Pattern Organization and Fabric check

I was looking for a pattern I bought on sale. I knew I bought the pattern- where the heck? All the patterns in the file cabinet drawer were dumped on the floor to be sorted through. Not there. Wait, what's that... I stretched my arm back through the back of the drawer and felt paper. I gave a pull and unearthed an addiction.

Found it. But they were all on sale! See, I've used a lot of them... Ok I have enough to justify organizing them.

I used the drawer again, but this time used folders marked:

Dresses
Shirts
Skirts
Pants
Sportswear Collections
Knits Only
Random (seasonal, slippers, etc.)
Vintage
Bags

Believe it or not, that is better.

Having seen all the patterns, I decided to pull out my fabrics and try to match them up.

It all fits in that tub, so it isn't too bad.

This is a pretty clearance rayon that I think would make a pretty shirt dress (but kind of suspect that it will look kind of 90s and must be sported with combat boots). There are three yards of it, so if you have any ideas for it, please let me know.

A planned Texas themed quilt. I intend to do it later in the Spring. We are a proud people here in Texas.

Baby shower gifts.

Dear Stacie,


Why would you give a dead cow and chili pepper themed gift to a baby?


Concerned Reader

Dear Concerned Reader,

This is a joke fabric. The couple doesn't know the sex of the baby, but I know dad has a love for Southwest inspired decor which drives his wife crazy. I think this will be a lesson to everyone to tell me the sex of your baby or you will get scary baby shower gifts. Yes, I will probably make it a more appropriately chosen present after it is born. Until then I am sending a powerful message.

Stacie

Scraps big enough to make tote bags from.

Fusible, interfacing and muslin, oh my!

Skirts. Has to be right? They are my summer uniform, and I love bright colored skirts.

Seasonals: Christmas and Halloween to be exact. Check ya next year!

I have about three yards of this lace which is so pretty and drapes nicely- except for the color. I think I may dye it a prettier blue to make a summer dress out of.

I may make a Violet out of this material. I have held off because it is so slippery and cheap feeling. I may want to make one out of a cotton first to see how it goes. Maybe it would make another good attempt at a Taffy...

This is a weird tube of scratchy knit I acquired randomly. I may try to make another cardigan like my Polka Dot one. I don't know what else I would do with it...

This is an awesome print given to me by Holly for Christmas. I used some of it to make a tote bag, and I'm hoping to either make a sorbetto or a skirt out of the rest of it. Hopefully there is enough for the sorbetto because I just don't wear too much white on bottom. Super cute!

That's it! I am trying to inventory what I have with what I need because I have surgery on my foot scheduled for Friday, and I won't be able to walk for six weeks! I will have a knee scooter, but good luck getting one of those through Joann's. I have been practicing left footed sewing, so hopefully I can get a few garments done.

Amy Butler Birdie Sling

My sister in law made my husband and I the most fantastic anniversary present. It is a beautiful album of photos she took at our wedding. I don't know how to thank her, so I did what I do best. OK, I don't do it best, but I enjoy it. I made her a present.

She is a teacher like me and I thought a back to school tote would be perfect. She told me her favorite colors are black and white. What I came up with in the end is a pretty Birdie Sling.

This is a pretty big bag. It should hold everything she needs and more.

One of the great features is all these great pockets. This pocket above has a stitch down the center making two nice sized pockets. Can you see that little thing on the right just above the pocket? I used a piece of bias tape and added a key fob (I found it in the jewelry department at Joann's). I read in reviews things can get lost in the bag because it is so big.

I also made this pouch for the purse out of extra fabric I had from the bands.

The zipper is a metal one I got from Grandma Betty. The flowery material inside is a skirt I made and messed up. I loved the fabric and couldn't bear to get rid of it. It is silky and frays like the devil, but it has a new life here.

I used Patty's tutorial for a zipper pouch. It was so easy and was a nice touch.

It arrived tonight and I was so excited to get such a happy phone call. She was very happy with the bag and had already taken everything out of her purse and usual tote and stuffed it all in there. Hooray!

Here are a few things I learned:

1. I only got one yard of each on the three fabrics and had plenty. The pattern called for more.

2. I added the key fob when I sewed the lining and the lining band together. I think it is a nice feature.

3. I skipped the interfacing on the outside. I felt like I had used enough that it would be fine. I think it was too.

This was a fun pattern. I kind of want one now too for all my quilting supplies.