In a Creating Mood...Vintage Pillowcase Tote Bags

vintage pillowcase tote bag in yummy yellow

another vintage pillowcase tote bag in orange orange

close-up detail of vintage doilies used as front pocket and cottage detailing 

little fabric tabs using modern fabrics

on my mannequin

close-up of vintage doilies and modern trim

modern fabric trim tags and vintage velvet ribbon tag

vintage button details

 I told you I was in a sewing mood...it just takes me awhile to get started.  I LoVe LoVe LoVe fabric...the color, the designs, the textures, the trims.  But, sewing in general kinda makes me get the whillies sometimes because I gotta really "think" about how to do it.  My young summer sewing classes come to mind.  Sewing is a much more time consuming thing for me than jewelry making.  There's a ton more steps...but maybe it's just bc I don't do it as often as I would like.  Maybe if I keep on doing it, I'll get way way faster where I can do "breathe" sewing where it just comes so naturally I don't even think about it. That's the way I do jewelry..."breathe" jewelry making.

Anyhoo, I got an itching to start using my lovely fabrics..both vintage and modern. And the gorgeous trims ribbons buttons and other thingamajiggys that I've collected over the years...they all seem to be giving me that mermaid call.

So, this week, I dragged out my containers of materials and shoe boxes of trims and got "close" to them again.  Inspired, I made these 2 vintage pillowcase tote bags.  I learned the technique from Tif at her Dottie Angel weekend retreat sewing class last September in Seattle WA.  I wear my tote bag I made at Tif's class all the time. And, gals always always stop me and tell me that it's super cute...thanks, I know...oooo, not too modest aren't I?

But, this time, I changed up the design and gave it my own twist...adjusting the Length and added the flip over collar at the top.  I found that the original design from Tif was a bit toooooo long for me.  I'm only 5' 1" and my arms have a hard time digging to the bottom of the long tote.  So, I came up with my own way to shorten it and give me a top cuff to embellish.  Now, I can easily reach into the bottom of the bag and there's still plenty of room.

Love them!  I'm going to make more...and make more things with my fabric.  I'll show you more photos when I'm done.

My Amy Butler "Velma Bag"...My First Sewing Project Completed!

I dusted off my vintage Bernina sewing machine which I LoVe but have ignored for awhile. Inspired by my obsession with Amy Butler prints and purses, I bought this Velma Bag pattern and super cute Amy Butler fabric from a terrific Etsy shop...Fabricsupplies. I wanted to use this cute purse at my nephew's upcoming wedding on Saturday at Kahala Hotel & Resort.

When the fabric and pattern arrived, I was soooo excited. I washed all the fabric, went out and bought everything else I would need, and then started cutting out the pieces. It's been YEARS since I've sewn a pattern and I was a bit nervous that I would screw this up.

Isn't this the Cutest?!

Realizing that I needed to get it done and soon, I carried out my trusty machine and just dove into the project. Before I knew it, it was past 12 midnight and I was almost done. I couldn't believe how simple this pattern was to sew. The instructions are so easy to follow and they have helpful pictures.

My Trusty Vintage Bernina Sewing Machine

I completed the strap this morning, added my vintage looking chartreuse flower brooch to the front as a girly girl touch, and Voila! The purse is complete and ready for me to use. Yayyyy!

For those afraid to start sewing again, here's your manta for this week: "if Stacy can do it, then I can too. "


P.S. Here's the next Amy Butler project I'm going to attack. I bought the same fabric as seen in the photo.

The Next Project