Grommets: Not as easy at it seems

Okay, I was hoping to complete my grommet bag by the end of the weekend....I have decided to scrap the whole thing and start over...maybe I should actually get a pattern??? Just a thought. After wasting half of the package of grommets, I figured out how to install them in the bag fabric edges, sort of. I then continued sewing the bag. By the way, I used thick sew in fleece interfacing for the first time. I sewed the velcro pieces on the outside of the bag fabric as well as on the underside of the flap fabric. I basted (I never do this) the flap to the bag and made sure the velcro lined up...it did. Yeah. Then, when I pinned the lining and the outer bag together, I realized the biggie...I didn't insert the grommets into the lining...just the outer bag and interfacing!!! What the **@!

As promised in an earlier post, however, I did complete Nancy's adjustable straps using fabric slides. I watched the video again and I successfully made adjustable straps. Since this was basically for practice since I have now decided against the bag, I didn't freak out when I realized that I followed Nancy's instructions too closely. 36" strips turn out to be 18" straps when they are done. This is way too short. Well, I've got the concept down now, so I should be able to make them whatever size I want. I've posted some photos. I will definitely try this one again on another bag.

On a happy note, I managed to sneak into my fave fabric store today. I picked up the most delicious yard. I've been eyeing this Anna Maria Horner fabric ever since I first saw it. I have no idea what I will make with it, but it doesn't matter. I just love it. I posted a photo of it. It is from Drawing Room. Isn't is gorgeous?

On another note...I want to apologize to my daughter. I'm sorry. I'm really going to try not to be such a helicopter mom...this time I mean it. I love you.

A.

Fuzzy Glow

I'll tell you that the life of a superhero really takes a toll. I happened to catch a glimpse in the mirror as I passed by one this morning and noticed that I have a permanent scowl (not sure if that is the right word) on my face. Mostly my eyebrows, I guess, appear to be squished inward in the middle...like I'm mad. Why can't those who desire it, walk around with that fuzzy glow that always appears over her face when Diane Sawyer is on television? Just something to think about.

I started on my swivel hook bag last night. I cut out fabric for the exterior, lining and flap. I created an applique in the shape of an elephant and affixed it to the flap, but then all went to hell when I decided to quilt the whole flap. Really? What was I thinking? After many expletives were spoken aloud, I trashed the entire flap. I will begin again tonight and hopefully finish by the end of the week. In the meantime, I have posted a few photos of the fabric, elephant applique (pre- trash bin), and also a new "label" I created for my creations.

Angela

P.S. I hope Crystal Bowersox stays on American Idol for a long time. She's my fave.

The Cutting Lady

The weekend is for relaxing and doing things you want...like sew right? Well, I decided to go out and buy some swivel hooks to use on my next bag. Back story: I bought a grommet tool set a few weeks ago and I've been itching to use it. So how hard could it be to find swivel hooks? HARD! I've been to five stores in the past two days! I finally found them at Hobby Lobby. They had five in stock. Why an odd number? I bought four. Before I hit pay dirt (being facetious), I checked at a Joann's store I had never shopped at before. This store was huge and very busy. I asked the cutting lady where to find the Sewing With Nancy "stuff" (Nancy's Notions). I thought I might find the hooks in Nancy's Easy Sew Bags section. The cutting lady's response was, "I don't know who that it." "That doesn't sound familiar." Eeek. Can you believe that?! What fabric shop employee doesn't know Nancy? I might understand her response if she was a teenager, but this lady was older than me! I purchased the fabric and left in disgust.

Maybe I will start the next bag tonight...after I calm down.

A.

Messenger Bag Complete!

I managed to complete the appliqued messenger bag I started the other night. I feel like it turned out pretty nice considering I have never made one before and I really didn't have a pattern to go by. I kept the single, non-adjustable (sorry Nancy), strap. I didn't feel like ripping it out and starting over...or cutting a new strip. I do solemnly swear that the next bag I make, I will attempt the adjustable straps. I promise.

Nancy, I'm Sorry

I'm sorry Nancy. I have failed to create your adjustable straps. Last night I made the straps for my messenger bag and thought I would be able to finish them a la adding the adjustable thingies today. I was wrong! After watching (again) Nancy make the straps (thank God I recorded this episode), I realized that I should NOT have sewn the straps together. In order to add the fabric "adjustable tabs" the straps should only be cut and pressed. So, I can either rip out both straps and start over (insert expletives here), cut two new fabric strips, or use the straps I've already made by sewing them directly to the bag or to d-rings I'll have to install. I haven't decided what I'll do yet.

Instead of stressing over how to "fix" my bag tonight, I decided to add a few more faves to my Crafty Faves list. I've also added a link to pages showing some of my recent projects. I've only added photos of the projects. The Zakka inspired purse matches the coin purse I detailed in my second post. The pajamas were made out of flannel I bought at JoAnn's. I had a pattern for the nightgown, but I totally winged the bed jacket by using just the top portion of the robe pattern that was included with the nightgown. The kimonos were really fun to make. I hope to add Tutorial pages in the future.

Wish me luck with my straps tomorrow!

Angela

Can one wear too much fleece?

How much fleece is too much for one outfit? This is an age old question. Well, not really. My daughter questioned whether I might overdose on the amount of fleece I was sporting in one ensemble. Actually, I'm not a big fleece fan, but I wanted to show off my vest I had finally finished, so I wore it out when we went out shopping and then to dinner. Of course I was also wearing a fleece jacket, scarf, and mittens. Is this too much? I did not overdose, but I have concluded that fleece on fleece isn't a "good thing."




I started a new project tonight; a messenger bag. I'm using black duck canvas. I haven't gotten very far as I have been distracted by the Olympics and then American Idol. I have cut my pieces and completed the flap, which I appliqued (see photo). I plan on trying to make the strap adjustable by using a technique I saw on Sewing with Nancy. For the record, Nancy is one of my heroes. I hope to complete the bag tomorrow. Until then, goodnight.



Angela

iPod Case for ME

So, I decided to make myself something. This is rare. When I look at fabrics I usually look at them and decide, "oh so and so would love a bag made from this," or "wouldn't this be cute on so and so?" So, I decided to make an iPod case for ME. It turned out okay, but I probably should not have quilted it. I haven't done much quilting, well, I have only quilted one thing, a bib, before. But anyway, I thought quilting would protect my iPod, so I quilted. I think the zipper turned out okay, too. This is always my issue...and I don't think I uttered any curse words with this zipper insertion. Success!

I think I will try this project again, but this time I will go for something a bit bigger...maybe the size of a Nook? hint hint....

Angela

New Name, New Address

Happy Valentine's Day!
As I stated in my first post, I am new to the blogoshere. I am learning about templates, layouts, fonts, inserting pictures, links, etc. I have also been surfing the web throughout the day and realized that Feefifofum is the title to several different blogs. Here I thought I had tapped into a unique blog name! Wrongo. So, I decided to change it. It was easy to think up the new name, Sew Loquacious, not so easy to spell, however. Anyway, I decided I wanted a blog name that actually refers to sewing, which of course, "sew" does. Loquacious, well, I have been described as this numerous times...in speech and in my writings. You wouldn't say that right? So, (or sew) it makes sense. I was lucky enough to get the new address to match the name. Now, hopefully, everyone will be able to find me easier.

I think I am doing okay for day 3 of being a "blogger." What do you think?

Zakka Inspired Coin Purse

Well, here is my first project post... post. I whipped up this small coin purse for a friend. I have a tendency to make things big, so I tried to scale back a bit here. Actually, I only had a 9 inch zipper, so I couldn't go too big. I used denim for the outside and cotton for the lining. I also used cotton scraps for the "stripes." I based my bag on the Zakka purse covered in the most recent issue of Stitch magazine. They use linen, which is the "Zakka way," but alas I had no linen in my stash. The Stitch folks also quilted their bag. I did not. So, can I still call my coin purse Zakka inspired? You bet!

Here is a list of the materials I used:

• denim, cut to about 7" X 5", plus extra for the key ring
  
• cotton for the lining, cut to the same size as the denim
  
• fusible fleece, cut to the same measurement and ironed to the denim


• 9" zipper


• misc scrap fabrics for the stripes (they don't have to match or be the same size)


• 24 mm split key
  

*There were no explitives spoken during the making of this purse and no person was harmed.

First Post

Hello. This is my first blog post ever. I'm not even real sure what a "blog" is or what it is supposed to be. I'm guessing it is sort of like a diary kept online. Right? Well, rest assured that I don't plan on blogging about anything too intimate, you know, things hidden in those personal no no places, but I do plan to post pictures and, hopefully, some tutorials of the things I sew for myself, my family, and my friends. No doubt, along the way, there may be some sewing injuries (burns, cuts, etc), probably a lot of cursing (ripping seams, "fixing" mistakes), and hopefully some laughs (pee your pants laughs). So, let's get started!