Japanese Knot Bag

To say life has been a little crazy lately would be an understatement.  A few weeks ago a friend told me about a boot camp that she's getting involved in and immediately I realized that is where I wanted to be too.  As much as I have enjoyed Texas Fit Chicks, as a business model it's not great and I have ended up spending money to do it instead of making money.  Yes. It has been an expensive lesson. But thankfully I have learned it quickly and I'm grateful for my friend telling me about the new camp, Camp Gladiator.  So at this point I'm burning the candle at both ends, doing Texas Fit Chicks 3 days a week and Camp Gladiator as often as I can, (sometimes twice a day and on my off days), in between juggling family and church responsibilities.  Not to mention two birthdays and Easter all within a couple of weeks of each other!   So forgive me for not posting more often.  


Anyway I did have some time before all the craziness to make this really cute purse for a birthday gift for one of Kelly's friends. It's called a Japanese Knot Bag and I found the tutorial through Pink Chalk Fabrics, but try as I might I couldn't find the original tutorial, so I will have to make another one and do my own tutorial.  But we all know that probably won't happen for another 6 months! :)  The way it works is you slide the shorter handle down over the taller one and hang the taller one on your hand or wrist.  So cute!  I can't wait to make one for me!

You can't really tell but this is a beautiful royal purple.  I need to do better at my photo-editing skills so you could see the true color.  This was a great project that took me a few hours the morning of the party.  The best part was that I had all the fabric and supplies so it didn't cost me anything!

Don't lose hope for me yet, other posts to follow: Family trip to the Dallas World Aquarium, Kenzie's imaginative play time, Kate's birthday & a few pictures of the guinea pigs.

I just made it and/or Thanks Mom!

(Yes--she's wearing high heels.  She loves being almost as tall as Dad).

I ended up making Kelly's costume for her play.  I just couldn't bring myself to spend exorbitant amounts of money on a dress that was too grown up, hardly modest at all, with no guarantee that it would fit.  So, I bought the material on Friday after work.  I started cutting it out on Sat. afternoon and by Sunday evening here is the finished product.  (She had to turn it in on Monday). I'm relieved it's just a costume because it's not as exact as I would have liked.  

Evidence would suggest that I am a little tired and frazzled from a couple of late nights.  1). Unsecured hair blowing around. 2). Rumpled shirt and sweat pants. 3). What happened to my smile?  It's like only half of my mouth really felt like doing it. 4). Don't even tell me about the bags under my eyes.

Kelly does not wear heels at all.  These are the biggest pair that I have (size 10).  Notice her heel hanging off the back.  When did my little girl grow up so much?!!

(See what I mean about the hair and the half smile?  I seriously needed to go to bed. Kelly was livin' it up being taller than mom.)

All in all, it really wasn't a bad project.  It made me wish that I had more room and better tools.  I also wouldn't mind taking a class on altering patterns.  It took me over 3 hours just to trace and cut out this dress because I wanted to make sure it would fit.  I still don't think I altered the pattern a well as I could have--but I couldn't figure out how else to do it!  I should say that this is the pattern that I used.  However in the interest of time and money I did not do a tulle overlay or line the dress either.  I totally would have if it wasn't    "just a costume," but since it was I just skipped it.  I think the total cost on the dress was about $24, not including the pattern.  Not too bad!!  I got a smokin' deal on the fabric: 4 yards for $18.  Hurray!  That part made the whole thing a little easier.  Kelly's happy.  I'm totally relieved that it's done and it turned out well enough.  I'm excited to see her perform in it.  I am grateful to my mother for teaching me how to sew, as well as spending lots of hours and late nights making things for me so that I could be successful.  I love you mom!

I actually made something this year!

A couple of months ago Kelly needed a great top to wear for a play that she was in--you might remember the pictures that I took of her as Jillian-the sassy store owner.  Well, the plan was that she would wear this amazing top that I made for her.  However, the adage of "measure twice cut once" could apply to sewing as well as construction.  Because I was rushing to get this put together on time and made it a tad too small.  She still could have worn it but she refused!  I know!  I'm still irritated about it. 

The front.  These pictures don't really do the fabulous colors and patterns justice.  I was sorely disappointed when she wouldn't wear it.  I had spent a lot of time putting it together.  Oh well.

The back vew.

One of the parts that I am proud of--the invisible zipper on the side.  Now you see me.

Now you don't.  BTW I put in all of those ruffles.  I didn't have any ruffle attachment, although I really wished that I had one.  The ruffles on this top probably took the most time because you had to sew two rows of basting stitches and then carefully--so carefully pull the bobbin threads to form the gathers/ruffles.  A couple of times I'd be close to finishing and the threads would break and I'd have to take it all apart and redo it--ugh!

Another thing that I was proud of is that I trimmed and zig-zagged all of the seams to create a clean, finished look.  Did I wish everytime that I just had a serger?  Yes!  But it still turned out pretty well.

I also topstitched everything-like you see here on the arm band.  If I wasn't under such a time crunch I would have enjoyed this project a lot more.  That and if Kelly had actually worn it.  Oh well.  I passed it onto a friend of mine who has daughters a little younger than Kelly.  I'm hoping they can enjoy it for a little while.

With summer just a couple of weeks away I'm hoping to find time to sew a little.  I have a list of projects forming in my mind.  I have definitely learned my lesson about double checking measurements and math!  And I think the next things I make will be for me--so no worries about them not being worn and enjoyed!

My Favorite New Year's Resolution

A few of my favorite Christmas Gifts

This year I've set a goal for myself to sew one new article of clothing every month.  I've decided that I'm going to get up early on Saturday mornings, (well, just the same time I wake up during the week).  That way I have a few hours to sew and I don't have to feel guilty that I'm ignoring my family.  That's the plan anyway.  Tomorrow will be the first day to put it into action.  I honestly hope that I have the will power to do it.  Sleeping in tomorrow sounds awfully nice. 

And without further ado....here is the dress I made for Kate before Christmas.

Ta-da!!  O.k. so I took this picture without a flash.  I'm not sure if it does the colors justice, so here it is again with the flash on.

Without Flash

These details I'm proud to day are my own personal details.  All in all it's a great simple pattern, I just thought it needed a kick and when I saw these ribbons I knew I had to use them on this pattern.

With Flash

I'm not sure if she likes the dress as much as she likes posing for pictures.  And I think that when you have a pleated skirt it's hard not to twirl.  I have all the stuff to make a matching jumper for Kenzie.  That is what I will be working on tomorrow.  It's funny because I will be using the exact same size pattern for both girls--I just had to add about 6 1/2 inches in the length for Kate--my skinny mini.  I'm really looking forward to working on this goal.  Be looking for future sewing posts.  I will also try to post some tips etc. that I discover along the way. 

What is your favorite resolution/goal this year?