Pattern Reading and other tales.

I have been knitting and sewing for more years than I care to count, as a quite small child I could make dolls clothes without a pattern, even raglan sleeves for a dolly jumper were just a matter of counting stitches and rows for the decreasing.

Over the weekend we had lots more rain, Sunday, which was forecast as being dry, gave the heaviest downpours of the week, complete with thunder clashing around the valley

I set myself up in the sewing room, the first task was to select a book.

 

Debbie, it was.

 

 

 

A little craft tote to keep small projects in, just the job for taking down to Maggie's for a couple of hours.

 

 

Not very impressive is it? As I cut it out I knew that it would not work but these were small bits from one of the scrap boxes so I carried on.

The pattern was not clear as to which way the pieces were aligned, so I tried both as the sides were 5" X 6" and the pockets were 6 1/2" X 4". The base was 5" square. All these pieces were lined and were stuck together with fabric glue.

These patterns are meant to be for the complete beginner, who in the main part would not have the glue and would be lost by now.

Any way I carried on and it was a job to push the layers through my machine, the corners are French seams, so 8 layers when sewing the base square in. The suggestion is to then neaten the raw edges with a zig zag stitch, my machine, my fingers and my patience all said NO WAY JOSE.

 

 

It does hold a fair bit of kit but will live as a desk tidy and not a caddy as the pockets are too small.

 

The raw edges in the base annoy me and I may make a false bottom to drop in and hide them from view. I was so put out that I just sewed ribbon handles on without neatening the ends, I will probably tidy that up as well.

 

I pottered about, doing all the necessary stuff, washing up, bathroom, work tops, dusting and so on. All the while my mind was chewing over my failure. I read the pattern again and again until I was almost word perfect. Then threw the towel in and made a pattern myself, I had to adapt it slightly as I only wanted to use off cuts of fabric so the pockets are a bit taller than I planned, there was not enough fabric to double them over just a double hem on the top.

 

 

It is not lop sided, I was rushing to take the photographs by now as it was almost dinner time.

 

 

Nice and neat inside, I hate raw edges.

 

There are 12 fat quarters, an 8 1/2" square ruler, 5 templates and a load of small things in there. Enough for a days sewing group.

 

The pockets are deep enough for all the hardware that I would need, scissors, snips, pins, needles, marker pens and about 8 reels of thread. The only thing missing is a small cutting board, I would take my turntable board which has it's own bag along with a 6 X 18 ruler.

 

 

These are my templates, I drew round the bottom of a sweet tin, now used for threads, and added 1/4" for the seam. I then made a half circle adding 1/4" for the edge seam and the central seam. It is easier to turn through a central seam and then sew it up. I like easy. the strip for the sides was 25 3/4" for both outer and liner. I used 1/4 seams throughout and made handles from 10 X 3 strips.

It was an easy make and will give lots of use, the only problem is that I do not need it. I have a craft bag that I made ages ago and am happy with.

 

So, if any one would like this bag leave a message, if there are several I will pick one at random and send it off.

 

I am remiss again, I like to welcome new followers at the start of the post, put it down the to early hour. I am really happy to welcome Chris, fleaChic.com, A Heron's View and The Saver of Suburbia to the gang. I have popped in to see those who have blogs and will be back for a longer visit later.

In my home county we say Hanser for Heron, I have no idea why.

 

Reasons to be grateful.

 

1.  Another completed project.

 

2.  My tumble dryer was a boon this weekend.

 

3.  The new combi oven cooked a lovely dinner yesterday.

 

4.  The new kettle is both fast and quiet.

 

5.  Knitting group tonight.

 

I missed the knitting group last Monday, I got soaked every time that I took Ben out and I could not face driving through the rain and wind and then running to the hall. It is just far enough from the car park to get wet through. I have to take Ben to the vet at 5.00  for a check up and will drop him back at home and set straight off.

 

My purchases have all lived up to the Which Best Buy criteria and I am so pleased with them all. My kettle will boil enough water for a cup of coffee faster than I can get the cup and coffee together. There is a measure in the top of the kettle with a little lever that drops it into the kettle to be boiled.

 

I am undecided as to my next sewing project, I still have more knitting bags to make but need something different in between. I have plenty of books for inspiration and the fabric stash is still looming over me.

 

I have the wool for my Cardigan and Hat and enough for another crochet blanket.

I still have more to do on the Ripple Blanket but it is too big to carry around now so I will take the hat with me tonight.

 

It is now time for another cup of tea and then I will wake Ben up ready for his first walk, he is a bed bug sometimes and I have to call him a few times. It is just like having a teenager in the house, he huffs and puffs and sighs and groans, then he thumps down the stairs and into the kitchen.

 

             TTFN                                                           Pam