Sunday, October 25, 2015

Making a shoulder bag that converts to a back pack

Still for sale:

First I have to mention that my Janome 1600P and Super Quilter frame have not sold yet.  I'll take the frame apart and bring everything downstairs next weekend.  In January I'll put it up on eBay.  It would have been nice to have a quilter try it before buying to make sure it suit their needs.  On eBay you take your chances.

The Bag:

Now on to the fun stuff.  I've been back in the sewing room!  This time I "shopped" from some boxes of fabric that were gifted to me.  Most of the fabric went to volunteer sewing but a few pieces were kept. 

This is a "prototype" and I made every mistake possible.  But it does convert from shoulder bag to a back pack.  And it matches two of my fall jackets.  So it will get used.  A larger one will be made using metal rings instead of fabric ones soon.  The metal rings will allow the fabric straps to pull through easier.  The cloth rings grab the straps making it a tad more difficult to switch from shoulder to pack.

Here's the finished shoulder bag:





This next photo shows how the straps are sewn so the bag can convert from shoulder bag to back pack.  Attach strap to bottom right, run through loop at top right, attach to top left.  Then attach a strap to bottom left loop, run through top left loop and attach to top right loop.  Like this:



To use as a back pack:  pull the straps that run along the side of the back out, so the portion of strap across the top come together to create the back pack.

The "prototype" bag has two pockets on front and back.  There are two pockets inside.  The top is enclosed with a zipper.

Now back to the sewing room to make one that is a bit bigger, with metal rings, and more zippered pockets to keep everything secure.

Monday, October 19, 2015

Walt Disney World Trip Again - what's been made so far for the trip

Basically I'm cheap.  So spending $30 to $45 on a souvenir shirt will seldom happen.  But they are so cute and it's fun to dress up to get into the theme of the Parks when on vacation. 

So take some on sale for $7 - $10 T-Shirts and sweatshirts.  Add some embroidery using the machine I already have and here's the results:



Minnie floating around on a tube is on a over large sweatshirt.  Should keep me warm on cooler evenings if necessary and doubles as a swim suit cover up.  We usually head to the pools in the evenings. It gets chilly on the walk back to our room when we are wet.  Double duty means less to pack.

What else have I cheaped out on (oops, isn't the current trendy word "hack")?  One of the most recent items the Walt Disney World Stores have been selling are the watches that slip over Magic Bands.  Not exactly in-expensive!  So, with a purchase of 40 hair elastics (no metal on these) for $1 at the dollar store, an old Minnie Mouse watch and....

With a crochet hook pull some of the elastic band through between the watch pin and watch.  Repeat on opposite side.  With the elastic band attached add the Magic Band:

Total cost $1.  Disney provides the Magic Band when you are a resort guest.  The watch was purchased years ago and has been sitting in the drawer.  It didn't owe me anything so I'm counting it as a freebie.
Fortunately I know a little girl who can use the extra 39 hair elastics.


Thursday, October 15, 2015

My first frame/machine set up

In 2005 I purchased a Janome 1600P with a Super Quilter frame.  This unit worked great for smaller quilts.  Baby quilts, lap quilts, and wall hangings.  If I used very thin bat a twin size quilt could be managed. 

There are two issues with this set up.  The first was that I could not figure out a way to get a 12' table or board home.  This would enabled the use the of the extension rods, making quilting a double or queen size quilt a breeze.

One of the deciding factors for getting my Bailey and Grace frame was that they were delivered to the house.  No trying to find someone with a large vehicle to help get it home. 

The other issue is that with the pick up bar and the Janome throat of 9"  I could only use a very small quilting pattern. 

I now realize that this should have been viewed as a blessing.  It should have made me choose more intricate smaller designs.  But by the time I get to the quilting, I'm ready for the quilt to have it's binding added and done.  Piecing is the part of quilting that I enjoy.  So instead of looking at the smaller quilting space as a way to improve the end result, I looked at it as slowing the completion of the quilt.

The Super Quilter and the Janome 1600P is now set up in my living room.  This weekend it will be put up for sale on Kijji.  It will be sad to see it go.  The Super Quilter frame sets up in 10 minutes and goes down in less than 5.  Stores flat.  Takes up very little room for storage.  But I'm not using it.  Time to let it go along with the machine.  Time to let someone else experience quilting without having to worry about the basting process.