Weekends go by Quickly

Our weekend was all over the place. Saturday featured our local fire department's pancake feed. Can't beat those thin spongy pancakes.

I managed to get some projects done.  I made up some aprons from the dimensions of one that my grandma made. However, I made tucks instead of gathers at the waist. I think I like that look.

I made another hat like this one, this time for my husband. Apparently, it was the hit of the workday for him today. He had lots of positive comments from his coworkers.

On Sunday, we saw the movie Valentines Day and went to our favorite Mexican restaurant (El Jardin if you are ever in the South-Central Wisconsin area). Couldn't have imagined a more fun and romantic Valentines Day!

In progress: the bag in this photo. And I have enough pics to write a tutorial, so watch for that soon. It's a great bag -- zippered top and pockets inside and out!

Hope your weekend was a nice blend of accomplishment AND relaxation!

This Purse Again

The purse is reclining on my Eddie Bauer down throw. I love that thing! So cozy!

I just love this pattern! This is the 5th purse I've made using it, and I have fabric to make another one for myself.

This is the thickest fabric that I've used so far with this pattern and in some cases I was sewing through six layers plus the batting that I used to line the handle. I held my breath as I sewed toward the thick parts and my Bernina went through them like nothing! Up until now I hadn't worked on a project with thick fabrics, so my machine hadn't been put to that test. I was very very pleased, since I have memories of other machines jamming and groaning.

I have a couple of Christmas projects to finish up yet, are you all ready for Christmas?

Another Purse

You might be sick of looking at the same purse pattern, but . . .

this one is a little different.

I lined the handle with batting. I like it a lot better that way -- the handle doesn't crumple up like the one I made earlier.

This purse is for my mom. The lining is made from a blouse that was 1/2 done, and was in the process of being sewn by her mom (my grandma). My grandma passed away in 1984. The lining is kind of a puckery seersucker type fabric; I really like the texture. But the "generational" connection is the real fun in this project and I'm excited to tell my mom where the fabric came from.

My grandmother made most of her family's clothing. The quilt pictured below was made by her, using scraps from all of those sewing projects. I could sit and stare at this quilt for hours. Most of the fabrics were made up into "house dresses" for everyday use but some were, I'm sure, sewn into church dresses.

Reproduction fabrics are fun but they don't come close to the real thing.

For an end-of-the-week treat, visit Sew & Tell Friday for lots of yummy projects from some crafty folks!

More Purses

I made two more of these. They go together really quickly. I have an additional 2 or 3 people in mind that I'd like to make one for.

I've been using home dec weight fabric and I need to get more.

I see a shopping trip in my future.

Pockets inside and out.

I may have to make myself another one, also.

I Made a Purse!

This fabric was left from some pillow shams I made for Jamie and Diedra. The pattern was easy, fun to make, and ancient. Copyright 1975. It sold for $1.25. Patterns sell for about 10 times that now.

I think it turned out really cute. I could hardly wait to transfer my stuff from my old purse, and it all fit perfectly.

Pockets inside and out! The pockets weren't on the original pattern; I added them in my usual "must modify" form. But still easy to make. It was Simplicity 7004, in case you'd like to try to find the pattern on eBay.