A real purse!

My first little Buttercup Bag is almost complete.

Look how cute it is turned right side out!

It is finally not so pink, so my fabric choice for my test run is definitely paying off.

Once I stitched the lining and exterior together and turned it right side out I started to wonder - why didn't I tack these pieces together so the lining doesn't shift? It may not be a big deal based on the size of the bag, but will probably end up on my to do list for the next one I make.

The other thing I noticed is the strap. Since it is the last step you will be able to see it attached inside the bag. That bothers me a bit. After all my effort making the bag I would really like more professional looking results.

So another item for my to do list for the next bag - attach the shoulder strap in the process of sewing the lining and exterior together.

But look how cute the bag is! Like a real purse - and I made it! Well, almost, I still have to make and attach the shoulder strap, but I am really liking this bag!

A great little bag

My little Buttercup Bag is coming along so nicely!

Here are the interior and exterior pieces ready to be sewn together. Yes, I am a pin fanatic. I think I over pin because I am so worried about seems lining up nicely and maintaining the shape of things.

You work so hard cutting them out precisely and joining that I get a little pin crazy trying to get the best end results possible.

I have to say I think all my pinning paid off. Fitting the lining and exterior together was a breeze!

Any my machine didn't care one bit about all those pins. Just whizzed over them like nothing!

A little more sewing tonight and tomorrow you should get to see something that looks like a real bag!

The Buttercup Bag is coming together!

This bag seems to be taking me forever! But in reality it has been so quick to cut and each step has been rewarding.

Sometimes you sew and the steps don't really make sense, but you follow the pattern hoping for the best. This bag isn't like that at all. Each step has great diagrams and the instructions are just fantastic.

Here are the interfacing and snaps attached to the lining. Next time I will probably use a heavier fabric or use a light weight interfacing on the entire lining. I really like the results I get when I use the Inspira Light and Soft Fuse on stabilizer as an interfacing.

Shaping the lower portion of the exterior of the bag was super simple. Just mark the pleats from the pattern, pin them, and run a few stitches to hold them in place. I'm not sure if it was the size of the pleats, the quantity, or the size of the bag, but making these pleats was easier than any other pattern I have EVER made. Hands down, if you avoid darts or pleats, don't worry about them with this pattern.

I also have to tell you that in the process of making this bag I have found yet another super feature on my Topaz 30. It is this little button with a pair of scissors on it. This little CUT function was so easy and such a time saver. I can not tell you how much I am going to use it when I quilt!

Once the pleats are in place on the lower portion of the bag, the upper portion of the bags is attached. Then that is topstitched and you magically have shaped the exterior of the bag.

From the way this bag is coming together I have to tell you I see more on my to do list in the future!

Sew something!

In the category of good news, my little Buttercup Bag is progressing. And even though it is still slightly pink I am pretty happy with my fabric choice.

The interior and exterior are cut, all that is left is the strap and hopefully I will get to that tonight. It seems like I have been planning and cutting forever and haven't been at my machine in days. I just need to get through this phase and find enough time to make a real dent in this bag. I can't wait to sew something!

In slightly related news ... do you ever have fabric guilt? You picked it out, you either had the perfect project in mind or you stashed it away, then when it is time to use it - you don't want to cut the fabric.

If you cut it, all the potential projects are gone. You are committed to making this one thing with it.

So I finally cut the exterior pieces of my first Buttercup Bag and my scraps still had some of the little flowery shapes intact. I looked at them, and couldn't throw them away! They looked so sad. All their potential was headed straight to the trash can! So I fussy cut them. And saved them.

You may see those little flowers again. Maybe I could use them to practice my applique skills? Try a little raw edge applique on a hoodie for my girl. Or I know my Topaz 30 has three different basic satin stitches and then four different shaped or scalloped ones. Practice makes perfect and machine applique is definitely a technique I would like use in the future.

Progress is good?

The lining for the buttercup bag is cut and I started another bead crochet bracelet!

But I am sensing a theme .... pink.

The bag is beginning to look like neopolitan ice cream. And the bracelet which is size 6 raspberry lined clear seed beads and 4mm raspberry lined blue cubes is looking a little Barbie pink to me.

I will continue working on both, and keep you posted on their pinkness and general progress.

Weekends are wonderful

After fretting last week about so much to do and so little time, I had a most lovely weekend!

Saturday was spent anchoring out on the north side of Kelley's Island. There is a fantastic public beach set in a lovely little cove. The day was spent enjoying the sunshine and blue sky with friends and family.

Beyond the relaxing, I accomplished sew much! Forgive the pun, but it really is true.

Remember the Sew, Mama, Sew Summer Skirt Sew-Along? The skirt now has side seams! And it gets better. I got to test drive the Sewing Advisor on my Husqvarna Viking Topaz 30. It rocked. No dials, no playing around with the tension, I literally with the press of a button told the machine what kind of fabric I was using and my stitch length, tension, everything - set for me!




The Buttercup Bag, from Made by Rae? Pattern printed, cut out and fabric selected! I rummaged through my stash and found two coordinating prints that have more than a fat quarter a piece.



And the fun doesn't stop there. The other item on my to-do list, the Pool Robe? Towel located with coordinating scrap fabric for the bias tape and sash!



The fun doesn't stop there. I even whipped up some earrings for myself to start the week off with some sparkle. A little sterling silver chain, two odd pearls and a pair of amethyst briolettes and I have a little present for me!



Now I have three projects going at once, but I'm not as worried about Summer slipping by!