Sewing Frenzy

Between gardening and other stuff,  I’ve been doing a little sewing.

I’m always asked, “What are you going to do with all of your fabric?” I usually say that it’s about the process, not the destination.

Well, I’ve been giving that a lot of thought lately. I do have lots of fabric in this studio. Most of my pieces are half yards or smaller so I can’t really do too much with them.

I’ve added my fabric pieces to already existing shirts like this one.

I’ve also made a couple bags. This one made from my paint cloth I blogged about three years ago.

I’ve made a few small pillows, a couple bracelets (triple fabric and fabric cuff), but mostly besides being stretched on to canvas for exhibits, the fabric sits in my fabric cabinet. I bought that new sewing machine for Christmas with the intention that I’d make some stuff. I’ve used it, but mostly it’s been pretty quiet sitting in it’s corner here in the studio.

Then I signed up the other day for a FREE Craftsy class called Bag Making Basics taught by Kristin Link. In this class she teaches how to make a reversible tote and a zipper pouch. I was really interested in the zipper pouch. Before I show you what I made, she gave a great tip in her class. She uses a glue stick instead of pins to hold the fabric and zipper. What a great idea! And it works!

This was made with the shadow printing cloth.

Then I made one with some of my snow dyed fabric.

Oh, and before I move on, Craftsy is having a sale on all of their classes. Some are 50% off!! I’ve taken several of their classes. You can read my reviews about a few I’ve taken including The Art of Cloth Dyeing, Stitch & Slash and Stupendous Stitching. I really love learning new things and really enjoy online classes.

On  So Sew Easy  Deby recently posted her Oven Mitt pattern. I’ve been wanting to replace our potholders I made three years ago. I hadn’t thought about an oven mitt. I decided that would be a neat project so I got out some fabric I bought in Hawaii several years ago and started working on it.

After putting all of the layers together and quilting it, it was time to cut out the mitt.

And here is my finished mitt.

I’ve also cut out two more projects. So Sew Easy has a cute cosmetic bag I’ll make out of that orange soy wax fabric. I’ll make another zipper pouch with my blue fabric wood block stamped with Color Magnet.

I still have some more practice before I label them as “perfect.”

Just a reminder, on the Fire blog we’re spending the whole month blogging about sun printing.

My post comparing textile paint and screen printing ink can be read here.

What are you working on this weekend?