By Vintage Grrl, on May 26th, 2009%
I’ve made the Pink Chalk Studio’s Note Taker (in both the full and half size) before, but I have been meaning to make one for myself for quite some time. So I bit the bullet and decided that I’d like a place for a pen (or two), my small diary and a notepad. So I pulled out my fat quarters, and my fabrics and saw what I had. As it happened that I had three fabrics that were awesome together.
[SinglePic not found]I made a few very small changes to the pattern, mostly cosmetic. First is that I added a bias strip to the top of the ‘paper catcher’ on the left hand side… purely aesthetic. Then I swapped the button & ribbon closure for a magnetic snap’n'flap, just so it’s a bit more sturdy. Lastly, I didn’t use Timtex. In the front at spine areas, I used the Floriani “Stitch’n’shape” which is like Fast2Fuse but much easier to get. In the back I used a piece of Textile Board (available from Tall Poppy Crafts) covered in a very fine wadding fleece (adhered with hemming web). This was just to give me a sturdier ‘resting’ place for when I was writing. And now that I’ve done that once, I would actually do it front ant back next time, as I think the finish is lovely both inside and out.
[SinglePic not found]
So now I can throw it in my handbag and know that I’ve always got a pen, a notepad and my diary with me.
By Vintage Grrl, on May 23rd, 2009%
I went to mum’s today to give her a 1920’s make over. She is attending a ball tonight with a 1920’s theme, so wanted a proper ‘waves’ do. I think I did very well. My mum has very fine hair, so I had to build it up a bit with product.
  
Purdy!
(8:45pm got a phonecall from Mum, she’s the only person at the ball with a ‘proper’ hairdo, everyone else seems to have gone for the bandeau and feathers ‘flapper’ cheat  )
On the way home … I saw THIS..
Beautiful!
By Vintage Grrl, on May 17th, 2009%
I’m on a bit of an apron spree at the moment. I have material to use, and it may not be suitable for a bag or clothing, so an apron is perfect!
I picked up this pattern at a closeout sale of a local quilting store at a bargain price so thought I’d give it a whirl.
It’s $9 US at full price (plus shipping), which doesn’t make it a cheap pattern to start off with.
The cutting instructions are pretty good, and actual paper pattern is minimal, which is fantastic, but a rotary cutter, mat and ruler are essential. The instructions for construction are definitely written for quilters, however, and not garment makers. There were some parts of the instructions that I had to re-read a few times to understand what needed to happen.
Things that I liked about this pattern:-
- Simple construction for the most part
- Lined
- Adjustable without ’sizing’
Things I didn’t like, or would do differently:-
- Pocket isn’t lined
- The pockets are too deep
- The facings would have worked better if they were sewn in as part of the seam, rather than as an addition
I did, this time, line the pocket. I can see how you could embellish this apron to suit any use, or change the pockets etc. I will make it again, that’s for sure, but I will make the following changes next time I do it.
- Line the pockets (like I did this time)
- Make the pockets as 2 seperate pockets slightly out from the centre instead of a single one in the centre
- Sew the facings into the seam
- Widen the sides to come further around the body, and possibly shape out and round it at the bottom, rather than square
- Sew the facings into the seam
All in all, not a bad pattern. Although it is a basic shape, the instructions are not written for beginners, or specifically for garment makers. Quilters will not have any problems with the instructions. I do think, however, for such a basic pattern, it’s a bit over priced, especially with the current exchange rate.
By Vintage Grrl, on May 16th, 2009%
I have finished another Monica Poole “Moonshine Designs” bag!
This is the “Palm Beach Sling”, which is her latest release in the handbag range. It’s a ‘hobo’ style bag, 2 sizes and 2 handle options. I made the smaller bag with the longer handles. But it’s not for me .. I can’t say who it’s for… yet…
I love it, though, and will be making one for myself. except I like my shoulder bags really floppy, so I’ll probably use a light weight interfacing, rather than a Pellon.
  
I love that the inside pockets mirror the outside one. There is also a zipped pocket on the inside ‘back’ area.
WOO!
By Vintage Grrl, on May 14th, 2009%
I saw Angels & Demons last night. Do NOT read on if you don’t want to know…
Continue reading Disphoria … (or, why I hated this movie)
By Vintage Grrl, on May 8th, 2009%
Well, it’s the Moonshine Designs Cafe Latte bag. I originally got the pattern from the Handmade magazine, which came with a DVD of Monica Poole herself. Monica has since released the Cafe Latte as a pattern, and I think it’s a great bag to make for a gift!
It calls for a product called “Fast 2 Fuse” which is a double sided fusable stiffening/interfacing product. Now, at the best of times it’s not easy to get, and when you can, you’re looking at an outlay of around $30 per yard (90ish centimetres). Floriani, however, make “Stitch N Shape” which is a similar product, albeit only 15″ wide (vs F2F’s 28″), you’re looking at spending less than half for one length of the bag… AND it’s the perfect width for the Cafe Latte!
Unfortunately, the pattern calls to make the handles from the F2F as well. But there is another alternative! Having used the Floriani product myself, I didn’t want to cut into a 2nd length for handles, when I could make another bag from it. So what did I do? I used The Vilene Pellon H640, of course! It’s a medium weight single sided iron on synthetic ‘fleece’.
I doubled the width required, and with my straps pressed with 1/4 marks, I placed it dotty side facing up, and then folded the ends in, and brought the raw edges together in the centre of the pellon and ironed so it fused. I then olded it in half lengthwise to hide the raw edges, then stitched 1/4″ from each edge and then down the centre. This gave my handles enough strength to ‘match’ the bag, but is still soft and paddy (which I prefer in my handles).
I also added an extra pocket on the inside, and bag feet (available from Tall Poppy Craft). Inside is also a Pellon’ed case for my bag base (when it arrives).
Basically, means I can buy a cheaper product (which is still fabulous) and get my bag! I usually have a stash of H640 (I enjoy making bags) so that’s no issue there either. The Vilene Pellon is available through most fabric places, including Spotlight and quilting specialty stores.
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Housekeeping I've just merged my two blogs.. so things are still being sorted out.. I thank you for your patience :D
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