SewEllen

Yeah, I’m doing another one…

What a great way to jumpstart my sewing mojo!

I’m on a self-imposed knitting hiatus to give my wrists a rest, so back to sewing.  I’ve already made the Jalie jeans once before, but the others, I’ve not made.  This time, I’m using non-stretch denim for my jeans!

I reaaallly wanted to love this bag more….But I don’t….or do I?  I’m not sure….

One thing is for certain….it’s BIG.

It’s different (VERY different)

This is how it hangs,

…and this is how it opens.  Kinda like a duffle bag, or a hammock.

The Pattern is the Handbag Heaven Classix Nouveau Pyramid Bag from  Hot Patterns.  The fabric is a faux suede fused with woven interfacing from my stash and the lining is/are Amy Butler cottons, also from stash.  There are lots of great details:

Two pockets with bellows sides and lined flaps.  The pattern called for hook-and-loop closure, but I think magnetic snaps might be better looking.

Two sets of nice inside pockets, one of them is a pleated pocket for your cell phone.

The pattern calls for optional purse feet (which I didn’t use) and an optional stiff bottom inset (which I did).  I did the straps differently because I was using stiff woven fabric:

I stay-stitched the inner corners and clipped to the corner.

Then, I sewed the straps and only the outer edge of the two pieces together.  After I turned the straps out (thank goodness for my Fas-turn), I turned the entire piece right sides out and then topstitched to the bag.  I held down the middle section and topstitched that as well.  Another different thing I did was to add a “thingy” to the zipper end (I don’t know what it’s called):

I had a 28-inch zipper and the pattern called for a 26-inch, so I had some overage at the non-working end.  This means that I can’t separate the bag anymore, because I’ve sewed over the separating part.  But, I’m not sure that matters.  I’ll have to actually use it to know one way or another.  I topstitched around the entire top edge of the bag.  The pattern pieces are interesting; the shape of the big pieces reminded me of a sting ray, sort of a rhombus-type shape.  I had no problems with the instructions.  That’s not to say that the entire construction process wasn’t confusing.  But, keep going, don’t try to read ahead, trust the instructions, and you’ll have a great bag at the end.

Soooooo, if you like the slouchy look to your purses, you’d like this!  Me? Meh…at this point, I’m more happy to have the fabric destashed than I like the bag.  I could see this being used in an urban setting, when you need a big almost duffle-sized bag to carry all your things to work and back.  This could also be a good carry-on bag for traveling.  Certainly, I’ll give it a use and see if I like it.  If nothing else, it will make the perfect knitting bag!

I made a hat for myself!

Pattern:  Topographie from the Winter 2008 issue of Knitty

Yarn:  Filatura de Crosa 127 print.  I had one skein from my stash and needed to use it up.  Caps are a great way to accomplish this!

This took me 2 weeks of solid crocheting to finish!  That was hugely ambitious of me, but I’m so glad it’s done.  Here’s what I learned about crochet lace:  It’s not truly finished until the piece is blocked.  I tried this on right after I finished and the hem sat 3 inches above my knees!  I wet it down, pinned it to the blocking board, and stretched it almost a foot in length.  I unpinned it this morning and voila, it’s right where it needs to be.  Who knew??  I don’t think I’ll be doing that again, any time soon.  My wrists are killing me!

I’m soooooo close to finishing this!  My wrists are killing me!!! :(