I found some really pretty drapery samples at the Ravenswood Manor garage sale. I used one of the panels to make my friend Hilde a set of market totes. I even made a small drawstring bag to put them all in. She could reused that to wrap another present or to carry something small.
I also made a tulle tutu for my mom to give to her step granddaughter. Zibby tried it on to see how long it was. I used this tutu-orial
So, I was cruising around Etsy and came across several shops selling reusable sandwich and snack size bags. I immediately decided I should make some for my mom (and everyone else I know). I messed around until I sort of figured out what I was doing, and made 5 in various sizes. I used up a pillowcase I had thrifted from Goodwill recently. Sent them out for Mothers Day.
Later, I found a tutorial online for them, realized this was much easier than how I was doing it, and made a few more for my sister. Its her birthday soon.
For hers I used fabric from my stash. Last year I made my daughter an outfit from it.
My other recent project turned into a purse for my aforementioned sister. It started out as maybe being a diaper bag for a friend, but then it got kind of large. My friend is short and my sister is very tall, so I turned it into a purse/tote for my sis. Luckily her birthday was coming up. No project goes to waste around here! I got both the denim skirt and the diamond printed lining material at the Goodwill. I bought a zipper and straps. I also used some quilt batting as an interliner to give it some structure and a nice feel. I have to say, sewing an existing garment poses special problems. It was murder to sew in the lining over the front zipper in the skirt. I used a dark purple thread that didnt show very much, which is hiding a multitude of sins. But overall, I think it turned out pretty cute.
