Will Work for Fabric 2

Earlier this week, I shared a project I made as a shop sample for The Craft House – a delightful little gem of a fabric and yarn shop in the University Place neighborhood – a couple of blocks from Nebraska Wesleyan campus and just a little ways down the road from UNL’s East Campus, where I work my day job.  Allie carries not only high quality cotton fabrics, but canvas, chambray, knits, and plush fabrics as well.

I hinted that the second project was big.  HUGE might be more accurate.  It is a giant-sized tote/duffel/carry on bag – large enough to hold a sewing machine with room to spare.  I’ll admit, it was quite a challenge.  I loved the design of the Aeroplane Pattern by Sara Lawson of Sew Sweetness, but I found some of the instructions to be less than clear.   Thankfully, Sara included her email on her pattern, and responded quickly and courteously when I needed her help to get unstuck. 

There were added challenges – the size and bulk of this piece – and 3 zippers.  A wonderful product, Annie’s Soft & Stable, is a spongy sort of “filling” to give soft but firm structure to purses and bags – but it’s a bit tricky to sew through when you’re trying to sew a zipper on a LONG 28-inch curved seam through several layers.    Despite the challenges, I am mostly happy with the way the bag turned out.

I LOVE the fabrics!!  The outer fabrics are cotton/linen canvas prints designed by Melody Miller for Cotton + Steel – one of my favorite modern designers.  The lining fabric is from Leah Duncan’s Morning Walk line for Art Gallery Fabrics.  The padded straps are a chambray fabric that picked up both the pinks and corals from the Gallop print. 

Allie of The Craft House liked both pieces – so I now have a NEW (smaller) project, which I hope to be able to share with you in a week or so. 

And, as an added bonus, I got to meet Allie’s adorable baby boy, Calvin, who was staying with Mom at the shop when I dropped off my samples today.  SUCH a cutie!!  He loved looking at all the pretty colors in the shop.  I think maybe he needs a cat softie named Hobbes. 

TTFN

LeAnn