sewing bug
I've been sewing. a lot. I've been knitting too - I'm *this* close to finishing my Smock - but I've just been feeling the urge to sew lately! (It's a nice change from my first trimester, when I didn't feel like doing anything, especially sewing.)
First up: a yoga mat bag! I'm going to prenatal yoga twice a week, and I almost bought a little bag for my mat at REI, and then I realized that I could make one with some stash fabric.
Amy Butler fabric + yoga mat bag = hooray.
Next: placemats! We've been eating dinner with friends at our house a lot lately, and we have a nice new-old dining room table from Jacob's parents, but no placemats. I have no idea why - they're probably packed up in our crawlspace upstairs somewhere. BUT! why not just make some?
New placemats make the table look better.
For these I used an Orla Kiely tablecloth half that I'd been saving for the perfect project, some solids from my scrap bin, and some super heavy interfacing. I'm really happy with the way they turned out - even Jacob approved. I used this tutorial to make them. She actually does binding around the edges, and I'd planned on doing a binding with the Orla Kiely fabric but I didn't have enough left over. So, I just decided to sew the right sides together, leave a hole, turn them inside out, and then top stitch. easy peasy!
and finally: my first baby-related project! a diaper bag!
I'm so proud - can you tell?
I love love this bag. It's completely lined in vinyl, has pockets galore, including a back zipper pocket, and is super sturdy.
I used this fantastic tutorial over at A Mingled Yarn, and seriously, I can't say enough about how great it is. I'm not a new sewist, but I'm not advanced AT ALL - I've learned everything from books and the Internets, and friends who are nice enough to help me. The tutorial for this bag is so clear, with great instructions and pictures, and gave me confidence that I could actually make the bag, even when I was scared of all the fabric and vinyl that I was cutting out. hee.
like this moment, when I was like, WHAT AM I DOING.
It's a great tutorial! and it would make a great bag for anything, not just diapers. I mean, who wouldn't want all these pockets in their bag?
pockets!
I was so happy and excited when I finished - I kept parading around the house with my bag, and Jacob was nice enough to keep exclaiming over it. Har.
So yay for sewing! I think I've probably got some more patterns to try out soon...do you have any favorite sewing tutorials?
Comments (29)
Thanks for sharing your gorgeous bag with us. That fabric is killer!
KC
Posted by ItsyBitsyKC | November 3, 2009 12:29 PM
Rock on! I have a friend who's expecting... Guess what I'm gonna make for her?
Posted by Candace | October 29, 2009 2:16 PM
Wow, you are being soooo productive. My mother is an incredible seamstress, and I used to sew quite a lot but haven't in years. Your projects make me want to get a new machine!
Good luck with it all, and especially your pregnancy.
~firefly
Posted by firefly | October 22, 2009 6:29 AM
Wow, I am so impressed with your sewing skills. Everything looks crisp with nice, straight edges. The fabrics are like artwork -- such great colors and designs. Those place mats would make nice holiday gifts!
Posted by jayaycee | October 9, 2009 2:28 PM
i got majorly crafty when i was pregnant with C, but didn't make anything as awesome as these! love the diaper bag.
Posted by gleek | October 3, 2009 6:59 PM
Those placemats are darling, did your friends notice the upgrade? Love the yoga bag as well - flawless - you'd never know it wasn't store bought.
Kristen
Editor
FaveCrafts.com
Posted by Kristen | October 2, 2009 3:09 PM
Whoa! Sewing bags can be finicky sometimes but you did a fantastic job!
Posted by lucy | September 29, 2009 9:36 AM
Wow, that yoga mat is awesome! LOVE the fabric. I wish we have more Amy Butler fabrics where I live. And I wish I have a presser foot for sewing vinyl.
Posted by Bored and Crafty | September 24, 2009 2:09 AM
Wow...the bag is TOTALLY awesome!! Go you!!!
Posted by Natalie | September 23, 2009 12:53 PM
Ok, seriously. I would pay you to make me one of these. I have been lugging all the baby stuff around in a pocketless sack of a bag since Miles was born and it is terrible!
Posted by maya | September 15, 2009 3:52 PM
Parading around the house with your bag. You're too cute.
Posted by Stacey | September 15, 2009 1:40 AM
What cute projects! Love that diaper bag!
Posted by tiennie | September 14, 2009 10:29 PM
Placemats! I would never have thought to make my own, and they're so cute!
Love all those pockets in the bag. You're gonna be able to use it to death!
Posted by Jen | September 14, 2009 4:33 PM
I see SETTLER'S DICE!
Also, FAB FAB FAB crafties! LOVE all of them and want.
Posted by Lara | September 14, 2009 3:08 PM
Now THAT is a fabulously sassypants diaper bag! Color me impressed.
Posted by Jen | September 12, 2009 6:10 PM
You are so stinkin' cute. I love your diaper bag! The vinyl lining is a *great* idea.
Posted by Karma | September 12, 2009 2:41 PM
Be sure to take some tiny knitting needles into the delivery room because I think your baby may come out ready to cast on. Go crafty mama, go!
Posted by Rosie | September 11, 2009 12:13 PM
your bag is awesome! p.s. i want to see some belly pics!
Posted by Leslie | September 11, 2009 11:41 AM
Ok--you actually sewed a bag and LINED IT WITH VINYL!! That is so impressive, Carrie. As a non-sewist who was frequently chastised in home ec I stand in total awe. Seriously.
Posted by Heather | September 11, 2009 8:38 AM
You are totally going to have the cutest diaper bag out there! I wish I was as crafty and could make my own!
Posted by Sarah | September 11, 2009 7:17 AM
Brilliant! that yoga bag is awesome, and the diaper bag is really incredible! Great job.
Posted by Julie | September 11, 2009 7:13 AM
girl, with that bag you just vaulted into advanced sewist. it is awesome. i love the fabric and the vinyl is going to such a godsend when drippy things enter your life. great work!
Posted by mamie | September 11, 2009 12:21 AM
oh my gosh, that diaper bag is FANTASTIC!!! and like carolyn, i could totally use a bag like that too...wink, wink :)
Posted by mai | September 10, 2009 11:32 PM
Love the fabrics you used for your yoga mat and diaper bag. How trendy a mum will you be. I hope Jacob does like the diaper bag as he will have to use it too!
Posted by sue | September 10, 2009 11:20 PM
Holy crap woman! That baby is making you UBER crafty. Love love love that bag. That would be great for sneaking a latte into the movies!
Posted by sil | September 10, 2009 10:40 PM
I can't believe you MADE that bag - it is amazing - nice work!
Posted by knitbot | September 10, 2009 10:28 PM
Wow! I'm super duper impressed with all your sewing skillz. Your fabric choices are fabulous too! I want me some of those fantastic placemats, immediately! :)
Posted by Clumsy Knitter | September 10, 2009 9:54 PM
I *love* that bag pattern. I made one for my sis and now I want one for me! If you're wanting sewing tutorials, make sure and check out Whip-Up (whipup.net). For more baby oriented tutorials, I had really good luck with Vanilla Joy (vanillajoy.com). And if you really want a cute bag, my absolute favorite is Keyka Lou (keyka.typepad.com). I love the yoga mat bag and may have to make one for my friend. It's definitely a month for sewing!
Posted by Chelsea the Yarngeek | September 10, 2009 7:35 PM
i am always so impressed when you get going - you have no craft fear. YAY YOU and awesome sewing projects!!!!!
p.s. i could totally use a bag like that... wink wink.
Posted by carolyn | September 10, 2009 5:53 PM