Two bags in one {sewing}

The reversible bag is finished (free pattern from a very purple person). I made some time today to sew it together - I had the different bits looking at me with reproach - 'what are you waiting for?' (yes I talk to projects, don't you?). Well, I am not sure why I had a mental blockage when it came to finishing it. I just did not seem to understand the instructions, which are super easy - and yes I had to believe that the bag would go through the straps - I could not get my head around it. But It works. 

I took extra care to match the piping and that worked ok. I love the shape created by the darts at the bottom. As you may have noticed I made a bigger version, I increased all the measurements (I think by 5 inches but I am not sure anymore). 

The other side is surprisingly nice as well - I did not think I would like it, I put the rest of the spotty fabric because I had it handy, not because I would like use that side. But it is the top stitch that finish off the bag. It really makes the bag. 

Here we are a new bag for taking my projects around, especially Umaro! 

On another note, I finally on the MiH facebook page posted some pics of our holiday in Montenegro - just in case you wonder what it looks like!

post Holiday Blues {sewing - or lack of}

Can we make today Friday? Coming back to work has been quite a shock to the system. In front of my computer all day long (no beach hopping anymore!!) - and the workload that no one has touched for a whole week. My maternity cover has also started this week, and well, I am not very good at delegating - so that is going to be an interesting two month period. So not a lot has been done on the sewing front since I left - but a lot of falling asleep on the sofa. 

The beach bag will become a project bag (as it was not done in time for my holiday), everything is ready I just need to find the energy to sew it together now. 

I did go for the piping option in the end. And, after some tricky moments with my sewing machine, I think it will look quite nice. So hopefully you can expect a review of the pattern I used next week. 

Other than that I had many parcels welcoming me back home - it was Christmas before Christmas. Mr MiH is always amazed at how much I buy on line - at the same in terms of weight he wins hands down (he is expecting deliveries in tons - cement mix is one of his top buys at the moment). So received was the fabric for the Low Volume Swap organised by Rebecca Lynne. Needs to be cut and send, and then the wait of receiving my charms!! I am still undecided on what I will make, but I am hoping to be struck by the creativity genie when I receive my parcel.

And yes I had to send some Rashida Coleman-Hale design. The choice for the second fabric was between the Little Red in Icing featured or some Lotta Jansdotter - but I thought you might be bored of me sticking to the same fabric. I need to widen my horizons.  

Preparations

It is Wednesday and I think I am getting the hang of WIP Wednesday and trying to schedule my new projects accordingly. We are off on holiday soon, and that only means one thing, I need to get ready, so ... 

I clearly need a new passport wallet. 

Mr MiH has his very own, but tends to carry my wallet as well - and I am assuming this will mean the baby's one in the future.So the fabric choice needed to be 'manly', Mr MiH would refuse to carry the passports otherwise - and he is providing a valuable service (i.e. it is not my fault if we lose them, and he runs much faster than me if there is a problem). 

I bought the pattern at One Shabby Chick's Etsy store, after seeing Kelly's one. You can see my choice of fabric on the left hand-side corner of the picture. It is all cut and I am ready to start with the instructions, loads of pictures so should be straight forward. I am making the 4 passport wallet, although with the baby we are going to end up with 5 passports in the household - I am the single-passported member of the family - feeling slightly 'under-passported'. 

Next is a beach/swimming pool bag. There will be a swimming pool where we are staying, and there are beaches as well. I found the reversible bag pattern yesterday (free pattern), cut it out last night. And I have already made some modifications - it will be bigger and bi-coloured on the outside, and in linen fabrics. Looks fairly easy on paper...  

I obviously need a holiday project, and you will be glad to know I am knitting again! It took a bit of time to recover from Winnowing, but now I am back swatching away for a cardigan, and trying to find the right colour and gauge.. 

It is not just about WIPs, I finished a little project using my bias tape, I just need a couple of things to really finish it off - so hopefully that will be over and done with this weekend, but here is a sneak peak at it. I love this bias tape..

Go and check out all the other Wednesday WIPs over at Freshly Pieced.