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June 7, 2019

Simplicity 1805 Glitter Sweater

金色ホイルのキラキラがはいったニットで、サマーセーターを作りました。
型紙は、イギリスにいる時に作ったサマーセーターと同じ型紙。
作ったのはいいけど、ここ深南部はもうすっかり蒸し暑くて着る機会がないのよ。
またまたお出かけ前に大急ぎで写真撮ってもらいました。
この前作った鞄と、4月に作ったジーンズで、すっかり全身自作。


I made a summer sweater. But then, it's already so hot and humid in the Deep South that I won't be able to wear it until fall. It was a relatively cooler evening today so I grabbed the opportunity to wear it for an evening out.


The pattern is Simplicity 1805. I made view E without the hem detail. I cut a size XS. I used this pattern before for another summer sweater and followed the same alterations: shortened the bodice by 2.5" (I'm 5'3") and shortened sleeves by 1".


The fabric is 100% poly, very open weave sweater knit with gold foil freckles. I bought this fabric in 2013 so I am so glad to have finally used it! 

Because of the loose weave and that it's a sweater knit, there was no precision sewing in this project. My neck band is so wonky and my hems are total mess, but I'm ok with that.


And look at my brand new Boronia Bowler bag with tassels in action!
Also worn together with my Kaufman Ginger jeans. Hooray for me-made outfit.

June 4, 2019

Tassels on Boronia Bowler Bag

出来立てほやほやの鞄のファスナーを引きやすくするのに、タッセル作ってみた。


The zipper pulls on my brand new Boronia Bowler Bag needed bigger pulls so I made tassels using the leftover faux suede.


I just cut the fringes and glued it using contact cement. Added a rivet for a bit of a bling.

June 3, 2019

Blue Calla Boronia Bowler Bag

えんま市に里帰りするので、旅行用ハンドバッグを作りました。普段使いのショルダーバッグは財布と携帯ぐらいしか入らないから、いつもよりちょっと大きめの鞄が欲しかったのです。カメラとか飲み物とかお菓子とか入れる用に。
型紙はBlue CallaというとこのBoronia Bowler Bag
布はポーチを作った時のあまり布で。
まぁまぁの出来ではあるんだけど、機能性と形が私の求めているバッグとはちょっと違ったかな。


I will be traveling soon and need a bigger bag than my regular shoulder bag that only fits my wallet and a phone. So I made a handbag.

I know, the pattern match is not perfect, but close enough for me.
The pattern is Blue Calla's Boronia Bowler Bag. It has a zip from one side of the bottom to the other so it opens VERY wide. In fact it opens too wide for me that I consider shaving off the gusset pieces by 1" if I ever make this again.


I think there is a big divide in pattern quality between garment PDF patterns and bag PDF patterns. Or maybe the expectation is different? I think many bag pattern makers come from quilting and craft sewing background so the "patterns" are quite different from what I, a person who's used to garment patterns, expect. So I need to remember the bag patterns are not as user friendly as garment patterns.


And this particular pattern did not match very well. The pattern I got was supposedly a revised version but I guess nobody complained about the pattern pieces not matching? The exterior main piece and the contrast overlay did not match about 1/8" at the bottom corner. It really bothered me so much that I had to re-print the pattern pieces and trace the shape and re-cut the pieces.


Anyways, the fabrics, both the main exterior (upholstery weight cotton) and the contrast vinyl (faux suede), are a left over from my Blue Calla Clematis wristlet. I gave away all the wristlets so I don't have a matchy-matchy set, unfortunately.


My very first purse feet! These were 12 mm and I think they can be bigger.


I also added a "Handmade" metal label.


The pattern has an interior zipper pocket on one side and a slip pocket on the other. I added an extra slip pocket under the zipper pocket.


The bag zips out wide so the final construction was relatively easy.


I did make a cross-body strap as well (seen in the bottom picture at the bottom of the bag).
The handles were perfectly fine for a handbag but I tend to carry my bag on my shoulder and the handle length as instructed was a bit short for that purpose.


It's a pretty simple handbag, and maybe a tad too simple for me. I'm too picky about bags and this one just did not have all the things I wanted in my bag and the shape was slightly off for me. Nothing wrong with the pattern (other than the corner shape not matching), it's just me... I bought a couple other Blue Calla bag patterns so I will try them after my trip. My search for a perfect bag continues.