Archive for the ‘sew it’ Category

Last week, I received the new book, A Bag for All Reasons by Lisa Lam on my doorstep.  I’m so excited to also have a copy of Lisa’s book available to give away today, but first, here’s a little bit about the book.

There are so many good projects in this book from purses to iPad cases to a sorted laundry bag.  There’s even a train style vanity case that my girls are swooning over… I’m thinking maybe for Christmas. In fact, there are several project in this book perfect for gifts on my list this year.

But this is my next bag project (and it’s for me).  It’s a grocery tote that rolls up into a small bundle that I can keep in my purse or in my car.  I may just make 3 or 4, so I’m never caught without my re-useable bags at the grocery.

Yeah for sewing books with a spiral binding!  And even better, the patterns in the back are full size fold outs… no cursing at the copy store trying to enlarge a pattern.  The patterns are printed on nice sturdy paper, and will last a long time.  The pattern instructions throughout the book look very clear and easy to follow.  A Bag for all Reasons is very well thought out and well made.

My other favorite feature of this book are the wonderful step by step instructions and advice for all sorts of (sometimes daunting) bag making skills, like putting in a zipper or snaps.

I also like the advice for how to modify and alter patterns to suit your style and needs.

The Bag for All Reasons is a resource gem.

You can see a preview of the book, by clicking here.

The Martha Pullen Store is offering a 30% discount to Make it Do readers, when you purchase Lisa’s books The Bag for All Reasons or The Bag Making Bible (which is now on my wish list).

Enter the coupon code “BAGS2012” to receive the discount.

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And now for the Giveaway!  Today you can enter to win a copy of The Bag for All Reasons.

Simply leave a comment answering:

“Are you making gifts this year for the Holidays?”

The Rules:

• Comments close on Thursday, Oct 11, 2012 10:00 MDT

• Only one comment per person please.

• Random winners will be announced on Friday, October 12

A couple of weeks ago a few friends and I got together to make zippered bags.

One of our friends, the very talented Erica (from Pink Suede Shoes) has been making lots of zippered bags lately, and I’m so glad she was there to guide us through.  While I was super excited to make a bag, I was not looking forward to the zipper.

The last and only other time I attempted a zipper was for a costume.

I ended up at my mother-in-law’s home, at my wit’s end, to ask if she could help me get this “#@!!% zipper in.”  OK, so I really didn’t swear in front of my mother-in-law.  She is a very proper Southern woman and would have been offended.

With Erica’s guidance, we were all able learn how to make our bags, zippers and all.  And I didn’t even swear once.

We used the awesome tutorial for Open Wide Zippered Pouch from Noodlehead.

The wide opening is completely awesome, since it makes it easy to find all your doodads in the bottom of the bag.  I really love the inside pocket for my little things.

As you can see, this bag is my new on-the-go, half-time hexie, doctor waiting room, boring meeting buster bag.

It’s perfect for my hexagons….

and for this little applique I just started working on.  It’s a block for the Sweet and Simple quilt for the Alpine Quilt Guild that they are donating to the Festival of Trees for Primary Children’s Medical Center.

My girls spent 5 long months in the NICU at PCMC, and I am so happy to be making this block.

I am incredibly grateful to the brave and talented nurses and doctors who work at Primary Children’s.  This block will definitely be stitched with love.