Another bag

This time it's a diaper bag for my daughter's friend Vanessa. Butterick 5005. Her parents had me over for dinner the two times I was in California. Wonderful people, delicious food and a great time was had by all.

The front.

The back.

Although you can see the bottom in both these photos, the bag can stand on its own. It just didn't have anything in it when the photos were taken. The whole thing is made from sturdy material (not quite a canvas) and it is totally lined with horsehair interfacing. The inside is lined in bright yellow broadcloth - the same colour as the straps - and there are two pockets on both sides. I did take a photo of the inside but it came out blurry and now the bag is no longer here.

No more bags for a while. I am going to do some other sewing.

April mini

Just playing.

New Growth. (click to view it bigger)

I had a totally different sketch for April but I really didn't like it. I decided just to wing it and I do like how this turned out. It was totally a matter of whether or not I could pull it off. The 'new growth' is made with my machine's lock stitch. This is a stitch that does five stitches in one spot.

Bags

I have done this pattern so many times that I have it down pat now with my own little tips to make it more of a quality item. I cut the pattern out with pinking shears so the fabric won't shred over time and I have also sewn little extra bits of fabric at the bottom of the 'strap' to reinforce it. My daughter (the middle one is the only one living in TO right now) was the guinea pig for the pattern and she liked it so much that I made her sisters one too. Then I made a few more. I have mentioned it before but I will tell you again that it is Vogue 8466. I am not endorsing Vogue but I do have to "cite my source" as they say in the library world.

The one that started it all. It turned into a useful item.

For the little girl in England who likes it so much the other one I made has not been used yet.

For the eldest daughter in B.C. I just wanted to try out the fabric and I didn't even think of matching up the plaid.

For Amie's mom in Devon.

And these last two I did yesterday and today - just because. I'm going to take a break and make a diaper bag - or something totally off the wall and freeing.

Seminole Sampler

Well, it's finished. This is a product of an online workshop with a yahoo group I belong to called learningfa (learning fibre arts.) I have mentioned them before. They are a wonderful group (of all women as far as I know) and the workshops are free. The women belonging to the group come from Canada, Ireland, the U.S., Finland, Australia and New Zealand.

I took this photo outside since it shows the truest colours. It was a lot of measuring, cutting, sewing, ironing, cutting, sewing, ironing, measuring again, etc. You get the picture. Not sure on how it will be quilted but I am not worrying about that yet. The top is done. Now I'm off to make a bag or two and maybe bake some banana bread.

Spring Fling dolls

Look what came in the mail.

I belong to a yahoo group called Decidedly Different Dolls and we have challenges and swaps. This was a Spring Fling swap. I thought at first that she was a tulip and called her Tulip girl but then I looked closer and thought that perhaps her maker, Therese, made her as a Rose. So, I asked Therese which one was she. Here's what she said, "She started from a rose pattern, but I think her finished look is more tulip and I was inspired by a yellow and red tulip in my garden. So I'll name her Tula." All swaps are to be 4 or 5 inches in height and Tula is exactly 4 inches.

This is Sunny. I made her for Brenda but shhhhh - I don't know if she received her yet. Little Sunny has a worm that she caught. She has to keep up her strength since she is expecting twins.

This is Sunny's nest. On the left is the inside of her nest and the right shows the outside.

Here's Sunny's back view. She stands at 5 inches on her own. If she is sitting in her nest, she is a bit taller.