Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Posts Tagged ‘bags’

of the sunny mornings

I knew it had been ages since I posted something here, but only today did I realise how long it’d really been. There is a reason, of course, and it’s called time, or lack of. My hands have not been that busy with crafty things because the rest of me (and my hands too, really) have had very little time to dedicate to said things. I also have a new hobby, photography. The reason why it goes unnoticed is because I’m really not that good at it, in spite of my efforts. I’ll get better.

Anyways, over the past 4 months, I’ve finished knitting all the parts of my first jumper which is now sitting patiently waiting for me to put all the pieces together. (no photos of that)

I’ve sewn another clutch for myself, quite a posh one too, to take with me to Ascot (yes, I have been to Ascot, wearing a fascinator and all, oh so very British!). (there is one photo of the clutch, but not very good)

I’ve started a woolly hat. For Christmas last year, I gave my little brother (who’s not so little anymore) a knitted hat (ravelry link). He lost it a few weeks ago and wrote me the saddest email telling me how he wore it all the time and now it was lost. I didn’t really mind he had lost it, things happen after all, but the thought that he wore my hat all the time filled me with happiness. Of course I promised to replace it with one just like it. Turns out that now I’m supposed to knit two, one just like it and another one in grey – I asked which colour he would prefer, now he could pick; simple, he said, you’ll knit both! Yes, I felt proud that he wanted me to knit him two hats 🙂 a little flattering will take you a long way! (oh, and no photo of the finished lost hat either!)

Judging by the *photo* comment at the end of each paragraph I can safely say my new hobby is in need of some TLC.

P.S. – Truth be told, I must admit it’s been difficult to keep two alter egos going (the Cientista in me is pretty demanding elsewhere) and this one is the one I ignore the most *blush*

Read Full Post »

another clutch

woolly curvy clutch

One more clutch, this time in a vintage woolly fabric my Mum has given me ages ago. This was a friend’s request and I have to admit it’s my best clutch so far… maybe it’s because it has a bit of my Mum’s touch…!

Read Full Post »

red messenger bag

messenger bag

I had been looking for a messenger bag pattern for ages when I came across the Mischievous Gnome Messenger Bag, by Sew Liberated, at Concha‘s blog. The thing with patterns is that what the photos show might not be what I am able to achieve, so I like to read people’s comments on things they have used and enjoyed; reading Concha’s post and seeing her photos of the bag really did it for me.

I am very pleased with it and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a messenger bag or something of the sort. The instructions are very clear and easy to follow and it even teaches you (or me, anyway!) to sew an inside pocket with zip! How cool is that?

The bag itself is also brilliant! A bit bigger than what I’d normally go for, but great nonetheless. It has two front pockets, a bigger back pocket and the mentioned inside pocket.

Now, the adventure of sewing it. I have never ever tried iron-on interfacing. I knew this bag needed sturdiness, so I used heavy-weight canvas for the interlining. The lining is also from a mid-weight cotton and the outside linen is fairly sturdy as well. While this achieves the sturdiness goal, it was a bit tricky to sew! A lot of patience and plenty of machine needle changing ended up doing the trick!

Finally, I now own a red bag, yay!

Read Full Post »

brown and cherry curvy clutch

I said that I would try this pattern in a bigger size; now I have. This one is 120% and it has been finished for a while now, but today I had the perfect excuse to post about it – Keyka Lou is having a pattern sale at her shop! It’s a fantastic any two patterns for 10 USD, definitely worth it! I haven’t used it myself because I’m trying to hold back on this kind of thing *blush*!

About the clutch – 120%, Amy Butler Trailing Cherry Blossom Cotton Fabric, no strap. The reason for the no strap option was an involuntary one – I simply forgot to attach the strap foot thingy. Such is life! Size wise, I’m quite pleased with this one and probably won’t make it any bigger!

Read Full Post »

green curvy clutch

curvy clutch - green

I see myself as a patient person with impatience swings. Or perhaps it’s the other way around, if I’m realistic. I am so very patient with animals and children! I am so very impatient with everything else, with a particular low to stupidity! But anyways, that wasn’t why I started this post.

I wanted to talk about my patience attributes (or lack of), because I bought this really good curvy clutch pattern from Keyka Lou‘s Etsy shop just before I went on holiday (again, a story for another post) and this posed a problem – I just had to try it out immediately! Of course this means imperfections – there is only so much multi-tasking a girl can do! – the packing for the holiday could have been better and so could the wee clutch, but I love it anyway! I used the leftovers of this bag due to a combination of factors, really – I love this green (so happy!), it was just about the right size, and I wanted to use it on a good project.

For my next clutch, I’ll definitely use the suggested invisible lining (will make it more sturdy), enlarge the pattern a bit (I travel light, but this is still a bit too small) and give myself a quiet time to enjoy the sewing (although multi-tasking is so much fun!).

Read Full Post »

in the bag

Back to crafting, at last! Time is a commodity, more precious than I’ve ever realised! Between work and paper writing and a conference and the occasional attempt at a social life (ok, maybe more than occasional!), not much time is left for actually being creative.

Last weekend was my first free weekend as a result I decided to have a very much needed ME time. The initial plan was to bake a cake, finish two dolls which are looking fairly pathetic (one is naked and the other one has no face), sew a bag. Clearly, plans are made so we can deviate from them knowingly. I didn’t bake a cake, I didn’t finish the awkwardly looking dolls; I did sew a bag, I made a mini owl, and I went to a barbecue!

In retrospect, it was a great weekend 🙂

Read Full Post »

vintage buttons

bag #22 - pormenor

Saturday goes by slowly, rain and wind fustigating the windows. It’s comforting to be inside, sewing away, eating cookies and drinking tea. The vintage buttons find their place in the freshly sewn corduroy bag, as if they were just expecting this new role in life.

Read Full Post »

malita

malita mosaic

Still the summer and a present for a little girl… Oh, I miss having the time!

Read Full Post »

summer colours

Bag #12 - 4

Lembra-me o Verão, este tecido. Gosto de todas as estações. Gosto de ter estações. Faltou-me o Verão, este ano, e em momentos de nostalgia, cá estou eu a ver fotos que combinam o Verão que não tive com o tempo que não tenho para mexer em tecidos e deliciar-me com o som da minha máquina de costura. Dezembro será melhor, or so I hope.

Read Full Post »