Wednesday, December 7, 2016

NYC Visit- Part 1 (The High Line)

Two of my daughters and I...

...spent Thanksgiving weekend in New York City. 


                                       We enjoyed a glorious Autumn morning...

                                                 ...walking atop the High Line...



         ...an 'urban promenade' built on an elevated section of a disused railroad line.



                    The lush plantings are inspired by the self-seeded landscape...



                         ...that grew on the tracks during the intervening years...

                                             ...after the trains stopped running...



                                ...and the views of the city from the former tracks...



                                      ...are filled with both architectural delights...


                                                        ...and natural ones.






                                            My darling daughters, en plein air! :)



                      Contemporary (and often controversial) art adorns the space...



                         ...and the High Line ends directly in front of our second stop...



                                                     ...the Whitney Museum!



                                           Next time: incredible American art.

Monday, December 5, 2016

Re-Purposed 'Skirt Totes'- Part 4

By now...


                                         ...you probably already 'know the drill'. ;)



                                    The lining is fashioned and sewn to the bag...



                                                      ...then tucked inside...



                                                           ...and top-stitched...


                                     
                                                 ...and the straps are added.



                                             Because the tote was once a skirt...



                                ...the extant pockets (some with velcro closures)...

                                                         ...are pretty handy...



                                            ...for securely holding cash, tissues...



                                             ...or foam earplugs (on long flights).



                                           The three 'Skirt Totes' (back sides)...



                                                           ...and fronts!



Saturday, December 3, 2016

Re-Purposed 'Skirt Totes'- Part 3

As with my earlier project...

 ...I trim off the skirt waistband...


                                                      ...and fashion a lining...



                                         ...from a cheerful piece of cotton fabric.



                                   Squaring off the bottoms of the bag and lining...



                                             ...and pinning the two together...

                                                  ...in preparation for sewing.



                                            Painters' tape is used for marking...

                                ...and the straps are clipped into place for stitching.



                                                     The finished tote (back)...



                                                              ...and front...



                                                     ...with its festive lining...



                                                       ...(here in close-up)!



                               Because this bag is to be used as an 'airplane tote'...



                                                     ...I add a zipper panel...



                                                       ...for extra security.



                                        Next time: the third and final (green) one!

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Re-Purposed 'Skirt Totes'- Part 2

Turning the project...


                                                           ...right-side out...



                                           ...and tucking the lining into the bag...

                                ...prior to top-stitching around the mouth of the tote.



                             Choosing a coordinating color of leather for the straps...



                                      ...and fashioning them, using a rotary cutter.



                               Stitching the straps in half along most of their length...



                                              ...and then splaying out the ends...



                                                          ...for attachment.

                                           (This process is repeated on side two.)



                                                 The finished bag (back side)...



                                  ...displaying its whimsical double gauze lining...



                                              ...and the front side with key ring...

                                            ...(formerly, part of the skirt closure).



                                                 Next time: I start a blue one! :)