I’m working a steady job now.  Doing what I love, but on a more specific schedule.  So humble.  So excited.  So much to do in so little time!

Funny thing about making your own schedule, you allot for all kinds of things without even thinking about it.  Now I have to make plans, schedule out my calendar and let other people know about my intentions.

Thank you Dazian.

Here’s a photo of a notebook I made.

Opened up inside.

Opened up from the outside.

I used a double-sided fusible stabilizer for the base of the notebook which I had, so no cost there.  Fabric scraps, no cost there either.  Heavy weight variegated thread and decorative stitching designs, had that too.  Added a ribbon and button as an after thought for closure, although it wasn’t necessary.  Three rounds of satin stitching at varied widths  for a “kind of not so perfect look”.  If it did cost anything, it was my time.  Every time a use the notebook it brings a little smile to my face.

]]> http://sewablesbyrobbie.wordpress.com/2012/04/29/strip-piecing-notebook/feed/ 0 sewablesbyrobbie notebook 2 notebook 3 http://sewablesbyrobbie.wordpress.com/2012/04/29/canvas-tote-bag-fabric-from-ikea/ http://sewablesbyrobbie.wordpress.com/2012/04/29/canvas-tote-bag-fabric-from-ikea/#comments Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:16:21 +0000 sewablesbyrobbie http://sewablesbyrobbie.wordpress.com/?p=352 ]]>

I designed this tote bag from some canvas that I purchased from Ikea.  Normally the fabric runs about $10.00 a yard, but found it on sale for $1.99 a yard, both colors!  Combined the two fabrics and added an embossed leather tab, and whahla!

A great bag with lots of inside pockets and even a divider.

Front tab.

Inside of bag.

Padded shoulder strap, adjustable.

Another inside view.

Opportunity awaits.

I dye all of my own fabrics!  It’s a fun and crazy process that takes hours to make and you never really know exactly what you’re going to come out with, but I wouldn’t change it.

The outcome of dying your own fabrics…… you just have to see it for yourself!  I use specific fabrics that are prepared for dying (PFD).  Each piece is twisted, squished, tied or otherwise.  Soaked, presoaked, wrung out and then washed afterwards in a special gentle laundry soap to insure that the color is secure and won’t bleed when and if needed.  I use the same process on the fabrics I use for garments (more on that in a different post).

Beautifully hand-dyed fabric with carefully selected buttons to make this business card holder one-of-a-kind.  Lots of varied colors available, this one’s mine.

Here’s a front and back view of a crazy quilted card holder.  Leather strap for extra protection.

This one is hand-dyed.  Piece of leather wraps around for extra protection with a 1.25” button.

Hand-dyed with very sweet 1.25” button.  Back is the same value as the front.  Leather strap for extra protection. 

Made this Torah cover for my daughter’s class last year.  Just received the pictures, thought you might like to see!  I was asked to make the cover, include some names and a bit of Judaica!  It’s a big order, but everything worked out beautifully.

Making a pattern, stabilizing stretch velvet and adding a lining… just another day in the sewing room, I wish!

It did take a couple of weeks, but once I was able to work out the kinks, things went quickly.  One of fun things about doing custom work is the challenge of it all.  One of the not so fun things, no screw up room.  You generally get one shot to make it right.

The hat is super warm and cozy.  Everyone that has seen the hat on, loves it.  I think the cable pops out nicely, without being to overstated.  I’ve never made a hat that has a cable along the top edge before.  The next time I try this type of hat, it will probably come out a little better, but I’m still really happy.

Things I learned… love the crocheted bottom edge, makes a great fit.  Don’t make your cables too tight.  Follow the directions, even if you think you already have the pattern down.  Check your work from time to time to see how things are progressing.  Used size 7 dpns for the cabled section and circulars for a bit, crochet hook, then back to dpns to finish off.

Using beautiful yarn that look good to the eye and gentle on the hands = a wonderful weekend that produced one of the many things I always wanted to accomplish.  I’d say it’s a good day!  Happy Knitting.

I bought some beautiful varigated wool yarn, my favorite and a sock blocker. 

Who knew, beautiful yarns downtown at Michael Levine’s.  I’ve been there lots of times for fabrics and such, but now there is a corner of the store devoted just to yarns.  Not only are the prices competitive, but they have a wonderful selection to boot.  Since I’m relatively new to the whole knitting scene, going  beyond the Joann’s and Michael’s for yarn, I was over whelmed.  Loved all the samples with tags, included the stitch, how many skeins and the brand.  The woman who was sitting and knitting there was the one, and I did say one, who made all the samples!  So worth the drive if you’re not too far from LA.  If there was one or two drawbacks, it would be that parking is a bear.  Our country maybe in financial debt, but parking on the street at a meter…. get ready, 25 cents for every 5 minutes!  I don’t know a lot about math, but that’s just stupid!  Find yourself a parking lot and walk a couple of blocks, $5.00 all day.

 With lots of fabric taking up space, the right color mix and a bit of good fortune…

here are some of the pillows I’m currently making.  Two so far, but more pillows and a small blanket to come.

  I did a bit of “rough” applique to spell out Lily.  I asked her to pick out a few key words that she wanted on the pillows and the rest is history as they say!  Peace, friendship and other words on the way.

What I like best about applique?  There are no real rules that apply for me.  When I design my work, I can make up the “rules” as I go.  I had an idea in my mind of what I wanted, so I just made it.   You can do tradition needle turn, reverse applique or freezer paper… the list goes on as the different kinds of applique get varied results.  My personal method, raw edge applique.  I really like the way the frayed edge looks over time.  I go for the fun, easy & relatively quick method of starting and stopping within a few hours and having a finished project or two in hand!  If I don’t finished within a short amount of time, the pillows could end up where all the BAD pillows go, not good!

Shelby, making sure I don’t lose my fabric!

 I put a concealed zipper in the back so that we could wash and dry as needed.

For the main fabric, I used a pre-quilted fabric that I bought at Joann’s.  I didn’t really want the fabric, but I bought it.  A super sale, combined with someone showing me an adorable bag they made, I bought the fabric there and then. There was a small intention of making/coping the bag, but obviously not that much as it’s sat around for two years or so in my stash!

 Zipper is a #5, heavy weight.  I buy yards and yards of varied colors at one time, so that way I can put in a zipper anytime.  Remember too, it’s concealed under a flap, so the color of the zipper doesn’t really matter anyways.

Regular weight thread for putting the pillow together and heavyweight variegated thread for the applique that you see.

Bought the pillow forms downtown at Michael Livines for $3.25 each, 20 inch.

Wonder Under fusible web for the letters.

I used a walking foot for almost all the sewing.

There are a few tricky things to remember… remember to reverse the letters prior to ironing on the fabric, mirror image.  You know that this didn’t happen to me!  Take your time going around the letters, leaving the needle in the down position as you turn a curve.  I don’t want my things to be too perfectly straight, so I intentionally go a bit short and beyond the lines.  You do what you like.

Have fun and don’t let anyone restrict your creativity!