Not-Ugly Car Trash Bag

I was able to complete my latest project in one day, probably about 3 hours. I'm feeling more confident about sewing and am getting more proficient at it! Still not great, but better with each project!! The other ones I've done all had a diagram of how to measure and cut your fabric. This one only gave me dimensions, so I had to plan and measure more accurately.

Here are the pieces all cut out and the strap is already made, with buckle attached. I'm getting pretty good at making double-fold bias tape!!


Front of bag:


Hanging bag:


I think if I were to make another one, I'd try to find some sort of plastic lining since this is to be used for trash. Thankfully it'll be in the car, so not too much stuff that will be sticky and messy. On second thought, I have kids...I take that back!! Maybe this one will have to be a gift for someone...

Things I learned:
*How to make/attach binding to add some flare.
*Box stitch for reinforcing straps.
*Attach a "parachute buckle", the clasp for the strap.
*To zigzag the seem allowance for reinforcement.
*Think ahead of what the project will be used for, and then plan and make necessary personal changes/additions to the project. i.e. The lining.

Petite Diaper Tote

Another project from One Yard Wonders, the Petite Diaper Tote. This one was a lot of fun to make, but tons of steps!! I was introduced to fusible fleece and interfacing. I don't love them, but love the outcome they gave me. So we've become friends.

This tote is great for carrying just a few diapers, wipes, a toy or two and your keys, wallet, phone. Small, but so handy!

First, I'd like to share my work space. It's not easy, but it's the best I have right now:

Notice the spot on the front of the craft table that "melted" (or something similar...) after I ironed on it. I even had a towel on the table! Oh well...ironing board came out. The hard part of this is that it is in our basement which is essentially the kids' playroom. So every time I work, I have to bring everything out and get it all put away before Nora gets up from her nap or in the morning. It works for now...

These are all the pieces of the fabric cut before assembling:

I had already ironed on the interfacing, but not much more at this point.

This is the beginning of the changing pad, before I quilted and attached it to the tote:


Here is the front of the bag (The changing pad is folded up on the back side):

I realize now I should've taken a picture of the back side showing how the pad folds up. Another lesson learned...

Here is the bag with the changing pad out, and the front flap open, too:

The changing pad folds into itself and then up twice and attaches with the strip of Velcro.

The tote held up by the cutest model ever, to show the changing pad out from the back of it:


Things I learned:
*How to make a stiffer corner.
*How to use fusible interfacing and fusible fleece.
*How to quilt something.
*How to make double biased tape.

*How to attach a magnetic clip.

*Measure everything first and THEN cut.

*Measure what you need after the selvage line.

*You can use two strips of interfacing together to make it the correct size, when you inadvertently cut something before measuring the rest of your project.

Child's Messenger Bag

I finished 2 projects today. The first one is the Child's Messenger Bag from One Yard Wonders, a collection of projects you can sew with only 1 yard of fabric. This is my favorite book right now!! I'm thinking most of my projects will be coming from this book, until I feel braver and more confident to move to bigger and better things!

This bag gave me trouble during the assembly portion. Making all the separate pieces was really pretty easy. I couldn't figure out the directions on how to put it all together, though, and there were no pictures to show me what to do! I reached out for help in many different ways and it finally came at the library. I took Liam to a program today and brought my bag with me. One of the other moms showed me exactly what to do! I was so excited!!

This picture is the bag before assembly:


The piece on the right is the lining which needed to go into the bag itself. Also, in this picture, the straps and front flap aren't sewn on, just pinned. The directions said something about turning it inside out, sewing the top and pulling it all through. Yeah...OK....

I put the lining in the bag, turned the tops in and top stitched around the entire thing, tucking in the flap and straps as I went. I'm very happy with all but one little spot, which hopefully nobody will ever notice...

Here's the front of the bag, closed:


Front of the bag, opened:


Inside of the bag with the pocket:


Thing I Learned:
*How to make tucked corners (Not sure that's what they're really called, but that's what I'm calling them).

*Basting.
*How to ask EVERYONE for help.
*Sometimes directions aren't correct.
*How to do something my own way, which could be much easier!!
*It really helps to press the seams as you go.
*My kids' craft table isn't a good ironing board.

Super Hero Cape

Welcome to my new project...A place for me to share my sewing projects! I received a sewing machine for my birthday in 2009 and am just getting into it, almost a year and a half later! I will try to give credit where credit is due as I share my projects. My plan is to take pictures as I'm making something, but that may not always happen. But there will definitely be pictures of the final projects!

My wonderful friend, Angie, gave Liam a Batman cape for his 2nd birthday. I finally had the guts to go for it and create another one. I just copied the Batman cape, consulted with Angie via email on a few things and got started. Here's the fabric, before cutting:


Cutting around the completed cape:


Cutting the back side of cape:


Completed front side:


Completed back side:


By the way, Liam picked out the fabric! Here he is, as Flame Boy! (Notice the red shirt he just HAD to wear to match!):



Finishing this project gave me a little more confidence, so I headed back to buy more fabrics and am almost done with my next project and starting another one. I feel quite proud!!

Things I learned:

*Never sew sticky velcro to secure it. The sticky gummy stuff got all over my needle.

*How to change my sewing machine's needle.