It's a Cinch Tote Bag

I made this tote bag as a gift for my DIL, Zlaty's Mother, Rumiana.  She loves to knit and makes such beautiful things.  I really wanted to make her something that she could use to carry her knitting.  I came across this pattern "It's a Cinch" in the Fall 2010 issue of Quilts and More.  It was designed by Laura Jaquinto.  When I saw it, I thought this is it!

One of the things that I really liked about it is the fact that you could close it up some by using the carrying handles.  I also liked the size which is 17 1/2" x 18 3/4" x 4".

The bag that was made for the magazine used a border stripe for the center.  I thought that it would be a perfect spot for featuring an embroidery design.  I am trying to use my embroidery feature wherever I can.

The instructions called for using grommets, but I am not a huge fan of grommets.  I have had a number of them pull out of my item, so I decided to do buttonholes instead.  This was the first time that I did buttonholes using my Pfaff Creative Performance.  They are beautiful!

The instructions also used ribbon for the back of the strap and for the binding.  I didn't have ribbon, so I just used all fabric and it worked out fine.  I am finding that I really enjoy being a little creative and using whatever I have on hand.

When I got to the lining, I discovered that I had gotten confused on the amount of fabric that was needed.  So I went to my stash and picked out some coordinating fabrics that would work and altered the pattern to work with what I had.  I made the pocket a different fabric and added a different fabric for the lower half of the lining.  I actually like the look of it instead of it being all the same.

This bag was so much fun to make and it made up rather quickly.  I think I see one of these in my future!  I actually did a test design many years ago when I was at a Pfaff dealer class.  It will be perfect for the center of the front of the bag and it would be great to finally use it!

Wishing you many hours of happy sewing!

Jean

Katy's Pumpkin

This is another one of my favorite Fall patterns.  It was designed by my daughter which makes it even more special to me.  I love the addition of the soft tendril and leaf.  You could use this on your table or as a wall hanging. You could also make the pumpkin into an apple using a red or golden yellow fabric and put apple fabric in the border. It is easily made using rotary cutting and quick piecing techniques. I used a feather stitch on the sewing machine to embellish the leaf. It is fun to experiment with some decorative stitches on your sewing machine.

This pattern is now available on Craftsy!

Happy Sewing,

Jean

Pumpkin Spice

Pumpkin Spice was one of my favorite designs.  I love the Fall season and this design represented fall to me.  It makes me happy just to look at it!

It sews up very quickly using an easy half-square triangle method and fusible applique.

It finishes to 16" square.  A great size to hang in a small space or use a centerpiece for your table.

This pattern is now available on Craftsy!

I hope you are enjoying this Fall season!

Happy Sewing,
Jean

Country Bowtie Stars Pattern

My second pattern is now on Craftsy.  It is Country Bowtie Stars.  This is a very scrappy lap size quilt.  I made mine in country colors, but would look great in balis, reproductions or colors of the season.  I loved how it helps use up stash!  Of course it only used a little, but that's a step in the right direction!  :-)  I just love scrappy!

Happy Sewing,
Jean

Source: Country Bowtie Stars via Jean A. Boyd on Craftsy

My Patterns are now on Craftsy!

I am so excited to have my patterns in the Craftsy store!  I hope to get more of them posted soon!  I will also be adding new patterns besides the one's that I sold in the shop.  I hope you like them!

Source: Autumn Star via Jean A. Boyd on Craftsy

Happy Sewing,
Jean

My Singer 99-31

Last week my hubby brought up my Singer 99-31 sewing machine from the basement.  It had been stored for a number of years there.  I told him that I wasn't sure what shape it was in since it had gotten wet at one time.  The cover is not real good, but the machine looked great!  The rubber belt was drying out and it slipped when we tried it.  So that afternoon we replaced the belt and got it cleaned up and oiled.  It runs beautifully!  I am so excited!  It's like having a new machine!

This sewing machine had originally belonged to my MIL.  She didn't do much sewing, so it was in very good condition.  When I first got married, I used this for all of my sewing.  I even made my hubby a suit!  After hubby got me a new sewing machine,  I gave this machine to my Mom.  She had it for years and when she moved in with me, it came with her.  I actually had forgotten about it until hubby brought it upstairs.  I am so glad he did!

I have mainly been playing with it and getting my quarter inch seam set up so that it is ready for a project.  I can't wait to really sew something with it!  I think I may try one of Bonnie K. Hunter's patterns from Quiltville . Since she sews almost everything on vintage machines, it would be the perfect project.

As I sit at this machine, I am enjoying many wonderful memories.  It somehow makes me feel an even stronger tie to both my MIL and my Mom.

Wishing you many wonderful sewing memories!

Happy Sewing,
Jean