Category: Organization

Disco Double Zip by Love You Sew

Gift Idea: Disco Double-Zip Pouch as a Toy Bag

It’s holiday gift-giving season already and I’ve been thinking about my handmade line-up for awhile now.  I don’t know if I’m just getting better at planning or if the consumer marketing seems to be pushing earlier.  It’s probably the latter, right?!?  So, I’m going to try to show you some of my favorite handmade gift ideas through the blog and on Instagram (without leading to any spoilers for my family!) to help inspire handmade for the holidays!

Fortunately, Sew Sweetness just released Season 2 of her Minikin patterns.  This collection includes 13 patterns (many with multiple sizes) and accompanying videos.  If you didn’t know already, I’m a huge fan of these patterns and love how unique they are.  (You can check out my Sidewinder from Season One here.)  The Minikins offer such a great variety of patterns and I love having the library of patterns available when I need a gift.

My youngest son was invited to birthday party for a little girl about a month ago.  It’s hard as a boy-mom trying to figure out what’s popular, so I figured handmade is the best way to never have the same gift as another guest.  Luckily, I had this great Alexander Henry Unicorn fabric already in my stash, because we know ALL girls (young and old) love Unicorns 😉  The Disco Double-Zip Pouch, even in the small size, provided great side panels to show off these magical creatures.

To really make this bag special, I used Red Glitter Vinyl on the bottom gusset to add some sparkle.  Although the vinyl is thin, it is still stiff and required a bit of wrestling along with a lot of clips.  You will need to make quite a few extra cuts into the seam allowance to sew around the curve of the side panels.  But, it’s all worth it!

When I first decide on this pattern, I figured this pouch would be great to carry little knick-knacks and maybe some markers.  But I quickly realized the compartments were bigger than what I imagined in my head.  My son’s friend could carry a lot of her toys in these generous pockets.  So, I thought adding straps would make the Disco Double-Zip more like a little carry-all.

I omitted the side handle and cut (2) 3′ x 18″ strips of the vinyl,  folded them lengthwise into fourths and sewed up both sides to create the straps.  Each short end was folded up by 1/2″, placed 1 1/2″ down from the top edge and 1 1/2″ in from the left/right of each side panel.   Tip: Use a Teflon foot and a larger needle to get through the layers of vinyl.

Since the straps were an afterthought, I used rivets to attach them to the bag.  But you could sew them on before attaching the zipper gusset to the side panels.  I also used the rivets on the Glitter Vinyl at the end of each zipper to give the bag a more professional look.

Disco Double Zip by Love You Sew

The mom of the birthday girl told me this bag was such a hit and her daughter carries it around everywhere!  My son’s friend loved the Unicorns mixed with all the sparkle and she is so happy that she can put so much in her own little bag.  I call that a success and hope you have someone who could appreciate a Disco Double-Zip Pouch just as much!

Project Stats:

 

Happy Holiday Sewing!

Cristy

 

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Sewing Room {Pattern Organization}

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Pattern Organization Title

It’s funny when I’m asked what kind of sewist I am.  Quilter? Bag-Maker? Garments?  Well….I tell everyone, “I am all of the above.”  I like to dabble in everything — to challenge myself and I just love being able to make as much as I can with my own hands.  With this variety in my sewing repertoire, comes a TON of patterns!

I have a mix of both digital and paper patterns.  If given the option, I almost always take the full printed pattern.  As much as I love the instant gratification of downloading a digital pattern, the extra taping is a bit annoying and I have more difficulty tracing with printer paper.  I know…it’s nice to always have a back-up of a pattern on my computer, but be rest assured, I always make copies.  I trace garment patterns onto muslins and I create cardstock templates of bag pieces.  Which type of pattern do you prefer?

With all of the patterns and their print-outs…and the traced muslins…and the instructions…how do I organize them all?  As much as I would love a one-size fits all solution, it just doesn’t work for me. I have three different methods of organizing my sewing patterns and maybe one, two, or all three of them may work for you.

Classic Filing Method

Pattern Organization File Folders

This has place from my former corporate office days.  It also was my first method when started sewing.  Having all the supplies on-hand didn’t hurt either.  I had a stack of file folders, a desktop tiered rack, plastic file boxes and even a metal cabinet.

I use this method to hold my digital patterns and printout of free tutorials on-line.  (Thank you fellow bloggers!)  These are all categorized by my most frequent sews as shown.

 

Shelf Method

Pattern DVD Storage

Most physically purchased paper patterns are about 6″ x 10″.  They can easily get lost in regular shelving and other paper storage containers.  For awhile I had mine in cute little wire bins…but the patterns were quickly outgrowing my bins and I couldn’t see them well.

Fortunately, I had a friend who wanted to get rid of a DVD shelf…and it was nice solid piece.  (I bartered a toddler dress for this…score!)  This DVD shelf not only is the perfect size for paper patterns, but it holds fat quarters perfectly.  I love how I can see everything and my patterns are in easy access.

 

Art Portfolio

 

Pattern Organization Portfolio Open

So we tackled, letter-sized patterns and instructions with the file folders and the smaller printed patterns, but what about the big stuff?  For awhile, I folded all the taped pdfs up in those file folders and even used a large binder with those clear plastic sheet protectors, but they didn’t last long.  The patterns were all poking out and the folders got too full too quickly.  I needed something bigger…

When my kids started to bring home arts and crafts from school, I wanted to save all their cute projects.  So I picked up a smaller size art portfolio from my local big box retailer.  I use them to organize each year of school for my guys.  Then….it dawned on me one day that I should use one  for my big paper patterns.

This 11″ x 17″ portfolio size is perfect for my needs.  All of my patterns fit with only one or two folds without needing advanced origami skills to get them back into original form.  I love how it also holds my muslins and the clear pockets allow me to quickly identify what patterns are which.

How do you store all of your patterns?

 

Have a great week!

Cristy

 

Make an Easy and Simple Design Wall

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Design Wall Title

I am fortunate enough to have my own sewing room.  However, I do have to share my space with a full size bed.  It is “suppose” to be for guests but has functioned as my design area for awhile.  The bed, unfortunately, is becoming more extra storage space with all the projects I juggle at the same time.  If I need to lay out a quilt, it ends up on the floor.  But you know that leads to an open invitation for my kids to run over my blocks…

That’s why I need a new design wall.  There are quite a number of options out there.  I definitely don’t have the space for the portable versions like this one (or the money.)  I didn’t want to hang rods for a design curtain.  The wall needs to be flat and flush as possible.  When guests have to actually have to use the bed, I also want something that wasn’t permanent.

Design Wall Cork Bar Hung

My solution?  A cork strip and some flannel fabric.  I bought this great 48″ long cork strip here.  You can probably find the same cork strip at an office supply store, but who can compete with Prime shipping, right!?!

Design Wall Attaching
Initially, I tried to use the mounting strips that came along in the package, but they couldn’t handle the weight when the flannel was added.  Instead, I used some large picture-hanging strips to hold up the cork.

Design Wall w Flannel Fabric

As luck may have it, Robert Kaufman has this great grid fabric in flannel….perfect for a design wall.  The flannel allows quilt cottons and other flannels to “stick” without the need of pins.  Initially, I used some cute thumbtacks to hold up the flannel, but the cork strip is actually not that thick.  But nothing a few quilting pins can’t fix 😉

Design Wall Finished

And here’s my fast and functional design wall.  It is quite simple and I love it.  The best part is I can quickly remove the flannel when needed.  What do you use for a design space?

 

 

Happy Sewing,

Cristy

 

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Chalk and Paint Fabrics Blog Tour {Crimson and Clover Traincase}

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Traincase Full Profile A

Welcome to the kick-off for the Chalk and Paint Fabrics Blog Tour!  I am so happy to share my project with these new Art Gallery fabrics with you.  Sew Caroline has quite an amazing line-up ahead for the next few weeks and I know each blogger will have something amazing with Chalk and Paint.

Logo-PNG2

I have been a long-time admirer of Sew Caroline‘s garment patterns (umm..hello, Kimono Jacket..here and here…)   It is no exception when it comes to her fabrics.  All of her collections are youthful and so fun.  But this newest line has a more muted pastel palette, which I just adore!

Traincase Top

When I saw Untaped Splatter Frost, I knew it was going to be my next Crimson and Clover Travelcase (pattern by Sew Sweetness.)  I love this case because it holds everything…and it’s not even the larger size.  The interior side pockets are so nice for organization and lord knows I need all the help I can get!

Traincase Open Full Polishes

As I was sewing this bag, I realized why I put the two together….it was my sewn version of a Caboodle!  This exterior fabric has an 80’s vibe and being the child of immigrant parents, I never had one.  “What..a shoebox wasn’t good enough to hold your junk?”  They never understood the need for adolescent acceptance…haha.

Traincase Open Empty

For the interior, I used Writings on Boards as a darker complement to hide any spills or smudges which may occur (yes, I know myself well.)  How cute is this text fabric, right?  I love the inspirational words to welcome me every time I open this bag.

Traincase Front Zipper CloseUp

For the piping, handle and interior pocket accents, I used Dripping Paint Cooling.  You get so much color and texture in such a small amount of yardage, that it was just perfect for that extra “pop.”  Now…I think my “Caboodle” is pretty rad, isn’t it? 😉

Don’t forget to visit all of these amazing blogs for more Chalk and Paint projects!

Cristy // Love You Sew –> Right here!

Katie // The Simple Life

Jenn // Quilts and Conversations

Robin // Pattern Revolution

Alicia // Love Knot Photo

Holly // Holly Gets Quilty

Chris // The Tattooed Quilter

Alexis // My Sweet Sunshine

Adrianna // Hey June Handmade

Taylor // Taylor Made Creates

Casey // Casey Taylor Threads

Hayley // Welcome to the Mouse House

Giveaway-Graphic

What would you make with the Chalk and Paint collection?  You have a chance to WIN a Full FQ Bundle on Instagram by (re)posting your favorite image from the blog tour using #chalkandpaintgiveaway and tagging @sewcaroline. (Full Details are on Caroline’s blog.)

 

Good luck!

 

***This post may contain affiliate links which help me on the back end to fund this site.  Compensation is only through your own purchase. 

Honest Sewing Room Tour – Supply Pegboard

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Pegboard Title

I’m going to give you a sneak peek into my new sewing & crafting room.  It is still a work in progress…I’ll show you sections of it as I go and this post will be all about the Pegboard!  If you have been following me on Instagram @loveyousew_, you’ve already gotten a look but I’ll explain the method behind the madness here 🙂

For the past 5 years, I’ve been sewing down in the basement and I called my space the “Dungeon.”  It’s dark, has poor lighting, and I was sewing with the creepy crawlspace in front of me.  Combine that, with having the water heater to my left, and the rumbling furnace behind me and you can understand why the “Dungeon” tag name was appropriate!

Earlier this year, I moved my boys into the same bedroom.  They were so excited to share the space and I was even more excited to move above ground…with natural light!  After I painted the room and moved some furniture around, the first part of the sewing room to be tackled was the Pegboard.

I bought two of these 24″ x 48″ boards from a big box hardware store but you can also find them here.  These were initially painted with acrylic in coral to add a little life down in the dungeon but when I moved them, I freshened up the finish with Valspar household paint in Passion Pink.  I wanted to keep the same color and vibrancy for my special space 🙂

Here are a few reasons why I love the Pegboard:

  • Supplies are accessible – If I’m in the sewing “zone,” I hate to get up and ruffle through a bunch of boxes to find something.  I like to keep my most used supplies right in front of me.
  • Inventory Management –  I can easily keep tabs of what needs to be replenished.  The pegboard keeps me from wasting money by buying items I already have because they were lost in a box!
  • Space-saver – I don’t have a big closet or a lot of floor space, so this also allows me to better utilize the walls for supplies.

Thread Rack

So what do I keep on the board?  Of course, my most used thread!  With the Etsy shop and a lot of side projects, I tend to go through many colors and types of thread in a single session at the machine.  It’s nice to be able to just reach over and grab my next color without missing any momentum.  I keep back-ups of these threads in my supply closet as well.

Baskets and Zippers

Remember my first Organizational Tips post?  Here are the Mason Jars sitting in a basket ready for use at any time with my Wonder Clips and Quilting Pins.  The Binder Clips are keeping my zippers organized and I can readily pick out the color and size I need for projects.  I have a box of these great handmade cards my brother made me up in the corner.  It’s always nice to have pretty inspiration on the board too!  And last, but not least, I need some Band-Aids around for when I poke myself with needles….we do not need blood on fabric, right?!?

Rulers and Washi Tape

I like to keep these rulers and washi tape up at the top of the Pegboard.  They are quilt specific so I keep them organized but up higher since I don’t use them as often.  The dowel for the tape and twine has been a great help.  I can see all the different rolls I have and grab as much as I need without have to move them off the board! Bonus – I use the dowel at craft shows with some display hooks!

Scissors

The scissors….I love my scissors and rotary cutters.  I keep a lot around for different purposes.  When I’m deep in projects, they end up all over my sewing room, so I (obviously) need extras 😉  These are all held in a standard Multiple Tool Holder for pegboard.  I used larger tool holders for my Pinking Shears.  As you can see, I have plenty of fabric ones, but I also keep Dollar Store cheapies just for paper crafts or cutting patterns.  My 4-year old even has a safety pair on my board.  Whenever he wants to hang out with me, we work on his scissor skills with scraps of paper.  He gets a kick out of having something in the room that is all his own.  Speaking of safety…with my sewing room being right next to my boys’ room, I need to keep all of these sharp object up and out of their reach.  The pegboard and some education helps give me some peace of mind…

Pegboard Image

I hope you enjoyed the mini-tour.  I’m quite eager to share the rest of my new sewing space with you…but I have a little more work to do before then 😉  If you would like to follow the progress or see more, check out #LYSstudiomigration on IG.

 

Stitches and Hugs,

Cristy

 

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