Owl print zip pouch

When I bought materials for my sewing classes, one of them was a zipper for the skirt. What I didn't know (and what the shop assistant failed to tell me) was that I was supposed to get the invisible one instead of the regular one. Oh well. At least I now know the difference between the two.

So now I had a regular zipper and nothing to do with it. Nothing to do with it? Nonsense, right?

I knew exactly what to do with it and it was relatively easy for little 'ol beginner me: a zip pouch.

After browsing through Pinterest, I found an easy tutorial from Sew Delicious. There was a beginner's zip pouch but I went for the lined one. Call me ambitious!

Predictably, a few things didn't go well. I think I might have burnt my fabric a little and the zipper and fabric suddenly didn't match up. Thank goodness that I just laugh at my mistakes. Go ahead, laugh with me too.

I will have to try this one again sometime. I plan to make lots of this to give as gifts maybe at Christmas. About six months before that so I have time to perfect it. :)

Meg

My first DIY tote bag

One of my favorite brands is Kate Spade. I love the mix of simplicity and quirkiness in their designs. I love all their stuff - the clothes, the jewelry, the watches, the shoes, and - of course - the bags.

For my first DIY tote bag, I was inspired by one the Kate Spade designs - the Grove Court Floral. I love that it's very summery and just adds that cheery pop of color to your outfit.

My tote bag wasn't orange, but I did have a similar (in theme) floral fabric around just waiting for the right project. I also bought some canvas to use for the base.

My rating for this project is full marks for design but poor execution. LOL.

There are many thing that I should have done - like using a thicker floral fabric and finishing all the edges and maybe put some lining inside. I made a lot of mistakes doing this one. A LOT.

Nevertheless, I had fun doing this project. I still have some canvas left so there may be more tote bags in the near future.

As it is, this bag will be put to good use as my sewing bag when I go to my sewing class because it's roomy enough to hold all fabrics and my sewing kit.

 

 Meg

A simple gift from my cousin

I came home one night and saw this package on top of my desk. I went out and asked my cousin what it was and she told me that it was a gift from her.

Excited (because who doesn't love gifts - especially spontaneous, no-reason ones), I opened it up and saw this precious measuring tape.

Needless to say, I LOVE IT.

I'll be carrying this one in my purse all the time. You never know when you need to measure something. Anything.

Meg

Pretty Throw Pillows

Beginner sewers (seamstresses?) like me can do little wrong with making throw pillows as one of their first sewing projects. It's easy to do - maybe less than 30 minutes when you get the hang of it. This tutorial that I used from Sew4Home didn't have those pesky zippers that I still have yet to master.

I bought this fabric way before I started my sewing lessons because I planned on using it as a lampshade cover. The pattern didn't work so I just stored it in a box down in my closet. So happy that I was able to make use of it now. The fabric is just so pretty to be kept away.

As you can see, it really doesn't match the other pillows so I guess - more throw pillow cases to go?

Meg

Last Minute Gift

One of the few things I thought of before I slept last Saturday was that I was going to spend Sunday making my first sewing project - a drawstring bag that I found while browsing the internet.

But plans, as they always seem to go, have a tendency to change.

I woke up with a text from my friend asking me to come over to her house to celebrate the first birthday of...

her dog.

Yes. It's pretty frivolous, but she's a first time pet owner (at least I think so) and it wasn't really that serious. It was just an excuse for people to get together and eat.

My mind automatically thought of the sewing projects for pets that I passed through when I browsed. I didn't have a pet so they were irrelevant to me at that time. But suddenly, I got the idea of making a birthday gift for her dog.

I found one easy project from Sew It Love It - a dog toy made out of fabric scraps and I thought - great! Fabric scraps! I have a lot of those.

So off I went to my sewing machine. My execution was a bit messy, but I think it ended up okay - overall.

I was nervous since I didn't know if the dog will actually like it. It is flowery, and the dog is male but the main point is that it was colorful. Color = Cool for dogs, maybe?

After a few moments of ignoring it, the dog finally played with it. And the other dog did too.

Made me so happy and proud. Heh.

 

Not bad. Not bad at all. :)

Meg

Book Haul

I've been visiting the fashion aisle of my neighborhood bookstore lately. Here are some of the books that I took home with me.

(L-R) Paris Street Style, Fashionary, and Drawing Fashion & Style

I love French women's effortless sense of style which is most commonly described as je ne sais quoi - something that cannot be defined, but it is attractive or pleasing. How do they do it? Paris Street Style is filled with interviews and tips so you can achieve even a little of that certain something that makes French women chic.

Some pages from the book

The Fashionary is something that I've wanted to buy for the longest time but, like learning how to sew, took ages for me to actually do. In my mind, there's a certain level of commitment that was involved in buying it - meaning that I am definitely going to learn fashion design/sewing.

And how cute is the pink cover and the mint ribbon?

I got the Fashionary first and then the drawing book a few days later because I thought I needed help in doing fashion illustrations. I definitely have to make some time reading and practicing that book.

Meanwhile, I did a page on my Fashionary - copying the three outfits from Paris Street Style that I posted above.

I haven't colored them in yet because I'm not sure if the paper will stand up to watercolors or colored pens. 

As a side note, I am thinking of taking a watercolor class for beginners. I already know the basics but that was a long time ago and I haven't been practicing so this will be like a refresher course for me.

Never too late. :)

Meg

Meet Katie

My Katie

 

I did it! I finally bought my first sewing machine! And I am beginning to wonder why it took me so long to do so.

I have a habit of naming my machines/gadgets like my computer, my phone, my hard drives... This one I named Katie - inspired by one of my fashion icons Kate Middleton aka the Duchess of Cambridge.

It's a BM2600 and the exterior is white with violet details, and since violet is associated with royalty, I thought it was really fitting.

I am so glad that I figured out how to set it up on my own. You can't imagine how excited I was when I successfully winded my first bobbin!

My first few stitches using Katie

Now I am really itching to do more sewing projects. Perhaps I can scour the 'net for those that are targeted for beginners like me. :)

Meg