Inspiration to Reality

About two months ago I bought a piece of burlap. I had no specific plans for it. I just liked the rustic look of the fabric. I knew in time it would tell me what it wanted to be. I brought it home and washed it (yes, I washed burlap), folded it neatly and placed it on a shelf with other fabric. I happened to place it next to a floral print that was left from a skirt I made my daughter YEARS ago. I instantly LOVED the two together. Little did I expect inspiration to hit so quickly….I was already planning on making some tote bags (mainly to replace those not-so-attractive ones that I use at the grocery store), and it hit me: a burlap tote lined with the floral print. Yesterday--- FINALLY--- I was able to bring the vision in my mind to reality.

I actually made it reversible, but I love the burlap side out the best. I also made my first ever fabric rose…not too bad for my first. I think the rose just gives it a little extra beauty.
As a side note: I am a self-taught sewer. Often it is hit-and-miss with my sewing projects. I have for years had a love/hate relationship with my sewing machine. Recently I saw a book, Stitch By Stitch: Learning to Sew, One Project at a Time by Deborah Moebes. I decided to buy it, hoping to learn the “right” way to do a few things that I struggle with. So far I am loving this book. It is perfect for beginning sewers and for those like me…wanting to improve their skills. It even comes with a cd-ROM with patterns for some of the projects, stitch guides, appliqué designs and more….but honestly I have so loved this book, I haven’t even slipped the disk into my computer—forgot it was even tucked away in the back. Think I’ll go check it out now.