Sewing is a lot like life...sure, there are patterns for just about everything, but in order to love what you do, or love what you make, you have to change the pattern to make it your own regardless if the change is a fraction of an inch or the length of a yard. And more often that not, those choices you make to change the pattern do not work out exactly the way you hope. It can be frustrating and challenging, and sometimes you have have to rip it all apart at the seams and start completely over. Which requires patience. A lot of patience. But in doing so, you create something that is far more rewarding, and far more beautiful, then what you started with.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

A Fun Wristlet! (and my first time sewing a zipper!)

This past weekend was a great weekend of finishes for me! Besides my first shirt (which I still can't believe I made) and a few cuter than cute pillowcase dresses, I also finished up my first zippered clutch!

Hopefully I am carrying this on the beach in Mexico this very minute! (I am in Mexico for a work incentive trip and pre-scheduled a few posts this week)




I am so happy to be crossing not only projects off my "want to" list, but also tackling my New Year's resolutions as well...in this case...I tackeld sewing a zipper for the first time and I am happy to report I only had to tear the whole project apart only once! I started off by following Gussy's tutorial, but it left off a few too many steps for me, especially at the end, which is why I had to rip it all apart and start again. I ended up switching to this tutorial from Noodlehead and was able to put it back together in no time! Great tutorial!


Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of the interior, however, it is the same yellow print as the stripe on the front of the clutch and the handle, so hopefully that gives you a good idea. I also made it slightly bigger than the tutorial, and used a 12" zipper, because I knew I wanted it to be large enough to carry to dinner in the evening and include my phone, camera and smaller wallet for cash. I also added a wrist strap to my clutch, and while it is okay, I would make it slightly longer and slightly wider next time around.

And before I go, can I tell you something that I love about blogland? I made a New Year's resolution to try new techniques and to challenge myself, one of those things being sewing with a zipper for the first time. So what does Courtney at The Paisley Abbey do? She emails me with a link to a great tutorial on sewing zippers simply because she knows that is one of my goals this year. Isn't that super nice? ! Thanks so, so much Courtney! Blogland is a great place to be. :)

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Linking this week to:
Fabric Tuesday at Quiltstory
Take A Look Tuesday at Sugar Bee Craft Edition

Labels:

24 comments:

  1. Kristina ClemensJanuary 27, 2011 at 7:15 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Kristina ClemensJanuary 27, 2011 at 7:16 AM

    This is so great! I'm a freelance clothing designer, and details like this really stand out to me! Your work is lovely.
    Kristina J.

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  3. JenniferJanuary 27, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    You have never sewed a zipper? I am shocked :) It came out great. I love these little wristlets...I made a million to give as gifts for XMas. Hopefully you are enjoying it on the sunny beach in Mexico now :)

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  4. The Paisley AbbeyJanuary 27, 2011 at 4:17 PM

    The pouch turned out great and you did a fabulous job on your first zipper. Enjoy your trip! I wish I was there!!
    :)
    Courtney

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  5. jmtJanuary 27, 2011 at 8:44 PM

    Blogland is FANTASTIC. I've really come to enjoy it! I hope your trip is wonderful, your clutch is super cute, and the fact that you can sew still has me wondering why you were never in my classes with Mrs. Collins? Maybe if you were there I wouldn't have gotten my only B. LOL

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  6. JillJanuary 30, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    Oh I hope you're having fun in Mexico!! Love the wristlet - and good for you crossing so many things off your list!!

    Just wanted to let you know I featured your pillowcase shirt on my round tuit post this week:

    http://jembellish.blogspot.com/2011/01/round-tuit-34.html

    Hope you have a lovely week!!

    Jill @ Creating my way to Success

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  7. PaisleyJadeJanuary 30, 2011 at 11:26 PM

    So cute - I am still yet to face my zipper fear!!

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  8. Beth @ The Goad AbodeJanuary 31, 2011 at 7:50 AM

    very cute, love it!

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  9. CityHouseStudioJanuary 31, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    So cute! I love it!

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  10. Jessica KellyJanuary 31, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    so cute! love that fabric and design, enjoy Mexico!

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  11. LeeJanuary 31, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    Adorable, I love it!

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  12. GinaJanuary 31, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    Super cute!

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  13. Sara @ Sew SweetnessFebruary 1, 2011 at 6:18 AM

    Congratulations on the zipper! I think yours turned out wonderful, those fabrics are really really nice! Great job!

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  14. QuilterMaryFebruary 1, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    Yeah for a zipper .. bet you'll do lots more. Very cute bag.

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  15. MeganFebruary 1, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    Adorable! Have fun in Mexico and thanks for linking up to {Sew} Modern Monday!

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  16. Elizabeth DacksonFebruary 1, 2011 at 1:48 PM

    Cute! Makes me want to get over my fear of zippers...maybe tonight, since naptime's almost over. This sure is adorable :)

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  17. LaVonneFebruary 2, 2011 at 12:23 AM

    Very nice. You have given me hope. I have just started sewing. It is difficult. I have not done a zipper yet. One day soon. I am bookmarking the tutorials you recommend. :)

    Blessings and have fun in Mexico, lucky lady!

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  18. CherieFebruary 2, 2011 at 1:31 PM

    very cute! Thanks for sharing. I haven't sewn in awhile!

    Please come by and visit me... I am a new follower! http://justcraftytoday.blogspot.com/ , while you are there... be sure to grab my button for Sweet Saturdays Link Party!

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  19. ChristineFebruary 2, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    Hey Emily!
    Congrats on your first zipper! I love the finished product!
    Enjoy Mexico
    Christine
    greatoakcircle.com

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  20. itsybitsybriannaFebruary 3, 2011 at 5:57 AM

    oh me
    this is SO adorable
    Im probably going to have to HAVE TO have to
    make one of these!

    xoxo
    bB

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  21. Jessica @ Barefoot by the SeaFebruary 4, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    I love this - thanks for sharing! Found you via 30 days! Come check my blog out too!

    www.barefootbysea.blogspot.com

    I'm your newest follower

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  22. DANAFebruary 9, 2011 at 11:05 PM

    That is so cute! If you have not been by yet, I would love for you to come link up! Every month the best link gets prizes!

    http://www.thesaturdaymorningsblog.com/2011/02/strut-your-stuff-for-february-round-2.html

    ReplyDelete
  23. SJ @ Homemaker On A DimeJune 12, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    Hi, Emily! I'm admiring all your creative posts here so can you please share them with us at the Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop? Hope to see you there at the party :)

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  24. UnknownSeptember 16, 2012 at 2:12 PM

    Emily Fantastic Blog.. wonder if this might be of some interest here are some excellent Paisley Photographs of the Paisley Abbey Medieval Festival which took place on September 15th 2012. www.paisley.org.uk 

    ReplyDelete

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