Recycling Wool

Scrapping Together A Small Lap Throw..

(I made this pincushion a long time ago...using a piece of  felted sweater) 

Small Lap Throw.....or??

This is the second one of these I have made.

They are fairly small, under four feet in length and width.

We use them mostly when we are watching tv and need just a little something,

or when we are sitting out on the porch.

 They're also kind of  handy to just throw in the car.

This one is made from a piece of Pendleton blanket I found.

Someone else had already cut into it and crafted from parts of it,

that is why the design is offcenter. I had to use it as it was.

The "vine" is made from old sweaters from thrift stores.......shrunk and nicely felted........

The fun thing about sewing with the sweaters is you can manipulate and shape them so easily.

 I  also shrunk the piece of wool so there are no unraveling worries,

and also that way you don't have to turn the edges under.

The buttons are from my button jars,

odds and ends of embroidery thread were picked up here and there.

However,  the floral fabric for the binding was purchased new.

I had it in my head that I wanted to use a floral fabric for 

an unexpected contrast, and I couldn't find anything that would work. 

I have made several things from felted sweaters,

have you?

Tell me!!!!!

                                                                              

                                                                        

Indian Fabric Boho Bag

First project from the Indian fabric........................................

My goal with this purse/bag was 

to end up with a lightweight,

medium size purse/bag that was

colorful with an ethnic vibe,

relatively inexpensive, and fairly easy to make

since sewing is not my first love........:)

After trying to make my own pattern, I finally bought one.

I used Butterick pattern B5449,

one of their easy  cheap ones......$2.99.

So with $20.00 for the fabric my total

cost was $22.99 plus tax.

Everything else used was materials on hand.

The lining was an old paisley shawl, bought long ago.

it was orange and I dyed it to match fabric.  

What I learned:

This fabric has little glass mirrors in it, and they

seem to want to be right in the path of the sewing machine needle.

You can avoid some by pattern layout, but not all.

Yow will have to watch for them and remove any that are in 

your seam path.

Second........I suck at making tassels. And it's not really something I plan on

taking the time to get good at.

So..................I am going to be looking for replacements.

I think I saw some on Etsy,  I will be heading over there to have another look.

I am really happy with this bag, think I will get a lot of use out 

of it, and it's medium size is perfect for me .

If you want to see some really great bags, with price tags to match,

have a look here.

Beautiful, but not in my budget........

Under $25 works for me everytime!!!

                                                                        

'JUNKING BAG'

IT'S ESTATE SALE SEASON!!!

This past week or so I have been sewing, trying to come up with a bag

or two , each to fill a specific need. This one was the easiest  to make, so the first finished. 

I needed a new bag for junking..............I have another one I made that I really like....

This one.....my "ode to Robin" .....

(if she merged with Annie Oakley)

But I wanted one that was a bit more seasonal.

Inspired by a bag I saw in Anthropologie catalog, made by  

Leslie Oschmann, I used an oil painting found at GW

for the front of the bag. I made one of these bags last year as a gift 

and on that one used a canvas front and back . I couldn't find a canvas

that went well with this one so I used a dropcloth from Lowes for

the back.  The lining was fabric I had, but it was black and white so I dyed it.

I put it and the dye in a plastic tub in the sink and forgot about it for a day or so.

It didn't dye evenly which gave it a "batik" like look that I actually really like.

Sewing the coin purse in for a pocket was inspired by the shopping cart 

liner Amy Hanna made that was featured in Flea Market Magazine.

I have a shopping cart, but I don't use it much. In my area we don't have big fleas

and the shopping carts don't work well in small booths full of people. 

Much easier than sewing in a pocket and

zippers are not my friend!!!!!

The swivel hook is for keys.

Any excuse to use a tintype....I'm there!!

This little guys clothes are so cute!!

All in all, I am really happy with the way this bag turned out,

and I am just hoping I NEED one this big!! 

I just got an email from a estate sale co. about a sale in my area this weekend.

Some of the items in the photos are "my kinda thing"!!!

In order to go and MAYBE be able to score any of them , 

I am going to have to get up at bird fart dawn to get in line,

no time to shower, hiding under my baseball hat. 

So I am wondering.......

do you do that?

Do you roll out of bed , throw on your sweats , pull your hair back in a ponytail ,

hide under a baseball hat and behind your sunglasses,

hoping you don't see anyone you know????? 

I can't be the only one can I???  

EDITED TO ADD:

Took my bag to it's first sale yesterday.......

worked great.......was 27th on "the list"

OK, I showered first........but.......

there were others in my exact early estate sale garb!

I got what I was after, but probably paid too much.

When you are willing to bust it to get there and stand in line,

it doesn't leave much bargaining power. 

Going back tomorrow, 50% off,

hoping the gorgeous but totally overpriced saltillos will still be there.

                                                

MAD HATTER PINCUSHION

Working on some sewing projects today ...........

Using this "pincushion" I made last year.

"Sewing Nuns"

Fraternal Pins

No Words Necessary

I think I made this shortly after I saw Alice In Wonderland.

I think there's a little "Hatter" in all of us.

"Do you think I've gone round the bend?"

"I'm afraid so. You're mad, bonkers, completely off your head. But I'll tell you a secret.....

All the best people are."

-Lewis Carroll  (Alice in Wonderland)