Brandt's Boulevard completed

I was going to go step by step but the steps were easy so I kept going. Here is the completion of my Brandt's Boulevard from the Sew-a-Long. It's a very nice pattern. I wanted something to hold my iPhone and not spill out all the goods. Well with an iPhone it has to be a a certain size so cain't go smaller. My friend Velma alway runs with her wristlet, now I have one I like and will use. It's compact and cozy. Thanks the ChrisW for the great pattern. And Rachel for hosting the sew-a-long. She has a cell phone pouch, a zipper pouch for your loose change, and 5 card slots. Because really you don't need 12 card slots.and a slip pocket for the sales slips. A cool place for your I.D. where I have the Subway Card. And a wristlet strap you can take on or leave off. I love it. I enjoyed this one.

the fabric colors and the hardware to bring on the bling.. Size approx. size when closed: 18.4cm W X 10.8cm H X 2.2cm D (7 ¼” W X 4 1/4” H X 7/8” D) open

back

Love it. ;)

Just waiting on the hardware

Now we wait for the Tongue lock to come. I think I should order another one because I may have ordered brass. I kinda don't think it's going to go but we shall see. it might add that pop of color I need.. Hardware doesn't have to matchy match, it's all good and pretty.

Beads and Such

I tell you, everything I make has cost involved. I wonder if there will be a day when I can make something and not need something to finish it.. it's either, zippers, elastic, the right fabric, the right interface or something.. Sewing costs.. So today, I'm going to write down my schedule of how this wallet is to come together. Last night I also cut out the pattern for another sew a long that Starts on the 17th.. I figure, it will probably go like this one so first step, get the pattern.. Check... print pattern.....check. Cut out the pattern....check.. make sure you have all the pieces.....check.. start laying out the pattern pieces according to fabric, then interface and lining.. Every bag always has these 3 elements to have structure and elegance.. Today, I will fuse those bag pieces and probably just go ahead, against my better judgement to keep just cutting out bags, but Might as well.. Will post that next bags fabric in a moment.. On to steps 3 and 4 of Brandt's Boulevard.. Chow Baby.. Nameste..

Brandt's Boulevard Sew-A-long

What's a sew-a-long. people that are making the same item from all over making the same item within a certain amount of time. This one happens to be 2 weeks. You can go faster or slower if you want. Since this is my first one I'm going the speed they are going so as not to miss a thing and to be in a group. More Great energy in the Atmosphere. The pattern is by ChrisW So far so good. Her are my pieces that are going into this beauty. When you see handmade, maybe you'l think twice and say,, it's worth it..

Pretty in Purple

Hi all, I have been busy making other purses, things that make me smile. Doing a lot of reading every day. Keeping the *dome* active. The fabric is wonderful to look at, try to match up, see what pops and what drops.. Here is what I have. It's a Blue Calla back pack that you can use as a pocketbook or as a backpack. I find this great when I go shopping for my fabric, I can be hands free and touch fabric and as they say, Audition fabric.. That's when I lay a few fabrics on each other and see who has a conversation with each other.. Lol. No wonder I can be in a shop for hours, listening to fabric speak...lol.

I loved working with these 3 fabrics. Yes, they speak to each other, don't you think?

the purse is Width: 13 inches Height: 14 inches Depth: 2.5 inches

My BOMC Backgammon Bag

Well, here is my first BOMC bag. It taught me a lot about my machine.. I used a foot I had never used before for going over thick fabric. We made it without cursing. that's a big plus for me. I love the bag. Just today, someone asked me, why I used orange in my bag. The reason it's there is: 1. because I like it. 2. because it has accent. 3. its not same, same, same. 4. the color is in the fabric just doesn't show up on the photo, there is a hint of peaches in there and it gives it accent. 5. I can't stand boring neat stuff. 6. It gives you eye something to look at. 7. It was fun. So here she is.. #backgammonbag #betzwhite #BOMC

showing the back of the bag so you can see I mirrored the peach color. I took the pictures out doors and as you can see the sun looks a lot brighter on the back from the porch. then it was overcast on the one on the fence. and 20 degrees out there. See the snow?

Learning to Make Bags

I find I am most engaged when I'm learning. I get very quiet,and concentrate and my brain is trying to figure it out.. I"m glad I don't have any premeditated thoughts, if that's the word. I feel like and I am, a new slate writing pages on my life. I just finished making an awesome bag by Betz White and it was just really really good. I was taken to a deeper thought as I was trying to understand the new zipper placement I had never done, new lock, I have never done, an adjustable strap and a perfect bag. I have made 3 other bags but they were nothing to woop about, well, maybe they were but for some reason, this bag is dear to me. I like it. I think the others were okay. This I have no complaints about. The others, were too small an opening, Wrong choice of fabric that you could only use with a certain outfit, It was just all wrong. Have to find some one to give them to as they are hand made. The backpack I made recently is nice but not quite right. I learned a lot about piecing in that one. Has no zipper for your change and it doesn't really close well. Sure it's pretty but, I know I will be in my new one as soon as I take pictures. Then again, maybe I'll leave it hanging on the hook so I can admire it.. I love it. I love the pattern, and how it all worked out well. I learned how to go very very slow and I mean slow like, one stitch at a time when you have to sew over about 6 - layers of fabric. I didn't break a needle. :) I also serged some seams so they finished well. If you're interested in making handbags, I suggest taking a craftsy class or joining The Bag Of the Month Club. You can read all about it here at BOMC I really do love it and will aspire to learn on each bag.. There are a lot of talented people in this group and I'm learning to not fear their skills as I improve on my own.. I can.. make a Bag.. :)