Pinky Pye

I’ve named this project after a book the childrens’ librarian at my local branch directed me to. The book, Pinky Pye, is by Eleanor Estes, author of Ginger Pye.

Ginger Pye is one of the most bizarre but unforgettable books of my childhood. I remember reading it and being boggled by the thoughts that went through the characters’ heads, as well as the complicity of the adults in the story. It may have been that I read that story at an older age than its intended audience, and so had a harder time suspending my disbelief; at any rate, I eventually bought the book and re-read it a few times.

I’m looking forward to cracking open Pinky Pye, and wearing the rather interesting-looking pink scarf I’ve named after it!

Fail to Plan

Ah, planning. A good plan is a wonderful thing, but I (rather stubbornly) try to do everything without one. I’ve been getting by, paying lip service to this important practice, but I think my days of living by the seat of my pants are numbered!

Thanks to the wonderful book by Sue Kim I recently discovered, I decided to make myself a new bag, to replace this one:

The above is Butterick pattern B5622 in the large size, and it was a total cinch. I don’t think bag patterns get any easier! But my beloved tote is showing serious wear and tear, and won’t last much longer. I decided to replace it with the Chic Hobo Bag from Ms. Kim’s book. Two hours of reading directions, tracing a pattern, and drafting a new pattern later, I realized the fabric and pattern didn’t match.

Ugh….

If only I had analyzed the fabric before doing all that work, I could have scrapped the project or used a different fabric! The more I sew and make and alter patterns, the more I am forced to accept the importance of planning.

Planning goes beyond simply buying enough fabric for the project at hand. It includes analyzing the fabric appearance, fiber, and drape for suitability to the project; assembling all materials needed and checking that they work together aesthetically and functionally, and are present in sufficient quantity; reviewing project directions, pattern pieces, and dimensions; and more.

But most importantly, the starting point of any successful sewing plan is considering how exactly the project will be used when it is finished. Had I done that step only, I wouldn’t have bothered making the Chic Hobo Bag at all! I would have recognized it is too small, and attempted the Urban Carryall or the Floral Bag.

Well, tomorrow’s another day. And I’ve (finally) got a plan!

Bags, For the Uninitiated

I’ve got another book review for you today! I just got Bags: the Modern Classics, by Sue Kim, from my local library, and I am in love. I am going to start making a bag right away, the Chic Hobo Bag. AND I’m going to trace all the pattern pieces to play with after I return the book, AND I’m going to buy this book!!! It’s that good.

Buy the book online: Amazon

Check it out from your local library: WorldCat

Really, if you like the idea of sewing your own bags but feel that the time (and money) spent on acquiring and wrangling bag hardware make the exercise not worth it, this is the book for you. Most of the bags Ms. Kim designed require only fabric, thread, and sewing machine, especially the bigger bags. I absolutely love that! I don’t want to buy expensive hardware, and frankly, I love simple, cloth bags – you can throw them in the washer when they get grody. Amirite?

Anyway, this is the fabric I’m going to use for the CHB – isn’t it spectacular? As a first generation American (US) of Nigerian extraction, I am sensitive to the bland interpretation of all things ‘African’ according to American sensibilities. When I saw this fabric, though, it spoke to me. Not only is it my signature color palette (red-black-white), it also has that faux-African thing going on in a much less obnoxious, plastic way. Yay for interpreted heritage! (And speaking of heritage, I do actually have fabrics purchased in Nigeria, some of which I will soon be sewing with. Exciting!)

I expect this bag will only take an afternoon, so stick around to see my version of Ms. Kim’s lovely design – and also my review on the quality of her instructions. Yay!

Release the Hounds

Fun factoid about me: I am horribly, intensely allergic to dogs. I’m so sensitive it’s embarrassing! So this houndstooth check scarf is as close to man’s best friend as I can safely get. (“Hounds” tooth … get it?)

I absolutely love this scarf, and look forward to wearing the heck out of it! I’m also proud of it because it is my first attempt at doing a two-pass baby (rolled) hem on the sewing machine. I do have a rolled hem foot, but it frankly never occurred to me to use it! I’m a bit analog, what can I say.

If you want to make a scarf like this, all you need is 3/4 to 1 yard of fabric that is at least 50 inches wide, and some thread. You can use a rolled hem foot, or do a two-pass rolled hem (i.e., stitched, trimmed, and stitched again), or even do a rolled hem by hand, to neaten up the four sides of your rectangle. Et voila, you’ll have a scarf!

I am the world’s slowest sewer *and* I used two colors of thread for the hemming because I thought it would look cool (and it does, thank you very much), and the whole project took me less than two hours. So if you want a cheap, instant gratification project, definitely give a scarf a try!