digitizing at the hospital

Wow The procedure took 4 1/2 hours from walking in the door to walking out to the car. While I hate getting up so early to be at the same day surgery at 6 am (finishing at 9:15 am), I find that they are so much faster, than coming in at 8:30 am, finishing at 1 pm. Same procedure. Hubby is fine making jokes and watching TV (flipping channels).

I brought my laptop and digitized a couple of things. I want to make a nice USB Storage folder for my computer bag. So I laided it out on paper and then digitized it. I also corrected the small bags from yesterday, I needed to adjust the sewing lines by the zipper. The ones I did work, but the zipper is really tight. Then I began to add names and embellishments to the basic outline. I made a folder on my computer to store all the files so when I'm ready I can stitch out the bags. I still need to fix the zipper spacing on the tall 5 x 7 bag, for the Vegas trip.

I got a great connection at the hospital for WiFI and could breeze around and check on who posted on Amy Lou Who and Lush Friday.

After I settled the Hubby at home, I needed to come into the Family History Center and make some calls to Salt Lake about our Microfilm Scanner and the software. Looks like I'm stuck emailing people at the Imagaing company to figure out why the sfotware only scans a white page. I've been calling the company since 4pm Central time with just a recording. I know I really expected someone to work on Friday afternoon?

Zipper Bags in the Hoop

I digitized these zipper bags in the hoop. There are the same size as my wristlets. I think they are going to make great Christmas presents, because they are really fast. Half the time of the other way.

The first one I sewed out is for my step-mother. I thought to blur out the name, but my camera did that for me. I love the love of the font, but it is hard to read sometimes.

The second bag I did was just fabric. My friend is a huge music lady and she doesn't make fun of her tone deaf friend (ME), when we sing in church. No I'm not in the choir, just when we sit together. I was going to put her Initials on it, but I think the fabric is too busy for embroidery.

The third one is a keeper. I was playing with just the width of the stitching by the zipper, and decided to add a swirl border from my Embroidery Machine. I love the look. I wish there is a better way to transfer the embroidery designs from my machine to my computer/software.

When I save to the disk, it is in a format my software won't open.

I also added a small piece of suede to the side to act as a key clip. Then after I flipped it I threaded on a key ring. The hardest part is remembering to open the zipper before you stitch the back on. I figured out a good way to remove the extra sticky stablizer before opening the zipper, because the stabilizer kept trying to stick to the zipper pull. I know I just want it to stick, but not when I want it to not stick. I'm just fickle like that.

The hubby has a procedure tomorrow morning. He's got an ongoing problem, this will be the 4th procedure since March. Normally I just read, while I'm waiting. I'm going to bring my laptop this time. I can play with laying out the Christmas list, initials and such. I laid out another bag, this time 5 wide by 7 tall, and added extra stitches so I can add a strap. I have some great braided cord that would make a cute strap. This size makes a quick bag for travel when all you want is your phone, a hotel room key and some cash. Vegas Here I come. No not really, not until next April for the Hubby's annual conference. Ohhh, pockets.

I also have more laminated cotton, Amy Butler to make the bags into quick makeup cases.

Maybe I can try pleats? Hmmmm?? Oh, I have to log off, because it just started to rain buckets and I can hear the thunder in the distance. We get power blips during storms, so we shut down the computers and I make sure the sewing machines are unplugged.

Laminated Cotton quick tote Tutorial

Laminated Tote Bag Tutorial

Supplies

1 half yard of material

Cut main bag 16 x 26 (18 x 28)

Cut 2 pockets 6 x 16 (7 x 18)

Larger size uses the whole half yard of fabric.


2-9 inch zippers

90/14 universal needle, cotton thread.

Cut all materials.



POCKETS

Step 1. Sew zipper face down on fabric face up along the 6 or 8 inch side, 1/4 seam allowance.

Step 2. Flip zipper face up, pin and top sticth along edge, catching zipper tape.

Step 3. Sew zipper face down on fabric face up along opposite side.






Step 4. Flip pocket right side out.

Step 5. Pin and top stitch zipper and back together.

Step 6. Open zipper and stitch over zipper teeth.

Repeat for second pocket. I like to make both pockets at the same time, sort of like chain piecing.

MAIN BAG

Step 1. Hem each 16 inch side, using the double fold 1/2 inch hem. (Fold 1/2 inch, fold again 1/2 inch and stitch).

Step 2. Lay bag flat.

Step 3. Mark in 4 1/2 inches (5 1/2) from each side with chalk pencil. Chalk will rub off the laminated cotton, it is just temporary. Lay a pocket 1 1/2 inches down from the hem.

Step 4. Pin the web belting along the chalk mark. The pocket sides sholuld be caught under the web belting. Overlap the ends of the belting, tucking under the top layer. Measure the start and stop of the loose part of the handle to ensure they are even.

Finished pinning the web belting. Add Label if you want.

Step 5. Stitch down the belting, starting with the inside of the belting (Closest to the pockets). Stitch down the pockets as you are working your way around the belting.

Step 6. Fold bag in half right sides together. mark the bottom along the sides. Measure up from that mark 2 inches and mark. Flip bag and do again, until you have six marks, three on each side.

Step 7. Fold the outer two marks together tucking the middle in. Pin. Repeat for the other side.

Step 8. Straight stitch the side seams, 1/2 inch. back stitch at beginning and end of each seam. Now you can serge the seams or zigzag along the straight seam. If I use the zigzag method, I also straight stitch again along the outer edge of the stitching. You can trim the seam allowance if you like.

Step 9. Flip the bag right side out, use your fingers to tuck the pleat evenly.

Finished. Marvel at the ease, plot another one. Oh wait!!! gotta feed the family first.

errand day

Today was errand day, which means I left the house at 9:30 and returned tired and a little cranky at 3:00. Yesterday, I got a box of shirts from the wholesale company I like. I checked my order and then I had to add two more stops to my list.


A friend is a large lady and wants me to make her shirts for a school reunion in August. They came in the box. I took the shirts to her to try on, because I don't know what planet, a 3X ladies shirt is smaller than a man's XL polo. Of course they didn't work. Gotta send them back.


A regular customer wanted some lighter weight polos, for his business for the summer. I got those too. But the shirts had ribbing on the sleeves. Nope they won't work either, gotta go back.


Tomorrow, I need to stop and have another customer try on the shirt, because it looks to small to me. What do I know, I'm a big lady and this shirt looks like it would fit my 10 year old niece. But the shirts are for a teenager I've not seen. I prefer to run over and have the shirt tried on; then to embroider it and it doesn't fit. That is the down side of being a "small" business, I order my shirts as needed and don't carry a large stock of shirts, no place to store them. I add the shipping time into my delivery due date. I know the first two customers were happy I came by for them to decide on the shirts. I can always send them back. Now they know there will be a small delay.