Sunflowers Anyone?

When I saw this fabric, I was incredibly IN LOVE with it! And I’m not an orange person at all. The colors and design were exactly what I was looking for at our local Calico House. And talk about service, they are incredible there.

So here’s what’s on the block next. All supplies are at the ready and the lightweight interfacings have been applied.

Gorgeous sunflowers, just waiting for a little sewing action. Aren't these colors magnificent?

I need two more zippers, but I’m not too worried about it. They’ll pop up somewhere. So next is the embroidering of the TygerLily name and the Goodies word on the ditty bag.

Grateful to have a little geometry under my belt, and a fantastic sewing machine to do all the work. Happy crafting!

Mar 4 2012

Life and Times of a Custom Designed Knitting Bag

I’ve had you all wondering what was next on the plate, and today I was able to complete something we wanted to give my sister for all she and her hubby have done for us. (You know what all you’ve done, seeesta.) It might have been a couple years now, but she wanted a black/white/red handbag, small enough for running errands, etc. I couldn’t pull it off. What I had created was a disaster and I wouldn’t let her have it. So her birthday rolls around last month and she was awesome enough to show me some knitting carry-all bags she’d been looking at on-line. I asked her to stop looking. This is what Team TygerLily has designed specifically for her……

The beginning - putting a zippered vinyl pocket on the front so she can SEE what she's got - like maybe lists, patterns, candy bars.....

The rest of the bag's outside pieces, all pocketed up and ready to make into the coolest bag yet.

Outside of bag all put together with its bottom which came out, can we say PERFECTLY! Boy did I need that today. See the little bling bling that got put on as a zipper pull? That's cuz I love my sis.

Innards - lots and lots of innards. Pockets, zipper, pleats, gathers..... and yes, elastic.

Just a shot of the inside outer layer - first time incorporating buckram - it's AWESOME!!

Lining all put together, ready for the grand marriage of tough outside and demure interior.

All done - ready for it's final stay stitching around the top. Look how pretty it stands all on its own - now THAT's what I'm talking about.

Just another angle.

I can't find any candy bar in that see through pocket! Hmmm

Showing off with my BC's in that empty front pocket. Yep, Bill's back there cooking or something. If I had Kool-Aid packets, I'd stick a few in there for her.

It's back side - full of gathered pockets for smaller things like wallets or maybe even a candy bar.

I hope it’s not too big, but I know it will hold two knitting projects of hers at one time. No more shoe box caddies or ziploc bags for my sister. And if she doesn’t like it, hmmm, well, she’s going to get it anyway. What she does with it afterwards is up to her.

I truly enjoyed this project from the bottom of my heart – all the way from it’s heavy outdoor fabric outside to the light and cheerful cotton fabric on the inside. But especially because it’s going to one of my biggest fans and someone who never ceases to amaze me at her encouragement and huge heart.

We love you DONNA and JULIAN! Maybe Julian can keep something of his in the bag, too. Like a lure? paperback? candy bar?

Mar 4 2012

Nature Dreams Journal – Completed Design

One more swatch needed to get itself out of the sewing area before I start another project from scratch. So the turquoise wool swatch was nabbed and sewn up. This is knitted in Brown Sheep wool in absolutely the best tone of blue/green around. Here is the process this morning (after gathering all the materials together).

Materials laid out, cut and assembly started (it morphed as it went along - believe me)

Swatch laid upside down to sew to the length of cotton fabric - to be flipped over and have a neat spine at the center.

Swatch flipped over and stitched to base fabric - don't want any movement going on here.

Pockets were put in, one on the right to hold a journal, notebook or sketch pad. And one on the left bottom to hold pens, pencils, art items - or a candy bar.

Not a good project to put my embroidered TygerLily name on, so the suede logo was the best match. See the clips at the top? Those are holding the turning area together while the super magnificent German glue sets. I placed two heavy duty cardboard pieces into the front and back flaps of the cover - helps with the shaping and writing stability.

Look what was hanging on my supply pegboard!!!! Have to use it somehow.

Finale #1

Finale #2

Finale #3 - Final Bow

This project used some high quality yarns and some awesome 100% cotton fabrics and thread. There is no way to tell you the hours it took, or it’s real value. THAT I will have to think about. I think it would make a terrific Mother’s Day Gift – hey, moms still need to write their hopes and dreams down! What woman doesn’t? It would make a great gratitude journal, too – and keep those colors pencils and pens in the front cover to make it a joyful thing. Think on that one – would love to hear feedback.

I have to admit, it felt incredibly good to get my fingers going on something I truly adore this morning. As mentioned before, this was one rough week on many levels and I was emotionally and mentally fatigued. So glad to have gotten a chance to take the time and enjoy the gifts that God has given me. And thank you for letting me share.

Jan 16 2012

Professional Duo Complete from Repurposed Ladies Jacket

The recycling and redesigning the women’s tapestry jacket was rather difficult, if I were to tell the truth. Even though things look one way in your head, accomplishing that goal can be a whole different chore. But the jacket has now been completely disassembled and reassembled into two useful items. Here is the tapestry jacket’s photo history…….

Sleeves cut away from jacket and splayed for cutting (in previous post)

The completed iPad cover made completely from the sleeves of jacket (in previous post)

Jacket body formed into a tote - items to complete are only laying on body. Handles, magnetic closure, black belting....

Professional tote/iPad cover set - not sure how to set this up to photograph decent.

Complete tote from tapestry jacket showing off its true color outdoors.

I lined it with a gray embroidered satin lining and couldn’t resist to put a final little touch to its closure – a silver leaf. As soon as that went on, it truly had my name on it. Not sure what will happen with this yet as Bill thinks I should be the one to enjoy this one. He’s one of my biggest supporters, but if this could sell and make a couple of bucks, then that’s what we have to do.

Thank you for stopping by and giving this a final look over! One day it may make it into the Etsy store, but until then I’ll enjoy looking at it and thinking of ways to improve on the upcycling and repurposing of the great thrift store finds we have in our possession. Yep, there is a whole tote full of beautiful sweaters, jackets and suit coats to re-fashion.

Happy Monday and happy crafting everyone!