Hourglass blocks: Travel tote & messenger bag

 ::: Hourglass Block::: { Travel Tote}

plus TOVA top # 6

 { Time to go!}

 { The tote's depth is deep}

{ simple compartments}

 { handle folding}

 { Easier for hands to hold the tote}

{drawstring closure for the tote}

{ Simple straight line quilting by sewing machine}

Sew many w.i.p. projects have completed since last few weeks. Over the weekending, I have focused on finishing the travel tote and S' messenger bag and two Tova tops.  Today I break the post into two sections, so I can chat about each project in details with you.

The { hourglass blocks travel tote} is made with varies prints that I have obsessed  loved; Sweet and modern and a little of retro colors. Some liberty lifestyle prints, old new 30's print by Lecien.  Suzuko Koseki prints, Architecture prints and most of fabric are found {here}, {here}, and {here} and [here}, too. These fabric shops are excellent in many way. I am into sweet berry prints lately, it must be spring...

In the past I made an { hourglass block patchwork handbag}. I drew all the lines on the fabric center. The fabric was dark, so it was challenge to make the line seen with pencil marking. Then I tried { hourglass block without marking} method. It is similar to the {double wedding ring quilt} that I made few years ago. Yes, washi tape and masking tape are quilters best friends. I use masking tape to secure the quilt backing on the floor, so it would lay flat without much shifting and wrinkle.

This travel tote is rather larger than { patchwork tote} I made awhile back. For traveling, I added the drawstring style for the closure, so it would keep some privacy.  You can find lining drawing style bag method in {Ayumi}'s new book { Patchwork,  Please}. Only I alter it with added additional lining for the top drawstring.  The only part that is unsatisfying for myself is I might have made the top pieces shorter by 2". 

For the handle part: for sure it took very long time to look for the right fabric for it! Something fun and something not too dark not too busy, I went with Suzuko Koseki's print to match S' messenger bag. I chose green. It turns out very simple and stands out from all the smaller prints that used in the front and back tote bag panels.  How do you make your handle for totes? I have fall in love with the style that shown from above image. It is so much easier for hands to hold the bag.

For the interior of the tote, It is fully lined with light weight fusible interfacing. Only have two compartments for phone, pens, and added small D ring for chain up the keys.  I always look for phone, pens, and keys. and with simple compartments help out this organization part. I have found myself not very needed the inner zippered compartment, so didn't add the inner zippered compartment for this tote.

Another {Tova top} is finished! It is made with {this print} and very comfortable in wear and it matches S' Tova top. For this Tova top, the sleeves cuffs were not added, so that leave much room in the elbow area.

::: Hourglass Block::: {Messenger bag} 

Plus TOVA top #3

  { Frame pouch for {Elnora} who spoiled S way much!}

{Zippered pencil pouch from {Kerry} who is too sweet always think of her}

The messenger bag for S is so fun to make, but between the w.i.p. time there were many changes and alternations made. As S grow a little older, her ideas are as important as I sew for her. She has ideas what she like to wear, what colors she likes, why is this print and not that print.  She almost designed this messenger bag for herself. S asked for privacy, so I talked about what tape of closure we could do for the bag; zippered,  Velcro，Loop button with elastic, drawstring style.. etc. But she asked if there's something like { this tote} I made for her. So we went for magnet closure which works out for perfect for her needs. 

Then she ask the strap style like her {Ukelele}. I had sewn the straps on before she came home from school, when she came home and tried it on and the strap was too long for her, so I added rectangle ring hardware to make the strap adjustable for her, but the hardware is much bigger than the strap width. It was the most closed size we could find near by. 

For the interior, the lining was used linen and cotton weight fabric, so it is a heavier weight fabric, so not need lining with interfacing. Interior of the bag added two compartments for S' {personal items}. As we travel oversea or flight domestic, I always have a small card of contact information, just in case something unexpected happen. 

For S' tova top:  Armholes are most challenging in alter patterns from adult wear to kid wear. I have always having hard time whenever I try to re-size the pattern. For the new Tova top, I raised the armholes by 1.5" higher and that made so much comfortable for S to lift her arms.  The top length is longer, so S can simple wear her summer leggings and have a little time to grow out of this outfit.

It has been fun to preparing the trip and getting anxious about it!  I hope to return {1/4" mark} for another post before our internet server goes down this coming weekending . There is a new {flickr group} for some scrap inspiration if you are so mad about your scraps, come join!

 If we didn't make it back here.. 
{Ciao} for now! 

xxc

 

Random: between times

{thank you} for all your sweet words! They are sweet and comfort me in many many ways!  It has been another day that I was on the phone working with the travel agency and the airline. It has not gotten better, but let's hope something will come up in next few days.

Between packing and waiting phone calls. I have made another two Tovas; as you see one is for S and one is for me, but this time is a dress. The neckline on S' turned out perfect this time, but the armholes needed to adjust an inch higher to give more lift when S raise her arms ( the armholes are too big in the pattern and need to get smaller).  She plans to wear it for her Sunday piano recital and pair with her blue legging. Let's say, she is still in green and blue mood.

For  Tova dress, I used 100% linen and set the stitch length to 2.5 and rather pulling the fabric towards to me, I push the fabric forward to the machine. It is super fun to sew with lightweight linen. The only fear I have is I must wear something under or it might see through under the sunlight. I think legging and cami would be a great way to go.

That's five Tova makings in less than 2 weeks for me + two small size Tova for S. It would be sweet to make matchy tops for us, but add something different on each one, but S might not sold that the fabric is in black. I might need to use some of convincing skill on her. 

Finally, I started binding the single girl quilt. The machine binding was done two weekends ago, but it has been putting on hold as my Tova madness is taking over here.  oh dear.......


xxc

Random: spring stitches..

 oh dear.. another one!  love all the small roses on the print and it looks a bit of spring in the one....
now..a little break from making the tops.. onto patchwork now..

xxc

Random: Monday

 {tova #2; photo by s.j.h.}

 { while sun shines, mama sews, S reads}

 {tova #3}

 { 100% linen, but i love it}

 {storing quilts}

 { need to make a pattern}

 { for S}

{tova #5}

Over the weekending, the sewing machine didn't stop much! It was clunking most of the time! Tova# 3 was born! It is lawn fabric which is silky in texture and super soft.  I have been looking for another lawn fabric to make other top that I have and would like to make a pattern from it { the one with a row of buttons}.  Then, I got more linen fabric to make more garments. The tova # 4 was made in 100% linen. I have pre-wash all the fabrics before I cut into them. The linen shrunk about 2 inches after the wash. It is super fine to sew with  and not much stretch. I pinned as much sewing pins as I could to make the lines stable.

S was resting on the couch most of time as she got another cold in this spring winter.  According to her that her nose is plug and hard to breath. She found resting in couch helps! S enjoys her new books from the library and of course the warm and cozy sunlight.

Tova #5 is ready to cut! The color is a little retro and I love the little roses on them. The fabric is from Moda by Cosmo cricket; odds and ends.  It is hard to stop making more garments lately. It feels like discovered a big treasure box;  finally there's a shirt fits me and I look fine in. 

S, asked for a TOVA shirt as soon as I made the first one. This morning I did all the pattern tracing and will re-size down to the right measurement for her. The paper I used to trace is a roll of tracing paper that I purchased from art supply store a few years ago. It is a great investment if you make many kids garments. I was able to make same pattern, but in different sizes that way. 

Oh.. yes! S is hosting a {blog} and she will talk more about it soon! She needs a little time to work on the first post. 

Packing is good! As you see that quilts are being {roll up} and piles of linen sheets to make storage {container}. More soon, I promise!

xxc

Random: Spring outfit

almost time to pick S from school. I have been in the new spring outfit for the entire day.. and i LOVE it!!  There will be more of this top to be made soon..

Pattern: Tova Top {PDF file}
Sewing along  posts: {verykerryberry}
Photo taken by: S.J.H.

xxc