Arlene's Bags

Ruffled Scarves

2011-12-06T20:07:00.008-05:00

Rizos Blue-SOLD!

Flounce Green-SOLD!

Ripple Neutrals-SOLD!

Ripple Jewels-1 available

Ronda Teal-SOLD!

Triana Purple & Violet
SOLD!

For the last several weeks I haven't been able to sew. So, to keep myself busy, I have been knitting some absolutely gorgeous ruffled scarves. As can be seen in the photos, depending on the ruffled yarn used, a totally different ruffled look can be created.
Ruffled scarves easily take simple to stunning, dull to dazzling, ordinary to outstanding. I could obviously go on & on!
Consider a ruffled scarf for a wonderful holiday gift that will not break the bank.
The scarves described as Starbella are $25 each and the other individually named scarves are $30 each.
The scarves should be hand-washed & line-dried. Each scarf averages between 44 and 54 inches in length.
The scarves shown are what is currently available. Please email me to reserve a scarf for you!
Starbella:

Starbella Primaries-1 available


Starbella Denim-SOLD!

Starbella Pinks & Greens-2 available


Starbella Reds-4 available

Arlene's Bags at the Carpenter Museum's Folk Art & Artisans Show in Rehoboth, MA

2011-11-10T17:37:00.000-05:00

Leslie, Arlene & Anne on Saturday

Thanks to everyone who stopped by Arlene's Bags this past weekend at the Carpenter Museum's Folk Art & Artisans Show in Rehoboth, MA. This was my first time at the show, both as a vendor and shopper. It was an absolutely terrific event. I know for certain I owe most of my success this weekend to my wonderfully patient husband John and my 2 nieces, Leslie & Anne who came up from Baltimore and Philadelphia to help out Auntie Arlene!

Arlene, John, & Leslie on Friday

John & Leslie on Friday

Getting Display Ready on Friday

Arlene & Anne on Saturday

Arlene & Leslie on Friday

Part of the Display

The Display Prior to Opening

The Newest Maggie Slouch Bag

2011-11-02T20:04:00.000-04:00

Outside Front

Just tonight I finished another Maggie Slouch Bag. What is different about the newest Maggie Slouch is it has a magnetic snap closure and a zippered inside pocket.

This new fully lined Maggie Slouch measures 13 inches high without the strap and about 27 inches high with the strap. It is 14.5 inches across at the top and 11 inches X 4.5 inches across at the base.

Like my other Maggie Slouch bags, this newest one is very roomy and has very clean, simple lines.

Price: $30.00

This bag will definitely be available this coming Friday and Saturday at the Carpenter Museum's Folk & Artisans Show which will be held at the Francis Farm in Rehoboth, MA. www.carpentermuseum.org Just head for the Miller Building where you'll find Arlene's Bags!

Inside Zippered Pocket

The Gracie Bag in a Bag

2011-10-30T20:08:00.001-04:00

The Gracie Bag in a Bag

Outside Front in Oasis Prequilted

The Gracie Bag in a Bag is the newest addition to Arlene's Bags. The Gracie Bag is literally a bag within a bag. The outside bag has 6 deep pockets and a rear zippered pocket. The inside has 2 elasticized pockets and 2 water bottle pockets.

The inside bag has an inset zippered closure.

This multi-use bag is especially ideal as a small laptop bag, a diaper bag, a book bag or a general multi-use bag

With its adjustable straps the Gracie Bag in a Bag can be carried as a shoulder bag or converted to a backpack. Converting the bag to a backpack simply involves reclipping the swivel hook.

I will be introducing the Gracie Bag in a Bag this upcoming weekend, Friday, 4-9pm and Saturday, 9am to 4pm, at the Carpenter Museum's Folk Art & Artisans Show which will be held at the Francis Farm in Rehoboth, MA.

Only one Gracie Bag will be available for the show because my sewing has been pretty limited for the last 4 weeks. I have been recovering at a snail's pace from pneumonia.

Show Special Introductory Price: $70

Regular Price: $80

Outside Rear Zippered Pocket

Inside Pockets

Arlene's Bags in Holiday Folk Art & Artisans Show

2011-10-25T23:14:00.000-04:00

Instead of doing a holiday sale in my home as I have done for the last few years, this year I will be a vendor at the Carpenter Museum's Folk Art & Artisans Show which will be held at Francis Farm in Rehoboth, MA.
The sale will run from 4pm to 9pm on Friday, November 4, and continue on Saturday, November 5 from 9am to 4pm.
Arlene's Bags will be in the Miller Building at table #7.
I will be introducing several new bags, many of which are made in my newest fabrics.
Hope to see you next week!
For directions please click on the link below:
http://carpentermuseum.org/

The Tami Bag

2011-10-25T22:44:00.000-04:00

Outside Front Split Pockets

The Tami Bag came about as a result of requests for a small bag that can also hold more than just a credit card and some keys.

Although the Tami Bag is small, I think it fits the bill for having a lot of space. It measures 9" wide x 8.5" high x 2.5" deep. Although it can be made with a regular shoulder strap, I did add an adjustable strap so it can be worn across the chest.

The Tami Bag has a stylishly designed split outside front pocket, a rear outside zippered pocket, a top zipper closure and 3 slip-in inside pockets.

Price: $35.00 + S&H when applicable


Rear Exterior Zippered Pocket

The Adriana Bag

2011-08-10T14:24:00.000-04:00

Outside Front in Tiffany's Trove Prequilted

The Adriana Bag is the perfect bag for someone looking for a bag that is uniquely stylish, roomy and adjustable.

The Adriana Bag has both top and bottom front pleats, a divided slip-in rear exterior pocket, 6 interior slip-in pockets and a magnetic snap closure. For hands-free shopping the adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy to convert the bag to an across-the-chest bag.

The Adriana Bag measures about 11.5 inches across and 13.5 inches tall.

The Adriana Bag can be made up in any of the fabrics shown in my etsy store or on my web site. For this listing the bag is shown in one of my newest prequilted fabrics for 2011, the very elegantTiffany's Trove as well as Blue Pearls of the Orient.

Price: $45.00 + S&H when applicable

Inside Pockets


Rear Back Split Pockets

Pleated Front

Close-Up of Front Pleats

Inside Split Pockets

Rear Split Pockets

Fabric Sale in My Etsy Shop

2011-08-03T10:03:00.002-04:00

To celebrate our Bassett Hound Gracie's 6th birthday, I am having a storewide sale in my etsy shop. Everything is discounted 15% until August 19.

Be sure to use coupon code 0805 to get the discount.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Bassetmommy

Happy Birthday Gracie!!!!

My Most Favorite Summer of 2011 Dress

2011-07-29T17:22:00.001-04:00

This summer I fell in love with Vogue dress pattern 8724. The lines in this knit dress are very clean and very lean! The bodice has a fairly deep crossover v-neck attached to a skirt that is softly pleated at the top. The sleeves are cap-style.

The dress has no zipper and simply pulls over the head.

I hemmed my dress so it falls just a tad above mid-knee. I twin-needle topstitched the skirt hem as well as the sleeve hems.

Vogue 8724 is an easy, easy pattern to sew and the end result is quite an elegant looking dress.

Newest Fabrics

2011-07-29T16:17:00.000-04:00

Tiffany's Trove Prequilted

Tiffany's Trove Coordinate

Below are photos of my newest fabrics which will work perfectly year round in any of my bags.
The fabrics themselves are available for sale by the yard. The prequilted fabric is $16 per yard + S&H when applicable.
The single weight coordinates are $8 per yard + S&H when applicable.

Oasis Prequilted

Oasis Sides A & B


Oasis Coordinate

The Courtney iPad Purse

2011-07-29T16:01:00.002-04:00

This past week I made the Emroidery Garden's iPad purse . It is a fast and easy purse to make.

As shown in the photos my iPad2 extends just a tad beyond the edge of the purse which has nothing to do with the pattern/directions. I made a mistake in measuring to compensate for the iPad cover I had made about a month ago for my iPad2.

The Courtney iPad purse has a rear outside pocket which I made as a split pocket. It can easily hold a cell phone (unless you have the phone app on your iPad2!) and keys.

I think the possibilities for this iPad purse extend beyond an iPad which is great for people who don't have an iPad. Although designed to hold a covered iPad 2, I can see this bag also being worn as an across the chest bag which would would make for hands-free shopping.

Needless to say, the Courtney iPad purse can be made up in any of the fabrics shown on my web site and in my etsy store.

Price: $30 + S&H when applicable

The 2 Jeans Wallet

2011-07-29T15:10:00.002-04:00

Last night I finished making the Presto wallet I bought from Sewspoiled's etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/Sewspoiled?ref=seller_info. It's been awhile since I have made &/or used a wallet as large as this one. I must say it is nice to have some room in my wallet.

The wallet has an outside zippered pocket, 4 inside credit card slots and a pocket for currency. It closes with a magnetic clasp.

The wallet makes up pretty easily. The directions are good and include a lot of colored photos.

Price: $20 + S&H when applicable

For a great look combine this wallet with the Winnie Bag shown in an earlier post:

http://arlenesbags.blogspot.com/2011/03/winnie-tote-bag.html

The Farnell iPad (Shoulder Bag?) Case

2011-07-11T11:52:00.001-04:00

As many of you know, to put it mildly, I have been obsessed with my iPad2 since buying it in May. I regularly search for new iPad accessories I can make. Thus far the Lisa iPad foldable cover and the new Farnell Case are my favorites.

After making the Farnell Case I realized what a great shoulder bag it would make.

The bag has an adjustable, detachable shoulder strap and an outside zippered pocket.

Although it easily holds my iPad, I have been carrying the bag as a shoulder bag. Luckily I have because someone ordered one the first day I wore it. No work in that sale!
For the order I did add a zippered inside pocket as the customer requested.
The bag also has an adjustable shoulder strap. I would avoid an inside zipper if using this case strictly for an iPad.

I used one of my newest fabrics, Oasis, to make the case and accessories.

For accessories I made a tissue case, eyeglass case and the ITH freebie wallet from the Purple Hat. The 2 wallets in the second photo were an order. I made one of them a tad deeper than the other and widened the tab closure so it would look more balanced.

Price for Farnell Case/Bag: $35 + S&H when applicable

The Lisa iPad 1 or 2 Folding Case/ Notebook/ Stand

2011-04-27T21:57:00.031-04:00

In January I began my quest for the perfect tech 'toy'. I bought & returned 6 tech gadgets since January. I really thought toy #5, a Motorola Xoom was a keeper. For any # of reasons,I returned it.

Finally, in May, I tried out the iPad2 and OMG, I was blown out of the water by what it can do. The iPad2 is a definite keeper. I just love it.

However, I thought my iPad needed a cover that was both pretty and functional. Luckily I found the perfect pattern for a cover in sewspoiled's etsy store. The pattern is designed to fit both the first generation iPad & the iPad 2.

What is great about this cover is it has 2 viewing angles, one for using the virtual keyboard and the other for viewing photos, recipes, reading e-books,etc. Typing is so much easier when the iPad is in one of these covers.

The cover folds closed like a book when the tablet is not in use.

The cover can be made from single weight or quilted fabric. I used prequilted fabric for the ones shown below.

Don't have an Ipad??? Think gifts!!!!!

The introductory price is $30.00 + S & H when applicable.

The Winnie Tote Bag

2011-03-13T19:43:00.003-04:00

On Thursday I found a new-to-me bag site, http://ithinksew.com/. I fell in love with the Emily Bag which I think is an awesome alternative to the standard rectangular shaped tote bag. Needless to say,I bought the pattern and made my first Emily Bag on Thursday.
The first time I make a new bag I follow the pattern directions & I did that for my first Emily Bag. Although I love the pattern I decided some changes were needed. Today I made another one and made several changes to the pattern. I lengthened the shoulder strap. The original size is way too short for me and as a result, my first Emily Bag is a handbag.
I also added 2 outside pockets which are wide enough & deep enough to hold water bottles and even my Nook.
In addition to the zippered inside pocket that the pattern calls for, I added slip-in pockets all around the inside lining.
Because the pleated front & back are the same, I added a removable fabric pin to the front on both the bags.
The bag has a magnetic snap closure.
This bag is huge which makes it the perfect bag for shopping, school, the beach and work. The finished measurements are:

12 ½” high from the center front to the bottom X 17" across from the top of one side seam to the other X 6" deep(bottom)
The shoulder drop on the pink paisley bag is 9".
The shoulder drop on the multi-colored bag is 14" from the top of the shoulder strap to the center top.

The bag at the top of the page is available for sale. It also has a removable fabric pin. The second bag shown is a one-of-a-kind as I have no more of the pink paisley fabric. The 2nd bag, as shown, has sold but can be ordered. Of course, the Winnie Tote can be ordered in any of the fabrics shown on the fabric pages on my site, http://www.arlenesbags.com/ Please contact me with any questions and thanks for looking!

A Cover for My Friend's Nook

2011-01-17T18:28:00.000-05:00

My friend asked me to make her a cover for her Nook. I made it today. She chose the beautiful Urban Garden pre-quilted fabric for her cover.
I hope my friend likes her Nook cover!

Another Cover for My Nook

2011-01-15T19:17:00.000-05:00

Today I made another cover for my Nook. Did my Nook need another cover?? Hardly. But do we really need several pairs of shoes when one pair will do? Same thing!

I love, just love, my Nook.

John & Arlene in Paris

2010-11-10T14:08:00.002-05:00

The Gail Round Satchel Bag

2010-11-06T23:39:00.001-04:00

Tonight I finished another bag, the Gail Round Satchel Bag by Ali Foster. I love Ali Foster patterns, not only for their style, but because they make up so easily and quickly.

This Round Satchel is a really neat bag. It has a 2 inch gusseted side, one large inside pocket which I divided into 2 sections and a button closure. I especially like the shoulder strap as the strap doesn't have a very long drop.

I have another Ali Foster pattern I hope to make tomorrow.

Right now I am getting off the sewing merry-go-round and heading to bed!

Outside Front

Inside Pockets

The Elana Boho Bag

2010-11-06T16:07:00.001-04:00

It wasn't until a few weeks ago when a student mentioned her Boho bag that I first heard of that style of bag. From what I could find it seems like a Boho bag refers to any large but hobo-ish type of bag. When I finally saw the student's bag I just about flipped! It was genuine leather and huge!!!! And gorgeous to boot.
It took awhile but I finally found a pattern that resembled the first Boho bag I saw. Inside it has a row of slip-in pockets on one side of the inside. On the other side I added a smaller pocket.
The bag has a button closure. The shoulder straps extend out from the body of the bag and because of the pintucks that are barely visible in the photos, end up pleated after being sewn together at the top. A contrasting fabric tab encloses the seam at the top of the strap.
This is one big bag. It measure 27" across and 20" high. To put it mildly, it holds a lot! I think it would be perfect for a student, shopping, travel or for just carrying just about everything someone owns!
Price: $50 + S&H when applicable

Outside Front

Contrasting Fabric Handle Tab

Inside of Boho Bag

More New Styles at Arlene's Bags!

2010-11-01T21:55:00.007-04:00

Am getting ready for a holiday sale in a few weeks & will be introducing some new bag styles. As usual, I love my new bag styles.
The Maggie Slouch Bag is a simple but very functional every day shoulder bag. It is a good size but not overwhelming and is available with either a magnetic clasp closure or zipper closure and slip-in pockets all around the inside.

The Maria Bag is very uniquely styled with its V-cut center & back from which its shoulder straps extend. The outside front has 2 deep, split pockets while the inside has 4 slip-in pockets to help keep everything organized. A fabric tie keeps the bag closed. The Maria Bag is also shown with a lanyard, something I recently started making.

I am beserk over the Eleanor Zippy Clutch, the newest clutch/wristlet I am offering. This is currently my favorite clutch/wristlet. I especially like it because it has a zippered closure, is very elegant and is just fun to carry! Because the Eleanor Zippy Clutch holds a lot, it is also perfect to toss in a tote or briefcase instead of carrying a purse. A concealed magnetic closure keeps the Eleanor Clutch folded.

If I can keep on sewing I hope to add a few more new styles by the day of our sale. The catch is to keep on sewing!!

Arlene's Bags: New Fall & Winter Fabrics

2010-09-01T10:13:00.000-04:00

Arlene's Bags: New Fall & Winter Fabrics

New Bags at Arlene's Bags

2010-09-01T10:10:00.001-04:00

I recently updated my site, adding new fabrics and 3 new bags.
Two are clutch bags, the Narragansett and the Scarlett, and are nice alternatives to wristlets.

For a description of the new clutches, go to http://arlenesbags.com/wristlets.html .

And while you're at my site, be sure to check out the new Hanley Bag:

http://arlenesbags.com/ShoulderBags.html

All 3 bags are made from Ali Foster patterns.
I better get back to sewing!

New Fall & Winter Fabrics

2010-09-01T08:56:00.001-04:00

I recently added 2 new prequilted prints to my site and my etsy store. The purple Spyro Gyro and the Urban Garden prequilteds are just beautiful!!! Being a lover of color, enough of the black already, I think they will look spectacular throughout the fall and winter paired with the usual navies, blacks and browns so many of us wear.Check them out @
http://arlenesbags.com/NewestFabrics.html

Cover for My Nook Cover

2010-07-24T21:42:00.002-04:00

This past Tuesday I treated myself to a birthday present in the form of a Nook, the Barnes & Noble e-reader. My friend Anne has a Kindle2 and just loves it. At first, I didn't 'get it' about the e-readers. But little by little my interest grew, especially after I started reading so much about them.
Well, I must say I am beyond thrilled with my Nook and wonder why I waited so long to buy one!
Recently my friend Anne asked me to make her a cover for her Kindle2 cover which I wrote about a few weeks ago: http://arlenesbags.blogspot.com/search/label/kindle%202%20cover
I decided my Nook cover should also have a cover. So I designed and made one for it on Friday. It still needs 'tweaking' but for now it works. And like Anne's cover for her Kindle2 cover, my new cover is pretty. Pretty is good!

Birthday Present for Kelsey!

2010-07-24T21:31:00.000-04:00

Our granddaughter Kelsey turned 11 on July 6. So of course I had to make her something special for her big day. I decided to make her a spa/shower wrap in the hopes it would be neither too grown up nor little girlish.
The spa wraps are soooooooooo easy to make especially with all the help and tutorials that are offered on www.SewForum.com.
We'll be heading to CT. tomorrow for a belated birthday celebration for Kelsey. I sure hope she likes her new spa wrap!

Flower Monogrammed Flip Flops

2010-06-21T12:49:00.002-04:00

A friend asked me to put together a pair of 'girly-girl' flip flops for her. When I found a tutorial for the flower monogrammed flip flops as shown in the photo, I knew they would be perfect for my friend.

I think they definitely qualify as 'girly-girl'!

To add to my friend's 'girly-girl' look, I also did the flower monogrammed bracelet included in the tutorial.

Tutorial: www.embroiderygarden.com

Covers for the Kindle 2 Cover!

2010-06-17T22:15:00.007-04:00

My friend Anne absolutely loves her Kindle 2 reader. Two weeks ago she asked me to come up with a design for a decorative and personalized cover for her Kindle 2 cover. There is nothing wrong with her Kindle 2 cover; Anne's just wanted pretty. And who doesn't like pretty?

After obsessing over this cover for a few days by looking online and just plain old thinking about it, I finally came up with 2 types of covers. For one I use prequilted fabric for the outside fabric and machine-embroider a monogram on the front. The inside is lined with a coordinating single weight cotton. The Kindle 2 cover slips into side pockets. There is also a small pocket, per Anne's request, that can be used to hold a credit card, some cash or a key.
Here are some additional pictures of the cover I make for the Kindle 2 cover. The second photo shows the Kindle 2 with the covers folded behind the Kindle 2:

The 2nd type of cover for the Kindle 2 cover I designed is made from felt. Because the cover is not lined, I machine embroider initials or a small monogram in the lower right hand corner. The inside small pocket covers up the back of the machine embroidery. All of its seams are top-stitched and exposed which can be seen in the pictures below:

Please email me for more information about fabrics and ordering the covers I make for the Kindle 2 cover.

Four-Sided Rectangular Shaped Placemats

2010-05-15T21:39:00.000-04:00

The only thing I disliked about the oval shaped 4-sided placemats I made back in February was their oval shape. I just like rectangular shaped placemats.
Today I started thinking that I should be able to make a rectangular shaped 4-sided placemat using the oval placemat techniques. So I decided to give it a try and it worked!
I traced out an 18 X 13 template to use for cutting the 4 fabrics and then just followed the directions that came with the oval shaped template. For the one I made today I skipped interfacing the 4 fabrics; I like the end result much better than the ones I interfaced during the winter.
Hopefully I'll muster some ambition and make 3 more of the rectangle shaped placemats so we can at least have a set of 4. I guess some napkins would be nice too!

Fold-Up Embellished Market Totes

2010-05-14T16:50:00.000-04:00

The Anita Fold-Up Embellished Tote Bag

Finally back in stock are the gorgeous fold-up totes that I
embellish with machine embroidery. All the ones I first
introduced sold out at the holiday sale in Nov., 2007.

The bags are made from a very heavy duty waterproof nylon
and have brown faux leather handles and a snap closure over
the zippered top.

Being waterproof, the bags are an obvious choice to carry on
a rainy day (rain or shine, I carry mine to work every day). But
they're also perfect for the beach, travel and shopping.

Measurements: 19 inches across and 17 inches tall.
Color choices: Lime green, yellow, rose, purple, royal blue
and light blue

Embroidery choices are almost endless! Choose a
monogram, a single color design of a famous landmark,
career, hobby, sport, etc.
The designs shown measure about 6 inches high.

For more info please email me.

French Memo Board

2010-04-18T13:59:00.003-04:00

This weekend I gave into an obsession-another one-I have developed for French Memo Boards. I've seen photos posted by people who have made them. Luckily there are a lot of tutorials online that show how to make a memo board. Here's a link to the tutorial I used to make my French Memo board: http://kidzontherock.net/?p=683
And here's a photo of the one I made and plan to hang on the wall of my office at work:

Prequilted fabric Sale!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-03-23T13:53:00.000-04:00

In addition to the handbag sale I am having on my web site, http://www.arlenesbags.com/, I am also having a 20% off fabric sale on all the fabrics I have listed in my etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Bassetmommy Free shipping on the first 3 yards ordered still applies-such a deal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bag Sale!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-03-23T13:49:00.001-04:00

A first for me-a 20% off handbag SALE!!! Check it out at http://www.arlenesbags.com/

The sale price applies to new bag orders as well as bags I have in stock. Feel free to contact me to find out which bags are readily available. The winter is over-think NEW HANDBAGS!!!!
The sale ends April 30, 2010. Details on the sale are listed on the Index page of my site.

Give-Away-Personalized Travel Mug!!!

2010-03-14T15:56:00.001-04:00

In honor of National Craft month & to introduce my personalized travel mugs, I am doing my first-ever Give Away.
The mugs hold 16 oz of fluid, either hot or cold. They come with a very secure snap-on lid. What makes the mugs so unique is that the mug slips into a clear outside cover than can hold a personalized embroidered insert or a themed fabric. The inserts quickly turn the dull and mundane into something pretty and cheery.
The winner of the Give Away will have a choice of one of 3 types of embroidered inserts: a monogram, a single letter or a first name. The winner can also choose from one of the fabrics shown.

To win simply (1) leave a comment and (2) sign on to follow my blog.
I will announce the winner on April 15.

Please note the mugs should be hand-washed and are not microwave safe.
A personalized mug makes a great gift for just about everyone. Consider one as an end of the year teacher gift or for a medical person who has been especially helpful or for a golfer.
Price: $10 which includes an embroidered or themed fabric insert.

I have also included a sample of a travel mug with themed fabric insert:

Below are photos of the mug's snap-on lid and the outside clear holder for the insert.

My 'Take' on a Chanel Jacket

2010-03-08T11:42:00.005-05:00

I have been obsessed with making a Chanel styled jacket since last summer when I saw the perfectly made Chanel jacket my friend made. Being the sewing purist she is, my friend followed the haute couture directions Threads Magazine published about 3 years ago. In true Chanel fashion, the directions called for a tremendous amount of hand sewing which I simply despise & don't trust.
Luckily, my friend told me the Jan.,'07 issue of Threads included an article on a shortcut version of a Chanel jacket. The article describes and explains how to do the 'bagged' method for making a Chanel jacket.
So last week I set out to do my trial variation on the bagged method. I made View E of Vogue 7975. I opted to eliminate the patch pockets & substituted a trim I thought better suited my fabric.
Because this jacket is my 'trial' version I didn't use the traditional wool boucle for my jacket. The outer and lining fabrics are machine-quilted in a Chanel jacket. Because my wool is 'flat' I had to eliminate the quilting on the front as I couldn't control puckering.
I also machine-sewed wherever I could as there is some hand sewing in the 'bagged' method. I machine-sewed the 2 sleeve lining seams and part of the lining shoulder seams. A purist I am not!
I opted for a non-fringe trim simply because I dislike fringe trim. In the photo the center of the trim looks like rhinestones but it isn't. The center is actually a dullish brownish-black.
I did hand-sew the gold chain that holds the hem in place.
Overall, I am pretty pleased with the jacket. Even being made out of a plain old wool, it still feels wonderful. I have this week out of work and will probably wear the jacket everywhere I go!

Four-sided placemats

2010-02-14T22:17:00.005-05:00

Can life get anymore exciting than four-sided placemats??? I hope so but until it does, four-sided placemats will have to do.
I first heard about 4-sided placemats this past Friday at my monthly sewing club meeting. When the store owner passed around her sample of the 4-sided placemat she made, I knew I had to have the directions. Luckily, I bought the last set she had in the store.
The 4-sided placemats are based on a pretty neat design concept & luckily, are pretty simple to make. A plastic template is included with the directions and the template makes it so easy to cut out the fabrics. Ironing interfacing on each piece seemed to take longer than the sewing.
I hate to sound like a commercial but the possibilities for these placemats are endless. Seasonal prints are the most obvious. Four fabrics, each representing a season, could easily be used. When the season changes, just flip the placemat to another side.
Imagine the fun someone could have making these placemats with children in mind.

I don't have much themed fabric on hand so I just used 4 different prints for the one in the photos.
The placemats measure 14" X 19" which is a good size for a placemat. A dinner-sized plate and a place setting of silverware easily fit on the placemat.

The Johanna Messenger Bag

2010-02-06T16:25:00.001-05:00

I love messenger bags and am always on the lookout for new versions of them. I found a new one this past week and made it up today. I like this new one a lot. It has a more casual look than the Leah and Linda Mini messenger bags I already offer on my web site. This bag would also be a great travel bag!
I am calling this new messenger bag The Johanna Messenger Bag after my great grandmother.
The bag measures 12" L x 12" H x 1.5" W. There are 2 slip-in pockets on the outside rear of the bag which would be great for a cell phone and keys. On the lined inside there are 2 slip-in pockets . The shoulder strap has a 15 inch drop from the top center of the strap to the top of the fold on the front flap.
The flapped front has a D-ring closure.
The bag shown is one of a kind because I don't have anymore of the quilted blue toile fabric I used for this bag. The bag can also be ordered in any of the fabrics shown on my site, www.arlenesbags.com.
I will be adding this bag to my site but in the meantime, please feel free to contact me for pricing and ordering.
Thanks for now.

The Paris Fabric District

2010-01-24T12:41:00.004-05:00

In September, 2009, John & I visited London & Paris.   The entire time we were in London, I was just itching to get back to Paris.   I absolutely love Paris & of course felt like Ms. Know It All given this was not my 1st trip to Paris. It was john's 1st trip to Paris. Little did I know John would show me something I had never seen in my 'pre-marriage' trips to Paris.
Once we arrived in Paris we went nonstop. Montmartre was one area I wanted John to see. It is very different from the elegant main sections of Paris. While in Montmartre, we somehow got separated for a bit. When I finally found John he told me he had quite a surprise for me to see.   The surprise????    The fabric district of Paris!!!!   He somehow stumbled upon it while roaming around Montmartre.
The fabric district goes on for several streets.   It is literally just one store after another.    It seemed like every imaginable type of fabric, trim, etc. was available.
I felt like I was in heaven being in Paris. But for me, Paris plus streets and streets of fabric stores truly seemed beyond heaven!!!

My Newest, Most Favorite Bag

2010-01-23T10:35:00.002-05:00

I recently completed the bag shown in the photos. A couple of weeks before Christmas I first saw this bag on display in the sewing shop where I go to a monthly sewing club meeting. I fell in love with it and ordered the pattern.

This is one big bag!!! It could also be a great tote bag as it is incredibly roomy.

I did make some changes in the pattern. I added a total of 6 slip-in pockets to the inside, 3 on each side. The pocket pattern was really sad which is why I changed it.
Instead of using a tie closure as suggested, I added a zipper closure. A tie closure would drive me beserk and also it doesn't offer any security.
One mistake I made is in the top binding. The leaves are going the wrong way, down instead of up!!! By the time I realized my mistake it really was too late to pull out all the top stitching, etc., so I decided to leave it alone.
The bag is fairly easy to make but it does involve a lot of time.
The bag shown in the photos was my Christmas present to me!

Wristlets-My Latest Obsession!

2010-01-22T14:47:00.003-05:00

I am the first to admit I very easily develop obsessions. Well, once I saw the wristlet design Reen Wilcox offers on her site, embroiderygarden.com, I knew I had to have the design and with that, my wristlet obsession was born. Lately, all I want to do is make wristlets. Believe me, I know how crazy that sounds.

I make my wristlets on my embroidery machine. I won't bore you with the details but embroidering what is called an In-The-Hoop design is really pretty neat. Just about perfect results are guaranteed.

The wristlet I make and offer has a trapezoidal shape. It measures about 9.5 inches across and 6 inches high. It is roomier than most wristlets I have seen.

The wristlet can be custom-ordered in one of two ways. It can be made from any of the prequilted fabrics listed on my web site. Or it can be custom-quilted (still on the embroidery machine!!) in a single weight cotton print that might show off your interest in a certain area. Check out the travel-themed wristlet on the lower left. The quilting pattern is not the ordinary diamond-shape but is done in wavy horizontal rows.

The wristlet is lined and its inside seams are serge-finished. It has a wrist strap that is about 7 inches long. The strap can be custom-fitted. If you are interested in a wristlet please check my website for pricing: arlenesbags.com/wristlets.html

Updated Lily Bag

2010-01-22T14:26:00.001-05:00

The Lily Bag has been one of my most popular bags. No wonder! It is a wonderful, everyday shoulder bag and the updated Lily Bag is even better.

The Updated Lily Bag has a top zippered closure and one outside front zippered pocket. The lined inside has 6 slip-in pockets, 3 on each side.

Lily Bag Measurements

The top, from one strap seam to the opposite one, measures almost 12".
The base, looking at the bag from the front, measures 9"side to side.
The base, from front to back, measures 6".
The bag height, from the center of the zipper to the bottom, is 9". The height, at the sides, from the strap seam to the
opposite strap seam, is 10".
The strap can be any length one wants but the standard length of the strap is 30".

The Lily Bag is shown in the pre-quilted fabric named Spyro Gyro which is also for sale in my etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Bassetmommy

Simplicity pattern 2760

2010-01-20T21:53:00.000-05:00

Last week I finished a jacket I made from Simplicity pattern 2760. Fleece was the one of recommended fabric choices for the jacket so I followed the recommendation and made my jacket out of a limey green fleece.

The pattern directions are well written and very easy to follow. The jacket is easy to make and goes together very quickly.

I decided against making traditional machine-made buttonholes because I thought they'd looked awful due to the thickness of the fleece. What I did instead was satin stitch around a narrow rectanglethat was wide enough to accomodate the 1 and 1/8" wooden buttons I used on the jacket. After stitching around the rectangle, I simply slit open my makeshift 'buttonhole'.

I think the jacket runs on the large side so I would recommend going down a size if a closer fit is desired. The jacket looks just OK. I like wearing it but plan to make it in a brown metallic denim to see how it looks made up in a woven fabric.

BTW-The picture I took of me wearing the jacket shows me wearing the jacket over an old t-shirt. Trust me, the jacket looks much better over a turtleneck!

My first blog post!

2010-01-20T19:20:00.003-05:00

This is my first post on my blog. Am I nuts doing this? Time will tell.
I plan to use my blog to publish notices of updates to my web site, www.arlenesbags.com and my etsy store. I also hope to blog about sewing patterns I like and ways in which I may have modified them that might be of help to others. The patterns will include bag patterns and clothing patterns.
I don't feel very relaxed about this new venture and hope, in time, I won't sound so much like the school marm that I used to be!
Let me get started by telling you that this past weekend I finally got around to listing a couple of my bags in my etsy store. So now I am selling both fabrics and bags on etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Bassetmommy
In the meantime I plan to make some new bags and add them to my etsy store and my web site.
This twittering feels very strange. It seems like I am talking to myself! If I am, I probably need some meds!