The Oregon Coast...and Cats!

I visited my friend, Elizabeth, in Portland last week...

                                 ...and one day, we took a trip to the Oregon coast.

                                      After the miserably hot and humid summer...

                                           ...we've had in Philadelphia this year...

                                           ...I was delighted with the clouds... 

                                                           ...cool winds...

                                                      ...and overcast skies!

                                                 It wasn't all grey, however...

                                            ...for in our few short hours there...

                                                   ...we saw every 'mood'...

                                                             ...and color...

                                                               ...of the sky...

                                                                 ...and sea!

                                      *************************************************
                        Elizabeth's sweet and sassy cats made me feel right at home.

                                                     Here's Jerry Garcia...

                         ...and the grudgingly accommodating 'supermodel' Vassar.

                         ("Now can I please go back to drinking from the faucet?!?)

                                           Next time: Mt Hood National Forest!

Zipper Travel Purse- Part 2 of 2

After sewing across each of the bottom corners...

                                       ...of both the exterior and the lining fabric...

                                               ...'boxed corners' are created.

                                              The bag is turned right-side out...

                ...by pulling the exterior fabric through the partially opened zipper...

                       ...and then through the narrow opening left in the lining fabric.

                                        A bit of silk-screened linen is stitched on...

                                                    ...to form a hanging loop.

                                                   The completed travel purse...

                                            ...with its vibrant and colorful prints...

                                             ...is now ready for it's first outing!! :)

Zipper Travel Purse- Part 1 of 2

For this recent sewing project...

...I used a length of fabric that I've had in my stash for many years...

                                                ...and another bright piece...

                    ...purchased on a mid-week shopping spree while at Felters' Fling.

             Following one of the many online tutorials on zipper pouch construction...

                           ...I stitched one side of the zipper to two pieces of fabric...

                                  ...and repeated the process on the second side...

                           ...then top-stitched the fabric close to the zipper insertion.

             With both lining and exterior fabrics placed with their right sides together...

                                           ...I stitched around the entire project...

                                                  ...(leaving the zipper open...

                     ...and leaving a small opening in the lining fabric, for turning).

                                               Next time: the finished purse!

'Sour Apple Green' Apron- Part 2 of 2

Assembling the needed components...

                       ...and stitching the bias tape to cover the apron's raw edges.

                                              A 'facing' piece covers the area...

                                ...where the straps attach to the body of the apron.

                                            A close-up of the sewn-on bias tape.

                                                   The finished apron (front)...

                                                               ...and back.

'Sour Apple Green' Apron- Part 1 of 2

Cutting out waterproof fabric...

                                            ...using my favorite apron pattern...

                                       ...and stitching the front and sides together.

                                            Cutting patterned fabric on the bias...

                                  ...and reattaching the pieces in a new orientation.

                                            Marking cutting lines on the fabric...

                                               ...pinning the edges together...

                                     ...and stitching the fabric pieces into a 'round'.

                                                Cutting along the marked lines...

                                   ...to form one long piece of continuous bias tape.

                                Next time: I stitch the tape to the raw fabric edges...

                                                  ...and finish the apron!

Embroidered 'Bumpy' Bag- Part 5

Punching small cutouts near the ends of each strap...

...to ease their movement around the felt hanging loops.

                                           Fashioning a leather buttonhole flap.

                                                         A couple of views...

                                                        ...of the bag's texture.

                                  The finished purse with leather strap and closure...

                                     ...and a close-up of its polka dot button.

                 To enliven some of the 'less interesting' areas of the finished bag...

                                           ...I embellish them with French knots... 

                                                      ...and running stitches...

                                                 ...in colorful embroidery thread.