Take 2

This cheerful purse was a Christmas gift for my mom, and an improvement over the last one I made. The layer of interfacing makes a world of a difference, and allows it to stand up on its own. For the lining I used Lotta Jansdotter's Echo fabric in Brass Florine. Instead of elastic cord for the closure I sewed a loop out of canvas and pressed it flat to fit snugly. The carved wooden button is from my mom's own collection-- she was happy to see it put to good use!

New & Improved

I paired my special finds from Liberty of London with fabric from Purl Soho, and sewed a nifty shoulder bag that holds just the right amount of things I need-- the things I actually need.

When I was living in Park Slope I bought a very similar bag from Nest, which is sadly no longer there. Jess has the same one. We both were smitten with the illustration on the fabric by Japanese artist Shinzi Katoh. Unfortunately, I hardly ever use mine due to the fact that the handles are white (not very practical for an artist) and there is only one small pocket inside.

So on my version I sewed mutliple pockets into the lining: one for my iPhone, one for my mini planner, one for my keys and the two for a pen & pencil. I added natural colored handles to camouflage day-to-day dirt and to pull out the warm tones in the floral printed lining. Happily, I found a use for the fabric-covered button I picked up in London, though I think a zipper would have been more practical. All in all it has been my favorite new accessory this fall.

Keep Calm and Carry All

Ronak and I got engaged in March and spent the whole month enjoying the afterglow and resisting every urge to start planning. Since then we've been taking everything in stride and have made a lot of progress on the wedding plans.

I'm realizing that being organized is a good way to stay calm throughout the whole process. One of my favorite things to do at this stage is gather inspiration and sketch project ideas. I made a carryall to stash wedding related material and I think it will come in handy when I visit the florist, caterer, dress shop etc... The tote is made of a natural-colored linen and lined with a cheerful geometric voile by Anna Maria Horner.  The webbed cotton handles are super sturdy and an excellent time-saving substitute for handmade ones. For a bit of color on the neutral exterior, I top-stitched the edges with bright yellow thread and sewed on a tomato-red vintage button.

Sewn Salutation

I really enjoy yoga, but sometimes I get lazy and need a jump start to get myself to class.  I too often find excuses why not to go like  1) I'm hungry  2) there's something good on TV or  3) I don't have a tote for my yoga mat and get the skeevies when I think of borrowing one from the studio.

One night last week (instead of going to yoga) I stayed home and sewed a tote for my mat out of red-striped Yuwa fabric and natural cotton cord. Now one of my best excuses has become my favorite reason to go.

Market Run

This time of year any temperature reaching above 50 degrees drives New Yorkers outside, some optimistically wearing flip-flops & shorts.  More vendors noticeably pop up at the the farmer's market selling their bounties, products, and plants-- fooling some into thinking that Spring is officially here...

So on this 60 degree Saturday, I took my newly-finished grocery tote for a test run to the farmer's market. The bag is made of a loose-weave linen and lined with lightweight cotton. I reinforced the handles, and to add a little embellishment (and practice my embroidery skills), I chain-stitched a simple floral motif onto the front side. It passed the test, toting home my lettuce, carrots and potatoes with ease.

To-Go Bag

In between making baby gifts I've been making a few parent gifts as well. I adapted this simple tote design from a Lotta Jansdotter pattern by adding a cotton lining with additional pockets for stowing baby essentials. While it doesn't hold enough to function as an everyday diaper bag, I think it's a perfect bag to hang on the back of the stroller for short outings. My mom had scrounged up this playful wooden button for me from her button stash. I love it, it looks like it fell out of a Miró painting.

The changing pad is a total parental necessity and will come in handy on Rachel & Fab's many outings. I coordinated the pad with the tote and used a steely gray grosgrain ribbon to finish it off. This was my first experience with quilting and I must say I got a little thrill as each square puffed up to provide just the right amount of cushioning.