Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Not Quilts - Gasp!!

This last few days I've been working on a few projects that are not quilts. Not even approaching quilts! I know!

Last Christmas I won a prize on the Sew Mama Sew giveaways. It was 2 yards of Heather Ross fabric in the Mendecino print. How excited was I! My first plan, and I said this in the prize draw, was to make a skirt for one of my GDs. There are 2 GDs however, and on more thought I nixed the idea.

There the fabric stayed, while I waited for a project worthy of my prize. Last week I thought of it, a new shower curtain! The one I had didn't match my colours, more of a make-do really. So I set to work measuring, and realized that a shower curtain is approximately 4 yards of fabric. No problem, off to the fabric store, where I found a perfect match that didn't overwhelm my lovely print, and it was on sale! Meant to be, obviously! Hours later of cutting and measuring, I sewed it together, with French seams everywhere, no raw edges for me! Luckily my sewing machine does a buttonhole that is so automatic, I hardly have to be there. It took more time to mark where they would go! And here it is, I'm so excited, every time I see it, it makes me smile!! ( I know, I'm overdoing the exclamation marks, put it down to too much caffeine.)


My other project has just been finished, and I can't wait to share!
A bit of background: I'm going on a short trip in 2 weeks, and another in April, lucky me! I decided I really want a tote to keep everything organized, but I could not find a pattern that worked for my requirements: has to be large, stay on my shoulder, look at least slightly stylish, have several zipped pockets, and have a recessed zip at the top. It seemed impossible to find all these in one, so I decided to modify a pattern to suit. The pattern I chose is the Nikki tote. The only thing it lacked was the zips. So I read tutorials for how to insert zippered pockets and how to put in a recessed zipper. Great tutorials both, but the recessed zipper in my situation was a little different and caused me quite a few groans and gritted teeth.

Here's the result, and I'm delighted that it has turned out better than I had hoped!

Here's a shot of the lining

the zips are set quite high in the body, just behind the edge of the zip there, I'll spare you the picture.

Here is the recessed zip closed:


Linking to everywhere I can find, no not really, but I am so happy with my sewing this week!







Linking to Finish it up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts.






Till next time,

Sue

17 comments:

  1. So! Freakin! Awesome! lol That tote is perfect, great job and the shower curtain is fab too! :-)

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  2. Your shower curtain is wonderful, love the remark about the caffine...it's my mainstay! What a neat tote! I have never in all my sewing done a recessed zipper so I'm going to have to check that out! Thanks for the link to it!
    Quilting by the River

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  3. I love the sunshine yellow shower curtain..that'd make me smile, too...that and David Beckham. Happy stitching!

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  4. 2 great makes there, love that idea for a shower curtain

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  5. Wow! Your shower curtain is wonderful. I also love that you added a recessed zip in your Nikki tote. I have made two and just used a magnetic closure. Maybe a third is in my future!

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  6. that is one pretty bag, congrats of the zipper too :)

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  7. Wow great work! I really love that fabric for a shower curtain--perfect! Also, I tend to over exclaim a lot too. I'm always just so excieted, and my fingers tend to go towards the exclamation mark more than the period.

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  8. Love the bag, the recessed zip is great.

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  9. Great shower curtain..love the fabrics! The bag is great (I prefer zippers in my bags..will have to give it a try one day). TFS
    ~Terry~

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  10. Great shower curtain, that Heather Ross fabric is one of my favourites!

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  11. Congrats on winning that Mendecino fabric. It's perfect for a shower curtain. Doesn't it feel good to make something that is not only cute, but practical?!? The same goes for your tote. It came out really nice. Enjoy your trips!

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  12. I don't think it would even occur to me to sew a shower curtain! You go!

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  13. Jealous of that fab shower curtain! What a great use of that fabric.

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  14. Wow!! A shower curtain AND a new bag. Great job adding a zipper. I just love them both.

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  15. I know this is a while back - but wow! I love the shower curtain! A perfect use for the Heather Ross and I'm impressed by the french seams!

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  16. Great job with all the zippers!!! Love the shape of the bag and I especially love the look of the handles joining the bag.

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Thanks for commenting. I love hearing from you. Really!