Aplat Masks

Like many people, I have been making masks since the pandemic began. A friend recently told me about the Aplat mask. I decided to make one & found I really like the fit. Plus, it makes up very quickly! I see more of these coming.

Placemat Bags!

Recently, I started sewing small bags & bag accessories for a house sale I hope to have in the fall.
Last week, on a whim, I made some tote bags & pouches/wristlets from placemats. Such fun & I love the results. I hope you will too!
Because the bags & pouches are made from placemats, they are self-lined with exposed but finished seams.
The light teal & patchwork totes are prequilted; The poppies tote is not quilted but does have inside pockets.
The zippered totes would be perfect for the spring & summer so please contact me if interested. Each tote includes a matching pouch.

Clematis Wristlets/Pouches

Today I finished making 2 new wristlets/pouches called the Clematis Wristlet/Pouch. I absolutely love the angled design of the Clematis. The Clematis has one inside picket & a detachable strap.
Notice that I refer to the Clematis as a wristlet/pouch. I do that because many people are put off by the term wristlet & say they would never carry one. I rarely carry mine & use my wristlets in whatever bag I might be carrying. Usually I have at least 2 pouches in my bag during the school year. I use them for chargers, makeup, pens, & meds.

I used prequilted fabrics & their coordinates for the 2 wristlets/pouches shown. I hope to make a few more before the holiday season begins. They make great gifts!
Price: $25 + postage

Newest Summer Top

For my newest summer top, I chose to make View A of Vogue 9057.
The pattern makes up beautifully. The directions are very clear & easy to follow. I love the fit!
I chose a lightweight, striped, cotton knit from Fabric Mart for my new top. I had enough fabric leftover to make a dress which is almost finished. Will post photos if it in a few days.

New Sweater Jacket

I recently finished making View A of McCall's pattern 7199. I was somewhat intimidated by inserting the zipper, but, happily, I found it really easy to do.
Overall, the jacket goes together very easily.
I especially like the asymmetrical zipper & the back that is somewhat longer than the front.
The style of the jacket is totally new to me but I must say I do like it a lot!

Soup Bowl Cozies

Recently I saw posts on Pinterest for Soup Bowl Cozies. At 1st, I wasn't interested but the idea started to grow on me given the # of times I have fumbled trying to remove a hot bowl of soup from the microwave. So, yesterday I decided to make a couple. Well, I just love these things! And I think their uses are many.
Last night I discovered the Soup Bowl Cozy is also good to use when holding something cold. I used one last night to hold a bowl of yogurt. My hands never got cold holding the bowl!

Last Minute Christmas Gifts

The wristlet/pouches shown are some last-minute Christmas gifts I made today.

The Phebe Tote Bag

Today I finished the Phebe Tote Bag. The bag has an outside front zippered pocket which makes for easy access to a phone & keys. The fully lined inside has a zippered pocket on one side & 3 slip-in pockets on the opposite side. The bag has a recessed top zipper closure.
The Phebe Bag measures 11" across the bottom & widens to 13" across the top. The depth is 3.5". The shoulder strap drop is 12".
I used a light burgundy vinyl for the bag. The vinyl was a nightmare to sew! I think I will stick to cloth from now on! I do plan to make more Phebe Bags because I really like the bag.
Pattern from Dog Under My Desk

Another Jack Bag

Yesterday I finished another Jack Dog Walking/Across the Chest Bag. For the exterior, I used the gorgeous Hannah prequilted fabric & its coordinate for the adjustable across-the-chest strap.
The rear exterior has a divided split pocket similar to the other Jack Bags I posted about in the last few weeks.
I think a photo of our 4 month old Jack might be a good thing!

The Jack Bag Zip 'n Go Bag

Recently I finished another 'Jack' Zip & Go Bag. I used a heather-toned blue faux leather for the exterior & a travel-themed cotton lining. I also enlarged the bag by 1 inch from side to side to better accommodate eyeglass cases & cell phones.
This bag is perfect for hands-free shopping, etc. I wear mine at work so I always have easy access to my glasses & cell phone.
Jack Bags also make great dog walking bags. The bag is also available with an exterior rear split pocket which can be used to store doggy wastebags, hand sanitizer, & dog treats.

Zip 'n Go pattern is from Dog Under My Desk.

Jack Bags will be available at my holiday sale in November.

Jennifer Knitting Project Bags

Last weekend my nephew John's wife Jennifer, a very avid knitter, suggested I start making knitting project bags. Jen said she liked knitting project bags that she can toss in a larger bag because she doesn't want to carry 2 bags.
So, in pretty fast order, after some research & paying attention to Jen's suggestions, I made a few Jennifer Knitting Project Bags.
The zippered pouch style can be adjusted to hold various knitting projects. Per my friend Barbara 's suggestion, the pouch style includes a small case to hold things like a tape measure, scissors✂, stitch markers, etc. The strap is optional.
The handled bag is ideal for knitting/crocheting & walking at the same time. Just slip the handle over the wrist, pull out some yarn & start knitting or crocheting! The bag has a magnetic closure. It can be made about 1 inch larger all around. It has an outside pocket to hold small tools.

The Ellie Sling Pack

The Ellie Sling Pack is the newest bag at Arlene's Bags. The designer, Cloudsplitter Bags, describes the bag as "the perfect bag for someone on the go! Great little backpack/sling bag for day trips, biking, walking, vacations, and more!

The Summit has two zippered compartments for convenience. The front zipper has card slots and a pocket within. The central compartment has a padded gadget pocket and a zipper pocket. The back of the bag has an additional zippered pocket."
Dimensions: Approximately 16.25” tall x 11.25”tall x 3”deep (at widest points)

Potholders!!!

A year ago I started making potholders after I finally faced reality that it was time to toss the 2 potholders my niece Leslie made for me in 1977!! They were still usable but, after being machine-washed & dried many times, they were showing their age.

So, I bought a loom & loops & made myself new potholders. Last Christmas 🎄🎄 I gave them as gifts. In fact, just last night I gave a set as a hostess gift to someone who invited my husband & me to her Christmas party.

I recently got an order for the 8 potholders shown in the above photo that will be given as gifts.

Consider a set of potholders as a lovely & practical gift year round. A set of 2 costs only $10.00.

Danielle Clutch Bag

Recently I fell in love with a clutch bag someone was carrying. What caught my eye was the very girlie-bow on the flap. I knew I had to make a similar clutch.

Luckily, I found a pattern on etsy,the High Tea Clutch Bag. Then I set out to make what I am calling the Danielle Clutch Bag. I love the end result & hope you will too!

Needless to say, the bag can be made without a bow.

The Danielle Clutch measures 9" tall X 13" across. As shown in the 2nd photo, the bag holds a lot. It has a magnetic snap closure.
A detachable shoulder strap is optional.

The Marcia Tote

There's a new bag @ Arlene's Bags. It is the Marcia Tote. I know I am biased but I absolutely love the Marcia Tote.

I especially like its curved, foldover top zipper closure & its size.

The Marcia Tote has plenty of pockets. The front of the bag has one slip-in pocket, the back has 3 slip-in pockets, & the inside has 3 slip-in pockets.

In addition to plenty of pockets, the Marcia Tote has loads of storage space. The Marcia Tote measures 14" high with the zippered top folded, 17" wide, & 5" deep.

The Marcia Tote is shown in the Morriston prequilted fabric & its coordinate.

I definitely plan on making a few more Marcia Totes for the November holiday sale I plan to do. Hopefully, I will make one for myself too!

The Lily Bag

The Lily Bag is just a wonderful, everyday shoulder bag.

The Lily Bag has one outside front zippered pocket that extends from side seam to side seam.

Inside there are 6 pockets: on each side there are 3 slip-in pockets.

Measurements: The zippered top, from one strap seam to the opposite one, measures almost 15".

The base, looking at the bag from the front, measures 12" 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 bottom, is 10".

The strap can be any length one wants but the standard length of the strap is 30".
The strap drop from the top center of the strap to the top of the zipper is 18".

A wristlet is included with a Lily Bag.

The bag at the top of the page is shown in the elegant Belle of the South prequilted fabric.

The bag below is shown in the glorious Hannah prequilted fabric.

The wristlet below is shown in the Belle of the South prequilted fabric.

Price: $60.00