I Found A Heart

We played golf at Hapuna yesterday.  Just off the 18th green there was a Kiave tree being trimmed (think it was damaged in the wind) I couldn't pass up the shot...would have been perfect for Valentine's Day:)

Bride tote and zipper pouch

I promise!  This is my LAST post about tote bags and zippered pouches!!!  But, I had this really beautiful white on white Hawaiian fabric, and my best bud's daughter is getting married in September...so I thought I should make the bride to be a tote and pouch for her to carry around all her important wedding planning stuff.

And while I'm at it...here are my two latest totes with matching pouches.

Another Zippered Pouch

I made this leaf print awhile ago, couldn't  figure out what to do with it.  Decided to make another zippered pouch and applique the printed piece as a little decorative detail.  Think I'll send it to my sister, she deserves a Mother's Day gift...)

Wild Bird Seed Bag Shopping Tote

I've been trying to take shopping bags with me to the market lately.  I figure the fewer plastic bags blowing in the wind the better.  I have a couple totes I keep in the car, but can l aways use more.  Since I feed the birds here at the Hawaii House everyday...I go through a 40 pound birdseed sack every couple of weeks.  They're very sturdy and sort of decorative...I figured one would make a great shopping tote.  You'll need one heavy duty feed bag (or rice or bean or other large bag)

Next, cut off the top and bottom edges

Turn inside out.  To form a flat bottom to the tote, open up the bag "as a square" then pinch in the sides until they meet in the middle.  Sew across the layers several times to reinforce the seam.

 

Turn right side out, press the bottom seam down with your hands and push out towards the corners to create the flat bottom

Fold over the top edge of the bag and sew 

Use the pieces cut from the first step to make your handles.  Fold over edges and sew down the middle.

Attach handles to the bag, reinforce the stitching to make it strong enough to hold your groceries!

And...you're ready for the market!

Zippered pouch re-do

I've been staring at my new pouches and decided I didn't really like them with the Hawaiian fabric on the inside...soooooo...I tore them apart and redid them

I liked this way much better...so I made 3 more!  There is a lot of fabric left over when I cut out the tote bags...I think everyone who gets a tote will get a matching pouch!

Zippered pouch

Found this great tutorial here for a zippered pouch..thought I had to make some to go with the tote bags I posted earlier.  It's incredibly easy, the tutorial is very clear and easy to follow.  Here are pictures of the steps I took...lining and outside (2 pieces each)

First piece of lining and outside sewn to zipper

Second piece of lining and outside sewn to zipper

Lining and outside pieces sewn right sides together

Turned right side out

Hawaiian fabric as lining

Found the zippers at a really nice quilt store in Waimea...Topstitch

Tank top sundress

I had a red tank top that I wasn't crazy about...too long and too tight around the fanny.  

Thought it would make a great top to a sundress...soooooooo...

I decided how long I wanted the bodice (tank top) and cut it just below my hip line.  

I then measured the length I wanted the skirt (from base of tank to top of knee...about 18")

 and cut two pieces of white fabric (45" wide) 19" (allowing for hem)

Next,  I sewed the two pieces of the skirt right sides together, selvage edge to 

selvage edge. I then had a "tube" 90" around and 19" long.  Sew 2 parallel rows 

of basting stitches all the way around the top of the skirt piece.  

I measured my hips and added 2".  I gathered up the basting stitches 

until the "skirt" measured my hip size plus 2".  I pinned 

the skirt to the tank top, starting with the side seams, then the front and back. 

 Carefully stretching the top to "fit" the gathered skirt.

Sew the tank top to the skirt using a stretch stitch.

Hem the skirt and that's it, a new sundress!