Experimentation

Posted on November 2, 2014November 2, 2014 Posted in Bags, QuiltingTagged Bag, modern quilting, quilting10 Comments

When is the last time your tried something new or set your goal on a project with no guide map on how to get from beginning to end? October was full of such scenarios for me and how refreshing to experiment and step outside my comfort zone.

Looking toward participation in the Bee Sewcial group, I’ve been searching for images and themes to inspire me/us. In doing so, I came across this awesome poster and knew I needed to reimagine it in fabric form. After considering several methods for sewing concentric circles, I decided to just go for traditional curved piecing with lots of pinning and needle turn appliquéd the smallest circle. I stumbled across some amazing wood working tools in my husband’s shop and used this Veritas tool to add 1/4 inch to all the circles. He has several other tools I think will be surprisingly helpful to me as I try to make this in a larger version. Who knew this “woodworker’s method” would work so well?

I’ve also been experimenting with more nontraditional fabrics and making up more bag patterns. The remnant pile silver corduroy and red denim were begging to be a quilt (top or back-still undecided).

A friend sent me some beautiful Thai textiles that he had been holding onto forever. I made up a new bag design and combined them with some black Marcus Organic Cotton and left over red denim and made the bag below. I’m sending it back to him for his wife with one of my handmade Malas in for good measure.

I also started cutting and sewing with a log cabin diamond idea that is morphing as I progress. I look forward to the arrival of more fabric so I can finish this one up.

Lastly, I hosted my annual Mother/Daughter Craft party and delved into painting (a completely alien art form for me). Needless to say it was a blast to hang out with these ladies who dressed up as famous female icons and made some beautiful art.

Our former mayor and her daughter were especially darling and Mrs. President and Vice President.

Let’s hope the end of the year is full of continued experimentation and creativity.

Hillary

You’ve Got Mail Bag

Posted on October 20, 2014October 21, 2014 Posted in BagsTagged USMail vintage bag repurposed recycled up cycled12 Comments

Last week I found some real treasures at a vintage shop. After washing the U.S. Mail bag several times I combined it with some black leather repurposed from a leather jacket donated to me and used a pattern I made up and call the Museum Bag. (Each time I make these bags, the pattern becomes more and more refined!) I added a built in zipper to the linen lining and used some leftover leather as the zipper pull. I LOVE THIS BAG. It begs for me to put on my Doc Marten boots to match!

In other news, after some lobbying by my friend Bianca of

Thanks! I made them!.

Alabama Chanin is no longer using Nude as a dress color. The light sand color previously called Nude is now called Ballet. Yay for Alabama Chanin and Yay for Bianca! Let’s hope other companies come to their senses as well.

Lastly, I am honored beyond measure to be asked to participate in a special quilting bee, one that involves only solid fabrics, with a theme that changes each month and is composed of ROCKSTAR quilters. I must admit I’m a little humbled that they would want to include me but I’m excited to give it my best. Look for us soon on Flicker and Instagram:

Hillary

Everyone Loves Catwoman

Posted on October 11, 2014October 11, 2014 Posted in Bags, QuiltingTagged Halloween quilting quilt modernquilt recycled repurposed bag catwoman10 Comments

Hey everyone! I’m back from LA invigorated . . . and determined to get in better shape. Going to LA and being around all those crazy fit, beautiful folks will do that to you I guess? Unfortunately I missed seeing my friend Lori. We were hoping for a quick meet up but her honeymoon trip to Italy got in the way-priorities, priorities. BUT I did get to meet with some college friends and we had so much fun. There is nothing like hanging out with gals you’ve known since the age of 18 to help put everything in perspective.

One of the bonuses of the trip was that the Noodlehead Envelope Clutch (Noodlehead Envelope Clutch with Umbrella Prints Fabric | Entropy Always Wins.) I made and gifted made it’s way last week to a Democratic Fundraiser . . . featuring President Obama . . . at Gwenyth Paltrow’s house?! They confiscated all cell phones and cameras at the door so we didn’t get any pics of the bag with celebrities but it was surreal to get the texts from my friend afterward. I mean, what do you say to Julia Roberts when she is sitting next to you? To be honest these famous people sounded pretty grounded and lovely.

Oh, how I’ve loved sewing since returning. I am completely geeking out on minimalist designs. The baby quilt top above was a blast to make. It required a gigantic circle template which was a first for me and pretty darn easy. I’m looking forward to quilting this and thinking about binding it in a yummy bright solid. My leather scraps have also been keeping my imagination going and I have made up a few more bags with them trying to use up every last piece.

At the end of the month I am hosting a Mother/Daughter Halloween party for my friends and their daughters. Everyone has been tasked with dressing up as their famous female icon to celebrate girl power (the picture below is on the invite). Trying to encourage the gals to dress up, I made the bag below as a prize for the best costume (at my dress up parties, the young ones always pick their favorite). I’m calling it the Everyone Loves Catwoman Bag.

Well, I’m off to work on my costume. Happy weekend!

Hillary

Noodlehead Envelope Clutch with Umbrella Prints Fabric

Posted on September 30, 2014September 30, 2014 Posted in BagsTagged clutch, envelope clutch, noodlehead, recycled, repurposed11 Comments

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as combining a great pattern with some treasured fabric. I’m heading to LA to visit some girlfriends this weekend and in anticipation, I wanted to make up something as a gift. Anna of Noodle-head re-engineered her Envelope Clutch recently and I couldn’t resist trying it out with some treasured Umbrella Prints fabrics. Pattern is here: Envelope Clutch PDF Pattern – Noodlehead.

The only modifications I made were including heavy duty Pellon interfacing with the fusible fleece on all outer parts, ditching the side D-ring in lieu of a leather tab and using some more repurposed leather for the trim, handle and inner card pocket. (Side note: Can you believe I now have 3 stuffed garbage bags full of leather and suede that friends have given me?!) I was able to sew through all of these layers because of my industrial Juki. Even with that, working my way through two layers of fleece, heavy interfacing, fabric and leather was a chore.

While in LA, I’m hoping to visit a girlfriend from high school. While I went to undergrad and medical school, she moved to LA to be a dancer and had quite a run dancing in the Academy Awards, on tour with singers and on TV. In my mind, she is most famous for her part in George Michael’s video “Faith”. Anyone else remember those amazing legs? Yep, that’s my friend Lori.

Can’t wait for some girl time.

Hillary

Bohemian Rhapsody

Posted on September 24, 2014September 24, 2014 Posted in BagsTagged Bag, Bohemian bag8 Comments

Sometimes a riot of color is a good thing, no? And mixed with flowers and vintage textiles . . . for me it is irresistible!

I got into a bag making frenzy this week and sewed up some vintage Thai textiles. The first was a clutch I made with the sleeves of a black leather jacket a nurse friend gave me. Once again I used a tribal tassel repurposed from a belly dancing costume for the zipper pull.

My last Thai baby carrier became a bag for a girlfriend. I added an inset zippered pocket to the lining (a first for me and so easy!)

Lastly, i used more old climbing rope, Marcus organic cotton canvas, some thick vinyl and a pretty Kaffe print to make a bag for my girl. I added some of my handmade linen and voile flowers and am calling it the Bouquet Bag.

It’s pretty liberating to make up designs that are floating in my head and equally exciting to see my sewing room floor that is a tad less cluttered after finishing these to-do projects.

Peace out ;),

Hillary

Little Things

Posted on August 26, 2014August 26, 2014 Posted in Bags, QuiltingTagged bags, paper piecing, recycled, repurposed14 Comments

Although I love making quilts, there is a special place in my heart for projects I can complete in a day or two. One feels so productive when one has a nice bag, block or cowl to show after a short period of time. My days have been filled with such projects of late.

I have been exploring paper piecing a bit more and am becoming increasingly intrigued. I found a free brassiere pattern and made the block above. It is asking for some underwear to go along with it so that is soon to come. Free pattern here: Paper Panache–Free Bra Paper-Pieced Quilt Pattern.

I have also been working with my scrap and recycled leather and putting together small bags. I was the lucky recipient of a new delivery of suede clothing and leather scraps in amazing bright colors that have my creative wheels spinning. I am so grateful to Stephanie Ruyle of Spontaneous Threads (Spontaneous Threads.) for sending them my way. Crafty, blogging friends are the best!!

Loving the 80s vibe this colorful suede brings. There is much more in the works. I also stitched together this more traditional pouch and yes, I am drowning in handmade bags. 😉

To end, I had a nice surprise again yesterday when my crazy yoga pants/french knot project picture was picked as a weekly fave in Craft Magazine Online. Who knew a quick project shot while I was waiting for the kids to dress for school would be so popular? A good reminder to me of the beauty of the mundane, little moments of my life.

Hillary

Busy Hands

Posted on August 17, 2014August 19, 2014 Posted in Bags, Knitting, Quilting11 Comments

Oh my goodness, these last couple of weeks have been busy work and family-wise. Looking back I’m a little shocked at how much hand work I’ve been able to accomplish and have several finishes and works in progress to share.

First off, I decided to get creative with some of my leather scraps and made up this clutch with a moth out of leather for the front. Being able to use orange leather as accents and as a zipper pull tickles me to no end and has me searching vintage shops high and low for unique colored leather to repurpose. With the orange feather Anna Maria Horner fabric lining I want to walk around with the bag open at all times however impractical.

I also got busy making another Sew Together Bag for a friend. The Koi fabric has me calling this bag “Why so Koi?”. Don’t tell anyone but I think my favorite part of creating is coming up with names for my makings. 🙂

You can find the Sew Together Pattern here: Sew Together Bag by SewDemented | Sewing Pattern.

I’ve also been busy with yarn. My husband and I are headed on a vacation to a cooler climate in a few weeks so I made up this double cowl in anticipation. The lovely grey yarn got a little monotonous so I decided to add a mustard stripe. Best. Idea. Ever.

I used a grey yarn by Neighborhood Fiber Company (Studio Worsted in the color Thomas Circle) and the mustard is Malabrigo Worsted in Sunset. The free Ravelry pattern can be found here:

Ravelry: Casu Cowl pattern by Galia Lael.

Some beautiful hand dyed fabric by Malka of Stitch N Dye came into my possession and has also been spurring my creativity. Riffing off techniques I learned from Carolyn Friedlander in her latest book, I made up a pattern and am working on some needle turn applique pillows. These have me really excited.

Are you still there? 🙂 Lastly, I’ve been exploring a new idea for the theme of Nude as a clothing color. If you have been following me you know that I oppose this still common designer habit. My previous post is here: Needle Turn Applique with a Message | Entropy Always Wins. Using Carolyn Friedlander’s pattern and trying out paper piecing for the first time I have been making several dresses in various shades of “nude” and a quilt idea is coming together. I purchased her pattern here:

Carolyn Friedlander Shirts [1PA-CarolynFriedlander-1112] – $11.95 : Pink Chalk Fabrics is your online source for modern quilting cottons and sewing patterns., Cloth, Pattern + Tool for Modern Sewists.

Blessings everyone.

Hillary

In Other News . . .

Posted on July 8, 2014July 9, 2014 Posted in BagsTagged Bag, leather, recycled, repurposed14 Comments

Was my work post too heavy? Sorry guys, my life is such an interesting mix of ER, mommy and craft worlds mixed all into one.

In other news. . . my craft room has been bustling of late. I was the lucky recipient of a suprise package from Texas. My friend Bianca, knowing my affinity for repurposing leather sent me several thrift store jewels.

Thanks! I made them!.

I about died when I caught a glimpse of the leather orange skirt she sent. Combined with some white leather remnants picked up from a local upholstery store and some orange circle fabric found on sale (8 yards for $5!!!) a bag design came into focus. Initially, I was concerned that the leather skirt seams would make my bag idea impossible (the biggest challenge I have found with repurposing leather from coats and skirts is that it is hard to find large pieces without seams). What a nice surprise to find that the seams compliment rather then detract from the bag.

Isn’t that lining fabric yummy? I used both U clips for the handle and metal feet on this bag. Both were new to me and thankfully easy.

I also got ahold of some awesome red leather remnants at the same upholstery store and whipped up this little bag. Is there anyone out there who doesn’t love the Red Cross symbol? Odd-ball zipper pulls also have me obsessing of late so I used an antique key as one for this bag. No question, I need to find more of these keys!

Lastly, this Sunday I was surprised to see my quilt “Big Blue” picked as a Flickr pic of the week by Make/Craft Magazine online. Very Fun!

CRAFT Flickr Pool Weekly Roundup | MAKE: Craft.

There are some more fun quilty things in the works but all must be put on hold for now. Our family is going on an adventure (one that involves wetsuits and a lot of sunscreen). Yippee! Hope you too have a week of fun and adventure.

Hillary

FONT-CY BAG TUTORIAL

Posted on June 22, 2014June 22, 2014 Posted in Bags, TutorialsTagged Bag, recycled, sewing, Tutorial6 Comments

I’ve had so much fun making up my these simple bags that feature letters and symbols in fancy fonts and recycled leather accents, I thought I would write up a quick tutorial. These are guidelines on how I have made my bags but I would delight in people taking my idea and modifying to make it their own. I have used both my industrial Juki machine to sew these up as well as my Janome Memory Craft machine with no problem so I know it can be done either way. The limiting factor in using a traditional machine for this bag is NOT the leather since the repurposed leather I use from coats and skirts is fairly thin, it is the heavy weight interfacing. Having said that, using the leather needle, going slow and steady, I broke no needles and had no problem using my traditional machine. I hope the same may be true for you.

Supplies:

Felted Wool for your Number/Letter/Symbol
Embroidery Thread to match the wool
1 yard linen (for the outside bag body) cut into two rectangles (20″x17″)
1 yard cotton (for the bag lining and the inside handles) cut into two rectangles (20″x18″) and two rectangles (20″x2″)
Repurposed Leather (used for the side stripes of the bag and outside handles) cut into two rectangles
(18″x2″) and two rectangles (20″x2″)
1 1/2 yards of Pellon Heavyweight one sided fusible interfacing (for the bag body and handles) cut into two rectangles
(20″x17″)and two rectangles (19″x2″)
Upholstery weight thread
Leather sewing machine needles if using a traditional machine (I used Schmetz #100/16.)
Clover wonder clips (these help so much with sewing leather to prevent needle holes when holding pieces together)

Note: I used a 1/2 inch seam when sewing and a 1/4 inch topstitching unless otherwise noted. RST=Right Sides Together

Step One: Cut out and Sew on your Special Letter/Number/Symbol onto the Bag Front

I found several fun fonts on the internet and my computer as well as drawing up some designs on my own. After fusing the front linen pieces(20″x17″) to the Pellon interfacing pieces (20″x17″), I cut out the image I selected in my wool felt and centered it on one of the rectangles allowing an extra 1 1/2 inch at the bottom to account for the bottom fold and top handles. I pinned it to the front and then hand stitched 1/8-1/4 from the sides using three strands of the embroidery thread and a split stitch sewing through both the linen and interfacing.

Step Two: Make the Outside Bag

Mark a 2″ square at the bottom of both the front fused linen pieces and the inner cotton lining and cut them out.

Using the wonder clips, attach one 18″x2″ leather strips to the side front fused linen piece RST and sew together.

Do this on the other side of the bag and fold the seam toward the leather and topstitch it down after you sew each seam.

Sew the side leather strip to the back so that you have made a bag tube. Turn inside out and topstitch the last leather seam. (This is the hardest part of making this bag as you have to push the other side of the bag tube out of the way while sewing to prevent accidentally sewing the tube together.)

Flip the tube inside out again and sew the bottom seam together.

Next, fold the lines made by cutting out the bottom squares together, matching the center side leather strip to the bottom bag seam and sew these two seams on each side to close the outside bag.

Step Three: Make and Attach the Handles

Fuse the 20″x2″ cotton rectangles to the heavyweight interfacing rectangles 19″x2″ leaving 1/2″ overlap of the cotton on each side.

Set the 20″x2″ leather rectangle on top of the 20″x2″ fused cotton rectangle RST. Hold together with the wonder clips and sew a 1/4″ seam along the two long 20″ sides. Turn the tube inside out. At both ends, turn under the leather and cotton by 1/2″ back into the tube and hold with a wonder clip.

Top stitch along all sides of the handle closing up the ends. Repeat for the other handle. Now you have two handles to attach to your bag front and back.

Measure 4″ from each side and 2 1/2″ down from the top to mark the outside edge of your handles. Topstitch a 1″ square and X at the handle bottoms to secure the handles to the bag.

Step Four: Finish the bag

RST, sew the cotton lining pieces (20″x18″ cotton rectangles) together along the sides and bottom, leaving a 4 inch opening at the center bottom. Then sew the bottom side square openings together as you did on the front piece. Slip the lining RST and attach with wonder clips at the top to the main bag piece making sure to keep the handles out of the way. Sew the main bag and lining together at the top.

Pull the main bag through the opening in the bottom of the bag lining and push the lining into place. Top stitch along the bag at top. Finally sew by hand or machine the bottom opening in the lining together and you are done!

Although I think I’m done with these bags for a bit, I am by no means done with the idea of leather repurposing. Check out some of the other repurposed leather projects I have completed:

Recycled Leather Clutch | Entropy Always Wins.

A Birthday Present for My Guy | Entropy Always Wins.

A Tote for my Cargo | Entropy Always Wins.

The Bianca Clutch | Entropy Always Wins.

Ok, Just One More . . . | Entropy Always Wins.

I WOULD LOVE, LOVE, LOVE TO SEE WHAT YOU COME UP WITH IN THIS BAG DESIGN. IF YOU MAKE UP ONE OF THESE BAGS, SHOOT ME AN EMAIL OR POST IT ON INSTAGRAM AND USE THE HASHTAG #foncy. (You can find me there @entropyalwayswinsblog.)

I hope you have a wonderful week. We are off to the Seattle area to visit friends and family.

Hillary

Monday Musings-Creative Inspiration and Another Bag

Posted on June 15, 2014June 20, 2014 Posted in Bags, Monday MusingsTagged ampersand, Bag, text10 Comments

It’s official, I’m obsessed with all things text. Interesting letters and numbers, dynamic fonts and text covered fabric have got me dreaming lately. Letters have come front and center in my new bag design and I am making up a new quilt with some newspaper print, something new to me. It may have been our recent visit to the Newseum in Washington DC, a geat museum that focuses on the history and impact of newspapers, television and all other news avenues in our lives. Bear with me, this obsession could last a bit. (The picture above is my daughter perusing the museum on our trip.)

By the way, did you know the & symbol is called an ampersand? I found that out today as I was looking for symbols for my new bag which I ended up drawing myself. Once again, I used recycled leather for the side stripes and handles, linen for the body, felted wool for the front symbol which I hand sewed on and a favorite Carolyn Friedlander cotton for the lining. Look for my free pattern/tutorial soon.

Hillary