Planet Earth is done! It has sat around for two plus weeks just waiting for me to hand stitch the lining in. Much has been happening on the home front and I literally have not had a moment to sew or much else until this weekend. My hubby fell and became bedridden with his injury. He is now improving slowly which has allowed me to get into my cave this weekend for the first time in a while. Talk about needing some sewing therapy! It was just the thing to get me my mojo back! As he improves I will be able to blog and sew more, so please bear with any absence on the blog front. Thanks.
I love this bag. It consists of various fabrics and trims. I used some hand dyed wools and rayons, some upholstery trims and some fancy machine stitches. The colors will work well with my wardrobe. It is one big honkin' bag and I may just save for overnights. I lined it with a polka dot quilt cotton and put numerous pockets around the band of the lining, none of which are easy to see but I think your imagination will work here. Hope you like!
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I am halfway through a new project that will use this double faced 65 rayon, 35 cotton. It has a wonderful drape, thank you Mr. Rayon, and I think will be perfect for the pattern. Would you believe I found this puppy at JoAnnes? You just gotta be lucky in there sometimes!
The pattern is Vogue 8813, a Marcy Tilton design. I know, I swore would never touch another of her designs but this one sucked me in. There is minimal fit involved and the elasticized panel in the center front can be utilized for adjusting the fit easily. I think it will be a cute little number for work and very comfortable to wear. I think it will look cute with a black turtleneck underneath too. This goes together quickly and the most time consuming aspect was carefully cutting so I had the correct pattern on the correct piece. I think I have them all sorted out properly.
The big kangaroo pockets go together very uniquely with the top side panels. I am not past pocket number two yet but I think I got it right. The pattern does not require any stay tape in the shoulder seams but I put some in anyway. I used selvedges I cut from quilting cottons. They work great and I have a jar full at the ready all the time. If I have success with this MT design I am ready for another, her latest dress for Vogue, 8876, which I absolutely love. I see this in either a batik cotton or a lightweight denim and think it will be perfect for summer. Whatcha think about her new designs?...Bunny
I'm sure you know the necessity of pre-washing your fabric, but I wanted to warn you that if you have not pre-washed this one, make sure you do if it's not too late. Mine shrunk by 25%! It does say to hang to dry, and I intentionally put mine in the dryer on low, because I don't do clothing that requires special treatment.
ReplyDeletePrewashed the minute I got it home! Thanks for the reminder.
DeleteBunny, I am so glad that your DH is improving. I can't wait to see both of these dresses. I actually bought Vogue 8876 on your recommendation, though I have yet to ever successfully sew for myself. One can dream big!! :)
ReplyDeleteMy husband had surgery on his knee a few years ago. Oh my, what an experience. Coffee was spilled in the bed. There were lots of deep breaths followed by, "okay." I do hope your husband is doing better and that life is getting back to normal.
ReplyDeleteThe bag is sensational, one that even Koos would be happy to call his own :)
Rhonda, I can tell you know what I have been going through. It sounds so selfish to even mention it as he is suffering so much, poor baby. But each day is a teeny bit better than the last and since I have had my own mental health break sewing, I am a new woman.
DeleteBunny, sorry to hear about your husband and hope he has a full and speedy recovery. The bag is lovely! Both the Marcy Tilton pattern and the fabric are nice.
ReplyDeleteI used this same fabric from J's in two different colorways to make a K Tilton top (the one with the zipper sewn into the neckline). I love it. I did the same as Wendy. Washed and dryed - lots of shrinkage.
ReplyDeleteWishing for a.speedy recovery for.your.hubby! And glad that you get to retreat to your sewing cave. Love the bag! I have Koos patterns but haven't yet try my hand at it...
ReplyDeleteOh my, so glad that your DH is on the mend! Love your bag, but I *always* love your bags! And the striped/dot fabric?! So cool... makes me want to take a trip to my local Joann's... except that I cleaned my fabric closet yesterday and found a box of fabric that I had long forgotten! Oops!!!
ReplyDeleteI just made a top with that same double sided knit from JoAnns. Can not wait to see it made in this dress!
ReplyDeleteTina in Va
I am sorry to hear about your husband, Bunny. I hope he recovers soon. A beautiful bag! I sure love mine and will, one of these days, make another. That fabric is *fabulous*!!! What a score. I look forward to seeing your dress.
ReplyDeleteYour Planet Earth bag is aptly named. Your fabric combination is so well done, and I love the lining fabric. A fun project, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your husband, and hope he improves quickly.
Great to see your bag finished. I am so sorry to hear of your husband's fall. I hope that he recovers quickly and that life resembles some sort of normality again soon. Your MT pattern looks interesting I hope you have better luck with this one.
ReplyDeleteNursing a husband can really make you crave the peace of the sewing room and some creative time to finish projects! The bag is amazing and it will be so cool to see you latest MT dress in progress. We all learn so much from your creations and photos and advice.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you and your ailing hubby. I know what's it's like to have a sick spouse, as mine has had several serious illnesses. Love your bag! It's fabulous and looks like something you had a good time making. Great dress patterns. Thank you for telling me a little bit about your downsizing. I can use some encouragement because, honestly, I'm just devastated.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your husband is on the mend.
ReplyDeleteNice to have a finished bag too! I like the colour theme you chose. It's pretty, soothing and soft.
I bought the second pattern myself and have been tempted by the first. I don't know when I will have the time to do either!
How cool...it turned out so well, Bunny...especially that zipper installation. I am always so envious & impressed with your work. *Special Talent* must be your middle name.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to read that your hubby is improving a little each day. What an ordeal...for BOTH of you! It is draining to see your loved ones in pain & needing your help for the most basic of care .
Hugs,
Rett
Ya got that right, Rett! Thanks for the lovely comments, Rett, and everyone else, too.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your sweetie is on the mend, and that lfe will be returning to normal for both of you. I saw the new Marcie Tilton dress made up--in several versions--at the Puyallup Sewing Expo recently. It seems to be a graceful, versatile dress. Your bag is terrific! Elle
ReplyDeleteEven Koos couldn't have made a better looking bag! You have a great talent for picking out complementary fabrics. Brava!
ReplyDeleteI was interested in your comment about Marcy Tilton. I must not have been following your blog when you discused her patterns/fabrics. I admire all thing MT but I had an epic fail with a jacket pattern/fabric I purchased from her. I got pattern, fabric, trim, etc so you can imagine my chagrin when it turned into a wadder. Why, oh why couldn't it have been fabric from Walmart?? I might add that I have had great luck with her pants patterns- they are.among my favorites. Anyway, I'd love to get your take on MT.
I had an epic fail with one of her jackets as well and swore never again. I like the style of her pants but haven't tried them yet. This dress has so little fit that I think it would be hard to blow. I do love her design sense, for sure.
DeleteGee, we missed you, Bunny! I'm sorry an accident was the reason for your absence. Hope your husband is feeling much better soon.
ReplyDeletePlease keep posting!
I had a feeling there was something serious going on when you were gone for so long. I'm glad your DH is getting better!!! Mine had several heart attacks and a double bypass in December 2012, (and has been disabled for several years), so I totally understand the great toll it takes on the Mrs.! Glad to see you back!
ReplyDeleteTeresa in WV
Good to know hubby getting better. Interesting voice of pattern ... I'm curious
ReplyDeleteThe bag is excellent - I love all the different textures and colors!
ReplyDeleteGlad hubby is on the mend. It always seems that there is no time for sewing just when you need that mental health break most, true?
Now this is some really nice piece of work Bunny.
ReplyDelete