It's been a long time since I posted any sort of tutorial - this one is way overdue. The kitchen towels from Anthropologie are so cute that it's a shame to wipe your dirty hands on them. Also, after a few cycles through the washer and dryer, they become a little droopy - so I selected a couple of favorites from the sale table at my local store and made them into summer handbags. This is a fun and easy project - please give it a try!
Here is the towel that I started with.
Cut off all four edges. It's a shame to waste the lace, I know. You can save it for something else.
Cut a 3.25-inch strip from each side for handles.
Use an index card to make a pattern for the tab. Cut two of these from heavyweight stabilizer. Cut one from one end of the 3/25-inch strip. Cut the second from lining fabric and install the "male" half of a magnetic closure.
I trimmed the top of tab with rick rack, a small blue doily and a yellow button. Use whatever you have on hand.
Stitch the tab pieces right sides together, turn, press and top stitch around the edge. Cut the second handle piece to the same length as the first piece. Discard extra fabric. Fold the handle strips in half lengthwise and press. Open up and fold the long edges in to the center and press. Pin and topstitch down each long edge. Center rick rack on handles and stitch through the center.
Cut the remaining large towel piece in half. Now you should have a front, a back, a tab with a magnet and two straps.
Mark 3/4 of an inch in from the top edge of the front and draw a line from this point tapering to the bottom corners as shown. Cut these sections off. Repeat for the back.
Pin the front and back pieces to heavyweight stabilizer. Stitch around the edge and trim.
Trace the front and back to your lining fabric and cut out a front and back lining. Also cut out two pocket pieces using an index card for a pattern. Stitch your pocket pieces right sides together leaving an opening for turning in the bottom. Turn, press, topstitch across the top edge and then pin and stitch pocket to the right side of the inside back lining.
Stitch lining pieces right sides together along the sides and bottom leaving about a 5-inch opening in the bottom for turning. (Sorry the opening doesn't show in the photo!) Sew across the bottom sides of the lining "paper-bag" style about 1-inch in from each edge.
Sew the bag front and back together along the sides and bottom. Again, "paper-bag" the bottom edges to give a little dimension to the bag. Sew the tab to the back (right sides together) and the straps to the front and back as shown. Turn the bag right side out. Fold the tab over to determine the placement for the "female" half of the magnet. Mark and install the magnet on the outside front of the bag. Leave the lining inside out.
Place the bag inside the lining and pin around the top edge keeping the tab and the handles between the layers. Stitch around the top. Turn the bag right side out through the opening in the bottom of the lining. Stitch the opening closed.
Turn the lining to the inside and topstitch around the top edge. All done!
Please let me know if you have any questions and if you try this project I'd love to see a photo.
Thanks to everyone who voted! Dan claims that at 2:00 AM he was both "Sick as a dog" AND "In his own bed." This was confirmed by his sweetheart, Katelyn.
It's hard to believe that our precious daughter is 24 years old today. Tonight we will have dinner with family and friends at Digestif. Happy Birthday Katiegirl!
In my never-ending pursuit of a clean, organized, and functional sewing studio I began placing all of my pins and brooches into one box. I have been uncovering them here and there and tossing them into the box watching as the collection grows. Suddenly I realize that I must have over a hundred. How did this happen?
The enamel flowers are my favorites. I have lots of rhinestones too, and somehow, bugs and butterflies.
I love the robin's-egg blue pottery. This collection is intentional.
My girlfriend Barb over at The Purse Project introduces and hosts various purse-making challenges and I enjoy seeing what everyone creates. The current challenge is to make a bag from neckties....
I thought I was finished with the neckties, but how could I resist - especially when Barb considers me an "inspiration!?"
So, for something new, I tried weaving neckties for this basket-shaped bag. It was not entirely successful and if I ever made another one I would do it a little differently, but it was fun to get the ties out again.
In my ongoing effort to use up every scrap of every necktie, I'd like to present my version of... The Necktie Owl!
This was my first effort - looked a little sinister...
This one was not quite right either, and I wanted more of the tie to show on the front so I tried using skinnier sections and more pieces for the next one.
Definitely too fat...on the other hand, I feel a necktie pumpkin is in order for the fall...
I messed up on the wings for this one and then decided that maybe he didn't need wings.
I tried outlining the eyes in black. Not entirely happy with the result.
A search for "necktie owls" turned up this listing on etsy as well as Barb's version here.
The very talented MacIntyre family attends my church in Scottsdale. Scott is the oldest and it is my understanding that he will be on the first episode of American Idol tonight!
Here is his website. I have a feeling that Scott will go far in the competition.
As a huge fan of Project Runway, I enjoy following up on all of the designers and everything they are doing.
I've been looking forward to the release of Jay's fabric line ever since it was announced. The line is now available at eQuilter. Yes, I have placed my order - stay tuned to discover if I actually make anything from it!
Once again we traveled to San Diego for Thanksgiving. We did the "Run For The Hungry" in the morning and then enjoyed a delicious buffet in the afternoon.
We were especially happy that "Auntie Roz" joined us on Thursday evening! Roz is a friend who feels like a member of the family.
That evening we headed to the movies as usual. The boys saw the new James Bond. The girls saw "Twilight" which was a big disappointment. Kaitlin and I have read the books and were expecting great things. Oh well. We had a couple of good laughs. Roz was a good sport, not even complaining until I remarked, "Wow this movie stinks..." I only confirmed what she and Kaitlin were thinking.
On Friday morning we went shopping at the local mall. Had to do our part for the economy of course! Afterward we said goodbye to Roz and headed home.
It was a great vacation and the kids hardly even fought.
I made this for Barb's Recycled Linens Challenge. I wanted to further challenge myself to create something with an element of "randomness." So I reached into a bag of vintage lace and just used whatever I pulled out. Not EXACTLY of course...but I tried. I love seeing the creative work of designers who don't seem to mind when things aren't exactly straight or perfectly matching.
The base fabric is embroidered linen (not vintage) and then I appliqued some motifs from a linen upholstery fabric onto it. Then I added the lace, buttons, MOP buckle and doily. It was a lot of fun. Thanks for the challenge, Barb. Sorry I am late!
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