The Singing Costumer

I found this gorgeous fabric at (where else) Joann Fabrics. One side looks like a navy with a lace layered on top, and the back side is just navy. At first, I thought I might make a skirt, but I thought I might get more use of a purse. I found McCall's 4400 in my stash and gave it a try. I love the way the handle comes down the front and tucks into the little loop. Very cutesy. But it's Laura Ashley, so of course it is.  I used view D. It's a fairly easy pattern. There was nothing that surprised me in the construction. I also found a fabulous lace zipper at Hobby Lobby. It's so pretty and lacy! Here's a close up, but it's a little hard to see. I haven’t used it much, though. Like, at all. Not once. It didn't turn out like I imagined. Or maybe it's too floppy and not structured enough for this style. (It does have interfacing in it, but I should have used a thicker interfacing). Maybe I should have used a prettier white fabric instea

Hello, my name is Sarah, and I have an addiction to buying random things at thrift stores. (“Hello, Sarah”) I have at least 5 items in my thrift store “cut up and repurpose” pile and I just bought a dress for $2 the other day for a new summer purse. Whoops. This purse began life as a beautiful gray 100% wool dress about 8 sizes too big for me. And no, I’m not exaggerating. But I couldn't leave so much nice fabric for such a good price. Usually, I don't favor gray, but this fabric called to me and told me that it wanted to be a purse. And who am I to deny?  :-) The pattern is McCalls 6977, view A. It came together well with no problems that I recall. The bow on the front took quite a lot of the fabric, more than I expected. But with some clever placing of the pattern pieces, I made it all fit. All the layers of wool and interfacing in the bow is so heavy however, that the purse is very front-heavy and it likes to flop forward. But that's a minor issue. The l

I love this set. They were finished probably 5 years ago, but I'm not sure. I found a pattern book in the library years ago called Making Vintage Bags: 20 Original Sewing Patterns for Vintage Bags and Purses by Emma Brennan and I loved all the patterns included. Only a month or two ago did I finally get around to buying my own copy. The purses are inspired from different eras ranging from the 1920s to the 1960s. This model is called Nancy and is 1940’s inspired. It is a little small for me personally, but oh so adorable. The main fabric is a light blue corduroy gifted from a friend, I think, and the lining is a quilting fabric from Joann Fabrics, years ago. Blue, I decided, was a pretty color while being neutral enough to coordinate with many outfits. As the pattern suggests, I appliqued felt flowers and leaves with a zig-zag stich on the front of the bag, and on the matching coin purse (this was also a pattern from the book). After some hemming and hawing, I dec

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