Success ~

selfie

zipper

I am really happy with my new bag ~

I used barckcloth that I had in my stash, paired it with Robert Kaufman chambray and lined it with Alexander Henry's Pindar Paisley. I skipped the piping on this bag and played with my variegated threads.

topstiching threads

This was the first Mail Sack bag I made. 

I purchased the pattern and fabrics from Pink Chalk Fabrics. In my order was a cute gift of a pink measuring tape. Thanks!

 The fabrics are Mo Bedell's Hothouse Flowers. I made the piping from a tutorial I found on the internet. The only changes I made was the fusible interfacing. For both bags I used two types. For all the lining pieces, including the strap and pocket, I used SF101. It gives the inside a little structure but not too much. For the exterior pieces, yolk, base and matching strap, I used a slightly thicker interfacing, 911FF. I would definitely make this again and again ~

 I think the birthday girl liked her gift! Happy Birthday Amy

girl with power tools ~

before ~

I have a couple of chairs that needed some love. This cute little round chair was used in the bathroom at the make-up table but has gone un-used and negeleted. I took off the old dirty fabric and replaced it with a piece of barkcloth. I could not bear to show you the ugly tattered cover.

staple gun ~ scary & loud

after ~

Pretty! Green is my favorite color. I use it to get to things at the top of the closet or if the whole family congregates in my little room, it provides seating. My darling husband saw what I was doing and suggested that I re-cover my sewing table chair.

my very own tool set

before ~

This chair came with the sewing machine, an old singer that rests in that table that my new sewing machine sits upon. I am pretty sure that the chair is more than 20 years old.

deconstructed chair

I took it apart and found evidence of old termite damage, the nails and staples crumbled and the vinyl cover was very brittle. I am surprised it hasn't fallen apart by now. So after a couple of hours of gingerly taking it apart and carefully stapling & nailing it back together, I have a brand new chair!

after ~

I am sure this makes me a better quilter. 

in progress ~

Potholders for my kitchen ~

As I was making the bias tape for the potholders, I was remembering a tutorial on Polly Danger's blog. I was reading all about applying bias tape, I noticed the foot of her sewing machine. I started digging around in my attachments and reading through my instruction book. A wealth of information and tools just under my nose. Literally! I am going to try out the satin stitch foot and see how everything turns out.

Need to make or buy bias tape for these potholders. I just love barkcloth. I know the purple and the tropical don't go together. The potholders with the birds were a project from over a year ago that I want to finish. I will stitch them up and hold on to them. I know they will find a good home.

Using scraps from my Montana quilt or rather BFF from the quilting book Four-Patch Frolic I am throwing together an impromptu quilt. I had purchased fat quarters from a little fabric shop in Montana and still have plenty leftover. Perhaps this will become the backing for the BFF? Trying to arrange the squares in a random pattern is difficult for me. I keep seeing patterns. ugh

                                              

The kids are off having fun and I am puttering around the house doing a little of this and a little of that with no interruptions. And...it is amazing how the house stays clean. Only today and tomorrow and then they all come home. School starts next week, we have a short summer vacation from school and my darling husband and I commented that we have had so much fun this summer with family and friends. Hope you have too!