Here’s a flashback from last year when I posted the instructions for this pumpkin pincushion here.These also work well as decorations and I think it would be fun to try them in patchwork.
1, 2, 3 You Sew
The most rewarding part of this book adventure has definitely been seeing all of you make things from the book. It’s nice to know that someone is actually buying it and reading it! So here are more of your photos from 1, 2, 3 Sew!
Market Tote from Flickr user craftyozgirl.
Lunch Sack from Flickr user myittybittyquilts.
Play Your Way Reversible Superhero Cape from nuttermother.
Lawn Cosmetic Bag from Amy a la Mode.
Mouse Pincushion from House on Hill Road.
Craft Caddy from calathea.
If you’d like to share a photo, be sure to add your project to the 1, 2, 3 Sew Flickr group.
Fall Handbag
Though fall isn’t quite here yet, the crisp air around here inspired me to get out the wool. I made this handbag from the Tiered Bag pattern in 1, 2, 3 Sew. As you may know, I can never follow a pattern — apparently not even my own, so I made some modifications.
If you don’t sew, you will be totally bored by this paragraph, so just skip on down to the next one. I made the folds, but basted them in place inside the seam allowance and just let the bag have a more slouchy look. I also added a middle panel and curved bottom, rather than the squared bottom that I made for the bag in the book. I was fresh out of magnetic snaps, so I’ve left the opening in the lining to add one later. Knowing me, I will walk around with it like this until spring comes. I’m undecided about whether I will topstitch around the opening after I add the snap. I did a zig-zag on the inside, so it should be plenty secure and though I recommend it for the bag in the book, I sometimes feel a topstitch spoils things.
The wool was sent to me by Heavens to Betsy and I used a vintage Vera Neumann sheet for the lining (along with some fusible fleece to make it nice and sturdy). I also added a strip of vintage lace down the center of the back and front.
This is a speedy bag to make and can be modified in all sorts of different ways. If you have the book, I’d love to see how you made it.
For the love of pink
My six-year-old loves hot pink. Wears it everyday. I don’t really understand children’s obsession with color favorites. When an adult visits a classroom, the teacher may ask the kids “Do you have any questions for our guest today?” and whether the guest is a visiting parent or Barack Obama, one child in the class will inevitably ask “What’s your favorite color?” This will be followed by oohs and ahhs if the color matches their own favorite, making a kindred color connection. And I’ve tried to stomp out the gender distinctions between colors around here, but it seems pretty well ingrained in our society. I think it’s best not to over-analyze it, so I just make my daughter pink stuff all the time. I’ll miss these days when she becomes a goth kid in high school.
Anyway, I made this dress from Burda 9702, but of course made some modifications. It’s a super simple pattern and a good dress for a beginner to make. And I made this scarf from this awesome yarn that my daughter picked out from Purl Soho when we were in NY. The yarn actually has sparkly trims and crocheted flowers in it. Yarn like this is good for me, since I can’t really do any fancy knitting.
Quick Crafty Round-Up
Pencil Pouch from Gwenny Penny.
Colorblock Tunic from Growing Home.
Gift Wrap Ideas from Babble.
Little Apples Pillow from Thomas Knauer for Sew, Mama, Sew!
Colored Pencil Jewelry from Mini Eco for Design Mom.
Finishing an Edge with Bias from The Haby Goddess.
Bee Skirt Pattern from Whipstitch Fabrics (with Melody Miller’s Ruby Star Spring).
Reversible Sling Bag from Crap I’ve Made for Skip to my Lou.
Makeup Bag from Sew Like My Mom.