My Sewing Journey

I have a friend who recently asked me to help her make her children a couple of presents. She wants to sew them and just needs someone to help her along. I am honoured to help and last night we got together for the first session. "How long have you been sewing?", she asked. I had to really think about it, because it was kind of gradual, but there was definately a time where I became interested to really learn and not just fake it anymore. It isn't my mom's fault that I didn't sew until so much later. She tried to teach me, but I didn't want to learn. I would rather just know then put in the effort to learn. Isn't there something you'd love to just know and not have to learn? Piano? Guitar? Art? It was sewing for me. I first dabbled when I was about 17 or 18. I'd use a cut off leg from blue jeans to make a purse or hack together a bag from some random bit of fabric. It wasn't until I discovered online tutorials (the same year we bought our first Mac) that I decided I wanted to know bad enough to learn. I borrowed my MIL's machine (I called her Helga) so that I could learn. I didn't want to invest in a machine if I hated sewing, so I strong armed Helga onto our tiny apartment table and worked through my first tutorial. Thank you Melissa, you have no idea what your tutorial sparked in me! I asked my pastor's wife to walk me through my first pattern and the rest is history.  Rather than bore you all with the details, we'll do an overview through pictures of my progression. This is about 9 years of sewing....

This is the early years. Not the very beginning. I wish I had pictures of my first projects - they were so bad! Hahaha. These are from the first year. As you can see it started with my love of bags and that love has not diminished.

These are from a couple of years into sewing. I loved tutorials and patterns by this point and was happy as a clam to sew bags, bags and more bags!

I even started to feel confident enough to alter patterns or design my own bags.

Zipper pouches and wallets are still a favourite go-to gift for me.

Dolls. My first doll (top middle) has been my most loved doll and I am so honoured that she was the favoured cuddle toy for my friend's daughter. My boys' super dolls were a huge hit and are still played with regularily. 

Baby presents for my babies and friend's babies. How I love to give handmade treasures.

I've tried my hand at some children's clothing and with my mom's help sewed cloth diapers that I loved!

Did I mention bags? Yup, I have sewn a LOT of bags.

Notebook covers in large and small sizes. Gifts and sold in fundraisers. 

I've had the privilege and honour of teaching some beginning sewists.

I've been stretched and challenged by commissioned orders. Things I had never made before and were trusted to do and afterward so proud of finishing.

I've challenged myself with projects that I wanted the finished product of and again, through the challenge and perseverance of it I was very proud of the results.

I've started and finished (most) several mass producing kind of projects. (I still have a partial picnic blanket in my WIP bin)

I love the creative process of sewing things from a flat piece of material into a work of function and/or art. Thanks for walking this journey with me. I plan on continuing on for many years to come.

Checking In - It's OCTOBER?!

Wow! Did September fly for you, too? It was an amazing September for us and I can't even express how grateful I am for it. Let's get to it!

• Why was it such an amazing September? Answer: Abby. There has been such a remarkable difference in how she is handling change and this fall we've had a couple of minor incidents and no major meltdowns! This is the first peaceful back-to-school season we've experienced. Abby has had her fair share of behavior issues and the fact that we can finally reason with her and help to adjust to new situations without lengthly meltdowns is huge. I miss her now that she's in school for five days a week and I'm so glad to be able to say that. If you've had a child with behavioral issues, than you know that it isn't always easy to be around that child. Now, I look forward to her coming home each day and I don't have to brace myself for potential conflicts.

• With such a change in Abby has brought a change in our family. We haven't merely survived September, but have taken the time to enjoy it.

• My parents have had a lot to celebrate. Daddy has been through a huge battle and has a way to go, but he's alive and they celebrated the one year anniversary of his medical event (I don't know how to refer to the day he almost died and ended up in a wheelchair). Thank you all for your prayers, love and even financial support. We are all so blessed! 

• We took our annual trip to a local farm's pumpkin cart. They decorate the yard with lots of picture worthy spots and it's a highlight of our fall each year. 

cash wallet for budgeting

• I'm still open to custom sewing orders and finished up a few in the last little while. I am still so flattered that y'all want to hire me and I love being able to personalize items to fit your needs. I am much more careful with your projects than my own, in case you saw my recent blunder on Instagram. 

Essential Oils Cases

• We are in the midst of a federal election here in Canada. David and I took advantage of the advance polling station this year. We were both eager to vote and it was nice to walk in with no wait time at 7:00 in the evening. It seems to be a very pivotal and important election and I'm praying that the best people for our country will be in leadership.

• We celebrated Thanksgiving this past weekend. Friday we had a traditional turkey dinner at "Auntie" Trudy's. We started a new #gingrastradition for Thanksgiving with a BBQ steak dinner. We enjoyed the warm weather by taking a nice walk at the park on Sunday and we stayed warm and cozy on the cold Monday at home. 

"every woman should have flowers for Thanksgiving" - my David

• I'm hosting an art gathering for locals involved in Documented Faith and Illustrated Faith next week. This introvert is rather proud of myself for this and a bit nervous, too. It's going to be great and I've come a long way from planning a party that no one shows up for. I love a good party full of swag and good company, so I know it'll be great. Stay tuned for a blog post about that after the party.

"I'm so glad I live and world where there are Octobers" - Anne Shirley

I Made Something NEW!

I've finally finished a project that's been on my cutting table for months. David bought me the fabric for it for Mother's Day and I've had the pattern even longer. Thankfully, summer has meant that I get to have sewing time and I've been thoroughly enjoying it!

The pattern is The Iris Convertible Shoulder Bag by Canadian Designer, Celine of Blue Calla. I saw the pattern featured in the I Think Sew newsletter and knew I wanted to give it a try as soon as I did. I admit that it helped that it came from a Canadian designer, I love to support my countrymen.

I began making this bag in a different fabric that David had helped me choose, but the slippery nature of it and the straight stripes that refused to stay straight caused me to change my mind. Believe it or not, I found this fabric at Walmart in their pre-cut fabrics. It's a canvas weight and I'm really happy with the result.

The front pocket has a pretty little surprise under the pocket flap. The lace and vinyl trim is something only I will see, but it's a feature that I really like. It closes with a magnetic clasp and keeps my small items secure.

The vinyl was a challenging and fun new experience for me. Every needle hole shows and so you can't pin it or stitch rip and re-do. It's get it right the first time or you really notice! I'm really pleased with it. I took it really slow and payed very close attention to lining things up. It's recommended that you use a walking foot and I don't have one, so I had to trouble shoot certain steps. 

I lined the bag with a bold pink broadcloth. I like light coloured lining so that I can see into every corner with a glance and I like a pop and surprise of colour in every bag. The bag has a divided slip pocket and a zipper pocket in the lining. It's a very functional bag.

David found me this great rainbow zipper and I knew that I wanted to use it in the purse. It makes me smile every time I see it.

There are tabs on the side where I can attach a shoulder strap later, should I choose to do so. I'm not usually a fan of cross shoulder straps, so I may not do it, but you can't add those tabs later and I now have the option. 

PS I ordered my party dress and it's on its way! Thank you for all your support in my blog sale. I've left the blog sale post below and will keep it there for the time being. You're welcome to peruse and shop. I won't be showing you my dress until after the party, but I am pretty excited to have something pretty to wear.

FLORAbella Bag

It all started with Pinterest. I saw this post

Source: luziapimpinella.blogspot.it via Coralee on Pinterest

and I knew that I really wanted to make one! I followed the link and found myself here. A blog in - I think- German. It's translated and I found the link to the site that sells the pattern. After much translating I realized that I could get my hands on an english e-book pattern and voila... it began.

I spent about an hour to two cutting and pasting the pattern pieces, adding seam allowances to the pattern and cutting it out again. Then I had to figure out how much yardage was required as the patten only told you what each piece measured.

I spent at least an hour at Fabricland choosing fabric. I am almost convinced to stop going there and just to purchase online. I LOVE choosing fabric online and I hate choosing it in person.

The pattern itself should really be called a tutorial (and honestly not the best tutorial) as the instructions are sparse. Thankfully anyone who has sewn as many bags as I have can figure it all out. In the end there would even be more steps that I would change or do differently if I make it again another time. For example, there are exposed seams inside. The only solution offered in the pattern was to serge the raw seams and/or cover them with bias tape. Not a great solution, but a solution. I left them serged.

I had to re-cut the flower on the front as the pocket didn't cover it properly and it was super tricky to work it out, but in the end, I see the flaws that most people won't.

Features I love about this bag... the flower edged pocket, the ribbon cinches on the sides and the straps. I used to hate sewing straps. I am learning to really enjoy a meticulously sewn strap. Crazy? Maybe, but it's true. It's nice and roomy and I finally have a zipper closed purse that is functional and cute.

Clutch Wallet Twins

Recently a friend posted this picture on Instagram

Caption reads: @mrsgingras this has been a well loved crafty gift indeed! Thanks so much for this lovely wallet, but I think it's time to find a new one! I've loved it dearly! xx

I made this wallet years ago... back when I first started sewing seriously. I was so flattered that Leanne had been using it all this time and loved it enough to wear it out. I instantly wanted to make her a new wallet. I don't make wallets in that style anymore, I have learned to love clutch wallets instead.

I had been wanting to try adding a more functional zipper pocket and this gave me a good opportunity to try it out. I ended up making two. I wanted one, so I made twins.

The zipper colours are the only real difference.

Leanne is a Canadian, living abroad, so I snuck in some flags. A little reminder of home.

The good news is that she likes it and I do, too.

Does this clutch look familiar? It should I've made some before. Tutorial can be found here.

A Quick Check In

So, since my last post our computer died. In our family this feels like quite a crisis. I have made several commitments to the women's ministry team of our church that requires a computer and I felt like my left arm fell off. All that to say that we have replaced our 6 year old iMac with a new one. It's beautiful and works wonderfully and I'm so grateful. I have a bit of show-n-tell for today, so let's get to it.

• Before we left on our trip to Alberta I decided that Abigail needed her own bag. Mostly to carry her own stuff. I feel like such a pack rat some days and it's time for her to carry her own stuff. Abby was quite enamoured with Bambi at the time, so I decided to try a new-to-me technique: reverse appliqué. I loved the results. I, unfortunately, have to replace the lining - it has torn and continues to tear *sigh*. A project to do after we move.

• 11 days until we move. No, we haven't started to pack yet. This isn't my first rodeo, but it is my first rodeo with children. That overwhelms me a bit, but we are so excited. I can't wait to show you all our new home. That might take a bit of time.
• I want 2012 to be a year where I finish some of my UFOs (Un-Finished Objects) and so, I've begun. I started this little alphabet last year and finally finished it. I chose not to add magnets. I am thinking I might make it into a banner and hang it in Abby's new room, but first I will wash and dry it to promote the edge fraying. I think they're cute, but not super useful, considering there's only one of each of them. Tutorial here.

• I have an upcoming event that I'm planning and whipped up these little cards today. Found on Pinterest from Martha Stewart and adapted for my event. I will share about said event after it takes place. I am really looking forward to it.

• My littles have been sick - it seems like for forever! First colds, then baby teething then the dreaded puking sickness. I can handle dirty diapers of craziness, but puke... ugh! My David, heroically, did a lot of rinsing of bedding and clothes this week. I think they're on the mend, though appetites are still quite small and crankiness is still quite large. Admittedly, I've added to the cranky factor myself. I am going out tonight! It's been tooooo long.
• There are so many babies being born into our church. There is someone due every month from January to August. At what point do I say, I can't keep up with all the handmade goods that I love to give? It feels so cruel to just stop now. One month at a time, I guess. I'm already 3 babies behind as it is. Ugh! Sorry, friends.
• Crazy blizzard the other day. Our littles loved to watch it, as did my David and I. Pictures don't capture it, but I did try.