Quick and Warm

When I picked up 5 yds of black knit fabric, my brain had to start coming up with more ideas than a long sleeve cardigan. Then I came up with the best idea! A 3/4 sleeve cropped sweater to wear with my Vogue 9001 maxi dress.

I used the Briar Tee pattern by Megan Nielsen. The cropped length would be perfect to hit me at the waist. I would need to bring in the neckline because I wanted a crew neck, find a happy sleeve length between the short and long, and lastly make sure the sides were fitted in tight. I didn’t want a big slouchy sweater.

I cut and sewed this in one day. More specifically, in an hour!

This fabric is so soft. The weight is decently light so it will be great for layering.

I took these pictures were taken way too late in the day so it’s me and my shadow. I had to take about two inches out of the sleeve width to get the fitted look I wanted. I cut the smallest size for the bodice. I only had to take an inch or so out of the sides.

I was able to turn up the hem on the bodice and sleeves 3/4″ for a clean edge.

The neckline is a 2″ wide strip folded in half and attached.

I love a quick and easy project. This was my final make in my old sewing room before I packed the girls up for the move. Frankie is smelling the night light for whatever reason…

Boss Bag

As of July I got a new boss. She’s asked me several times to make her a Jamie-Made and I’m wary of making others stuff for fear of it falling apart. I decided I would make her something for Xmas. I thought about making her an apron because she bakes as a side business. After I brought my big bag to work, she said she also needed one. Screw the apron, she’s getting a giant bag!

The search for fabric began. It needed to be purple, the right shade or purple and a heavy weight. After searching, I came to the conclusion that I needed to dye fabric. This can really be hit or miss for me. I found ice-dying on Pinterest. The gist of it is to cover wet fabric with ice, sprinkle on powder dye and let it sit for 24 hours.

Here it is at the get-go. I used pink and purple dye. You can see where the dye hits the fabric between the ice. Those spots will be darker. The fabric sits on a rack so the water drips into the container below.

This is halfway through. You can see the colors starting to blend. It takes a lot of patience to get through the this!

You can see that the colors blended together nicely. I think the colors wouldn’t have been so muddied if I would have washed it right after rinsing it.

I used the same dimensions from my bag for this one. (17 1/2″ x 16 3/4″ x 8 1/4″) Instead of a pleather bottom, this one has a heavy cotton purple bottom. I was worried if I didn’t give it a dark bottom the dyed fabric would get dirty so fast.

I did make the handles longer than mine. It makes it easier to throw over your shoulder. I secured them into the base and with an X stitch towards to top to keep them from pulling away from the bag.

I added a magnetic snap for an easy closure. I stitched her name in purple thread into one side so there’s no question whos bag it is! Purple is her favorite color. Preferably lighter shades so the ice dye provided a good mix of shades.

The inside is also a mix of purple which I bought before I completed the dying process. Fringes crossed that they would go together and I’m so happy they did!

I had a bit of leftover fabric so I made a supposed cosmetic bag. I have no idea what you can fit into it since it’s so tiny. It’s 4″ X 4 1/4″ x 1 7/8″. Maybe a lipstick and a small compact?

Same fabric on the inside and outside plus a purple zipper. *squeal* This was a free pattern I found. Next time I make it I will have to make it a lot bigger.

Not only does she get an awesome big bag but a cute little, teeny, tiny bag. She better like it or else I’m keeping it!

This was the first project I completed in my new sewing room. I’ve been busy with the move so it was nice getting back into the sewing groove. How amazing of me for my first sew to be for someone else!?!