Handworks Crochet and then Some!

I made these a few weeks ago... but forgot to take pics and post... 2 more interchangeable handbags from the Ellen Medlock pattern.... this first one is made from some really soft leather that used to be the Bald Man's jacket. Its cuter as my purse! The polka dot fabric is from my mom. The second bag is made from some table cloth/straw like fabric... for some reason it was in my fabric stash... which worked out perfect because Chanel did alot of handbags this spring with a basket straw look that I wanted to add to my handbag collection. I embroidered the flower appliques with my Pfaff, added a hot fix pearl to the center... the lace is from an old dressy skirt outfit my mom had. Love the lace!! I'm glad I could find something to do with it! I think it gives the purse a slight vintage look. I have lots of lace left over for future projects too! This is a pair of dress pants I bought from Burlington Coat factory for $10. The waist band of the pants actually already had sashiko ...

Whew, we've been busy! Between trying to get my son finished with his home schooling for the year, our little backyard garden project (which I admit The Bald Man has taken over!) going into work at our business twice a week and ofcourse working out like a crazy person... I have still found time to sew... a little... Check out our back yard garden... its coming along!! I saw a tiny squash yesterday... And picked my first batch of lettuce from my deck garden... Here's one of the embroidery projects I did a couple of weeks ago... I couldn't post them till now because they were part of my moms Mothers day present... coffee themed kitchen towels... cute! I fancied them up after the embroidery with some lace... This week I made some of my quilt... here's the fabrics up close... I love mermaids! Its a very simple quilt project... its my first real quilt...a queen size!! I have all the squares sewn together... I have to find something for the borders... then it'll be off ...

So I've been sewing up a storm here! Made 2 shirts last week... one was a button up and it fits!!!! I've not had a button up shirt that fit me since I got implants back in 04!! haha!! and I've been afraid to try and make one... I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get it to fit... but no more!!! There will be many more button ups in my future wardrobe plans!.... more on that when I get a pic of it though... and I'm making a dress this week... also... For now... check out my darling bolero jacket I made last week too,,, pinstripe navy woven fabric that was sent to me by my mothers friend Gloria... and I sashikoed this cool design with the new Babylock,, and top stitched with it. Looks sooo pretty.. just loving that sashiko stitch... I didn't take a good pic of the dress I made it with or a pic of the inside of the jacket... its reversible!!! I love reversible clothes... I used a beautiful brocade my mom gave me for the other side (the brocade actually came from C...

Super long post.... ready??? lol!! Self drafted bolero and Burda top 7742... simple top... made with a purple knit with metallic pinstripes (walmart)... Which would have been fine but... I decided the front pin stripes would look cool if I cover stitched them with some thick metallic decorative threads... it worked nicely and added something special to the top. I also chain stitched on the jacket, then sergered the edge with a metallic thread also. To achieve these looks all you have to do is put your decorative thread in the looper on your cover stitch. On the serger it goes in the upper looper.... Sheila over at sheilazcrochetz asked me about doing a tutorial on the technique but honestly ... if I do I'm afraid I would confuse everyone lol!!! Including myself!! So here's my source for cool serger and cover stitch stuff.... "Serger secrets" the book... easily found on ebay or half.com . I have used many decorative techniques from the this book. The projects in it ar...