Rainbows Be Done

Very close to two years ago I took all my scrap fabric and made crazy blocks in every color of the rainbow. It was a great exercise in creating crazy blocks, but not so much in thinking projects through. Once I had these blocks they weren't what I thought they would be. I envisioned a rainbow quilt, but it just didn't seem right.

Then I thought bags in every color would be great. Then purses.

Then I wanted to burn them all and just be rid of them. So slowly, every so slowly I've finally gone through all of the blocks and this is what came of it all.

1 bag

7 purses

7 color baby books

2 baby blankets

 

I learned a lot. Now who wants to buy something and help me empty my inventory so I can start all over again. =)

New Items in the Shop

The entire collection of rainbow purses are up in the Seamingly Sarah shop.

Take a look!

Purse Rainbow

The rainbow blocks rear their crazy heads again!

I had created each of these blocks when my scrap pile started to dwindle and I needed to use up the very tiny pieces left. I ended up making one in each color and was going to make either a quilt or a set of placemats from these. Then I laid them all out and saw that the blue block's diagonal stripe went the wrong way. Ugh! I BRIEFLY contemplated tearing out the stitches and fixing it. Then I threw the whole pile back in my overflowing bin and closed the lid (or at least tried to close the lid).

A little while later I saw one of the blocks folded in half and it looked like the perfect purse. Yeah! Problem solved and now back tracking on my sewing. So I got some zippers and interfacing and finally faced my fears of purses and interfacing. I learned a few things and still NEED to learn more. But here they are and if I do say so myself, they look pretty darn cute!

I hope to have these in the Seamingly Sarah shop as soon as I find a minute to photograph them during daylight hours (rare in the winter). Stay tuned...

Christmas Time...

Good news

I finished 6 purses, one for each color of the rainbow

(stay tuned for photos after I charge my camera's battery)

Bad news

The belated wedding gift/quilt is not finished (who was I kidding?)

Good news

The christmas tree and sewing machine are peacefully coexisting while I prick myself with pins

(again stay tuned for photos)

Time to Hunker Down

I've got 5 rainbow blocks waiting to become purses, a few more flower hair clips to finish and a belated wedding gift to finish by this weekend. I'll be speeding along so that my sewing area can be packed up in time for the Christmas tree to move in. And then I will spend time reveling in Christmas and all that is winter. Wish me luck...

Tackling the World of Purses

Well I finally bit the bullet and bought some interfacing at JoAnn's. Days later I finally took the interfacing out of my car and brought it inside. Yet several more days later I finally used it! My daughter had this skirt passed down to her and it never fit right. It fell right off her flat bottom and down around her knees. The elastic in the waist was shot and instead of fix it for her, I thought it'd make a much nicer purse.

Isn't it cute?

I think so.

 Just look at that rear pocket with the button!

And with the interfacing and flat bottom it can actually stand up on it's own.

Now on to documenting the major pains in the butt I experienced:

I made this up as I went along. The 2nd purse I did followed a little more of a pattern, but still caused me to sew things on backwards at least twice!!!

Repurposing clothing into other objects is less than ideal compared to cutting from a single piece of cloth. Pre-existing hems, seams and liners are a pain.

I'm getting better at zippers, but we are still not bosom buddies.

Note the less than perfect finish to the zipper on one end.

But hey, I'm doing it! One purse at a time.

Calling Anyone Who's Ever Owned A Purse...

I don't own purses.

Okay, scratch that. I own two purses and both are in my daughter's dress up box right now. She puts them over both her shoulders and pretends to be me and go to work. Then she comes "home" and gives me a kiss. I love her.

Side note over.

To clarify I do not USE purses. I have all these rainbow blocks and one set is begging to be turned into purses, or maybe the right term is a clutch? But what do you as the consumer and daily purse user like in a purse? Do you want a wrist strap or a shoulder strap? Zippers or snaps? Interior pockets? With a bottom so it stands up? Stiff with some structure or floppy? I'm lost.

Help a girl out and leave a comment.

I'm in Love

The internet was down. I had finished my book. There was nothing good on TV. With all this free time on my hands (i.e. no more excuses) I sat down and finally tackled something that has been scaring me. Do you remember this post? Even after I was inspired to make it into a purse, I was intimidated to try something new, especially since a zipper was involved. But I faced that fear and I love it! I love it! I love it! I love it!

Yes the seams aren't perfect. Yes the zipper needs work (next time). But I love it and I'm going to make more. That is a declaration and a promise. Right after I finish up a project that will debut later this week.