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.
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.
your bag is gorgeous! thanks for the tip on the book, I've been trying to find a good book that will help me as a beginning sewist, I don't even know how to make a seam!! I have made seams, but don't know if I'm doing it right. I bought the Compendium of Sewing Techniques thinking it looked a good book, but it seems to be aimed at professional sewists!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Wendy. I'm glad that you found the book suggestion helpful. You can see a preview of it on amazon.com. Check out the table of contents for all the projects that she uses to teach you the basics!
ReplyDelete