Bigger on the Inside Drawstring Backpacks for Boys

I finally am up to date with my orders after completing these two cute Bigger on the Inside Drawstring Backpacks by Dog Under My Desk.  They are for two young boys (can't say who because they were purchased as gifts) and I think they will love them.

I think it is so fun when you can find just the right fabric to showcase their interests.  Both boys love turtles so I think they both will love the first one.

Since I could only find this fabric online, I had to order 2 yards so I decided to use it for the lining as well.  Turtles inside and out.

The outside of the bag has a large zipper pocket and the inside has two smaller slip pockets.  There is an oval base that makes these drawstring backpacks really roomy.  I have safety pinned the straps onto the sides until I can fit them to each individual child.

The other bag is made from fabric with planets on them.  I love the look of this bag.  The fabric is so rich.

The back of the bag has no pockets.

The inside of the bag carries the space theme.  I was able to find a starry sky fabric that just had to be the lining.

How fun is that?  I purchased all of the fabrics at JoAnn's.

These bags are great for adults as well as children.  They are the perfect size for kids to stuff jammies, etc for an overnight at grandma and grandpa's house or for carrying their own toys to play with when going on vacation.

You can get the pattern for these bags here.  I used Pellon SF101 interfacing on both the outside fabric and the lining so they are very sturdy bags.  The pattern does say that the lining does not have to be interfaced if you want a lighter bag.

I'm sure you will see more of these bags in the coming weeks here.  I might even have time to sew for my own grandkids this year!

Since I am sure I will not have time to post tomorrow, I wanted to wish all of my US readers a Happy Thanksgiving.  I will be spending mine with family.  I feel so blessed and have so much to be thankful for this year.

Buttercup Evening Bags and More Get Carded Wallets

I have been busy getting caught up with some orders that have been piling up.  I needed to make 6 Get Carded Wallets from Dog Under My Desk.  This is a great pattern and you can get it here.  I can't tell you how many of these I have made for sure but they have been extremely popular.  It seems when I am making them, I am always doing 6 or more of them at a time.  Last night, I delivered 5 of them and then realized I hadn't taken any pictures. (Where was my head at?)  Here are some pictures of the one I have not delivered yet.  I always include a lanyard as well as the wristlet strap that comes with the pattern.

I, also, made 2 more evening bags from the Buttercup Bag pattern by Made by Rae.  You can find it here.

This link is to purchase the pattern that comes with the license to sell it.  It is also offered as a free tutorial if you are making it for yourself or as a gift.  I love this bag made into elegant clutches by being very selective in what types of fabrics I use.  I have a customer who has purchased many of these that she uses for Christmas and birthday presents after she took the one she bought for herself to a wedding and got rave reviews.  She loves blacks and silvers.

I hope she loves these, too.  Back to work...I still have more to sew.

Pattern Parcel #7 - My Selection, The Butterfly Sling

By now, I'm sure you have heard about Pattern Parcel #7.  If not, you better pay attention because your time is running out to get this great parcel of fantastic handbags.  I know they are great because I have made three of them (some multiple times)...all winners.  First let me tell you about Perfect Pattern Parcel if you are not familiar with this concept.  Here is their description.
How Pattern Parcel Works: Here at Perfect Pattern Parcel, we believe in supporting independent pattern designers. It’s our opinion that indie patterns are just, well, better than big box patterns, and we’re pretty sure our customers think so too. So, we allow customers to show their support in naming their own price for each Parcel. We also encourage customers to allocate part of their Parcel price to the charity Donorschoose.org in order to help classrooms in need. Pattern Parcel donates all profits after expenses from Parcel sales to the charity as well. Its our goal to raise over $20,000 for Donors Choose this year.
Here are the bags that are included with this parcel.  Parcel #7 includes: Barcelona Bag and Wallet by Pat Bravo, Butterfly Sling Purse by Emmaline Patterns, Evelyn Hangbag by ChrisW Designs, Midtown Messenger Bag by Betz White and Betty Bowler by Swoon Sewing Patterns.


 BONUS PATTERN:  Choose a price of $32 or greater for Parcel #7 and you will automatically also be sent the Bonus Pattern! That's just over $5 a pattern. The Bonus Pattern for this Parcel is the brand new Daphne Bag pattern from Clover & Violet. The Daphne is a slouchy satchel that can be worn cross body or as a shoulder bag. The zip top keeps your gear secure and the internal pockets keep your accessories where you need them. This is a brand new, never been seen before pattern and is an exclusive opportunity for Parcel #7 customers!


If you like handbags like I do, you have to hurry.  This is the last parcel of the year and it ends tomorrow, November 21.  Press the button below to make your purchase and follow the tour listed below.


Let me show you the Butterfly Sling that I made.  I have had this fabric for awhile and wanted to use both sides of it.  One side is navy with natural color nubs on it and the other side is natural with the navy hue to it.

This is a fun bag  to make.  This is my fifth one!  The bag is designed to be able to reach the things you need most often without opening the bag.  Your ID, charge card or money and phone are easily accessible.  There are 12 other card pockets for all of your other cards.

This bag is from Janelle at Emmaline Bags and I am sure you will love it like I do.
I can't wait to try some of the others.

Parcel #7 Inspiration Tour Schedule:

Friday, November 7 Stitched || Sew Exhausted

Saturday, November 8 Made by Sara ||Oliver's Fancy || Strawberry Patch Ramblings

Sunday, November 9 from a box || Mia's Creations || MOMENTS

Monday, November 10 owen's olivia || While she was sleeping

Tuesday, November 11 Nutta || Radiant Home Studio || La Pantigana

Wednesday, November 12 Sew Fishsticks || Stacy Sews || Stitching Insane || GnomeAngel

Thursday, November 13 Needle and Ted || Patchouli Moon Studio || Sprouting JubeJube || The Crazy Tailor

Friday, November 14 Casa Crafty || A Jennuine Life || 'So, Zo... What do you know?'

Saturday, November 15 Stitches by Laura || Rebekah Sews || Serger Pepper

Sunday, November 16 Blogs Like A Mother || Vicky Myers creations || Blossom Heart Quilts

Monday, November 17 Shanni Loves || So Sew Easy || GYCT Designs || Tiger In A Tornado

Tuesday, November 18 The Nosy Pepper || Keep Calm and Carrion || There & Back || Sewing Sober

Wednesday, November 19 Sew Like My Mom || Knot Sew Normal || Stacy Sews || sewVery

Thursday, November 20 Mimi's Mom || Our Family Four || shades of BOLD || Modern Handcraft

Friday, November 21 Shawnta Sews || Lulu & Celeste || Amanda Rose || Robin's Fabric Nest || House of Pinheiro

Serendipity Hip by Chris W Designs

I was a tester for the newest bag by Chris W Designs, the Serendipity Hip.  I know that it was released a couple of weeks ago, but now that I am feeling better, I am finally getting around to showing you my version.

I love this bag.  It is the right size for when you don't need to carry everything that you own.  It measures 

8" x 10" x 1.75".  It has an adjustable strap and a curved zippered top that gives you plenty of room to get inside this bag.  The front of the bag has a zippered pocket,  a large slip pocket, and in that slip pocket, a phone pocket.

The back of the bag has no embellishments.  You could certainly put another pocket there if you wanted to.

The inside of the bag's main compartment has multiple pockets, too.  There are two card pockets, a slip pocket and another zippered pocket.  This is the true sign of a Chris W Design bag.  You are sure going to get multiple pockets to keep everything organized!

The bag is listed as intermediate because of the curved zipper on the top but it really is not that difficult if you take your time.  My only problem came with the type fabric that I chose.  I loved this piece of home decorator fabric that I had but it just kept unraveling.  I had to zigzag stitch and fray check all of the edges.  It was not fun to work with but I love the look.

This pattern has 37 pages of instruction loaded with 76 step by step photos.  I am sure most of us are visual learners and these photos help to clear up any questions you may have.  I know you may feel intimidated by the length of some directions, but here, they make this bag pretty easy to accomplish.  You can get this great pattern here.

First Snow of the Season

Well, look what happened while I was sleeping.  Our first official snow of the season.

It is still so overcast this morning that the pictures look like they were taken in black and white...but no, this is full color.

The fir tree outside our sunroom window is so heavy with the snow that the branches are drooping.

It is actually the same with all of the fir trees.  That is some heavy snow.

I love how the trees are frosted with the snow.

The Canada geese have been enjoying the sun the last few days.  Now you can see how they are navigating in the water to keep it from freezing.  They are usually farther south by now.  They should have left yesterday!!

The first snow is always so special.  Don't expect me to still feel the same way at the end of February....

Thanks for all the good thoughts and prayers......time to start sewing again!

I know it has been a while since I have posted.  Many of you know that I have been going through some health issues that have taken me away from my sewing...my peaceful place.  I am back and ready to start sewing again.

It has been a whirlwind week.  I finally made it to my rheumatology appointment last Wednesday.  I was so looking forward to that appointment to finally get some relief from all of the joint pain I was having.  Every joint in my body was affected except my elbows.  I had trouble walking, sitting, laying.  By the end of the afternoon on that Wednesday I was in the hospital.  My kidneys had started to fail from the high dose of ibuprofen I was on combined with my being dehydrated.  All is good with my kidneys now.  My blood work was troubling too.  The rheumatologist wanted me to have a consult with hematology/oncology because of my high white blood cell count.

As of this morning, I learned that I have two issues.  I indeed have the auto immune disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but they found that I also have chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).  For a while they did not know if the joint pain was just how I was presenting with the leukemia.  This type of leukemia is not usually treated until other symptoms show.  I still would not have known about it without the workup I had for the RA, so it was found early. Hematology is running one more test to determine if I should start treatment for the leukemia and rheumatology will decide on their treatment after that so the treatments don't interact.
In the meantime, I am on prednisone and feeling 90% better.  Still having trouble with my ankles but that won't keep me from sewing.

I just wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers.  This online sewing community is so special to me.  Your kind words helped me and seeing all of your beautiful projects helped me too!

So....I have orders waiting to complete, a blog to do on the new Chris W Designs bag, and a post to do for Parcel #7 on Nov. 20.

Here is the pile of fabric that has been chosen for all of those things.  I better get started!

I always say I don't use enough blues.  It looks like it is all blue and black for a while.

He's Back ....

Sorry it has been so long since I have posted.  I am feeling about the same.  Rheumatologist appointment is tomorrow finally.  Maybe there will finally be a plan of action.

I have been pushing myself to sew even when I don't feel like it.  It takes me so much longer and that is frustrating but I have always found a peaceful place when I am sewing.  I am behind on my orders but all of them are for Christmas so customers have been so understanding.

I have accomplished a few things.  I finished a Bigger On the Inside Drawstring Backpack in black and white fabric with blocks of cities on it.  It was delivered before I took photos.  How did I let that happen???

I, also, finished a test bag for Christine at Chris W Designs.  But I can't show you that yet until it is released.  So far you haven't had to look at too many pictures yet, have you??

Finally, I just completed an order for a customer .  It is the Convertible Bag from Sewing With Mrs H.  And she wanted it in......yoga frog.

I love this bag.  It is fun to make and not only is it a cross body or shoulder bag, it can be turned into a backpack.  You just unhook the strap, thread it through the fabric tunnel on the back of the bag and hook them on to the d rings on the bottom of the back of the bag.  You can get the pattern here.