Sewing Bag Zen Moment - #23

Ever had a project that you started, but never finished, and then it loomed over your head for what seems to be FOREVER??  My project is #23 on my list of 28 for 28 and here's the story:

About 4 eons ago, my creative buddy, Amy, and I started these sewing bags. Like most projects, these bags started as a quick project to carrying our sewing stuff between homes. Of course, after some major brainstorming we came up with this not-so-simple sketch with piping and the works.

Fast forward to today, I finally finished the bag! It did turn out large enough to put my whole sewing machine in (if I ever want to take it one the road I'll be good to go), but it will also be great to carry fabric and all my little sewing tools. Mostly I'm just blissfully happy to have it DONE.

Check out these other list items:

#19 (January) - Vistit a new place at least once a month

#11 (January) - Take (at least one) portrait a month

Let it roll!

I'm always looking for quick and easy sewing projects, especially when they yield a super functional end product! I made this tool roll for my sister-in-law for Christmas and filled it will different types of fabric scissors. 

Here is a little ditty on how to make an easy tool roll like the one I made with the Daisy Janie fabric I bought from Etsy. This project is based on a knitting needle roll up from Cut Out + Keep.

What you'll need:

2 pieces of fabric 

Ribbon about 18"

*the size of fabric will depend on how large a roll you want to make

Cut a piece of solid fabric to be the inside lining. I used a 12" x 12".

Cut a piece of pattern fabric to be the outside approximately 4 to 6" longer than the solid on one side. This one is 12" x 17".

Place the pieces of fabric right sides together and sew along the 3 sides where the two pieces match up.  Before sewing this step, fold the ribbon piece in half and place between the two pieces along one of the sides. 

Below is the result after turning it right side out.

Fold and iron the three edges of the print as seen above. Sew along the end edge of the print to create a nice hem at the eventual top of the pocket.

Fold the print piece over and sew long the side to attached it to the plain fabric. 

Finally, sew vertical lines as far apart as you desire the pockets to be wide. 

Here is a close up of the vertical stitches.

A little wider shot.

The final product all rolled up!

This project is so easy, gives me that instant sewing satisfaction I love!

A Cozy Hat for Gryphon

The handmade Christmas continues...Here's a hat I made for our little nephew Gryphon who was just born in August. The pom-pom might be a little large for him, but I think he can pull off that look. The more pom the better!

I used this Martha tutorial for the inspiration. The tut also includes a size chart just in case you don't have access for a head measurement. I'll let you know how close those numbers are after Christmas...

Indoor Fishing

Sometimes the only way to find a fishing buddy for your husband is to grow one! I made this fishing game for our little nephew, Jack, for his upcoming third birthday. Hopefully, a few years from now after lots of fishing game, Jack can be Scott's fishing buddy at the lake...

Here is a little tut from abunchofkidsinc on making your own. I used felt stuffed with pillow fluff instead of fabric with batting because that's what I had on hand. Worked out pretty well, if I ever make it again, probably won't create such ambitious shapes! Also, I used a piece of bamboo instead of a dowel rod and then hot glued the string to the bamboo and magnets. (Much easier than drilling.) 

A Snappy Strap

A while back Amy found this great site for ribbons and we placed an order with the intentions of making some sweet camera strap modifications with our loot. Since then I've been thinking about how I wanted to do it, I knew wanted to use the strap that came with the camera, but I also wanted to be able to change it in the future. And of course, if you wait long enough (or surf the web long enough), the solution will find you. Voila, here it is on Made by Petchy.


I used my ribbon for one side and plain black fabric for the back side. My final product is a super tight fit, but I was limited by the width of the ribbon. I am happy with the finished strap cover now that I have it on there!