Leather Foldover Clutch

I've had a plan to sew a laptop sleeve for my computer since January when I got it. However, after a failed attempt at a quilted sleeve due to my faulty zipper math, I decided to take a much simpler route. However, my math was off again and the thing was ever so slightly too short and far too wide for my laptop. Are you sensing a theme here?

Luckily for me, the second attempt was salvageable as a fold over clutch. While I have no use for one at this point in my life, it is a good addition to the 'gift box'. Slightly off topic, but this year I've decided to make things that I want to make and let people choose what they want as their gift. Fewer expectations on my part and more enjoyment on the receiver's part...at least that's my hope.

I used a blue-ish gray twill (from Fabric Outlet in SF and leftover from my Minoru Jacket), leather (again from Fabric Outlet), and a vintage cotton print (from a garage sale a LONG time ago).

It is constructed like any other basic zippered pouch, except I used this tutorial to keep the edges neat. I didn't follow it exactly though. Instead of using binding for finishing the inside seams, I just sewed up the sides and left a hole in the bottom to turn everything right-side out. I think ladder stitch is the best for closing up the hole afterwards...it keeps everything neat and invisible.

I added a leather zipper pull to finish it off...I like the something 'extra' it adds.

 

Hope the (eventual) recipient loves it!

// Lauren

P.S. Thanks Courtney for the photography! 

French Terry Grainline Linden Sweatshirt

In January when my new sewing machine arrived, Courtney and I had a sewing weekend. I was able to complete a linen Scout Tee, a linen Tiny Pocket Tank, and a Linden Sweatshirt...all Grainline patterns. Because of MeMadeMay, I got my butt in gear and took some photos (with Courtney's help).

The pattern was extremely easy to sew up because of the raglan sleeve construction. Plus, that makes it extra comfy. I used a french terry that I purchased at Fabric Outlet in SF and made a size 8 so that I would be able to wear a shirt underneath. You never know how if the heat / air conditioning will be on in some of these old Philadelphia buildings.

Anyway, it's a nice loose fit and the perfect length without having to add extra. As someone with a long torso, I appreciate that.

Because I wanted to add a little interest, I sewed the bottom band and cuffs with the wrong side of the fabric showing. I think it makes a (kind of) boring beige sweatshirt a little more fun!

As with all Grainline patterns, I can definitely see myself making more Lindens in the future. I just need to get some appropriate fabric....preferably in a nice neutral gray.

// Lauren

Linen Grainline Scout Tee

While I've had the Scout Tee pattern from Grainline for a couple years, I didn't actually get around to making one until January when my new sewing machine arrived. I've been wearing it since then, but MeMadeMay gave me the push I needed to take pictures and blog about it. 

Funnily enough, Courtney and I visited a historic cemetery to take these photos. Courtney stumbled upon it on a run and discovered it had a running trail around the perimeter within the gated grounds. Since there are always people there running or picnicking, we didn't feel as weird taking pictures there. That being said, we were sure to remain respectful of the graves. 

Anyway, the pattern is super simple. It's just a front and a back, two sleeves, and a strip of bias binding for the neck. I used a nice gray linen for the shirt and navy + white seersucker for the binding.

This shirt is so comfy to wear...especially after a couple of washes. The linen is softening up nicely.

I cut a size 6 but made a couple of alterations. Because I have a long torso (and short legs), I added 2 inches of length to the body and cut the pattern to use the size 12 hem, which was perfect. It looks nice with both shorts and jeans.

As long as the fit was right, I knew this linen Scout Tee would get a lot of wear, so I made sure to put the effort in to finish it right. All the seams are french seams and I took my time on the neck binding. I'm pretty pleased with how nice everything looks.

Jen from Grainline has a couple of useful tutorials, this one for french seaming the inset sleeves and this one for a flat bias binding neckline.

Since I like to wear this with cardigans + jeans in the winter and shorts in the summer, I know there will be several more Scout Tees in my future. I have a long sewing list for this summer when I have some time off from school. 

// Lauren

MeMadeMay | Mid-month Update

So this May I decided to participate in MeMadeMay. Knowing I didn't have enough pieces to wear a handmade garment everyday, my pledge was to wear or work on a handmade garment everyday. So far I've missed quite a few days, but it's teaching me about what I like to wear and the holes I need to fill in my closet.

So far I've really enjoyed wearing the pieces I've made. Because I've made them slowly over time (and with care), I think they really fit in with what I like to wear in terms of style, color, and comfort. I'm excited to keep adding to my handmade wardrobe. Right now I have a couple of pieces I'm working on.

Days 1 - 3 // I worked on new pieces. I cut out a Tova dress and a Tiny Pocket Tee. I'm working on raising the neckline of the Tiny Pocket Tank, so it's taking me a bit longer to sew up. That and I wasn't super into sewing on those days.

May 4 // I wore my linen Scout Tee, RTW shorts, Birkenstock Gizeh sandals, and my handmade bag from last May. 

May 5 // I wore a lace Scout Tee that Courtney made me for Christmas.

May 6 - 9 // There were a lack of clean clothes in my closet and I was super busy with school work so I wasn't able to work on anything.

May 10 // On Mother's Day Courtney and I went to the Art Star Craft Bazaar. I wore my linen Tiny Pocket Tank, RTW shorts, and Birkenstock Gizeh sandals.

May 11 - 12 // More misses.

May 13 // I wore a shirred denim skirt...one of the first handmade garments I made. I paired it with a RTW tank top and Saltwater sandals.

May 14 // I wore I light, sheer-ish white Scout Tee (another Christmas gift from Courtney) and RTW shorts.

May 15 // Courtney and I ventured to a historic cemetery to take finished project pictures. I wore my linen Scout tee again. It looks like I'll be wearing a lot of repeats unless I get sewing.

// Lauren

Handmade Christmas Gifts | 2014

This year I was able to make quite a few Christmas gifts, even with school. I wasn't able to accomplish everything on my list, like Courtney's Christmas sweater, I'm sill happy with the things I did make. They were fun to make and seemed to go over well.

I decided to make Courtney, Marissa, and my Mom Wide Open Zippered Pouches for Christmas, but first I had to pick out fabric. Typically, this is the hardest part of a project for me. Sad, but true! Then comes cutting the fabric, which is almost as bad since I have to pull the cutting mat out and cut fabric on the floor. Oh well!

The pouches come together pretty quickly and very easily, which I appreciate. It's pretty hard to mess up this pattern. The sizing is easy to manipulate, making them very customizable.

I love adding a little leather pull to the zipper. It finishes off the bag nicely.

Because I made a Wide Open Zippered Pouch for Heather for her birthday in November, I decided to make something else for her. I love love love having pouches and bags for every little thing, so I thought she might enjoy a drawstring bag. I used this tutorial which I've used before and enjoyed...also pretty hard to mess up.

The point of the pouches were to add a little something to glass travel cups I was also putting together. I bought glass straws and lids from Simply Straws, paired them with pint and a half jars, and crocheted a cozy.

I made the cozy by crocheting a circle (in a spiral) and then when it was slightly smaller than the base of the jar, single crocheting around and around until it was tall enough. I finished each one off with a simple scalloped border.

They were a useful and hopefully fun gift!

quilted open wide zippered pouch

Now that my grad school applications are submitted and I'm just waiting and waiting and waiting, I've had some more time for fun stuff. Or rather, stuff I want to do. Egged on by the pretty fabrics I saw (and purchased) in San Francisco recently, I decided I wanted to sew a few clothing items. But before I take on anything that needs to fit and flatter, I needed to get my sewing mojo back. So I tackled a smaller, more manageable project aka Noodlehead's Open Wide Zippered Pouch.

The tutorial is very well written and easy to follow. Plus it's a fast project that creates something useful. I'd definitely recommend reading the instructions before you begin. Ask me how I know. 

It literally took me a whole night just to decide on fabrics. I just couldn't decide what looked good. I finally settled on scraps from a quilt I made in 2012. Which incidentally still needs binding. Ahem.

Anyway, I love these colors together, but because they are all solids I thought the bag needed something more. I quilted the back on the diagonal....it's just some cotton batting sandwiched between the outer fabric and some muslin. After quilting the back, I couldn't handle that much quilting again so I only added a bit to the patchwork front. I kinda like the differentiation.

I ended up modifiing the size of the 'Large' so that it was taller. I have plenty of small pouches, so I wanted a project bag for a cowl I am knitting. 14" x 14" pattern pieces ended up working perfectly.

The lining is some Amy Butler fabric I picked up at a fabric warehouse in San Francisco. Not a perfect match color wise, but it's pretty. 

I added a little leather tie to the zipper...it ended up being my favorite part.

See my knitting project? I'm knitting the Chevron Stripe Cowl with Anzula Sebastian on my Dyakcraft needles. Dreamy!

Lauren

final project :: minoru jacket

In order to finish up my art requirement before graduation, I am taking costume construction this quarter. The class requires a final project and the only guideline is that it must be a clothing item that fits you. Perfect for someone like me who is more interested in the sewing and technical aspects rather than the actual theater part.

Anyway, I decided I wanted to make the Minoru Jacket from Sewaholic for myself. Although I have never sewed anything so complicated, I am going try though (and rely on the expertise of my professor). Right now I am still in the planning stages. I just ordered the pattern Sunday night and this weekend C and I are going fabric shopping in San Francisco. Let's hope I find fabric that works! 

Here are some great resources for this pattern: 

+ This is my favorite finished Minoru 

+ Sew-Along from Sewaholic

+ Tutorial for adding side pockets