Friday 22 January 2010

Feeling groovy

I am still going on the backpack making marathon - two down, one partially completed and one to go.

Here's the second one, for the music-loving brother of the little girl I made the mushroom one for. The fabric is Michael Miller's Groovy Guitars, a great boy-print that I think will grow with him.


This time I used some medium-weight interfacing that I had on hand and it made a huge difference to the end result.

These pics were taken with nothing in the bag (the previous one was stuffed with paper as I mentioned) and it stands up on its own quite well.

My machine might struggle a little with the next ones though as the canvas is a little heavier fabric than this was, so we'll see how we go.


I got this in the mail yesterday (from Hawthorne Threads of course) and have to tell you it is the most lovely soft and 'drapey' material I have ever bought.

It's cotton voile from Anna Maria Horner's Little Folks range and it's to make something for me, something secret of course! One day soon I will be able to reveal all.


I also think I have found the perfect use for this Echino fabric I have had in my stash for a while now, a satchel for my niece.



I ordered some bits and pieces for making this satchel and medium-weight interfacing and d-rings for the next two backpacks and I have to say that the service from Nicole Mallalieu could not have been better. (Hi Leah!).

I ordered before 3pm one day and had the goods in my hands LESS THAN 24 HRS LATER!

Admit it - that's impressive.

And lastly - the smallest decided today was the day she would try on her 'Dorothy' dress as made by Grandma for her for Christmas, so I thought I'd grab a snap of the three together.

Oh - and by the way- that rabbit is apparently called Toto and I was told he was smiling when this was taken, in case you aren't good at deciphering the facial expressions of stuffed rabbits!


20 comments:

Beetlehouse Designs said...

The bag is fantastic Karen.

thornberry said...

How adorable your three girls look! Very sweet. Love the backpack - I've been watching them progress with interest. I would like to make some backpacks but have been waiting for Nikki to come up with a pattern (no pressure there Nikki!) That voile is divine. What are you going to make? I've been stalking Hawthorne Threads a little lately...

willow and moo said...

Your girls are gorgeous!
The backpack is fabulous!
Can't wait to see what you make with that voile.
And please inspire me to use that satchel pattern. I bought it a while ago and just haven't gotten around to using it. :)

Unknown said...

Those Dorothy dresses are gorgeous! The backpack looks great. If you are worried about the thickness of the canvas, then you could use a lighter interfacing.

CurlyPops said...

Isn't it amazing what a difference interfacing can make. It completely changes the look of the backpack!

bec said...

I rave about Nikki a lot, too, she is awesome, as is Leah! Yep, interfacing makes or breaks it, I thick. Crap interfacing is bad, good interfacing is good. You could also use some template plastic in that base. Those girls are too cute, and they look so similar, you don't have trouble spotting they're sisters!

Becky said...

The bag and fabric are good, but the three Dorothys (and Toto) are too cute together!

Cass said...

Love the backpack Karen, mine is still sitting there waiting to be sewn. I love the Dorothys'. Charlotte had a toy dog (I think) called Toto when she went through her Wizard of Oz phase

Miss Amy said...

fantastic bag, gorgeous kids, and thanks for letting us know the rabbit was smiling. My daughter would say the same thing. Have you got any denim needles? Perhaps use them on the heavier fabric... I use them alot for nappy making when my normal needles arent cutting it. Theya re fantastic!

Market Girl said...

Wow that is amazing, the bag is great.
Cheers from Julie at Handmade

Sarah-Jo said...

oh Karen!

your girls look adorable and the bag is very hip! love the voile fabric devine xxx

fallen~from~grace said...

Oh my goodness Karen, I can't believe how grown up your girls are looking! They are so beautiful and always look so happy.
I love the guitar backpack, it's such a cute pattern isn't it. I've been eyeing it off debating whether to make one for Fletch this year as he wants a "school bag just like spencer's".

Leah said...

Lots of good stuff happing at your place. Love the bag and the fabric you brought for yourself, cant wait to see what becomes of it.

Sally said...

Wow - you've been busy busy busy!
Great backpack - excellent choice of fabric.
... and of course the rabbit was smiling - how could you not with three wonderful & *very* adorable friends. They all look so cute.
Looking forward to seeing what you make with the cotton voile and I can already tell that the satchel is going to be a winner.

Natalie said...

I love the backpack, either of my boys would love one like that! I am thinking of making one for my little miss to replace her/my bulky nappy bag. I'm very jealous of the voile, it is just beautiful and your little girls look just adorable as Dorothy (that is one of my favourite movies!).

tigerfilly said...

O my goodness, those girls look so cute in their Dorothy dresses. I love the backpack too, the fabric is lovely.

Nikki said...

I LOVE your little Dorothy trio!!!

Looking forward to seeing what you do with the satchel pattern - hope I can teach you a few new tricks!

Nikki said...

Great to see the interfacing helped with the backpack Karen. And how awesome is that guitar fabric! Very cool.

Yipee for you for making something for you. I am patiently watching...

Cool fabric for cool bag.

Those girls prove that there is no place like home! xxx

Miss Prudence said...

this is just way too cute!!! Gorgeous!
Those backpacks are amazing too!

LBA said...

Oh .. My ..! Those pinnies! Those girls! Oh my Judy Garlands they are cute!!