Do You Like Big Purses?

I do, and the moment I clapped eyes on the Presidio Purse I knew it had to be mine! Camp was coming and I needed something I could drag all over and not worry about destroying. At the same time I decided it was time for a new purse. I combined both needs with some massive stash busting. I found a cache of old work jeans I’d been harboring for years and realized it would be perfect to drag all over the mountains!

My rough and ready pieced denim Presidio!

Since I was in a hurry I decided to eliminate all extra bits and just do a stripped down version of the purse. As I began to disassemble my jeans I decided to add pockets back in, with the jeans back pockets and the next thing I knew I was piecing the butt of one of my brother’s old pairs to the front for three pockets in one. It looked so cool!! I think my subconscious was so delighted with Carolyn’s jeans piecing that I had to give it a try.

Three pockets on the outside and two on the inside! Love how much junk you can throw in here! No cramming needed.

I topstitched it all in hot pink thread because it seemed like a fun idea. Doing both the outside and the lining in denim made for one heavy bag and my sewing machine wasn’t too happy in some spots but it powered through! I love my Necchi! 

Other notes: Loved the way the handle was constructed. I did a double take the first time I read  the instructions but the result is clever and clean. 

I was surprised at how quickly the purse came together but I intentionally didn’t fuss about the construction. I was coming off of the battle of the buttonholes and just wanted something simple to put together. Not having to worry about my stitching and free piecing this bag was very therapeutic. Slashing up a bunch of old jeans and getting to throw stuff away was cathartic as well. 

Just an fyi, there are small openings in the top of the purse at either end of
the zipper. I didn't know this and it puzzled me for a bit.

To sum up. I LOVE it! I can’t wait to make another in some pretty fabric with the amazing details in the fall! Have you tried the Presidio? Do you have a favorite bag pattern?

How To Travel With An Iron

Just in case you're coming around for the first time, I live in the middle of nowhere and I have gad in my heels. Why am I telling you these seemingly random facts? Well as a seamstress that travels, my sewing supplies spend a lot of time on the road and packing them has always been a tricky thing.

The worst culprit is my IRON!! You have to use it right up to the end, then you have to wait for it to cool down and delicately place it in your car so it doesn't burn or melt anything. At least it used to be... I'd like to introduce you to my iron's carrying case.

What? You do not understand it's full gloriousness? Let me show you more!!

You take that heat resistant fabric, heat resistant batting, regular batting and fabric and layer them together. Quilt and bind.

Your iron sits in the middle and you do a bit of creative fabric folding to get this...

A handy carrying case!

Buttons and elastic loops hold the layers
together. We also added a loop and button to hold
the cord outside, because we don't want to melt
that either!

Hey little buddy! How ya doing in there! You ain't gonna burn my new car now!!!

I keep using "we" because our whole group made these on one sewing day. One of the ladies had figured it all out and showed us how to do it. It was such a relaxing day and a super useful, yet fun, project. I've used mine several times and it works FABULOUSLY!!

Do you take your sewing on the road? How do you transport your iron?

June Stashbusting: Containment

A new month, a new journey. I've made it to camp where I'll be working for the next couple months. Bring on the kids, crafts and the sunshine! It's so gorgeous here and I'm loving it! My internet is wonky so you're getting post with no photos today.
While I may not be spending much time sewing now, I did plan ahead so I've still got some projects to show you guys but I probably won't be posting as often. It's all up to you guys now. Don't let that fabric multiply while I'm gone!
June's Stashbusting sewing theme is containment! It's all about making things to put other things in. I was surprised at how vast an amount of things to sew this actually covers.
Our Curating Challenge is all about containment too! We're going to be organizing that fabric stash so it's accessible and lovely to look at. I'll be back later this week with my new method that's working fabulously! Until then, let me see your stash in all it's gory details! Did you post a photo in the Flickr pool at the beginning of the year or are you hiding it?

If Rambo Had A Girlfriend...

She'd be able to live on air and sunlight

She'd be able to run like lighting and disappear in a moment

And she'd totally steal his turban and refashion it into a cozy, comfortable sweater shrug for all those cold nights around the fire.

I want to thank Erin so much for letting me participate in this super fun sew-a-long. I hope I didn't underwhelm everyone since what I made wasn't very technically difficult. I needed something quick and an extra sweatery thing seemed like just the ticket. I hope you like it because I love what I made! It's surprisingly warm and super comfy. I've been using it a ton on the road and expect it to see a lot of use this summer since it's so easy to throw on.

I hope you enjoyed this goofy interpretation and to see more Rambo Projects check out....

Fixing The RTW Cardigan Problem Cocoa Shrug Review

When Steph released the Red Velvet collection I was most excited about Espresso and the shrug patterns so I went ahead and bought the whole collection. There’s been a big discussion in the MMM forums about how cardigans are one of the biggest gaps in all our wardrobes and I was especially wanting some fitted ones that hit at my natural waistline. Cocoa and Carmine seemed to fit the bill. 

I was a little worried starting out with the lack of reviews on it but the rest of Cake patterns I’ve tried worked out well so I decided to attack this fear head on and not let it hang over me all summer. Besides I needed a nice sweater. 

My fears were unfounded. While following step by step this pattern came together quickly and well. I chose the size based on my measurements and since I wanted it to hit at my natural waist I measured from shoulder to waist and ended up adding about two inches to the body of the pattern. I also cut the waistband at 4 1/2 inches because I wanted a thicker band. I also lengthened the sleeves because I want this sucker for warmth. 

Thankfully my gut led me correctly and it turned out the proper length. My head messed up when it came to the seam allowance and I sewed half the seams with too big of an allowance. Thanks to the power of knits it still fits. I am getting some odd wrinkles in the sleeve but I’m not sure if that’s because I lengthened it or because it is a bit too small.

A round of over exposed photos so you can see the wrinkles that appear sometimes.

It fits like a dream over my Red Velvet dress and I like it over regular tops too. It will definitely see a lot of wear this summer. It looks really nice hanging open as well as when it is closed. 

The front treatment gives you a great crisp opening line too. I always learn some new technique for knits when I use her patterns. I look forward to making some more up in the fall. 

Well that’s it for May! How did your stash busting go? I finished up two bottoms and three tops this month but I was also gifted a big box of fabric so…. How did you do? What do you think of my Cocoa and the pattern in general?

Enfolded By Love

Hello... Reader,

 I've packed everything up for camp and traveled a couple hundred miles to see my baby brother and some friends before camp training starts next week.

You don't realize what you're missing until it is there. The last couple days I have been embraced gently by love. As I had my very first soak in one of those claw foot tubs that were built for soaking, comfort surrounding me, I realized this was a visible expression of what had happened these last two days.
We're staying with some friends, a fabulous couple, a bit older than my parents. She offered her personal bathroom to me when she overheard me telling my mom I was going down to take a bath. They rearranged their menu so I could safely eat gluten free with them. They are the most giving, kind, funny and knowledgeable people... their house breathes comfort and the ease that comes upon you when you realize you have walked into a safe environment.

The night before, we saw my brother at his friend's house. With barely 24hrs notice they invited us to their Memorial day cookout. People I had never met before hugged me, included me, and made me feel ever so welcome. They invited me to play sports with them even after I showed how abysmal I was at them. I don't think I ever did hit that badminton birdie but they still had me get up there and play. It was another environment permeated by love and kindness.

I cannot describe how refreshed and thankful I am. As my nerves start to grow as the time comes to meet the strangers I'll be spending all summer with I only hope I can make the atmosphere around me as loving as what I have experienced these last couple days.

But this is a sewing blog and this has NOTHING to do with sewing. I disagree! Most of our sewing is done because we love the craft and some of our best work comes from love. Like my newest tunic top...

I really don't like the way my arms look hanging out of sleeveless tops. I didn't say anything about it in my last post and you all left such nice comments I thought, "Maybe this is all in my head." When I was gifted this very small piece of vintage fabric I immediately fell in love with it and buoyed by your comments cut out a sleeveless tunic before I could second guess myself.

This is how I'm wearing it most of the time

I love it and I love you all. We throw that word around so much it tends to lose it's meaning. But when you actually experience it, when it reaches out and touches your life, you can only sit back in amazement and bask as you are enfolded by love.

Tank Top Hack Or When I Actually Sewed On Theme

Well hello there bloggy friends! I'm feeling a bit crazy right now because I'm leaving a week earlier than planned! Cue the crazy pre-trip sewing! I know I'm not the only one who does it....

One of the things I've been wanting to make is a shelf bra tank top for pajamas. It turned out to be super simple. I used my TNT knit top pattern and cut the front and back twice. The second set I just cut to my measurements from shoulder to under bust plus seam allowance. I made a casing and inserted elastic that was snug around my ribcage. I tested it for a week and it works great! Its also made from thrifted jersey bedsheets so it's soft and cozy.

That's it for today guys! Crazy Sewing Lady, Over and Out!