
I know I am not the only one who has taken up more biking during this pandemic. Lucas is now my height or a smidgen taller, so he has been riding my old bike, and I decided to take the … Continue reading
I know I am not the only one who has taken up more biking during this pandemic. Lucas is now my height or a smidgen taller, so he has been riding my old bike, and I decided to take the … Continue reading
I thought my bag-making mania might be slowing down after three Noodlehead 2-4-1 totes, four Noodlehead Trail Totes, origami bags versions 1, 2, and 3, a panel tote, and a foldover bag, but then I discovered the completely adorable ring … Continue reading
This one goes out to the one I love
This one goes out to the one I’ve left behind
A simple prop to occupy my time
This one goes out to the one I love
-R.E.M.
Sewing has been a major outlet for my nervous energy while isolated at home, and it means a lot to be able to share some of these projects with my friends. It’s a special way to feel connected during a disconnected time. I was so excited by my first attempt at an origami bento bag, that I am experimenting with another version!
There are two main techniques for these bags- one uses two overlapping triangles and the other uses a long folded rectangle. This version is made from a long rectangle. I’ll try to put up a general post about the construction of these bags. For now, I will mention that I found it really helpful to make models of the pattern with scrap paper, to see how they fit together.
My friend Marta saw a big slouchy linen bag online that she really loved, so I decided to make my own version for her.
It’s a bit tricky to plan for the finished dimensions of this style of bag, because of all the angles, so for reference, I started with a rectangle that is 18″ x 53″ to create a bag with a finished size of 22.5″ wide, 11.5″ usable height for storage.
Here what you will need:
Here’s How to Make It:
And here’s the finished bag! So I can wear it around the house!
Mixed feelings seem to be the norm these days, so – I am both sad that we need to wear face masks, and happy that I can make them. Now that I have tried a few different variations, it’s gotten pretty quick and easy to put these masks together. They are a satisfying way to use small scraps of fabric, and several have been going out by mail or on the doorstep to my friends. I’ve gotten some lovely chocolate treats in return – it’s a great feeling, when people know you so well!
The original mask pattern I made is in a prior post. Now, I have made a few updates that I think make it more comfortable (nose dart) and practical (opening at the bottom, if you want to add additional filter material).
Here’s how I wear these masks and some of the fun fabric and color combinations I tried:
Hope that helps others who are sewing masks. Stay safe, friends!
Julie aka “Jewels”
As you may have noticed, my Shelter-in-Place theme is sewing bags. Up next is my first version of an origami bento tote. I found these fabrics in my mother’s stash, and I thought the origami cranes were perfect for an origami bag!
I’ve researched a ton of variations on these origami bento bags and look forward to experimenting with my own versions. There are two main techniques for these origami bento bags. One uses two overlapping triangles and the other uses a long folded rectangle. They look very similar when finished. This bag pattern was made with triangles, which results in a heavier bag, because the pieces are overlapping. I’ll try to put up a general post about the construction of these bags. I found it really helpful to make models of the pattern pieces with scrap paper, to see how they fit together and what direction the pattern would run.
The finished size of this bag is 11″ wide and 10″ high (but only about 5-6″ of the height is usable for storage. It’s a cute and compact bag, with just enough space for your phone, wallet, keys and chapstick.
Here what you will need:
Prepare the pattern pieces:
fuse interfacing to the wrong side of the large squares. There are many layers in the finished bag, so one option is to leave interfacing off two of the corners of each square, to reduce bulk. In this case, it would be the two solid (not pieced) corners
Make the strap:
Make the body of the bag:
And here’s the finished bag! So I can wear it around the house!
Stay safe, and happy sewing!
Julie aka “Jewels”
While we’re staying home to “Shelter in Place” and slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, I’m trying out sewing bags!
This is the lovely 2-4-1 tote by Anna Graham of Noodlehead. I made it with some leftover fabric from my favorite baby sling and a from my mother’s stash. I’m looking forward to trying it out with more variations!
The pocket and magnetic snap make me happy!
It feels a bit funny to be sewing purses while we’re barely leaving the house, but it’s making me happy!
More purses to come!
Julie aka “Jewels”
Sigh, with the novel coronavirus circulating it’s a good idea to have face masks for the times when we go out to get groceries or meals. Some hospitals are also asking for donations of fabric masks. I tried a few different patterns and settled on my own version I’m sharing here.
The features I like about this mask are that it’s easy to make and comfortable to wear, as well as conserving elastic, which is hard to find these days.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Here’s how to make it:
Here’s how I wear these masks and some of the fun fabric and color combinations I tried:
Hope that helps others who are sewing masks. Stay safe, friends!
Julie aka “Jewels”
I recently made these vintage-style pennants to celebrate special places in our family. It was so fun that I went on to make personalized name pennants for my nephew and niece.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Here’s how to do it:
Here’s how the pennants turned out. I love all the color variations!
Julie aka “Jewels”
My motto about cooking is that I don’t do it much, but when I do, it’s something I saw on Pinterest. We throw a big holiday party every year. Last year, I introduced these puff pastry Christmas trees, and they’ve … Continue reading
I’m still looking for a good name for this year’s Christmas theme. Woodsy and Warm? I do know that sweaters are a big part of my decorations – like the sweater pillow covers and sweater ornaments I already made. The … Continue reading