A Tote for Fun and Important Decision Making

Pink and Gray totes are the cutest!  At least they are sitting on a "Caribbean Blue" chair.  

My TACMQG president had a bag making class. We met in a police substation (and it was a great space!). We used Bijou Lovely's Market Tote tutorial and spent the day making bags. The pattern is a fairly typical bag pattern, but is designed with a triple layer of fabric at the base, which means that you can carry a lot of groceries, or whatever.  Since Tacoma is going plastic bag-less this summer there is increased interest in fabric bags.  I love sewing with others sewing nearby. The conversation and support are always amazing.

I got to play on my Grandmother's 1938 Singer Featherweight.  It is a joy to sew on - if the stitches aren't perfect, it's because I haven't threaded it correctly. 

Some of my Guildmates were cranking them out! I managed 1. Sometimes I think I'm a fast sewist, and then I see  my masterful friends at work and re-learn better. I thought I might make it a carry bag for my Featherweight, but it wasn't quite the right size. We worked out the size needed and the necessary adjustments to the pieces to make one just perfect for the task. On my way home I stopped by Joann's and picked up some Home Dec fabric. How could it take me hours to pick 2 fabrics? No idea, but I finally found two I loved together. At the checkout line, I found totes for sale (7.99 or 9.99?) and it was cheaper than I could have bought the materials for. I bought it (in navy and leaf green, of course) and it happened to fit Mary/Flossie perfectly! 

Who is Mary/Flossie? I have never named my machines before, but many of y'all do and I love it when I see it or hear it. .I'd love to hear your opinions about this - either naming your machine(s) or what their names ought to be.  My paternal Grandmother (who is turning 100 this July 2nd!) gave me her.  She originally belonged to my Great Grandmother Florence. My Grandmother Mary purchased it from her (many decades ago)  and then several years ago sent it home with my Dad who had been out visiting Wyoming. I love it, and grateful for it every time I see it. She is a joy to sew on. So that's where Mary comes from. And Florence isn't an option -she wasn't a very nice woman...

My mother, Sally, who passed away in 1999, was the daughter of Flossie. Flossie (one of 4 kids: Acey, Dewey, Flossie, and Cossie) died when my Mom was 13. I don't know if she was a sewist, but my Mom sure was. I would love to honor her side of the family even though the Featherweight comes from my Dad's side. My big fancy Brother doesn't have a name either. 

I don't think I could name either machine Sally.  Should the Featherweight be named Flossie or Mary? Should I name my Brother the other name?  Or do you have any other suggestions? I'd love your feedback.

Funny how I can take something so silly, so seriously. If you haven't gathered yet, if there is something to worry about, I find it.  

Love to you all!

Summer's Been Good, but now It's Back to School!

September is always bittersweet...I'm always excited to be back at school and all that teenager energy is powerful. But summer is relaxing (mostly!) and I miss being able to quilt as I please.

 

I haven't posted for a while, but there are several completed projects. Tonight, I'll show the Sweet Pea Pods. Little zipper pouches, with a single loop of zipper. So easy to make and super fast and darling! This is a Lazy Girl design and, as always, the directions are crystal clear and thorough, with lots of pictures.  You can check it out here.

 

Got a bunch of zippers and extra pulls from Zipper Island. So many choices, and quick service. She included a few goodies - an extra decorative pull and adorably packaged. So inexpensive too! I'll be ordering again  for the next zippers I need. 

  

Mine came out pretty cute I think. I made 4 and just made two more last night for an exchange gift at my TacMQG meeting tonight.  They are a lovely soft green. We are doing birthday baskets - if it's your birthday, you bring a small gift, and folks buy tickets for each basket for $1 a piece.  If yours is drawn, then what's inside is yours.  I'm hoping that my two little sweet green pea pods are popular!

You know, as I look back at these pictures, I see that these were made while my Brother (Oh, my goodness, I LOVE my Brother!) was down for repairs.  I was using my Great Grandmother's 1938 Featherweight.  And it is amazing.  I need to wax it - I got post-it stickum on it, and tried to use water and soap to get it off.  Rookie mistake!  The lovely sheen just disappeared in front of my eyes.  Making a teeny tiny problem much larger! I need to go buy the wax, and polish it.  I'm hoping it's as easy to fix as the on-line references make it sound.  I got this from my Grandmother, who purchased it from her mother.  I will not mention my oops to her - she'd just laugh and shake her head.  I bet she never made that mistake...

 

Do you name your machines?  I've never done it, but I'm starting to feel like they deserve it!  I'm happy to take suggestions for names.  The Brother is an Innov-is Dream Weaver (can't remember the model number) and she(?) works really well.  It's got a massive throat - truly you can quilt a king without killing yourself. Of course, since it's entirely electronic, something gets a little out of whack, and it has problems.  I'm blessed that I purchased it at Quality Sewing and Vacuum and they have provided me EXCEPTIONAL customer service.   If I ever have questions or a problem, they make it right.

 

I hope your summer was fantastic!

 

"Any day with fabric is a good day..."