Welcome 2013! What fun do you have in store for us?
2013 GOALS
Four new patterns and four new tutorials. Tutorials are simpler, so it’s nice to alternate them between patterns. I have some ideas that might work better as tutorials than patterns.
My first priority is the Mini Daytripper mods. You only need to make a few minor modifications for a purse-sized bag, but I need to make another one before I can post them. I think I’ve made 10 of them in the last 2 months and after the one I made the minute I got off the plane, I need a few days of sewing something different first. I’ll get it done by the end of next week for sure.
Tutorial/pattern ideas (not a full list, just what’s in my head right now):
- Sling backpack – I want one for the gym or as a reusable bag type of bag. Me-sized not kid-sized.
- Travel pillow/pillowcase (with a zipper, of course)
- Lingerie/organizer bags (more zips and applique)
- Gadget sleeve – This is one I have made lots of and it’s not difficult to sew but I wrote the wristlet pattern instead because they keep changing the gadget sizes. If I can come up with a formula, then I can make this work. Otherwise, where do you stop with the pattern pieces?
- Some sort of tall, medium sized rectangular hobo/tote – Not sure about a zip. A magnetic snap or no closure may be OK but I won’t know until I make one. Possibly a back lapped zipper instead? I need a tote bag that fits my laptop when needed but isn’t giant.
- A slouchy sling bag – I kind of want to make one with a zipper. I see these bags everywhere but will anyone make one when you can buy them for $15?
- A top-zip tote – Like your standard quilted tote. Someone wrote me to say they don’t like recessed/inset zips. Is this a common thing? I prefer them because they allow the opening to be wider. I suppose we could do a basic top-zip tote?
- A small handbag, possibly in two sizes? – A tiny handbag size and a small or medium sized purse. One strap. Top zip. Flat bottom but the zip like the chevron bag.
- A drawstring purse – As either a padded camera case or a special occasion purse. Drawstrings for every day? Not my idea of convenient. I’m in and out of my purse a zillion times so that doesn’t work for me, but yet I love the style!
- Something other than a gusset or a boxed bottom. Maybe an oval or a gathered bottom.
- Pleats, bows, patchwork, etc. I’ve focused on the technical design so far and left the “pretty” up to you. That’s great, but I’d like to see if I can make something pretty to start with.
I am not an artist :)
I would like to do something sewing related that’s not a PDF pattern. Maybe something outside of my website. Maybe a bag-making series. Maybe a project in a magazine. Maybe teaching a class. Something like that.
Fun sewing:
- Knits! Especially the Tiramisu dress and some skirts – I’m not afraid of knits, I just struggle with finding the right fabric! Also maybe a t-shirt tote and something with ruffle fabric.
- Dresses (Cambie and Washi) and skirts with an invisible zip and yoke – Same problem with fabric.
- Scarves, headbands, fabric flowers
- Quilts – I have so much fabric designated for quilts and this will be the year they get made!
- Potholders – I have no excuse for having a single sad potholder in my kitchen
- Aprons – Also no excuse for having a shelf of food-related fabric and no apron
Non-sewing stuff:
- I need to lose the rest of this weight. I was down about 20 pounds, but then completely stalled out around June. Then I gained some back when I stopped counting calories while writing the Daytripper pattern. It’s hard work, especially when you’ve been awake for 30 hours and you just want pancakes. I know what to do, which is eat nothing and get to the gym a few times a week. It sucks. My doctor argues that 1500 calories a day is not “nothing”. I disagree. Anyway, the goal is to gain some muscle and build up my metabolism so that I can do outrageous things like drink liquid that is not water.
- Quilt Market in May
- Star Trek Chicago in May
- Stargate Chicago in August
- Sewing Summit? Last year it was a scramble to get a ticket. We’ll see!
- Vancouver! Hopefully this summer but most likely winter. Either way, we will get there. I am determined to use up all those miles I earned flying across the ocean! :)
- I think London is going to get bumped to 2014. Sorry Tasha and Steph. Soon, I promise!
I need to do some boring accounting stuff for a few days and then I’ll get the info posted on the Mini Daytripper and figure out what’s next! Is there anything on this list you must have?? Something else?? Now is the time! :)
Hmm..I like the sling back pack adult size and then the gadget sleeve. I see the slouchy sling bag everywhere and they are ridiculously inexpensive. The same with the drawstring bags, unless they are padded to make a camera case. Even so, drawstrings are not time friendly when you are in a hurry. BTW, I absolutely love the way you install zippers. They are so easy your way. Don’t change that!
Thanks Carolyn! Yeah my problem is that I like all of them. :) I know the sling is everywhere but I really think it would be great with a zipper.
Can’t wait to see what you come up with this year! I sure love what you did in blog land past! Happy New Year! Cheers
Thanks Wendy!!
Non-PDF pattern idea: Maybe a purse that is a sew-along? With lots of variations (or wiggle room for creative license) available so everyone’s purse turns out different?
I second the idea that your zippers are awesome. When you put a zipper along the top of a purse, placing the strap becomes a problem.
Pattern or tutorial idea: a purse organizer insert–one of those things where you store everything you MUST have and transfer the organizer from purse to purse.It it’s one of those wrap-into-a-roll things, a tutorial would be enough.
Please, oh please, something with ruffles that doesn’t require piles and pies of fabric or the turning of long tubes (ick).
Love your work! Hope you have a spectacular year!
I think a sew-along tote bag type thing would be awesome! I have an idea for strap placement – basically run them under the bottom of the bag and add a side pocket. As far as the purse organizer – have you tried just using zippered pouches? That’s what I do! I have a big one and a small one – small one for super essentials and big one for the “i’m taking my big bag and i need to have band aids and my inhaler and extra tissues” kind of thing.
I’m loving the ruffles idea. I want to do more with ruffles! I will see what I can come up with!
Sounds like a great list!! I love the idea of all those things! Travel bags, quilted bags, zip top totes – all things I would love to make! I mean, one can never have too many bags right??!!
Can’t wait to see all the great things you will come up with!!
Oh my gosh, the bag series sounds wonderful!!! I’m really wanting to go to the Sewing Summit!!! Would love to meet you in person!!!
Sewing Summit is an interesting thing – you basically need to buy a ticket in the first 5 minutes to get one and it’s difficult to plan to go with friends if you don’t know if they will get a ticket too. So, maybe. It’s also hard to buy a ticket for something in April when it’s not until October, especially with airfare and hotels being involved. I didn’t even plan my trip to Oz that far in advance. So, we’ll see. I’d love to go if it works out that way!
Do you currently have a pattern somewhere for the super cute (and beautifully sewn) back pack I am drooling over as I look at it here on your website (under “Erin’s Instagram”)? It is so unique. I’d love to make one. Thank you.
It’s just a prototype. I have 5 or 6 ideas I’m trying to get out of my head and crossed off the list before I decide which pattern to make next! But it seems everyone likes it, so it will stay on the list! :)