GIANT apology and a little progress

Happy Friday, Everyone!


I wanted to start this post with a GIANT apology to all the wonderful people who have ever left a comment on one of my posts.  As you know, the comments show up on the post itself and also as an email in my inbox.  Instead of replying to the emails, I usually come back and "reply" to the actual comment on my blog.  I just realized this week that when I do it that way, the person who commented doesn't get an email back from me.... and might think I ignored (or worse yet, didn't appreciate!) their comment.  This makes me very sad, because comments MAKE MY DAY and I appreciate every single one of them!!!  From now on, I'll reply to the emails (instead of the comments on the blog) to make sure you get a response.  I'll be a good bloggy friend from now on, I promise!!


Now on to the progress I made on my May Small Project Sew Along list this week.... 


I was able to cross a few things off this week.  Woo hoo!


I made this messenger bag for my kindergartener's BFF's birthday (say that 3 times fast!):

Full post about the messenger bag it is here

I also got some embroidery and applique done for The Forever Project:

Full post about The Forever Project is here

Made some goodies for my running buddies:

Full post about these zippered pouches is here

My current projects are these 3 items on my list:

15. Make or find a simple pattern for a tote / beach bag

16. Make a year-end gift for my kindergartener's teacher

17. Make a year-end gift for my 3rd grader's teacher

I have come up with a pattern (item #15) and I'm using it to make #16 and #17 (year-end teacher gifts).  I'm working on the first one now but it is not finished yet (as you can see from the photo below).  I'm hoping determined to complete this one and make one more this weekend.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you've worked on this week!

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Linking up with: 

Confessions of a Fabric Addict for "Whoop Whoop Friday"

Sew Many Ways for "Find a Friend Friday"

AmyLouWho for "Sew and Tell" (no link up today)

Pieceful Life for "Show Off Friday" 

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~*~ May your day be full of Love and Ladybug Hugs ~*~

Pink Messenger Bag

Small project #18 on my May Small Project Sew Along list was to make a birthday gift for my kindergartener's BFF.  I saw a cute messenger bag / zip pouch tutorial over at Plum and June and decided this would fit the bill. I used all of Beth's measurements but did make a few minor modifications.  

Beth assembled her outside bag pieces and attached them to flannel or batting.  Instead, I foundation pieced my outside bag fabric directly on to pre-quilted fabric - which I'm sure has a name, I just don't know what it is.  Maybe you can tell from these pictures?  It has fabric on both sides, batting in the center, and it's already quilted with diagonal lines in both directions, which make diamond shapes.

Once the outside fabric was all attached to the pre-quilted stuff, I did a little FMQ over top.  I did a giant swirl on the front and some meandering on the back.  Since all the layers were so nicely attached and the back of the pre-quilted stuff looked OK as is, I decided not to add a lining to this bag.  This is what the inside looks like: 

When I was sewing the layers (right sides together), I found it helpful to pull the handle pieces out through the zipper opening.  That way, I could keep an eye on them and wouldn't sew them into a side seam by mistake. I also went around all the edges with a zig-zag stitch once they were attached, to finishes the inside edges a bit.  (Funny, I actually own a serger, but we have not been on speaking terms for quite a few years... so zig-zag stitching with my regular machine works just fine!)

The other thing I did a little differently was to make the strap adjustable using two half circle rings (which I'm sure also have a name.... terminology is not by forte!).

My kindergartener - Jessica - could not *wait* to pose with this bag before school this morning.  She is so excited to get her picture on my blog.  Now she's *FAMOUS* !!!!  ;-)

For the front of the bag, Beth's tutorial called for a 9x3 piece above the zipper and a 9x9 piece below the zipper.  I made one big 9x12 piece, then cut it into the two sections.

Though very simple to use the pre-quilted stuff and skip the lining (huge time saver!), the bag is a little "stiff."  I like that it has structure to it but it's not very soft.  Next time, I will definitely use flannel or batting, as the tutorial suggests.


Happy Monday, everyone!  I hope you have a productive week!

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Here's my current list for the May Small Project Sew Along:

Completed items:

1. Complete H2H quilt - link here

2. Complete Laura's quilt - link here

3. Make pillow to match Laura's quilt - link here
5. Make 3 small memory (t-shirt) wall hangings (1 done, 2 not started) - link here
6. Make 3 small memory (t-shirt) Mickey pillows - link here

7. Make a green mug rug in time for Mother's Day  - link here

9. Finish April Seasonal Skinny (flimsy is complete) - link here
10. Complete 2 ladybug Seasonal Skinnies for May - link here

12. Make a portable sewing kit / bag / holder / something-or-other - link here

18. Make a birthday gift for kindergartener's BFF - DONE!

Not started or in progress:

4. Finish quilt for Sujay (flimsy is complete)

8. Make a pink mug rug just because I want to
11. Cut fabric for summer hexie project
13. Start (and finish) embroidery for "The Forever Project"
14. Complete "Om" block for "The Forever Project"
15. Make or find a simple pattern for a tote / beach bag
16. Make a year-end gift for my kindergartener's teacher
17. Make a year-end gift for my 3rd grader's teacher
19. Make a "surprise" for my 11 running partners + myself
20. Make an Unruly letters pillow for Kim
21. Update my running scrapbook (no sewing involved!)
22. Figure out a plan of attack for the "Unless" quilt

~*~ May your day be full of Love and Ladybug Hugs ~*~

Hip to be (not) square

Part of my "day job" involves managing -- to the penny -- multi mullion dollar projects.  Being able to reconcile financials across 50+ teams and 400+ people makes me very well qualified to do the math required to successfully modify pattern sizes for my sewing projects.


Note: Only one of the above sentences is true.  I'll let you decide which one.


My daughter asked me to make a purse-size messenger bag for a friend's birthday party this weekend.  I've used this free pattern multiple times in the past with really good results.  I decided to modify it slightly to make a smaller version, which would finish at 8" high, 8" wide, 3" deep.


Here's my modified version... which measures 9" high, 6.5" wide, 3" deep.  One out of 3 ain't bad??? *sigh*  And of course, the flap is too short for the bag... partially because the bag is 1" too tall... partially because of my stellar math / pattern translation skills.

My daughter picked the fabric from my stash.

I added a heart-shaped peace sign on the (too short) flap.  The lining is the same blue as the peace sign and there is a divided pocket on the inside, as well.  The strap is adjustable.

This is the back of the bag... that's another pocket.  

Well it sure looks good when *she's* wearing it!!  (Isn't she beautiful?  Pretend this photo isn't dark and shadowy and that her gorgeous copper-red hair is shining!)

Of course, my beautiful model has now requested one for herself.  I think I'll stick with the wonky bag measurements (I'm afraid of how much worse it could be next time) and instead just add 2" to the length of the flap, so it hangs all the way down over the front of the bag.  


Oh, and did I mention *sigh*?


PS -- My beautiful model is looking over my shoulder as I type this, and just said to me, "You messed up?? I think it looks great!"  Bless you, my beautiful girl!!

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Linking up with: 

Crazy Mom Quilts for  "Finish it Up Friday" 

Confessions of a Fabric Addict for "Whoop Whoop Friday"

AmyLouWho for "Sew and Tell"

I'm looking forward to seeing what you've worked on this week!

~*~ May your day be full of Love and Ladybug Hugs ~*~