My Black and White Bag

I'm ending this month with another tote bag sewn for me. Here's the black and white home dec fabric version. I found a striped beige silk curtain fabric in my stash that I used for the lining.

I love how this bag turned out. Very chic, I may add compared to the others I have sewn.

My "classic" tote bag

I used apparel fleece, sandwiched between the main and lining fabrics. It really gives the bag a sturdy appearance. It feels really good to be able to use the fabrics from my stash.

I cut the bag pieces so well, that you can barely see the side seam in this view. It's more visible towards the top of the bag.

Side view

The bottom matched up nicely. Unfortunately, not many will see this.

Bottom view of bag


I tried to match the interior pockets the best I could. Of course, by the time I got to the bag bottom, no such luck. Oh well. I think it's time to move on to sewing some tops.

Interior - matching pocket stripe to lining

This is now my favorite bag of all the versions I have sewn. I love this black and white fabric. A very classic look from an ordinary tote bag pattern.

The Tote Bag Lady & Birthday Blessings

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First off, I want to wish my DH a special...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
He's a great hubby and friend. I can say that because I've known him for 28 years. We've been through a lot together. He's my special friend, my advisor, my protector (from big bullies), my partner in faith, and the love of my life. I've been extremely blessed.


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This month, I'm the tote bag lady. I have sewn three (3) tote bags. One for me and two for my friends.

Tote bags made from home dec fabrics


Here's my knitting tote bag in the bright floral print. I've been using it to carry my knitting projects to work (LYS). I can fit two small knitting projects including two skeins of yarn, my snacks, and a bottle of water. I love this bright home dec print.

My floral knitting bag

Here's the 2nd tote bag. This one is for a friend of mine, who absolutely loves anything that has a beach/sandal related theme. I saw this fabric last year, but didn't know what to make for her. Now, I have something to give to her to celebrate the warmer weather.

The sandal bag

Here's the 3rd tote bag for another friend from church. Sabine and I will be meeting once a month to sit and knit or do something crafty with our time. I thought this would be a great bag for her to carry her projects. I even put a few surprises in her bag.

The pastel bag

A side view to show the depth of the bag

I used lightweight fleece to give the bags some body and stand upright without sagging. I basted the fleece to the main fabric before sewing the seams.

I used ultra-stiff needlepoint canvas for the bag bottoms. I cut the canvas to fit the bottom of the bag. I encased the canvas in the matching lining fabric.

Bag bottoms

Inside view showing two pockets and the bag bottom

I used 1" wide cotton webbing inside the straps. I sewed the straps. Turned the straps right-side out and then slipped the webbing into the straps. The webbing gives the straps some padding.

I still have the black and white tote bag to make. The off-white fabric I was going to use for the lining, is too sheer and doesn't have enough body. I need to go stash diving again and see what I can come up with as a substitute.

I can't wait to give the ladies their gifts this weekend. I love giving something unexpected and something that I've made.

Sewing Activities and Pictures

I know my previous posts have been lacking pictures. I finally got around to snapping some shots yesterday. Here's what I am working on and contemplating. (Note: fabrics were purchased last year).

First off, is a summer tote bag for myself. I found both of these lovely fabrics at Hancock's on the clearance shelf. They are both somewhat lightweight which would make a real slouchy tote bag. I went ahead and added a lightweight fleece backing to the floral fabric to give it some body.

Summer Tote Bag. Main: bright floral home dec fabric. Lining: swirls curtain fabric

Added lightweight fleece to the main fabric to give it some body


Here's two more tote bag combinations I'm contemplating. These were also found at Hancock's clearance shelf. This black and white fabric is a medium weight home dec. This will make a fabulous tote bag. I hope it won't be too hard on the eyes.

And yet another tote bag combination. Main: black/white home dec fabric. Lining: curtain fabric


Another tote bag combination. This will be a gift. Main: floral home dec fabric. Lining: curtain fabric


Here's my garment projects. the blue herringbone denim fabric will become my infamous Butterick 5223 pleated top. The pink floral knit will become my fave Vogue 2925 sleeveless pleated knit top. Yes, I made one before in the same fabric. This one will be sewn in a larger size so I can breathe.

Apparel projects: denim pleated top and pink floral knit top


I had to take a picture of my SM (back from maintenance) before I gave it a good workout. It looks brand new...not for long!

My baby. Look how clean it is! They even cleaned my thread spindles

I removed a lot of the clutter out of my sewing room and re-organized my notions. Two large bins found a new home in my basement. I can now roll my chair from SM to serger without running over speed bumps (clutter on the floor). Yes, it was that bad.

Tote Bag Completed

It's done!


This bag is from my TNT Kwik Sew 2036 pattern. It was quick to sew up as I did not add my typical lining and I omitted the inside zippered pocket. Looks like I will have to make one for myself. This was from a 1-3/4 yard home dec remnant...enough to make two bags.

I created a stiff insert to give the bag a flat bottom. I measured inside of the bottom of the bag. The measurement came out to about 13-1/2" x 5-1/2". I used Darice stiff plastic canvas (perforated) from Joann's and cut to size. I covered it in a plain lightweight home dec fabric in a light color...it will be easy to find things at the bottom of the bag.


I am happy to be modeling the finished bag. I love the fabric design as well as the durability. I hope my SIL will enjoy the bag.

This will be a great bag to carry some books, magazines, a sweater, a bottle of water, etc. Times when you need to throw things into the bag and go.

Does That Look Like a Seam?

I am finally back into my sewing groove. Okay, it's only two seams and some topstitching around the top of the bag. It's progress. Here's a picture of the inside of the tote bag. I just love this fabric...inside and out. All I need to do is sew the straps and then attach them to the bag. I'll give the bag a good press and then pre-wrap it for my SIL.

Would you believe it took me a few minutes to get re-acquainted with my SM? It's been over 6 weeks since I've last touched it. I even had to dust around it. It didn't take me long to before I fell back into the groove. I'm loving it!

It's Time to Crochet for a Bit

So, when your sewing mojo has upped and left...what is a person to do?

Grab some yarn, a crochet hook and start creating something. That's what I've been up to. This purse I'm making is relatively simple and uses two colors (if you follow the instructions). I can really see some cool creative possibilities with this purse.


I'm about halfway through this purse project, one panel completed (front). I'm using Lion Brand Homespun yarn in Edwardian (the base-dark variegated gray) and Metropolis (the stripes-black/white). The panel consists of half-double crochet stitches which I do 16 rows in Edwardian, switch to Metropolis for 2 rows, back to Edwardian for 8 rows, and finish with Metropolis for 2 rows.

Once the panels are completed, I stitch up the sides and then stitch the bottom. Then I form the tote-like bottom: matching the right sides together, folding and bringing the bottom seam to meet the side seam. Ah...Just like the tote bags I have sewn.

I'm thinking of adding a lining, but that would require some sewing. We'll see when I get to that point. I should not have any problems finding a nice big black button from my button stash. I am not sure what I will be using for the handles. Will have to check my small handle stash.

Oh yeah, do you know that I also have a yarn stash? That's what happens when I travel and there's no fabric store in sight, but there's always a yarn shop to visit. I love yarn...almost as much as fabric. Thank goodness the yarns I have collected are small enough to store.

This purse I'm working on, we'll call it a prototype. For the next purse, I will definitely use fancy yarns from my stash.

On the health front: I've been having bouts of being sick and feeling bad, then feeling good and then finally feeling bad. I went to the doctor and found out I have bronchitis. So, I've been on antibiotics and trying to rest. Not an easy task to rest...as my mind keeps racing about the many sewing projects lined up and nothing accomplished.

This where the yarn and hook saved my sanity.

Runaround Bag Completed

I finally have a sewing project to show. Here's the Lazy Girl Runaround bag. A gift for a friend of mine. This bag took about 1-1/2 hours to complete...from cutting out to turning the bag inside out and giving it the final press.

Now, this wasn't 1-1/2 hours of continuous work on this bag. More like 15 minutes to cutout, 30 minutes to press the pieces and sew in the zipper, 15 minutes to press the straps & topstitch, 15 minutes to put the pieces together (making sure the right sides were in the right position), and 15 minutes to stitch around the edge of the bag, go back and serge around the edges, turn rightside out, and press the edges. Over several days. That's what I had for sewing time. Atleast it's completed.

I like this kind of sewing project when I don't have long blocks of sewing time available. I can easily create stopping points and easily pick up where I left off.

I also found the special fabric for the special event in September. I'm waiting to hear from Linda (EOS) to see if my order went through.

The weather is nice today. So, instead of sitting in front of my computer and letting time (hours) run by, I am going to get out and enjoy the weather.

I think my sewing mojo is back.

Next Up: A Runaround Bag or Two from Lazy Girl Designs

My sewing mojo is coming back…slowly. I have decided to take a break from sewing shorts/pants. I have lost some weight the last two weeks and now I have more issues with the wrinkles in my lower behind. I will save that for another future post.

For a nice break, I have decided to sew two bags. I picked out this pattern, well, because it’s real easy to sew. It’s Lazy Girl Design’s Runaround Bag. I have a friend who is celebrating her 60th birthday in mid-August and I am making her one. But why am I making two bags? Well, I am making one for myself as well. I am finally getting one…in black! Lol!

I managed to cut out the fabrics for the two bags. I am using a combination of black floral and burgundy floral home decorating fabrics. Here's a picture of one of the fabrics I will be using.

I have made this Runaround bag before, several of them to be exact. I posted a review on PR at the end of last year. Joan Hawley, owner of LGD, kindly featured me in her LGD blog earlier this year.

This is a great bag to make in a weekend day. The bag design is simple. There’s a zippered pocket in the front and a pocket in the back. The long strap can be knotted on top to make the bag shorter.

So, this is what I have lined up and ready to go for the upcoming weekend.

In the meantime, I’m looking for some special fabric for a simple jacket I plan on wearing to a special event in September. And do you think I have any special fabric in my stash? Of course not! Stay tuned.