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March 12, 2021
Computer keyboard bag from Espritpatch

 Just before Christmas, one of my daughter's teacher asked her if I was still sewing and making bags, to which my daughter gave a positive answer. She then asked her if I could make a bag for her computer keyboard that she carries from one classroom to another.  I agreed to it but told her she wouldn't have it until the New Year. I also asked for her brief and wishes and all I received was the dimensions of the keyboard. So this has been on my to-do list for a little while and I put it off ...

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February 3, 2021
Dayna Pack from Becca's Crazy Projects

I've had this amazing embroidery for a while now. I stitched it out on my embroidery machine a while back. The design is from Urban Threads Embroidery. I really like their designs and I've stitched them out successfully on two different brands of embroidery machines. They also offer their designs as hand embroidery designs for about $1. This was the perfect project to use that stitched out design. 
The Dayna Pack is a simple design that works up quickly with good results. I made mine with an adjustable strap that did not include the hardware called for in ...

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January 26, 2021
Guadalupe bag from Espritpatch

 I saw so many of these gorgeous Guadalupe bags on Facebook over the Christmas holiday that I really wanted to try it too! 

Everyone was saying how beautiful and easy/fast it was to make. Plus that came as a free pattern from the designer Sammie Valencia, so I was sold.

I had cut all the pieces on New Year's day and starting the assembly shortly after. 


As often, I was put off by picking/cutting and using the interfacing so I parked the exterior pieces while I was constructing the lining. 


The pattern doesn't have instructions to ...

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January 12, 2021
super tote from Charm About You


I am just so THRILLED with this bag! I searched for a long time for just the right pattern to sew, as this was a Christmas gift for my mum. Like me, she is particular in what she wants in a bag - a good size, big enough to hold A4 documents/files, a zip closure, pockets and long enough handles to be worn over the shoulder. This hit every need and it was a joy to make. I've honestly learnt so very much making it (read on for the specifics), I'm really happy with the combination of prints ...

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January 11, 2021
More pouches from Espritpatch

 l had cut all the 11 pouches I was planning to make before Christmas together and finished 5 before the day, my hope/goal/dream had been to make all 11 of them at the same time.... 

When it became obvious that it wasn't going to be the case, I moved on to other equally urgent projects and set those 6 aside. Finally last week, I felt it was time to pick them before they fall right at the bottom of the UFO basket. Well, I guess first week back at work but even worse, first week back in ...

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December 29, 2020
Wee Billow Bag from Charm About You


I have long been a fan of Sweet Cinnamon Roses and her pattern the Wee Billow Bag is utterly fabulous! It was the most fun choosing fabrics and making something for myself with all the brown and florals and leopard - all beautiful Anna Maria Horner prints. Recently I have been USING my favourite fabrics and it's really lovely to be able to see them all around me rather than stored away in a cupboard or basket. Especially for every day items like this bag, it's happy inducing. Mine is a pouch version but you can see Laura's ...

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December 22, 2020
Japanese rice bag from Charm About You


This adorable Japanese rice bag was another #justjudecollaborates make, this time it was the turn of lovely Stuart Hillard and his handy bag tutorial! I have made drawstring bags before but nothing like this style or shape of bag so I was really excited to learn how to make it. I'm not always brilliant with making 3D items, thankfully Stuart has a YouTube tutorial that shows every step to making this bag, so easy to follow!


And this is why I should always blog when I actually make the project not months later... I can't actually remember what ...

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December 21, 2020
Two in one pouches from Espritpatch

 Every year I plan to make Christmas presents, and every year I run out of time! Well, this year I have managed some. I finally finished some Two in one pouches last night. I had cut them about 2 weeks ago and was tried to make them all in batches. Well I split my batches in two and I have managed to finish pouches so far. I first saw them on Instagram on Charlotte's feed and well, let's face it, masks are the new accessories of the season really.

So I made mine with a tick for clean ...

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December 7, 2020
Yarn Basket Bag from Becca's Crazy Projects

I've been eyeing the Basket Bag pattern by Michelle Patterns for a while.
When I saw it on sale for 25% off (still on sale as I write this blog post) I grabbed it. The cutting and sewing directions are clear and easy to follow. I cut in the morning and had a finished bag by lunch time. 
This was my test sew of the largest size and it is perfect for holding yarn and bunches of yarn at that. This would be a great little bag as a base for a gift basket. A small one with a ...

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December 1, 2020
Knitted Sleeveless Sweater from Quilting Stories

Knitted sweater

Knitted sweater

Knitting project bag

Knitting project bag

Happy to find at last a pattern requiring only 5 wool balls, as I have several batches of 5 balls in my stash.
Pattern found here : Click. Susanne's blog is a Danish one, although the google translation is a mess and I could rely on the numbers and the pictures (thanks for those close pictures!) to progress with my knitting... I am quite anxious regarding the completed result...

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October 23, 2020
Persephone purse from Espritpatch

And it's finished!

And I love it

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October 20, 2020
to do: new project box and giveaway from Making A Lather

 I decided it was time to sort another project box. This one was a bit confusing. I am trying to be very hard core on making decisions, but, it is very difficult for me not to finish everything I come across, or rather, to believe I will finish everything. But, reality, says otherwise. 

I have labels on the boxes to help figure out what I was planning. Still, The black elastic doesn't appear to belong to anything in the box.hmmmm


I don't remember where I bought this panel, but, I loved it. I have had it in ...

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October 16, 2020
Etsy Shop Update from Becca's Crazy Projects

I did a big shop update a couple weeks ago and plenty of great things are still available. Socks and knitting project backs for that hand-knitter in your circle. 
This one is one of my favorites. 
These are lightweight, soft bags that close with a zipper. Wrist strap for easy carrying. 
There are also some great quilted bags. 
These have a little more substance and so great.  
I have three or four of these that are always drifting around with a new project inside. 
They aren't really bigger on the inside but I can dream.

Check out socks in ...

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October 13, 2020
The Farmers Market bag – DIY from Brown Bird Designs Quilts

We have stepped into fall here in Tucson and the mornings are so nice. This year, life has been truly altering and there are so many things that I miss doing. I love Farmers Markets! On Saturdays when I can find time to run, I like to park at the Farmers Market so I can check out a few booths and get a little exercise in. All before I start sewing. These cooler days have me wanting to get out and about, so I made the perfect bag to take shopping as soon as I am mentally ready to get ...

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September 27, 2020
Mini maker case from Espritpatch

The mini maker sew-along started on Monday. I had all intention to join in and even cut my fabric ahead. 


I hate fusing interfacing (I know this doesn't take that long and is quite a stupid excuse), so I procrastinated about it all week. 


Equally I didn't want my project pieces to sit there for... ever, which is often the case once the sew-along is over. The motivation is much harder to find once the party is over

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September 6, 2020
Ready for school? from Espritpatch

Monday is the big day here, and it will be odd. I know they are all feeling the stress and in some ways I think we are too.It will be nearly 6 months since they were last at school and although we have tried to keep up with school work during the home schooling time, it will be a very different setting that what they are used to. In order to be ready and not add extra stress, I have been asking them for a little while now if they had everything they need... and on Friday, my teenage ...

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September 4, 2020
Handy bags from Espritpatch

I was going down a rabbit hole on a Facebook group for bag makers last week and found lots of new-to-me designers, lovely bags and accessories. If you've read my adventures for a while, you might remember that I have bought a massively huge stash of faux vinyl that I should really be using more. Anyway, I came across this clever and very functional handy bag pattern by Christine of Bags of Bags of Style

Hand sanitiser are here to stay I think, and this is another new requirements from the back to school list. 

So I tried out ...

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Lunch bags from Espritpatch

School starts back next week for all 3, not sure what to expect really after so long off! The girl's school has informed parents that there will be no school dinners so the kids have to bring their own lunch. I hate making packed lunches and the idea of doing it 5 days a week and still have variety is not necessarily appealing, but we have to adapt to the new reality. I decided to make some lunch bags for the girls to carry their lunch to school in style. They were happy to pick their fabric in my ...

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August 29, 2020
Bo bag from Espritpatch

Another request I had from my family was to make a bag to take their Bo to karate class. Bo are really long pieces of wood they occasionally use in their practice. And we have 3 of them at the moment, probably a 4th soon so it felt like a good idea to have them in a bag for transport. 

They're longer than the karateka so I needed a massively long piece of faux leather for it. 

Hubby requested a handle to carry the bag


as well as a strap


Of course, I met both requests! 

Bag finished and ...

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August 24, 2020
Sunshine Crossbody Pouch from Becca's Crazy Projects

A friend mentioned the Sunshine Crossbody Pouch pattern from Bagstock Designs and I decided to give it a go. This is a free pattern with detailed instructions with color photos. You can also find a handful of step-by-step video tutorials on YouTube if you search for "sunshine crossbody pouch". I looked through my collection of vinyl, fat quarters from Spoonflower, and zips to come up with the perfect combination. This fabric Cephalopods world is still available on Spoonflower. 
On Friday I cut out all the pieces. Fabric, interfacing, vinyl, all ready to go. I buy my zippers from Zipit Zippers ...

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