I feel like if I use the word “adorable” about Zakka Style one more time, the writing police are going to come after me. But I’ve consulted my thesaurus and no other word fits quite as well. Darling, precious, charming — it’s all those things but somehow they feel sarcastic coming from my fingers. Ooh, here’s a good one: ambrosial. Let’s see how ostentatious I can make my words today.
Another winner from this great book! Works up quickly, Continue reading
I did not hit the sewing ground running when it comes to adorning my creations. I think I was intimidated for a long time — I didn’t know what to use where. I called myself liking a clean, uncomplicated style, which I now realize isn’t necessarily a conflict with trims when they’re used correctly. (“Correctly” in this case meaning nothing more than the way I like it.) There’s no question — I still come across a lot of fandangles that absolutely stump me. But now, if an embellishment appeals to me, I’ll figure out how to make it work.
Unequivocally, my favorite trim is piping. I like it in a solid color or any variety of print, with cording or without, delicate or chunky. And now that I know about that awesome way to make it from scratch, I doubt I’ll buy it pre-made again. (Well…not often.) I also adore rickrack and the perfect vintage feel it brings to its host project. In this post and in part 2, I’ll walk you through the process of using either of these on the top edge of your next tote.
For the purposes of these variations, I copied the dimensions of a small- to medium-sized gift bag, one of those paper ones you can usually get for a dollar. Not only will a homemade original be way cuter than those, but it can be used for gifting approximately a bazillion times, assuming the gift recipient is willing to pass it on. :~)
The finished dimensions are 10″ tall x 12″ wide (at top) x 5″ deep (at bottom). Continue reading
My next Zakka Style project is this wonderful little sewing kit — so wonderful, in fact, that it is the featured project on the book’s cover:
source: Rashida Coleman-Hale's Flickr photostream
The project is simply labeled “sewing kit,” and it got me thinking. For me, this would be for my on-the-go tools. I’d throw it in my bag with some kind of hand stitching work-in-progress and head out to wherever I was going. I have one of those and use it often. (I made this one as a present, so gift recipient, if you’re reading this, act surprised when you get it!) But the point is, for someone who doesn’t sew regularly, this would likely be her sewing kit. Period. To be dusted off if she needs to reattach that button. Well, for those cases, her one-and-only kit should definitely be as cool and cute as this one.
Not too long ago, I mentioned that Dixie and I had started a local sewing book club. She just put up a post in which she interviews me about the club, and we even talk about when and why I started sewing. Pop over and take a look! While you’re there, have a stroll around her blog… she is a prolific, adventurous sewist and has taught me a lot about garment construction. She even has some original patterns and tutorials. Thanks, Dixie!
Coming up this week… my next Zakka Style sew along project, as well as the next tutorial for Rock the Tote. Have a great week!
If there is something that I sew as often as bags, it’s potholders. I love them, they make great gifts, and they manage to combine the best of my main creative loves: sewing and baking. (Though I have to say, blogging is a rising superstar in this category!) One of the things I love most about potholders is their immediate gratification — I can whip one out in no time. Usually. Somehow I managed to make this one last almost four months.
When I first saw this post, I immediately thought it was a great, simple project for me to practice appliqué, which I haven’t done much. I’m not sure if that’s what Ayumi had in mind with the design, Continue reading
Last year about this time, my parents started a small chicken operation (9 hens + 1 rooster at last count). Consequently, they keep me flush with the best eggs I’ve ever tasted. Plus my veggie peels and scraps go to a very good cause!
I pinned this a couple of weeks ago, and I still have every intention of trying it as written. (I’ll report!) But this time, my overflowing stock of eggs led me in a different direction. This wasn’t much of a stretch for me since I already like to put avocado on my egg salad sandwiches, but this treatment makes it cohere better. Avocado slices are damn slippery and never stay in place. (Uh-oh, my neuroses are starting to show. #284: I like a well-behaved sandwich.) Moving on.
This was quite a tasty concoction… Continue reading