Zakka Style Sew-A-Long: Week 2

HOUSE POUCH

This week's project in the Sew-A-Long was an adorable little pouch, shaped like a house, complete with doors and windows and a flowery garden.

In other words:  a little too cutesy for me.

Don't get me wrong, there were a lot of great projects by other folk in the Sew-A-Long.  Great color and texture choices.  Some nice embroidered details.  It's just not my bag, baby!  (Points to those who get the Austin Powers reference.)

So, I debated what to do.  Do I make it anyway, even though I don't know what the hell I'll do with it?  Do I skip this week's project and get a jump on one of the bigger ones coming up?

I decided that I would make the House Pouch.
But I'd make it MY way.

















I decided to do a simple row of houses with varying roof lines, heights, widths.  The houses are coordinating quilting cottons on an osnaburg background.  I left the backside plain.

The bag is lined in black cotton.  I added coordinating tabs to the zipper ends for a more finished look.

 

Here's a close up of the zipper end.

I kept it simple, modern and j-u-s-t right.

For me.

I think it will hold all of my crochet hooks nicely.

Zakka Style Sew-A-Long: Week 1

ZIGZAG TOTE

Well, here's my first project in the Sew-A-Long!

It was kinda fun to do!  Hadn't really done much quilt piecing before except for a few wonky blocks where precision isn't really a priority.  But this time, I had to take more care.  It still isn't perfect, but I'm pleased with it.

Since my zigzag strips weren't 100% precise, I decided that the quilting lines shouldn't be either!  So I overlapped some of the lines ... made some longer ... some shorter.  I just got crazy with it!

And on the back, too!

Ooo...check out the inside!

(Is that a big pocket or are you just happy to see me?!?!)

AND my first magnetic snap closure.
Really easy to insert.  I see more of these in my future.

By happy accident, I ended up with the "lining" side of the straps facing out.  I like the bright chartreuse on the outside.   I also wasn't going to interface the straps since I seldom feel the need, but since the body of the bag is so structured due to the quilting, I decided that "floppy" straps probably weren't the best choice.  Yeah, it added extra steps and time, but I think they look better with some body to them rather than just hanging limply.

So, that's week one of the Sew-A-Long!  Time to go upload the pics to my new Flickr account!  (Watch for a link on the sidebar ... I'll get around to adding it soon.  I swear!)

Big-Ass Denim

No, that's not denim for a big ass. It's a Big-Ass Denim Bag.

I've been inspired lately by the use of a fabric selvedge as design detail. This is my take on that concept.

Yeah, that's right. You wish you had one, don't you?
But you don't.

What Have I Gotten Myself Into??

That's sorta what I thought - briefly!! - when I decided to partake in something challenging. Something a little outside my comfort zone. Something that I'm sure will make me say "What have I gotten myself into?!?" more than once.

BUT I'm doing it.

While checking out another blog, I discovered that there was going to be a Sew-A-Long based on a book I recently purchased called Zakka Style by Rashida Colman-Hale. They're going to work through all the projects in the book - one per week. That's right 22 weeks of sewing!!

And some crazy part of me said "Hey! This might be fun!" I like a lot of the projects - hence, the reason I bought the book in the first place - and I thought it would be a good way to build up a stash of gifts to keep handy. You know, if I don't keep them for myself! Plus, I'll probably pick up a new technique or two (or twelve) along the way. And since I'll be posting my finished projects along the way, there's some feeling of accountability (i.e. I have to finish this or else THEY will know I didn't!!!)

While still waffling about if I should do this Sew-A-Long, I learned that ...
THERE. WILL. BE. GIVE. A. WAYS.

I sew and you might give me free sh*t?!?!
I'm in.

Here's my book and my pincushion, ready to get started!



To keep up with my progress, come back. OFTEN!
I'll give you further details on my new Flickr account and everything else I'll need to Sew-A-Long! I've even added a new button to my Blog! Check it out ...