a little girl make-up bag

This week end, Miss C. went to a really cool birthday party:

a rock climbing party!

Having spent a few years in Boulder, CO,

I understood her joy and excitement!

I made her girlfriend this cute make-up bag

following this tutorial by Noodlehead.

Her directions are easy to follow.

I had already used one of her tutorial to make this purse for my Mom.

I went with a nice lime green, really a "neutral" color!

I used some little girl friendly prints,

everybody loves hedgehogs and mushrooms, right?! 

 and quilted. The lining is an off-white cotton,

perfect for finding treasures inside.

My daughter chose the make-up:

pink lip gloss and pink eye shadow,

perfect for dressing up and pretending!

Happy sewing!



hidden Christmas sewing

A couple weeks ago, I shared a few pictures

of projects that I was keeping secret.

Now I can reveal it all:

-a lunch bag

 I followed Pink penguin tutorial,

as I had previously to make Miss C's school lunch bag.

This time I used linen for the main part of the bag,

3 different Liberty of London print and 1 solid.

I just love the Liberty print with the dancing fruit!

just perfect for a lunch bag!

-a laundry bag

 like the 2 other ones I made previously,

following In Color Order's tutorial.

Instead of using linen as the base, I used this polka dot print from Joann.

- 2 little dumplings

I used this tutorial from Keyka Lou patterns.
It was a fast project, not extremely easy,
especially the first time...

But the second time went a lot faster!
The insides are nicely finished.
I think next time I will add a little tab at the bottom to make it easier to close.

It is just the right size for a little make-up,

or other girly things!

Miss C. was the recipient of the pink one,
after all it matches her quilt!

The 3 others were presents for my sister,
I agree, she is a lucky girl!


Happy sewing!

one more bag

I made another make-up bag!

I know, I know, I need to sew something different,

but they are fun and make great presents!

(here and here for the previous ones!)

As it was my sister's birthday,

I thought she needs a little something extra,

besides her lingerie bag with guys!

A little sweetness with Japanese fabric and hot pink!

Happy sewing!



more make-up bags

Two of my girlfriends are moving away, far away...

well one already left a few days ago.

I made them a little make-up bag,

similar to this one,

as a goodbye present.

I used the same tutorial from Noodlehead.

This time I added a little ruffle, for more texture

and silliness.

And during this transition time, I know they need some silliness!

For the lining, I reused one of cotton of the top

for an added touch of color,
while still keeping the inside light!.

Happy sewing!

how to make a lingerie bag

yesterday I showed you my last year design

on lingerie bag.

Here is this year model:

outside

and here is the inside:

interested?

(I know these guys are too ...., what is the word I am looking for?)

All right here is how I made it.

I started with 2 rectangles of fabric : 14 x 30 inch

the green cotton fabric is a little heavier than a regular cotton,

better for the bag, it holds better its shape without being bulky.

the other fabric is called "all I want for Christmas",

and totally appropriate for a lingerie bag!

I also used a 6.5 x 40 inch of cotton for the shirring on the top,

I folded the fabric in half, right side together, and stitched the long side.

Then I turned it right side out, and ironed it, with the seam in the middle.

 At 1/2 inch from the side (both side), I gathered the fabric with a long stitch.
It took a while to pull the tread and have both side even.
I then pressed it to set it and flattened it, making it easier to sew. 



I pined the gathered fabric to the top fabric,

and stitched over the gathering stitches.

close up of the band

I used a hair elastic for the closure ( a lot of color choices),

I also recovered 2 buttons with the same fabric that I used for the band.

I used 2 pins to mark the place of the elastic.

I cut the elastic in half and stitched it on the top with the raw edges even,

as seen on the pic below.

Then I pinned both rectangles right side together, and stitched around it,

making sure to leave an opening to turn the fabric around.

I like to leave the opening on the side, where I will stitch again.

I then turned everything right side out,

and pressed.



I top stitched around the entire rectangle, closing the open seam.



I folded the fabric in an uneven 1/3 so that the top is a little shorter.
I stitched both side on the previous top stitch, forming the bottom of the bag.

I closed the bag, and marked where to sew the buttons.



I hand sewed them through both layers, less easy than if done earlier,
but sturdier!

And here is the complete project!

Then add your unmentionables,

these guys will take good care of them!



Of course you could use linen and a old corset image to give it a vintage look,

and probably no boys inside!

You can also totally change the size and make it yours.

Happy sewing!

Newer version: here and here!



a simple shoe bag

 My sister's Birthday was a few days ago,
and as usual I sewed her something for all of her travels.
This year new addition: 2 shoe bags.

here is the high heel version

and here is the sneaker version, together they are perfect for traveling,

keeping everything nice and organized.

Previously I made her 2 different versions of lingerie bags (here and here),
2 different versions of make-up bags (here and here)
and a laundry bag.

Let's not forget the lunch bag, the little basket and the little dumpling!
What can I say, I like sewing for my little sister!
and she likes my stuff, a perfect world...

And considering what she did for me this week end,
I feel like I will be owing her:
She picked up the perfect Christmas present for me
and got it signed, here is the proof:

I will get John and Sherry's book!
She spent hours waiting in line for me,
yep I am a lucky girl.

Bon anniversaire, ma soeur!