Crafty Loops

 Mini Tim Burton Character backpack - Penelope backpack pattern from All Sew Petite Whatabout ye folks, it's Lee here.  Long time no see!  I am sharing a cute little make with you today from a pattern made by Monika at All Sew Petite called the Penelope backpack .  This is such a cute wee bag and was very easy to make, especially since Monika kindly shows you step by step in her video tutorial for it.  And as a visual learner, the videos are definitely my preferred method of making patterns.   Now, my poor wee Janome QXL605 sewing machine did struggle a wee bit with the top stitching at the very end (why is it always  at the end when the struggles begin??)......but she still managed it ok with a bit of hand cranking from me.  But that wasn't the patterns fault, it was more to do with the fabrics and interfacing I used.  I'm eagerly awaiting the day that I have saved up the funds to get myself the Janome HD9........someday HD9....you wi...

Handmade Handbag - Duplicity Handbag pattern from Sew Yours Whatabout ye folks, it's Lee here.  Back with another Duplicity Handbag from the pattern from Sew Yours .  This time I made it in this lovely black faux leather with gold hardware.   I love how this bag turned out.  As I mentioned in my previous   Duplicity make  this bag is really easy to make, but there is a bit more difficulty when it comes to adding the bag base and then doing the top stitching when doing the drop in lining.  Now, I have a Janome Domestic machine, so I would maybe find it easier to do if I had a more industrial style machine, or even the Janome HD9.  I do manage it, but they are the only 2 frustrating parts of making this bag that I think gives it away as being handmade; as my stitching is not perfect because it's a bit awkward to do. I think if I had a better machine, it would be pretty perfect. But even with that, I am very pleased with how it turned out. I l...

Duplicity handbag pattern from Sew Yours SORRY FOR THE WONKY PHOTOS - I PROMISE THAT THIS BAG IS NOT LOPSIDED - JUST MY PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS, OR LACK THEREOF ARE A BIT WONKY - TEEHEE Whatabout ye folks, it's Lee here.  I hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable festive season. And a very Happy New Year to you all.  I hope 2024 is your best year yet.   This is a new bag I made for my wee Mamma for Christmas.  It is called The Duplicity Handbag from Sew Yours . Not only is the pattern fantastic and the instructions very detailed but Melissa has a fantastic video to accompany the pattern.  Which is vital for me as a visual learner.   I love the combination of the ivory faux leather with the gold hardware.  I wasn't sure it would work, but I love how it turned out.  The front of the bag has a turn lock with pocket for storage on the front.  I just love these wee heart Chicago screws.  They really look great on this bag as well as pro...

 Handmade tote handbag - my own design - Burberry style bag Whatabout ye folks, it's Lee here.  This bag did not start out this way.......at all, lol. But I wanted to share it anyway because although the original bag was an incredibly big failure, I think it's important to show how you can turn a failure into something usable.  Now, it is by no means perfect in any shape or form, but this process taught me so, so much in the bag designing and making realm that I thought I'd share it with you anyway.  I previously told you that I was working on another couple of designs for bags.  And one of them did not turn out correctly or anywhere near how I wanted it to.  Let me tell you, this bag designing thing is not simple or easy, teehee.  But I had already added hardware to the front body piece and made up the inside pockets etc., so I wanted to salvage the hardware and fabric I had used in the hope of making them into a useable bag.  So, with "Tempest m...