time to dust that sewing machine

It is that time of year again when I have the urge to sew. Every year I plan to sew myself something nice to wear and end up not doing it. I do have a busy life, I know, but my main problem is inertia and an inability to make decisions. Skirt? Dress? Blouse? Shorts? No, definitely not shorts. A winter coat? I fancy that, I really do. Egg yolk yellow tweedy wool with a patterned lining. I am not sewing bee finalist material but I can follow a pattern if someone helps me with the measurements. It is not easy to measure yourself without moving the measuring tape to a part of your waist that is narrower (but technically not the waist anymore). As for the hips, I tend to measure those at knee height to make me feel better. I should maybe get one of those sewing dummies that can be size adjusted but it is probably not worth it for the amount of sewing I actually do. It would look nice on blog photos though, wouldn't it? Or in my (imagined) studio. 

Anyway, it is always good to ease yourself back in any activity gently when you had a bit of a break. No point starting with the chiffon blouse or the neoprene frock, is there? Ever since we got Jack I have been tut-tutting about the random poop bags and crumbly dog treats in all my pockets. Wouldn't it be much neater to have a small zippered pouch to keep it all in? Yesterday, I had another free morning with James still being off school and I still didn't fancy doing my English homework (I did make some progress since last time though, not to worry). With James tucked up on the sofa, Jack snuggled up by his side, I got my box of fabrics out and searched for my butterfly cotton for the lining. I really wanted to make a top with this but there is not enough of it and it is no longer available. I also had some jeans cut-offs for the outside and a red zip. Perfect. There are many lined zipper pouch tutorial online, I used this one. Zip pouches are not all that tricky to make but I do get muddled up with inside and outside and zipper orientation and it is easier to follow a step by step guide and not end up with a pouch in which the zip pull is on the inside of the pouch and the lining on the outside, wrong side out. It didn't take long to make the pouch, an hour maybe. I nonchalantly inserted the zip, pretending that I sew in zips all the time and don't find it scary at all. I do actually. It just shows that I have too much time at hand, worrying about zippers and the likes. I get a rather unproportional sense of pride every time a insert a zipper. 
 
Now I have a lovely little pouch for all the dog bits and pieces. It fits in both of my two handbags, and also into my coat pockets. Perfect. Next I want to make a boxy pouch for my lady stuff. Kristie made one the other day and I really liked it. I am thinking of buying some iron-on vinyl to make a leak proof pouch. I had no idea that such a thing was available but noticed it when I was looking for interfacing. How amazing is that?
 
Did you see how neat and tidy my thread box is? I spent some time sorting it yesterday. It is so very therapeutic. I even secured the loose ends with sellotape :-)

And now if you will excuse me please, I really need to get some work done, I have a backlog to clear. Have a lovely end of the week. 
 
 





Comments

  1. I always get totally confused making zipped pouches. Yours looks great. I've also got the urge to sew myself something... It must be the sewing bee inspiring us. Hope James feels better soon x

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  2. Your pouch is great!!!! I am terrified of zips, I have a kit to make a pouch with a zip and am too scared to even contemplate it!! I am very impressed therefore with your work. I hope that it does the trick to keep things organised in your pocket! xx

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  3. What a great idea. I never know where to put the dog treats and bags. and your bag looks so pretty. Christina. I am too scared of zips.... Have done many but still would rather avoid.
    Rosezeeta.

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  4. Such a wonderful idea, my pockets are always full of things for the dogs or the Grandchildren, a couple of those would really organize me. I love the fabric.

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  5. Hey Christina,
    Every pocket I possess has a poop bag in it. I would probably forget the pouch and have to use a leaf, the state my mind is in t the moment! Yours is fab though, and would lend itself to loads of other stuff.
    Leanne xx

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  6. What a great idea, you've done a wonderful job. I could do with one of those myself, my pockets are always full of poop bags.

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  7. Great wee bag :) And Sellotape for cotton ends, can't believe I never thought of that, genius!

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  8. Your little zippered pouch looks great. You did a brilliant job with the sewing, especially the zip. Yes, your thread box caught my eye--so neat! Hope James fee better soon. Have a nice weekend. X

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  9. You can always spot a fellow dog owner by what's in their pockets. Every jacket I posses has poop bags and crumbs in the pockets, even if I've never worn it to walk the dog! I'm sure you're being far too modest and could insert zips with your eyes shut whilst finishing off that neoprene frock to walk the dog in the rain :-) xx

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  10. Very nice, Christina. The sewing is really neat and it all came out really well. I think it's a very clever dog-walking accessory.

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  11. Very impressed with your colour co-ordinated threads, especially the sellotaped ends. It's funny how the urge to create suddenly appears with a little spring sunshine. Iron on vinyl sounds an excellent idea - there are so many products out there, that I know nothing about, that would make life so much easier if only I knew about them..

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  12. Love the butterfly material, it made a great lining. I made my daughter a zippered pouch with a leopard print material. It turned out well and I've kept saying I'm going to make myself one, but so far inspiration has not struck.

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  13. Really cute idea. I need to make a new change purse, but I have not attempted zippers yet.

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  14. What a great idea, zips always fill me with dread too........iron on vinyl that sounds like my kind of think ;)

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  15. zips. eeek. too scary...........

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  16. Beautifully done, and so useful. I can attest to your excellent sewing skills, I'm very attached to my lovely peg apron. I love a nice tidy of my thread box as well, it's so satisfying when it's all lovely and neat and colour co-ordinated. CJ xx

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  17. Oh boy, do I know inertia and indecisiveness.
    I absolutely love that butterfly lining. xxx

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  18. It is a lovely little zippered pouch, and I am with you on the measurements, I think I cheat a bit here and there and that isn't very smart is it?
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  19. My mum used to sew and taught me to make curtains but I have never made any progress. I'm impressed by this little bag - very useful too as our dog usually poos 3 times per walk...vile smelly mutt. We do love him though.

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  20. I love the zippy bag and the butterfly lining is fab. Zips scare me too but it looks like you got the better of this one. Enjoy your weekend! xx

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  21. I love your little bag, I am in the process of making a little bag to keep my keys in as I'm always standing on the doorstep for 10 mins searching for them. It's not as nice as yours though!

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  22. Well done on the sewing. I'm a bit of a reluctant seamstress but I finished my patchwork quilted table mats at the weekend so that's progress. My friend was wearing a lovely yellow coat yesterday - though she didn't make it.

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  23. I am always searching online for articles that can help me. There is obviously a lot to know about this. I think you made some good points in Features also. Keep working, great job! sewing machines for beginners

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Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment, I love to hear from you, I really do. I sometimes reply by email but I am not all that reliable... Christina xx

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