Wow…..it's hard to believe it is already Sunday and I have not blogged since Tuesday. I feel almost a bit guilty and definitely out of touch. That daily blogging commitment was almost like having a mother telling me to clean up my room. I remember when I moved out of my childhood house, I don't think I made my bed for a month. 🙂
Unfortunately I was not feeling well most of the week and really did not have the energy to blog. Today is the first day I have felt almost human again, so here I am. I actually have a lot to show you, but I will do a little each day. 🙂
You might remember a year or so ago, I broke down and finally bought a new sewing machine. The one that I had been using was one I got when I was pregnant with my oldest daughter who almost 29. It was time!
Sadly It has not seen much use however this year. One my goals for the upcoming year is to learn how to use it to it's full potential…or at least my full potential..LOL.
The only thing I have sewn in almost a year is the little sock bag pictured at the top. A little earlier this fall, I made this bag as I had promised it to a friend. She is a very good friend as she waited almost a full year for it…yikes! I had made up a bunch of these bags for spa last year and these were the colors that she was hoping for, but I had run out. She is a patient soul I tell ya.
Over the week, I cleaned off my sewing table that had become a catchall for everything, dusted off my machine and reacquainted myself with her. Yesterday I cut out the fabric for Beetrice's body and this afternoon I will get to business. (how cool is it that my machine table has a honeycomb pattern…can you see it?)
Last week I told you that I had promised Ashley a handbag. Over the last few days, I did spend quite a bit of time looking at the countless sewing tutorials out in blog land. I was blown away by just how many sewing and craft blogs there are. At least as many as knitting blogs and maybe even more. Talk about a serious Rabbit Hole….holey moley!
Ashley wants a simple sling bag, so this should be pretty easy. My tastes on the other hand, are a bit more complicated. I have had this Amy Butler pattern for a year now, but was not quite ready to tackle it until I have tried a few simpler bags. Having seen the weekender finished in this combination, renewed my desire to get serious again about it.
I have a market tote all cut out and ready to be sewn, so that will be a good practice piece, but after seeing this tutorial, I think I will start with a few of these first with some of the Amy Butler fat quarters I have kicking around, then move onto the market tote and finally the weekender. Baby steps usually work best for me. :)
The Woolen Rabbit 
Happy sewing! I dusted of my machine this last week too. Love Amy Butler fabrics and patterns, she’s amazing!
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Wow, what a machine! I love that little project bag–neat fabric! Can’t wait to see the finished quilt and the bags. Glad you are feeling better.
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I have one of your bags above from SPA last year! It was the last one you had and I love it!!
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Sounds like you’ve got some great incentive to get sewing! Have fun making your bags!
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I have fat quarters and the tutorial printed for the box bag, but just haven’t put down my knitting long enough to make it. I also have the same Amy Butler pattern. I’ll see how yours works out and maybe that will motivate me. Good luck!
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I haven’t sewn anything from a pattern since high school. There are times, I wish I could still make something, but I think knitting is just my thing. I can’t wait ot see what you have to share with us, though!
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The little sock bag I bought from you at Spa goes with me almost all the time. I love it! Happy sewing!
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Oh, Kim, you make me feel SO much better! I bought the same machine (did you get the Bernina Stitch Regulator for quilting with yours?) about the same time as you did and have barely turned it on in over a year. (Hanging head in shame.) I should have put that on my To Do list for this year….well, in a way I did. I said I was going to make a quilt! I got as far as pulling down the box of fabrics, ALL CUT OUT for over four years!
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Love my Bernina! You must get more use out of this machine! 🙂
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Love that box bag – will put that on my to do list!!!!! Great for taking small projects!!!Good luck getting back in touch with your sewing amchine – I have made that same committment this year. I love your blog!!!
Jill in snowy, cold, WI
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I love making bags.
That batik you used for your bag is just gorgeous! Love the colors.
This is a great site for tutorials and patterns for bags:
http://u-handbag.typepad.com/uhandblog/
She has lots of great details on installing zippers, piping, clasps, etc, plus she shares a lot of her own original patterns. Very nice site.
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I just bought a new Bernina last summer and my story is exactly the same. My daughter is also 29 and my old Bernina roughly the same age. I referred to it as my new machine as the one prior to it was born the same year I was. I love Amy Butler patterns and her fabrics are too yummy. I usually say “Knit on”, but in this case “Sew on”
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You can do it. I had a great tip which has helped me know end. Measure twice cut once. I usually measure sixty six but hey it has saved heaps of material
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Little successes and going slow will be the perfect way to get into sewing. I love the bags and the fabrics! It’s mighty tempting.
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Kim- You’re better than me. My machine hasn’t seen alot of use since the L.L. Bean boat totes came into my life.
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I’m sorry you weren’t feeling well and I’m glad you’re doing better. I just cleaned off my sewing table yesterday. Something must be in the air. 🙂
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I just took The Quilt That Will Not Be Finished. Ever. to the longarm quilter this morning. I have only been working on it for about four years now. I’ve signed up for a class on bindings on March 28, so I’m hoping the end to this project is in sight. I look forward to seeing your sewing projects—good luck in the new year.
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What a cute bag! I’m happy you are enjoying sewing! 🙂
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That is a great AB pattern. You’ll love doing her bags. Her directions are so well written and her fabrics? Oh, so good.
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There are lots of things we need to know while buying sewing machine, things like which type of machine it will be, for what purpose you are buying it for either it is domestic or industrial, etc. Then you can easily go for purchase.
There are lot many small and heavy sewing machines available in the market you can make purchase according to your need.
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