Zippered Pouches

I have been having fun making these zippered pouches.  It has been a learning process with a few mistakes made.  It is a free online class from Craftsy here.  It is taught by Kristin Link from Sew Mama Sew.

The green one was the first one I made.  The one to the right of it I accidentally cut off the pull tab when trimming and was a good thing I did because it would have been sewed on incorrectly like what happened with the baseball one.  The tab is in the inside, dang.  On the bottom right one I put the pull tab right by the zipper.  Some people may think it doesn't look as nice, but it feels better ergonomically when pulling the zipper open.  I still have to make another one for my nephew so I think I will try putting in two zipper tabs, one on each end of the zipper.

I used up this fabric and put it in the inside for lining.

I think you could make these any size.  One would just have to add 1 inch in measuring fabric to whatever size zipper they are using.  Taking into consideration outside fabric and lining fabric measurements have to be the same.

One thing I do that helps is when trimming up, I lay the three fabrics (back lining, the front with zipper and the back) and trim up everything at once.  I still need to practice sewing in the zipper, but the pouch
comes out good even with imperfections.

Craftsy is so addicting with all the fun classes and talented teachers!

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Woodland Elf

I finally finished my Woodland Elf.  I became a little obsessed in getting her pieced together to see how she would turn out.  I actually made three faces and am was surprised at how different each one looked.  I learned a lot of lessons and will have to jot down some pointers if ever I make her again.

First I would practice with the eyes.  Cannot practice enough in that area.  The hair which was needle felted on I don't even know how to judge my work.  I think this was easier than some other parts like the bead joints.  I made the mistake of making this too tight with string and the top and bottom part of her legs do not hang nicely.

The biggest surprise is her legs.  I'm not sure what I did wrong but I can't fold her in the middle to have her sit. ???  I don't know if I stuffed the top part of her upper leg too much or stitched it too tightly?  I'm going to email Shelly from Ginger Melon and ask how she gets her Woodland Elf to sit?  Only thing I can think of is to stitch her legs from the side.  It was a labor of love and one is not tied to a sewing machine, but I think I am ready to get back on the machine.  (Addition:  The ever gracious Shelly did suggest not stuffing the upper part of her legs by 1/4 inch so she can bend in the middle.)

My Woodland Elf named Melony, in tribute to her creator's blog name, Ginger Melon.

She looks good sitting on my Christmas tree.  You can't even tell she can't bend in the middle.  I hope to post another picture later when I get her crown done.

Now I need to clean up my mess from the kitchen table because Sean's folks are coming to stay tomorrow and I have so much cleaning to do.  I'd rather be playing with fabric.  Balance is good.

Shock, Sadness and Silence

I pray with all my heart for the families in Newtown, CT who have lost a loved one today in such a horrific way.

Face #2

After stitching and stuffing my first face I made for the Woodland Elf, I didn't like it as much as I thought I would.  So, I embroidered another face.

I'm a little nervous about the hair.  I hope I can get the hair to look right.

The snow has been falling and now it does look like the Holidazzle out there!

Safe driving everyone!

Some Gingery Pictures

My Gingermelon's WIP ~ The Woodland Elf

I wanted to make a Woodland Elf exactly like Shelly's at Gingermelon, but my own style won over.  Has that ever happened to you?  My inner artist wants expression and she wanted this Elf to have violet eyes, and so it is.

Audrey & Jamie make Gingerbread Houses in Pre-school.  They had a lot of fun.

Christmas music blaring and the girls endlessly twirling like Dervishes.  Christmas spirit is enjoyed as the month zooms by.

 Wishing you a wonderful Holiday Season!