Hey all:

I haven't posted in way too long/more craft-less computer/but I wanted to share my latest obsession!  I'm sick of plain, solid clothes.  My house is full of them. 

I can't find the post, but sometime ago someone silkscreened an anatomical heart on her hoodie with a dotted line figure heart over it.  YUM. 

Using a diagram of a heart (I googled heart diagram and ran an image search--I used www.enchantedlearni ng.com/subjects/anatomy/heart/labelinterior/label.GIF as my model), I came up with this:


It goes here on the t shirt:


I traced the image on to a sheet of fusible webbing, pulled off the back paper, stuck it to some other fabric (t shirt scraps are great b/c they don't fray as much), and cut out the image from the fabric with the fusible web stuck to it. 

I then placed it on the shirt, ironed to place, sewed the patch on with a 1/8 inch buffer, and then created the outlines I wanted with my sewing machine.

Addictive.     

Hey all:

It's been awhile since I've been here, but wanted to post pics of one of my new purses.  As much as I love Jordy bags, I love doing the applique on them even more!

I have really taken to putting closure flaps on my bags--all sizes shapes and colors.  And pockets.  Go pockets!

front image:


inside the purse:


the smiley guy:

When I learned to intarsia knit last fall, I made bad ass patches.  I found a bunch of free cross stitch fonts and even an intarsia alphabet generator online when I was doing them, but now can't seem to find them.

Go intarsia!

Hey all:

I know that these puppies were in ReadyMade mag a few months ago--at the time I first saw the issue I had several hundred zippers that were begging to be used for cutie cute cute stuff.

I had to invent my own methods--mostly machine sewing the zippers together (end to top always) and hand sewing them closed.

zippers are best.

This is the bag I made last weekend with an old pair of cords and some new fabric.  It's about 9x7.  Applique power!



The original rectangle size was 10x8.  Cut outs were 1inch each.  I narrowed the sides by about an inch (from the top of the cutout to the top of the rectangle).

From the Side

From the Top:

Detail:

Sorry folks--I deleted the tutorial of this project on accident.  The next time I make one I'll take photos and post them....

Other Photos of it:
http://img19.photobucket.com/albums/v57/getinmymouthstuff/zipper_bag.jpg
http://img19.photobucket.com/albums/v57/getinmymouthstuff/zipper_bag_unzipped_laying.jpg
http://img19.photobucket.com/albums/v57/getinmymouthstuff/zipper_bag_inside.jpg

I just have to take this moment to rave about  my new favorite crafting product:

Iron fusible webbing.

I bought whole sheets of steam seam and the tape strips of it.

I'm screaming!  For us Jordy bag fanatics, it makes closing up that last top stitch so much better.  It holds velcro w/o stitiching.  It makes applique a cinch.  Zippers were never easier.

For those of you who don't know, fusible webbing is a product similar to double stick tape for fabric.  Peel off one side, adhere, peel off the other, adhere, and steam press (with iron cloth).  Presto--fabric stays together!  You can use it as interfacing for smaller projects (coin purses).

anyone else have any great uses or tips for this amazing product!  I've been sewing for oh so long and can't believe I hadn't ever tried this!

I made this purse by felting an old sweater, cutting up a too-tight dress, and fishing around in my button collection.

I've become a Jordy purse addict.

I altered the handle to match the inside material.  The photo doesn't really reflect it, but the wool on each side is the same length. The button loops were made directly from a strap on the dress, so I didn't have to deal with making them!

I sewed the pattern onto felt, and then onto the bag.  I'm still not really happy with the applique, and am wondering if any of you have ideas regarding printed applique ideas? (when you want to use a printed fabric for the applique motif)

This is a pic of a grocery bag tote I am working on at the moment.  

It is 13 inches wide and will be 12 inches tall plus handles.  Whoever suggested the crochet needle lube rocks out--I've been putting a nongreasy lotion on the needle every few stitches (some bags don't need as much) and my life is so much better!

For details on how to make one, visit
http://www.craftster.org/yabbse/index.php?board=78;action=display;threadid=2871

Hey all:

Using the Jordy purse design, I made this purse out of an old pair of cords, some pretty pretty pink fabric, and some of my fav vintage buttons.

I used the back pocket of the pants as the pocket for the inside.  In order to do this, I cut around the pocket, folded seamed the extra against the pocket (except at the top), and attached it to the lining before assembly.

Oh yes.  I forgot to attach the strap before I turned it, so it's on the outside!  Nothing like posting your work to foster the inner critic!

Here's some visual on my pocket attachment process:

1.  The small maroon image is the pocket on the pants.
2.  The larger maroon around the pocket is where you cut it out from the pants.
3.  Cut along the orangelines on the corners of the pocket.  
4.  Fold and press on the blue lines.  The dashed blue line at the top is the fold line/seam below it but 1/4 of an inch or so above the top of the pocket.
5.  The blue lines at the bottom of the pocket are fold lines.  Cut below on the angle and fold over the orange line before folding and pressing to the back of the pocket.  
6.  Use the pocket's own outside seam to attach to the lining.  At the top, use the seam you created about 1/4 inch above it.

I haven't tried it, but I bet that press & stick stuff would work better than sewing everything on this project.  Just make sure to use a press cloth over the pocket so you don't get your iron all junked up.

ooh lala!  thanks jordy!


then I sewed on the buttons, attached a sew-on snap, and called it a day!