craftgrrl | sewing 101... I hope this works. (Reply)

I got a sewing machine!!! I've spent the last week and a half teaching myself how to use it.

WARNING: SEVERAL PHOTOS BEHIND CUT! (That is... If I figured out how to link them correctly.)

These are basically the first things I made. I took $.99 tie-dyed bandannas from Hobby Lobby and used stretchy, soft neutrals (sage, cream) on the flipside.

Thought I'd add a close up of each individual one. I think this one is my favorite. They're all really nice and soft.

And another close up. Oh, the dimensions are app. 19" by 19".

And the final one. My total cost for the pillows was probably... $12. I've been collecting the fabrics for a long time.

This is the first purse I made... cut up another bandanna from Hobby Lobby, lined it with pink polka dotted fabric, and got the handles from an old, crappy tote. It's simple, and the stitching is crazy at the top, but it still holds stuff. Specs: 8 3/4" tall, 10" wide.

This... haha. I tried the awesome Jordy tutorial from Craftster, but used a really thin pink lining that ripped when I tried to pull everything back out...

I learned not to use felt as interfacing if your material is see-through. I stared at this piece of crap so long, I had to throw it down in disgust when I realized the pink color reminded me of bologna. Size: a very impractical 4" by 8".

I made this from a thrift shop sweat shirt... obviously, it's not done yet. I haven't decided how I want to line it. It makes me a little sad the way it just sits there, without a lining, without straps, without every day use and love... (8" by 12")

I tried the Jordy tutorial again, this time leaving out interfacing and using a simple cotton cherry print as the lining and stretchy polyester as the outside... the stretch has been sort of annoying, as was sewing the lining inside out and having to tear out all the stitches and do it again, but it was worth it... it's pretty practical, esp. since I added a cute little pocket. (A roomy 8" by 12")

Ooooooh.... pocketses, my precious.

And finally...... what I have spent at least 8 hours of the past 24 working on...

I love love love this purse. I finally seemed to get the Jordy tutorial correct... I used nice, heavier cotton (I believe... they were all remnants...) for both interior and exterior. I kept messing up, and some of this was just plain hard. (Those ribbons are incredibly narrow.) but, I think this purse is beautiful! (I have been wanting to use buttons forever!)

I took the time to add velco, so it actually closes, and the cute little red polka dotted pocket. (A dainty 6" by 8")

Thank you so much for checking this out!!

I will feel stupid if a.) the pics don't work and b.) " doesn't mean an inch...