Thursday, June 18, 2015

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







5 comments:

  1. Wow, that's one huge bag! It does sound tricky, but that's great that Sara answered all your questions quickly so you could get the bag done.

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  2. That's really a biggie! It turned out great! (and every Calvin needs his own Hobbes!)

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  3. what an awesome bag! and great pattern

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  4. Oh wow! What a fabulous bag! I can see how much work went into it! I've made big travel bags before, and attaching the lining to the zipper was always tricky ;-) I love the Mojave Aloe fabric on the inside!!

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  5. I saw another huge bag pattern last weekend, large enough to carry a cutting mat and supplies to a class
    It would go well.with this sewing machine carry bag.

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