A Look Back -2-

Since its finals time and I am not sewing as much... well I'm not supposed to be sewing probably at all but I find that I study and then just stay up later to sew than I used to... anyway I'll post pics of finals sewing later... Right now I am keeping with the posting of previously sewn items.

I used to mainly sew bags, safe bags is what I would call them now...plain rectangular bags with not much else to them...they were and are still good bags... I have one (my 1st bag ever actually, that now holds all of my fabric) that I used to carry a huge 3 part file from the Immigration clinic to an Adjustment Interview... I was suprised it held up so well.

Then I ventured into the realm of using zippers...hey sewing a zipper can be difficult for a newb! Now I am willing to try almost anything... I am not a fan of patterns, I don't know how to read them properly nor do I find the instructions particularly helpful or clear... So most of my creations come from my head and from pictures ...I see something and then mull it over in my head til I can figure out a way to, as Tim Gunn says, "Make it work!" I am all about trial and error.

So here are a few bags I have made in the past, they aren't spectacular, but everyday I learn new things...

From top left to bottom right: freezer stencil Initials on the bag I made for my Dad; wristlets I made for my friend's little girls; not really bags... 2 of the 5 Easter baskets I made for my nieces, nephews & God children; Lori (niece/God daugter) my oldest brother's little girl with the Barbie carrying case I made her ; my new school bag...it has a lining!!; My friend's oldest with the coloring case I made for her; case for my friends mini laptop; the baby shower pouch... I made 40 of these for Angie & Adan's (my sister-in-law and new nephew) baby shower; my matching laptop case; my new purse...who'd have thought I'd put my teal and sig Coach bag down... well I did and only for something way better; this is the actual bag I made for Dad...kinda plain; inside of baby shower pouch; the next two are "safe" bags I made for Alice; simple upcycled pencil pouch from an old button up I made for my friend Yvonne.

Hope everyone had a good day... 

-amy t.-

A Look Back -1-

As I mentioned, I have been sewing sewing since December, but shortly before spring break I found that I felt confident enough to make things other than bags and the like. So here are a few things that I have previously made or upcycled (reworking older/used garments into new, "Sui Generis" pieces).

From Top Left to Bottom Right: double layer skirt I made for my little Emma; front of upcycled and appliqued Rolling Stones shirt for J made from two of my shirts ; back of Rolling Stones shirt; Emma wearing an upcycled tshirt and the above skirt; upcycled Bears shirt for J; back of Bears shirt with freezer paper stenciling; upcyled tank for me with silly freezer paper stenciling of "sew happy" on back; back of white T with freezer paper stenciling of "sew or die"; front of white T with freezer paper stenciling of "skull and needles"; upcycled pillow case dress for Emma; and the last 2 pics are my favorite garment to date, this is a Reversible dress I made for Emma with no pattern, only a picture from another blog...I have to say I am quite proud of myself...

-amy t.-

1st time using my New Table--Reversible Apron

So I finally started a project with my new table... Louie kept telling me that with his luck I would never sew again after he bought me the table...But that would never happen...
Since I am going to Illinois/Indiana to visit some of my family when school is over...I thought it would be nice to make something for my wonderful grandmother... She is the best, she makes the best food that you can't help but take seconds of...My grandfather and her have a vegetable garden and do all sorts of things around their house... and their sofa has wonderful sleep inducing powers (or so my brothers and brother-in-law think!)

Anywho...
I have always wanted to make an apron, but really had no use for it...I personally don't cook meals long enough to actually bother putting one on...maybe when I graduate and I have more time to pick up baking again... So my mom gave me the idea to make one for my grandmother... and this morning after registering for my fall classes I got to work on Grandma's Mother's Day gift.

This is the finished apron...It is reversible and super colorful... I can't wait to see her wear it...Now to work on gifts for my many aunts who I will also be seeing on my visit... Ahh so many family members I would love to make things for... It may become a summer long project...

-amy t.-

p.s. for those who see Grandma often... please don't tell her about the apron...

And So It Begins

 

Well, yesterday I got the push I needed to take the leap and write this intro post. I came home from class to find this HUGE box in my carport. I hadn’t ordered anything (as much as I would love to.) I thought it was just an empty box my neighbors might have left to wait until trash day. It turns out the box was a “Portable Sewing Table.” I knew it was from Louie right away and sure enough the packing slip had a note from my boyfriend that read “I don’t need a holiday to get you a gift. Love You!” I had been using my computer desk for a sewing table and before that I was using an end table I had in the living room so I could sew and watch TV. Sad I know…Louie thought it was quite pathetic…

Needless to say I was beyond excited about my surprise gift (Louie is really good at doing this…being all nonchalant and aloof then surprising me out of left field with random roses or a thoughtful gift for me or Deuce.) It was quite a fete (a 2 ½ hour fete to be exact) to put that sucker together, but I must say it was well worth the effort. Once I rearranged my make-shift sewing room I felt like a real sew-er…I now have lots of work space and drawers to put all my stuff in. 

I remain, for the time being, a sewing law student (although I sometimes wish I could just sew forever), and as it is finals time I will definitely sew less than I normally do. But this summer my evenings will be open for me to sew like crazy. I am really looking forward to that, so I wanted this space so that I could share my work with my wide spread family and friends, and with anyone else who wants to take a look.

-amy t.-