What can I say? I like to make stuff.

So in order to get more exposure and comments (ha!) to my stuff, I've got a new url...

http://www.spooloffred.com

I've had it for some time now, but only recently gotten it set up.  So you'll find this blog over there now.  (Don't worry - my other one will be staying at Mindsay for now)

So I finished my Amy Butler Sophia Carry-All bag. It wasn't as tough as I expected it to be. The worst part was drawing and cutting all of the pieces and layers and layers of interfacing. But once that was done, construction was relatively easy. As per web reviews, I used a denim needle on my machine and it worked very nicely.

As for the piping I went ahead and bought pre-made piping, since that was just easier. Once I discovered my zipper foot, it went it in quite well. I wanted to install purse feet on the bottom, but they were all out at G-Street and I didn't feel like waiting to order them online.

The only other modification I made to the pattern was extending the straps by a few inches for a longer drop, and making the pockets in thirds so that there are 3 on each side rather than 2. This way they perfectly fit my wallet, PDA, phone, and work ID.



Looks a bit like a watermelon I suppose...

My next version of this bag is for my friend Becks - I've imagined a denim version of the bag with a baseball print lining, and she'll provide the curly W patch for the outside. It will be the perfect bag for her to take to Nats games! I'm most excited!

I ran out to the fabric store to get interfacing for the Sophia bag, and found flannel Disney fabric for Cars and Toy Story - the kid's two most favorite movies. So I bought some and figured I'd make him some pajama pants.

Once he saw them, he was super-excited, and made the decision that he wanted one leg of each rather than one pair the same.

In order to tell the front from the back, he suggested that we put in a tag, so there is a small green fleece "tag" in each. They are a little long, but he'll grow into them.

Super easy pattern. I think cutting and marking the pieces took longer than sewing them together.

PS:  You can also see he's standing on the completed guitar quilt.

So the fabric I wanted to use for my Amy Butler Sophia bag is on backorder.  So instead I've found this:




A funky fabric with lots of color options and coordinating fabrics that I could use for the liner & pockets.

Thoughts?

So my next project will be this bag:



Using the fabric below.  From what I've read, Amy Butler's Sophia bag is a challenge - lots of layers and interfacing and such - but we'll see how it goes.  I'm thinking a red satin ribbon for the piping.  Haven't figured out what to do for the lining.  Something sexy...