Finished the Darcy bag

So I managed to correct my handle difficulty and finish the Darcy bag this weekend. It's a good thing too. That's the extent of my accomplishments for the weekend.

The bag so far

There will be some ripping out still because I'm handle-challenged, but here's where I am so far on the bag.

Darcy is currently giving a trash can "what for" as it blows down the street caught in the Gustav wind/torrential down pour. And as I can't sew without extreme concentration, I'm through for the evening. Maybe I'll pick it back up tomorrow.

Of course, at the rate it's moving, it won't be around for long...we'll see when the barking stops.

Another tote bag audition

Over the long weekend, I've managed to actually do some sewing! Here's the latest audition...black and red appears to be the color.

I'm mid-cleaning spree in order to get my house presentable by the weekend. Yes, it will take that long. I'm hoping to have my sewing machine off the kitchen table tomorrow and back into it's less-than-perfect-but-still-adequate home. We may have to acutally eat off the kitchen table. Imagine.

Look! new Pat Sloan podcasts

And because we just love our Pat Sloan, have some podcasts that go along with the new book and the new online class (which will be/should be/better be) available next week (I hope) at icantbelieveim.com...the world's most fabulous tote. Don't believe? Watch in amazement as I try to get one done this weekend.

It could happen.

The videos are available at Vimeo and YouTube. The first 2 are Vimeo, but I couldn't find the third there...definitely going to have to check on that...sigh.

Pat Sloan Rotary Cutting Tools from Leisure Arts on Vimeo.


Pat Sloan Sewing Machine Basics Part 1 from Leisure Arts on Vimeo.

Look! a new Pat Sloan book

So, better late than never right? It's just been one of those weeks...or actually, one of those months. I'm hoping that will get better. I'm an optimist. Anyway, look! It's a Pat Sloan book! The perfect book for anyone who'd like to try their hands at sewing. Pat begins with the basics: how to get a machine, how to use a machine, how to use a rotary cutter and the paraphenalia. And then there are some really pretty projects for all of us, whether we're sewing novices or proficient seamstresses. Check it out!

Front cover first
Then back cover
And...check out tomorrow...more Pat Sloan! Yes, a Saturday post to make up for my missing Thursday post. You don't wanna miss it!

Sock beginnings

Do you know what you call this?
1. the power of peer pressure
2. the first 4 1/2" of my very first sock and so far, so good
3. Syncopated Rib Socks from I Can't Believe I'm Knitting

Yes, there are, in fact, 5 double-pointed needles here.

Oddly enough, I feel the need to get more sock yarn...

The (next) new project: Orange Peel quilt

Here's what my version looks like.





Pat's original (and finished version) is from the online class at icantbelieveim.com. This is the Curved Piecing class and the pattern is an Orange Peel.

So far I've managed to make a template, trace and cut some centers. I still have more tracing and cutting...then the real test: the sewing. I've watched the videos so many times that I've convinced myself that, with Pat, even I can do some curved piecing. We'll see how it goes...

I have to get through this one because I really, really want to make the bag that Pat teaches in the upcoming I Can't Believe I'm Sewing online class.