Friday Finish: Weekender Bags

The Weekender Circus has come to town!

 

And I love my little felt letter board. I'd say it's for homeschooling, and the kids, but I'd be lying. It's mine. I'll get them one eventually.

Custom Weekender Bags now available in the shop!

One of my New Year's Resolutions is to do things that scare me. To stop doubting myself. To start listening to my husband when he tells me I can do hard things. Because I CAN do them. I have done them. I'm just a big chicken at times.

And so, I'm taking a deep breath and diving into the unknown. I've listed twelve spots on Etsy for custom Weekender Bags. One per month. Lots of options, including the option to send me your own fabric, and they'll be one of a kind. I'm ridiculously excited about these.

I'm also going to list bags I'll be making in the meantime. It's going to be lots of fun. Because, let's face it, I've got plenty of my own by now. I need to share the wealth a bit! Everyone should travel handmade. But you don't have to make it yourself! I've even got a gift wrap option in my shop. It's going to be awesome.

So get your month reserved! Someone really needs to choose Vintage Picnic for a bag. Seriously. With a mini-Swoon on the pocket!

Friday Finish: Mom's Weekender, and a bonus

So glad I got my Juki back. The story ended well - they figured out what was wrong (after I brought in an example of what it was doing), and fixed it with no extra charges, and did it right away. Hooray!

So I got right back to work and I finished this gorgeous Weekender for my awesome mom.

She liked my pink dandelion one, but it was kind loud for her, so we went with a nice gray one. I added the yellow just to liven things up a smidge.

And the zippy pockets inside are aqua, for a little splash of color inside.

And then I was so productive I got my niece's Sophia bag done too!

I really love this pattern. Amy Butler might have a love for interfacing, and it's challenging, but I just LOVE how her patterns turn out. The directions are always so clear and easy to follow. It's great!

This is the Sophia pattern, but I wanted a bigger one, so I enlarged it 129% at FedEx and it's just right.

My niece loves elephants, but I thought they might be too cutesy on the outside, so they are hiding in the lining. They are "stealth-ephants" as my husband calls them.

A zippy pocket, and another one on the inside makes it just right for a carry-on, or overnight bag. It's almost as big as a Weekender!

Linking up with Amanda Jean and Sarah - have a great weekend!

WIP Wednesday: An Amy Butler-ish Christmas

I just realized that I'm gifting four Amy Butler bags this year. Five, maybe, but four for sure. Good thing interfacing has been on sale, and Wonder clips are my new best friend!

Here's what I'm finishing up today:

  

Just the hand sewing left. Nothing a needle, thread, thimble and Downton Abbey episodes can't finish.

Next up are the Sophia bags for my daughter and niece. Just a bit more cutting and then I'll get started!

Linking up!

 

Friday Finish: Gypsy Girl Weekender Bag

Phew! They Gypsy Girl Weekender bag is done! Check it off the 4QFAL!

A hard lesson learned. Broke three hand needles trying to stitch the lining to the bag, but I got it done. My thumb hurts. Maybe I need a thimble or two?

Next time (if there is a next time), I'd add a medium weight interfacing to the lining material, if I'm not using a home dec weight. It's a smidge too flimsy for me, but my daughter doesn't mind, and it's her bag.

I got a little big for my boots on this one. I followed the instructions for the lining, which has you sew with a larger seam allowance than the outer bag. Well, I did that and it didn't fit. Too tight. So I took out all that stitching and sewed it with the same seam allowance. Now it was too loose! Sheesh! I found a happy medium and I think it turned out okay.

Going to make a special plug for my zipper supplier. I needed a 30" zipper. I wanted a double zip one, since this bag is so very big. I found zipper heaven at zipit on etsy. Loved it all for several reasons. First, AMAZING prices. Like 10 30" zippers (yes, I plan on making more weekenders) for $20. Second, I got a free color card with my order, so I can have a better idea of the color selection. And believe you me, I'll be selecting colors! Third, shipping was super fast. I'm in Idaho, it came from Wisconsin, and only in a few days. So if you need zippers, shop here. Cheaper than JoAnn's. Better selection. Just plain awesome!

And I'm in love with the Weekender pattern again, and I want to make another one. This next one will be for my mom. I'm going to use this fabric for the outside (found here):

This for the lining, handles and piping (found here):

I might have more fabric for another one. Might. No guarantees. Okay, yes, I do. A yellow dandelion one for me. And another patchwork one.And then we'll see.

Up next: stockings for Christmas!

Linking up with crazy mom quilts (whose mad scrap skills are on display again!) and confessions of a fabric addict (who just completed a stunning repair job on an antique quilt!). 

Make-A-List Monday: The Stockings Were Hung . . .

Yikes - November is more than halfway over! Next week is Thanksgiving! I warn you - these lists will get horrifically long!

Here's what was on the list last week:

• Work on my Gypsy Girl Weekender (and maybe even finish it!)

Here's a teaser shot - she's almost done. By Friday, I promise.Just some hand-stitching to do to attach that lining. Gonna pull out all the Downton reruns to get me through it all.

• Make some more Swoon blocks

I was pretty busy with that Gypsy Girl bag, so I didn't get any blocks made, but I did get the rest of the cream fabric cut, so I'm on my way.

• Anything else that strikes my fancy

I really wanted to start new things, but I was focused!

So, now for this week. In case you were wondering, there are just 42 days left until Christmas. And I need to get these stockings done!

Here's my list for this week:

• Finish seven awesome red HST stockings, complete with lining and embroidered cuffs (I'm going to use this tutorial for the cuffs - just have to figure out how to do the embroidery right) and loopy hangy things

And that's it. I'm going to stay focused my friends!  If I happen to get those done, then I'm going to cut out and sew an apron for my awesome auntie in Florida. And work on some bags. And finish that Gypsy Girl Weekender. But stockings first.

What about you? What are you working on?

A Loverly Year of Finishes: January

Yes, I added my own Eliza Doolittle spin on the title. Because I can.

Never one to turn down a goal-setting opportunity/linky party with prizes, I decided to jump in. The water's fine, right?

For January, I'd like to finish this:

My Gypsy Girl Weekender. I just ordered the fabric for the piping, straps and lining. Just need to git 'er done now. I'll work on the rest of the quilted pieces later this week.