Friday, June 24, 2022

Happy Friday & Bag Project Updated

   Hi Everyone, 

 Wow we are nearing the end of June already. It's been so hot here every day that it seems like it is going slow but here we are at the end of the month next week.

  We had our 6 month doctor visits this week, the family doctor we had been using since the move to the lake, we both were not crazy about and had been thinking of switching to the other doctor in the office-and then I got a call that ours was retiring so I could easily switch. He is the only doctor in the clinic now, young from Russia and we both really liked him allot, and very professional and on top of things unlike the other doctor. So we have eliminated a stress situation-a good thing.

  Since I needed to get off the allergy pills a couple months ago, my head just feels like it is in clouds haha.  I took myself off of them, because I have been on and off of those since I was a child and I just needed a break and my extreme leg cramps are mostly gone now too.  So with that and this continuous high heat with humidity has me feeling tired most of the day-ugh

  My garden plans have been halted do to this weather, we will see what fall brings us.



  Today I wanted to make the little purse pattern so I could start cutting out the fabric. The little bag is reversible too, so I can showcase hand dyes on both sides.  I shared this in another post that comes from the Sashiko and Boro book I picked up.

  I was happy that making the pattern was easy for me, something I just don't grasp sometimes. The instructions in the sashiko book were very clear. I am working on the wood flooring so I can spread out.

  At first I was wanting to use the packing paper that I have lots of but it was not quite wide enough and piecing it together was not accurate. So then I grabbed parchment paper which is working out well. I copied the page from the book for the instructions on how to measure this out.


I had a couple pieces of this one that I never cared for. Forgot what happened but I never liked these purple blotches-too tie dye for me haha  They will work out for these little bags though. This is a good quality kona cotton so it can be used finally


This following piece is more to my liking, and I have three green pieces too  I need to cut two of these pattern pieces. I will switch up the different fabrics so each bag will have two different hand dyed fabrics.

I will be adding patches to one front side and then practice with the sashiko stitches. I think this will be the perfect small project for slow stitiching.


   I did want to mention that since my T post  I have learned there is also a difference in the teas labeled for iced tea and for cold brew tea. 

    I tried the iced tea that I have on hand so I can get it used up-and it was not very flavorful. I contacted the Luzianne tea co about this and she said No the labeled iced tea will not work for the cold brew method. She told me the cold brew teas have added natural flavorings that will cold brew into a good tea.  This is true because the iced tea bags I made with the cold brew tea method had no flavor very blah haha.

Happy Friday and weekend!!


Update:  I thought I would add this here since it goes with this post.  After cutting out around 10 pieces I went back and re read the instructions again-and I missed something.  I had it my mind of what I wanted to do, but after re reading a better construction method to go with the instructions that I missed. 

   I had it in my mind to add just a few patches here and there and slow stitch on those. but then there is the issue do I want the patch to be raggy on the edges or turned under?  

  The instructions which I hadn't caught at first, is using a piece of cotton as the base and then totally covering with patches-instructions how to do that so no raggy edges. This will give a cleaner look too, so I would not want to use my hand dyed fabric for this as it would be totally covered.

  Ok so I went into my quilting stash of fabrics and found a big bag of allot of yardage of good weight muslin-one I would have dyed first and then used for a back of a quilt.  So I probably should have put this through the rinse cycle and dry to get more of the wrinkles out-but I steamed pressed it a couple of times tonight. It will be ok to cut out the pieces-tomorrow



 So instead of having pieces cut for 5 bags I will have pieces cut for 10 bags-using this muslin for one of the 2 pieces for a bag.  I had planned on making 8-10 bags so all is good.

  Ok I think I have this all sorted now--my mind works slow til I get it all figured out-always been this way haha

30 comments:

  1. You did well to take yourself off the allergy meds, I know it can sometimes be a process. I’m glad your doctor situation worked out. I can’t wait to see this sashiko project, I’ve always wanted to try this, I really like the indigo jackets you find on Pinterest. That’s interesting to know about the cold brewed tea. I just got my mail and thank you so so much for the beautiful letter and vintage post card! It s beautiful. You will be hearing from me soon, it was a difficult situation for a while but I’m able to see to write now. I enjoy slow mail, snail mail, thank you so much!

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    1. Hi Laurie, I am so happy you got your slow mail-can you believe my friend Iris in Germany got her letter much faster than you did lol I thought you would like the vintage card-I fell in love with those and thought perfect for my slow mail friends-hugs I love the white stitches on indigo too-maybe after this project my stitches will be good enough for that Happy Friday

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  2. Awesome that you finally have a good doctor! Can't wait to see the final product of your bag project, Kathy.

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    1. Hi Angie, yes I just feel so much better, the original doctor was too much of an old country doctor-I am a country girl but my husband needed a more knowledgeable family doctor.
      I am getting excited about my bag project too-hugs

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  3. Happy Weekend! I never learned to sew beyond the basics.

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    1. Thanks, I know the basics of sewing too. My Mom was a master seamstress and made most all of our clothes growing up-then when we learned how to sew we had to help sew out clothes. I was never that good with figuring out to make the pattern fit my size--
      the basics do come in handy though

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  4. Good news about the doctor. I look forward to seeing more of your bag project, Kathy! It looks very promising!

    -Soma

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    1. Hi Soma, thank you so much, I am getting excited about this bag project now that I have a plan-haha-if all goes well will share as gifts

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  5. It makes all the difference to have a good Dr that you are happy with. I am so interested in this looking forward to seeing your progress.
    Cathy

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    1. Hi Cathy, Yes it really does.
      I was re reading the instructions about this bag, and just realized-they didn't mention this-that the front fabric needs to be plain cotton, and then it will be totally covered with patches of other fabrics (my hand dyes) and then sashiko stitched. I am glad I realized that now haha

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  6. Good news on the doctor front.
    I started using saline rinse for allergies. Not a big change, but small is nice as well.

    Nice bag pattern. It looks easy enough for me to follow. I have sturdy drapery fabric that will make a nice bag.

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    1. thanks yes I am happy with the doctor situation and I use the saline too-not as often as I should but it is a good thing to do.
      Your drapery fabric will make a good strong bag-happy Friday

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  7. I don't know what there is about June, but it always seems to fly by. I think we are all going to enjoy with you, this slow-stitch project. This is a perfect project for these hot summer days.

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    1. I think you are right that June goes by fast as we look forward to summer with June I think this is perfect project too for learning these slow stitches

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  8. Glad you haved another doctor that you like. Alergy pills can make you very tired. The bag looks rather complicated, but Im sure that when you get the first one done, the others will be much easier. Have a good weekend, hugs, Valerie

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    1. It might be my system getting off the allergy pills since I have been on them for so long-hadn't thought of that.
      I think I made this project more complicated as I had an idea in mind, but didn't totally think it out better-looking at the photo it shows that this side is completely covered at least I didn't mess up any fabric in my thinking process haha hope you are feeling better soon -hugs

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  9. Hello Kathy,
    It is always good to have a doctor that helps you to feel comfortable. I have tried many non-drowsy allergy meds, none seem to help. Your bag project is interesting, I am looking forward to seeing your finished bag. Take care, have a happy weekend.

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  10. I finally popped back over here! Love that pattern. I’ve made a tote and a purse in the past, but it’s been years and I’ve forgotten what I learned. I’ve been watching a tutorial and hope to make a tote soon. It’s easy. I just have to remember the order in which everything is done.

    I look forward to seeing your final version. Hope you feel better soon. Allergies are tough enough without high heat and humidity added on to it.

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    1. Good mornng Kimberli, I have never made a tote or any type of purse, so this will be an adventure with the stitches too-and will be happy to use up a bunch of my hand dyed fabrics-it's time to really use up my stash or start selling it
      allergies are a pain have had them since early childhood

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  11. That's such good news about finding a doctor you like and can trust. Not always easy nowadays!

    I love the purse. Those are techniques I've been eyeing for awhile, but I seem to run out of time and energy for sewing by the end of the day.

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    1. We had a doctor we really liked since retirement in 2003, we moved away and he had back problems and living really rural again so hard to find some close by. I am anxious to try out the slow stitches-good for when it is so hot here

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  12. Good news about your Doctor.
    The year does seem to be passing by very quickly.
    It will be the 1st of July next Friday!

    Take care, and keep as cool as you can.

    All the best Jan

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    1. thanks storms coming in tonight should give us a bit of a cool down

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  13. I think the best way to make bags like this-getting the pieces ready to make multiple bags. Smart thinking Kathy. hugs-Erika

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    1. Thank you Erika, I was thinking that too-so my mistake worked out-I wanted to make at least 10 bags might need a couple more, but will see how these work out first.
      I will start laying out pieces for the first bag today

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  14. Kathy, it may be that the taste was not to your liking because "the cold reduces the flavor of the food."
    The bag you have created has a very nice design.

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    1. Yes I am sure that is why the cold brew tea bags are different as they enhance the flavors.
      I am hoping these bags will be fun to make

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  15. Sorry I missed this post, Kathy. Playing catch up is hard. Glad you left a link on your T post or I would have missed this. So glad you found a good doctor and was able to ween yourself off those allergy pills.

    Your bags are going to be wonderful when you are finished. My grandmother was like your mother and was a master seamstress. She made all my clothes until I reached high school. At that time, I was working, so I had money to buy my clothes. Her quilts were all hand quilted. She had a HUGE hoop that she used when quilting. I can't sew a thing unless it's on the machine and I can't follow a pattern, so I look forward to seeing your slow stitch bags.

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