Zebras and tigers and gorillas, oh my...Embroidery carrying tote (img heavy)

[madame_caligula]

So, hubby dearest wants an x-stitch Zune cover, and guess who hasn't done any cross stitch since dirt was young? So, frantic runs to fabric stores for thread, etc. Start sewing, get really into it, then encounter the massive problem of hyper 4 and 5 year olds trying to steal my supplies. Where to put them??

Make a travel case, if you're crafty.

It's not as pretty or as professional-looking as my next one will be. (And there WILL be a next one. I loved the results that much.  ) This one was a prototype, and as such just used up some scrap I had in my leftovers bin.


No type of closure on this one, as I didn't have anything suitable on hand.


Inside shot. If I'd had enough of the green jungle print, I'd have made bias tape out of that for the pocket edging, instead. You can't really see the thread pockets on this shot.


So here they are in action. There are actually 2 pockets in every slot: the clear vinyl one, and the print fabric behind. I dig pockets. 


Double pocket shot!


Pattern and project pocket. Was originally going to be a double pocket as well, but I stitched the animal print down for added stability. Version 2.0 will be a double. (This panel is actually 2 pieces of the border off a big one piece tapestry panel I used for a throw. How's that for maximizing your scrap pile?  ) Stability wise, it's backed by plastic canvas and then padded out with quilt batting.


And pattern pocket action shot.

Have already had 4 people ask for one of their own. Dammit. I don't have enough time for my OWN crafty obsession hobbies.

Wheee!

[vintageburlesque]

Firstly - YES YES YES - you used the word 'prototype'.  This is 'the' exact word I use instead of toile or practice piece or dummy run.  Oh God what a relief.  Thank you  .

Secondly - and on a more calmer note - this is great and I love that you have separated everything for easy look-see.  My threads are also on those cards but store mine in a plastic box.  I haven't done cross stitch for years either as I like sewing during the day and am attempting to learn to knit and crochet (not together  ) in the evenings.

When you do another any chance of tute to go with it?  .

Thanks for showing your prototype.

[jewelaroni]

ummmm..... that's awesome. I need to go make one.  Like... now.
I have mine on one of those stupid rings.... ugh


Also, is that a Final Fantasy cross stitch chart I see there?

[madame_caligula]

vintageburlesque- A tute is indeed in the stars...am hunting perfect un-coordinating fabric for version 2.0. So...probably soon.

jewelaroni- Yes! Final Fantasy VII's Cloud Strife, from his Kingdom Hearts cameo. I have a BIG soft spot for FF7.

[jewelaroni]

oh my gosh, my boyfriend would KILL for something like that. He LOVES Cloud... like... total man crush on him. Where'd you get it? or if you made it yourself can you forward it to me?

[ravens tail]

wow that's amazing! Such planning would make me go crazy! 

[madame_caligula]

jewelaroni-- check your inbox.

ravens tail-- I pretty much freehanded everything. (Measuring? What's that?  ) I sketched the idea out on a napkin while we were out, then came home and made it.

[tiegh]

This is a great idea!  After seeing your pockets for thread I marvelled at how few colors you were using.  I usually have to see a lot of options before I pick the right color to use.  Then I thought, since you're in the prototype stage, why not make your pockets...detached?  I'm thinking attach them to the back panel by sewing the top edge down and having the rest of the pocket free.  Then you could sew another line of pockets close to the first so you can still see the color in the pocket but you could fit a lot more colors in your bag.  So mental image, if you hold it upside down all the pocket rows will hang downward.  I hope that makes sense.  You could flip through your colors and keep a whole bunch of them handy. 

[ScrappySue]

ohhhh this is amazing, cant wait to see the next one as well!
S

[Monklin]

This is really amazing! I love it!
The animal print is great.
I would love to see the next one.