Purse tutorials

My good friend Jennifer asked me for a pattern for a tote or a fun bag, which got me thinking... I am kind of a horder of all things purses.

Here's a list of purse tutorials I've had my eye on.

Cute sling
Tote
Pleated shoulder bag
Fat Quarter Purse
Reversible Purse
"Buttercup bag" - a small shoulder bag
Large pleated purse
Itty bitty pyramid bag
Backpack bag



This photo is one that I made and designed the pattern. Someday I'll make one up into a pdf and post it online. Michael took this picture of me on a cold day in the Pearl District. Ironically, I ran into Jennifer's husband, Seth, while shooting some photos of my purses.
Happy sewing, Jen! I wish I could sew with you!! Let's work on one soon!

Sideboard

We received the most amazing wedding gift recently. My father-in-law, a woodworker, told us that he would make us any piece of furniture that we wanted. Well, it took us a while to decide what piece we wanted and even longer to agree on a style and kind of wood... but finally we did. We chose a sideboard to go in our front room. The wood is a sustainably harvested walnut with birds eye maple adding a beautiful contrast on the inside. I am in love with it!
I feel like we have our first piece of art! All of our other furniture is old hand-me-downs or IKEA, so this sideboard really stands out!
Bob, my father-in-law has a cool story about getting into woodworking. He has run his own businesses for decades and a few years ago decided he wanted to do something new. So he went back to school and decided to start his own eco-friendly, custom cabinetry and furniture business. He uses sustainably harvested wood from the United States and is truly a skilled craftsman.
He mostly does kitchen remodeling and has helped us with a few troubled drawers. Check him out at Ravenworks Joinery.

New York fabric stores

So, I just found out I am heading to NY for several days next week. I am going for work, but for an amazing 2-day color seminar. The seminar goes over color theory, psychology, branding and trends. I am thrilled!
I am arriving Wednesday and leaving Saturday afternoon, so I don't have a ton of time. I've been to New York several times but haven't been to the garment district in 5 years or more. Last time I was there we found an amazing store -- fabric piled to the 2 story ceiling with fabric -- all on sale!

Does anyone have any favorite fabric/notion stores in the garment district?

Fat Quarter Purse

I've taken a short break from garment making to something that suits my ADD brain... quick projects.
This handbag was such a fun distraction. I used a "pattern" from Sew Mama Sew's February Fat Quarter tutorials.

I love pleated purses, so I added the pleat instead of making it boxy like it was in the directions. I plan to make several more of these this summer for friends and perhaps someday I'll get an Etsy store up and running. This would be the perfect little grab and go purse!