Tote Challenge

I contacted a couple of my sewing buddies and 

asked if they'd be willing to do a "tote challenge" with me. 

There were no rules for design, style, or materials.

The only stipulation was to get it done in a couple of weeks. 

Me being the gal that wants to use the materials

I have on hand (rather than buy anything), got

out my big box of fabric and started sorting 

through it. 

I'd been listening to Simon and Garfunkel 

and was 'Feelin' Groovy' this particular day. 

The music inspired me to draw a

pattern for a VW van for my design. 

I cut out my pieces and ironed them

on with fusible web.

I measured double-sided panels for the sides, bottom, and back,

and sandwiched some batting in between.

My daughter showed me how to make some

cute fabric flowers and I added one of those to a strap. 

 I zigzag stitched the panels

together and free formed stitched

the raw edge applique on the front. 

I've since added a fabric covered piece of stiff 

cardboard to the inside bottom of the tote so

it stands and looks a little more polished. 

I may applique the words 'Feelin' Groovy,

or 'California Dreaming' on the back. . . .

My friends told me that I won the challenge,

but I think they won. They're much more

experienced sewers than I am. 

It was a fun challenge and I told them I wanted

to do a fabric book cover next, but we've yet to

work out the details on that one. 

Fabric Collage

While sorting through my fabric stash,

I was inspired to make a fabric collage.

This is my first and only so far,

but I must say it was a lot of fun.

I kind of wish I would've looked up advice or

techniques before I started so I wouldn't have 

had to make things up as I went along.

Fabric is not the easiest thing to work

with in this manner.

  I knew I wanted the subject to be an eccentric older lady. 

I didn't have a picture or photo for inspiration. 

Her face began to develop as I went along.

You may be able to see that I've got it set up on a 

piece of plexiglass to make it easier for myself to move around. 

I lightly tacked the pieces together

with white glue when I felt confident with their placement. 

I added a pop of blue color for the background and then

sandwiched the whole thing between 2 pieces of plexiglass.

Before doing that, I drilled 2 holes in the
back and added a plastic coated wire
for hanging. 

Then I "framed" it by wrapping the whole thing

with bright red duct tape. 

While duct tape is not the most professional finish,
it kind of fits with the organic composition

of the piece as a whole.

Overall, I'm pleased with the

way it turned out and look forward

to doing another one.

Although I may do something similar

with assorted paper instead of fabric.

Cane Chair Redo

I picked up these two cane chairs at my favorite local thrift store for $3.49 a piece. 

Nice bargain, right?

Unfortunately, each chair had it's own issue with holes in the caning. 

I wonder how many people have these old 

damaged cane chairs stored away somewhere 

waiting to be fixed. 

I had no interest in getting them professionally re-caned (too expensive). 

Not only that, I wanted to challenge myself to see what I could come

up with in regard to repairing them myself. 

The seats are upholstered so nicely and professionally.

Had I attempted to re-cane them myself, 

I would've had to take the upholstery apart, 

which I dreaded doing. 

I brought out my DMC floss thinking I may somehow 

incorporate it into the fix, but changed my mind. 

I ended up weaving strips of cotton material 

(that I ripped apart, as opposed to cutting) 

through the caning.

When the weaving was complete, 

I strategically placed and sewed on two handmade fabric flowers.

Here's how this first chair redo turned out. 

Isn't it cute?

I still have some staining to do on parts of the wood that need some

extra attention due to wear, but this one is basically done. 

I'm still working on the second chair. 

It had a trickier issue, so I decided to tackle the easier fix first. 

I'll be sure to post an update of the second chair redo as well. 

Happy creating!