenty of online tutorials, so have a go!

Oh, and having an adult take your pics has seemed to do wonders for me! So is the massive-head-tilt-backwards to remove the chin pose! The was an vintage flannelette sheet I made into a wearable muslin, it's lovely and soft.

Wow, I didnt realise how long this post would be! Phew! Thanks for making it to the end, you deserve a cuppa and a lie down now!

Baskets

I hope you are all enjoying the Easter break, and the lead up to the school holidays. I've been mooching around and getting some stuff done, and heading back to work tomorrow. 

I've managed to get a few things finished, or nearly finished anyway! The zip! In The Dress! I ummed and ahhed for a good while, and finally plucked up the courage- and it was easy! I 'hand picked' the zip, basically a term for hand sewing it in- I used a tutorial from here.

I combined tacking and pins to hold it in place, and then marked the spaces in lead pencil (a bit anal, but that's OK).

I love it! Just a quick peek before it's pressed, which I believe helps it sit flatter. It's been a real challenge using such a different fabric from my norm, I'm learning a lot. Now to tackle the hem.... Luckily, I have nowhere to wear this yet, so there is no hurry, therefore no 'rushed job' to get it done!

 I finished off a few 'orders' for my sister- she cam over for a 'shop in the stash' for these ones! I wanted to try this pattern, and she thought they'd be pretty handy for the bubba....

 I love this fabric, a real fave, lucky I have a ton left over.

I used a combination of medium-heavy interfacing and fusible wadding to get the firmness; empty they are a little soft, but I'm sure they'll be fine full. It's really hard to get a good idea of the size, so here's my rotary cutter to help heehee.

 This has some soft shirting sort of fabric for the lining, and some leftover Lisette fabric for the handles and divider. 

And some more of this fabric, a fave with both of us! Looks great team with grey.

I made these ones a bit earlier, and if you can't tell, my sister likes grey! This was pattern from here, again really hard to tell the size- I think for both of these I needed to invest in a packet of disposable nappies! (or check my measurements, another way I guess). I'm not really happy with this size- they are meant to be big toy baskets for the living room. I made them a bit taller by omitting the fold over cuff and sewing it flat.

 I got to use some yummy fabrics though, Ink and Spindle, this one is Blockprint in Persimmon.

And Linear in Saffron. I even had some old Hollabee (I think) that went well with it. Both should help the baskets stand up to years of play from Master Henry!

This is the little man on a grumpy day! We had some very serious (and not so serious) chats!

Still going....

Still going on the custom quilt, it's getting to the pointy end!

I layed it out the other night; 

after trimming them all and admiring :)

I was admiring the yummy scraps that came off too! So bright and cherry in the bin.

  

after the borders, I layed it out and check the fit. I was going for about a king size, and my bed is queen, so I'm pretty happy! 

The hardest thing about a custom order is keeping the balance! Creatively, I like lots of different projects on the hop, for different moods, or dependant on whether I can get off the couch or not at the end of the day!

I have been looking at these gorgeous bag patterns for a while, having followed Anna's blog for a while. I have tried a few of her tutorials and liked them, so I splurged on the weekend and bought her bag patterns 241 and Sidekick.

I started with the 241 pattern the other night. So quick- a 2hr movie on the laptop (the amazing Aussie movie Beautiful Kate) and it was printed, cut out and half finished! The rest done this morning.

I used denim, some DS Quilts print from Spotlight, and some of my fave honeycomb red spot. Vintage floral lining.

 And the denim? Chopped from a pair of my sister's old jeans! They came from my bad habit of looking through her bag of stuff for the op shop I had in the car boot! Hmmm, I'll add them to the pile! and they were very handy!

For the side panels I used the bottoms of the legs, and for the strap the upper part. So they are different shades as well. Which I think looks really nice!

Hmm, now to decide whether to keep or sell! It's pretty cute....