A Maker’s Gonna Make

Posted on May 11, 2015May 11, 2015 Posted in Bags, Everything Else, QuiltingTagged Bag, free motion quilting, linden sweatshirt, Me Made May, messenger bag, recycled, repurposed, Vintage5 Comments

A Month in Making:

Messenger Bag with Reflective Material donated by Stephanie (Spontaneous Threads) and repurposed seatbelt closure-my design :: Linden Sweatshirt out of a vintage tablecloth :: Linden Sweatshirt out of organic fleece I hand dyed-both as part of #memademay :: My first adventures in free motion quilting with help from the book Stitch Draw by Rosie James :: Umbrella Prints collaborative project begun :: Blue WIPs.

In other news, I’m delighted and I know we are all flattered that the Modern Quilt Guild referenced Bee Sewcial (Flickr: The Bee Sewcial Pool) as a guide for Quiltcon West’s Charity Quilt Challenge for next year. Check it out here: Member Charity Challenge | QuiltCon West.

Best,

Hillary

Call Me a Bag Lady

Posted on November 23, 2014 Posted in BagsTagged Bag, feedback, leather, recycled, repurposed, rubber, Vintage3 Comments

I know, I know, more bags. Playing with bag designs over the last week, I cut up a vintage Bemis feedsack and paired it with some red scrap leather and Japanese linen for a 3/4 size version of my Museum Bag. This one is even better in person and the size is not too big, not too small . . . just right. I’m finally converting these paper drawn pieces into plastic form for future use.

The extra red leather scraps also seemed to pair well with my husband’s motorcycle tire tubing that was waiting to be thrown away. It was the first time I sewed with rubber and was delightfully easy. That Pirelli insignia was too precious to throw away and I think my guy likes his new “Boy Bag”. More leather and rubber to come (and undoubtably more bags) . . .

Hillary

A Vintage Bag

Posted on February 8, 2014 Posted in BagsTagged Bag, Hmong, Vintage3 Comments

One of the main reasons for purchasing an industrial machine was so that I could repurpose some of my heavy treasured vintage tapestries. The heavy fabric took a toll on my traditional machine. Ms. Juki and I are still getting acquainted but with some give and take we are starting to get to know each other better. A beautiful Hmong baby carrier has been staring at me from my sewing room corner so yesterday after work I pulled together my fave organic cotton canvas from Marcus fabrics and some of my last Muench leather handles and put this beauty together. My new machine made it sooooo much easier to sew together then my previous attempts pre-Ms. Juki. I have about 15 other crafting projects swirling in my head while also working on Pediatric Mock Code scenarios for work, dealing with THE WORST Influenza season of my career and guiding my kids through major school projects. Life is busy but good.