The Sewing Mom

I recently participated in a Fabric Swap and I was so happy to find these fat quarters to send to my swap partner. I loved the summery colors and batik fabrics.  I had a lot of fun picking them out. I mailed the package of last week, so hopefully, my swap partner has received it by now and I’m not spoiling her surprise by posting this picture.

Tags: batik, fabric, fabric swap, Wordless Wednesday

I am so excited, I just discovered this fabulous blog, Marvellous Mouse Designs which belongs to someone who loves sewing as a craft as much as I do. To make it even better, she is hosting a fabric swap which, since I am addicted to buying fabric, is right up my alley!

I found this just in the nick of time too, because the swap ends on August 11.

After submitting your information for the swap, you will be emailed your swap partner’s information. You then have until August 30 to mail your partner one yard of fabric. The 1 yard can be created many different ways:

* 1 full yard/metre of fabric
* 2 half yards/metres of fabric
* 1 half yard/metre + 2 quarter yards / metres
* 4 quarter yards/metres of fabric

This is a perfect way for me to use fabric right out of my stash, or, it gives me the excuse I’ve been needing to go to the quilt store!

So, click here to jump in on the fabric swap. Remember, enter in the next 2 days!  And, you don’t have to be a blogger to join in!

Tags: fabric, fabric swap

I went into my sewing room this morning for the first time in several weeks.  For 2 of those weeks, I was away from home and this past week, I’ve been attempting to get caught up on other household chores before going back to my sewing.

I need to organize my projects in an orderly fashion.  I think I will put them in order of which ones I want to work on first.

I’ve decided that I have one tote bag project to create and then I think I may step back from the bag sewing for a little while.  I have several other projects that I’m itching to work on.  One of those is my block of the month quilt.  I have completed 1 block of the 6 I currently have and am almost done with the second.  I have 2 more blocks to pick up at the quilt store, so I believe that gives me 6 that I need to do and then I will be caught up.

While I was on vacation I purchased the fabric and pattern to make a wall hanging.  It is quilted and has applique, but I think it’s a project I can do.  My aunt and mom helped me choose all of the fabrics at a quilt shop in Bull’s Gap, Tennessee.  We had fun doing that together!

I also have a Christmas quilt that involves machine embroidery.  That will be the first time I’ve ever done a project like that and I’m looking forward to it.  The quilt is a snowy white and the embroidery is all done in red.  I can’t wait to get started!

I have a couple of other small quilt project waiting as well.  Boy, for a non-quilter, I have an awful lot of quilt projects lined up waiting to be done!

What are you working on?

Tags: block of the month, fabric, machine embroidery, quilting, sewing

I had so much fun making this bag. I wasn’t really sure about it when I first saw the fabric, but once I got it cut out and was putting it together, it seemed like it was meant to be. This bag is approximately 10″ h x 8″ w with a 40″ over the shoulder strap. The front has a zipper and the back is a pocket. This is a great travel bag for keeping your small items and identification for quick access. It’s also handy for carrying ipods, gameboys, cd players, etc.

This bag is $15 + shipping.

Tags: fabric, sewing, western

I am so excited!  My daughter and I were out running errands today and we headed to the quilt shop to get some fabric and supplies for my fabric bags.  We then headed to my daughter’s guitar lesson.

I was driving in from a different direction than if we had come from home.  When we arrived, we were on the opposite side of the building than where we usually park and my daughter casually mentioned that there was a quilt shop right across the street.  I said “WHAT”!?  I couldn’t believe it.  She has been going to this guitar studio for about a year now and I drive her there myself once a week.  I have NEVER seen this store.  I was so excited, I couldn’t wait to go check it out.

It wasn’t an overly large shop, but they did have some nice fabrics and some good information.  I learned that they had been in their location now for about a year and a half.  I just couldn’t believe that I had not found them sooner.  I also learned that there is a quilt show this weekend in Mesquite, TX which is only 25 miles from where we live.  I might just have to go check it out.

I bought a kit to make a tote bag from blue and brown fabrics.  It’s really pretty and can’t wait to get started on it.  I think it will be a great bag for grocery shopping.  It also has quite a few pockets in it so it will come in handy for many other uses. I think I need to go get started, I’m anxious to put this fabric to use!

Tags: fabric, quilt shop

My sister has been being quite creative lately. She recently decided to sew a small, over the shoulder bag using a Harley Davidson bandanna! This is a pattern she has made several bags out of, but this was the first time she used a bandanna. The bag has a zipper front and a pocket on the back. This is a great bag to carry when you’re only wanting to have a few items with you. Perfect for teens and tweens too!

Tags: fabric, fabric bag, sewing

floral paisley bag, originally uploaded by sewingmom1.

My sister just finished creating this beautiful bag. I love it because it is fully lined and comes with pockets. It also has a fabric closure at the top for security. This is a perfect bag for Spring.

This bag is for sale. If you’re interested, please contact me by leaving a comment.

Tags: fabric, fabric bag, sewing

My sisters, mom and I are looking into renting a booth at a craft fair to show and sell all of our handmade goods. Considering that we all live in different states, agreeing on a date and location will be no small feat!

One of the best areas for selling hand crafted goods of any type, seems to be Tennessee, where my nephew and his crafting wife live. It’s a beautiful part of the country and it seems to have a number of craft shows to choose from, as well as flea markets and what they call, Mile Long Yard Sales. We could really choose from any of them.

No matter what we do, I’m pretty sure that I will be traveling the farthest and whether I fly or drive, will need a hotel. I don’t know what we used to do to find hotels before the internet! I love that you can go online to sites like HotelsCombined.com and find hotels. Not only can you find them, but you can compare them, see pictures, find rates and reserve rooms.

Once we decide when exactly we’re going to do this “event”, I’ll be making my reservations. If it’s after school lets out for the summer, which I’m hoping it is, my daughter can come along and I will probably drive. That would be so much easier and I would be able to take more stock with me. If I fly, I’ll be limited as to how much I can bring with me.

I’m really getting excited about this prospect. I have stocked up on fabric, especially over the last week, so I will be sewing a lot over the next couple of months. Not to mention, I am so looking forward to spending time with my family.

Tags: craft show, fabric, handmade goods, hotels

I just returned from the local quilt shop where they are having their annual Fat Tuesday Fat Quarter sale. This was such a huge sale that I actually had it marked on my calendar to go, almost as important to me as a doctor or dentist appointment would be. Truthfully, perhaps even more important!

Anyone who has ever visited my site before knows that I am a sewer. I don’t quilt, but I love the quality fabrics that are sold at quilt shops and use them to make my fabric bags, including the ones I currently have up for auction. The only downside of buying quilt fabric is the price, it can run almost twice the price per yard of the fabrics you will find in other fabric stores. The quality is quite noticeable, particularly when sewing it, and it is well worth the money.

I try to not go to the quilt shop unless I absolutely need fabric or a specialized item that only they carry. However, last week, I was there for a bag sewing class which cost me $25 plus the cost of all of the supplies to make the bag, approx. $50 (I can make two bags from that supply). Following the class, I did purchase more yardage for other bags I plan to make, spending another $50. Today’s shopping trip was specifically to purchase fat quarters, pre-cut pieces of fabric measuring 18″ x 22″. These are not on sale too often, so it was a stock up spree for me. I purchased 42 various fat quarters at a cost of $1.75 each, regularly $2.50 each. I also decided to join a Block-of-the-month club for making a Beattitudes quilt. The blocks themselves are very reasonable, $12 each. I had to buy both January and February’s blocks for a total of $24. I also had to purchase the instruction book, a one-time purchase of $16. If you were to add up all of those numbers, you would come up with a number totaling almost $140.

Needless to say, I’ve spent quite a bit over the last month on fabrics. I use my money that I earn online and from selling my bags to purchase all of my fabrics and notions. I feel this is fair to not take money from our household budget to support my fabric and sewing addictions. I pay for all of it using a debit card attached to my own personal account, I never have to feel guilty about what I’m spending. This is how I deal with debt management for my sewing business. By using a debit card rather than a credit card, I don’t have to contend with credit card debt management which can be stressful if not handled correctly. I want to enjoy my sewing, not have to worry about how I’m going to pay the bill when it comes in the mail.

So, I have now built up my fabric stash to a level that I should be able to make quite a few fabric bags in several different varieties. I’m looking forward to making each and every one, they are all as individual as we are!

Tags: credit card debt management, debt management, fabric, money, quilt shop, sewing