Knitting, what's that?

It's becoming quite clear that my knitting is on a summer hiatus. Finding a spot for my sewing machine has released all this pent up creativity, I suppose.

Today I joined the waiting list for a website that could change my whole crafty world. Spoonflower lets you design and buy your own custom fabric printed on demand. How cool is that? I have no aspirations to become a textile designer. In fact, when I came across the site, I thought "what would I design?" and I'm pretty sure I heard air wooshing around up there. But, sometimes it's hard to find "the perfect" fabric. This might be the answer to getting exactly what you want.

In the FO department, another Birdie Sling compliments of Saturday's severely polluted air. This time I added a magnetic snap. I had a hell of a time getting my lining and exterior to match up as one was much larger than the other. Weird. They fell right into place on the first sling. After a lot of fiddling, the snap halves were off about .5cm from each other. It still works.

Deja Vu? Almost

Everything was going along so well. I planned the look, the maximum size I would be happy with, the size of the slots, and the closure. Then I took off. Only had to cut once - ya! Realized that a flap would be better than a strap and solved the problem before it was to late - ya! Interface-free pockets are the perfect stiffness - ya!

Here comes the math. I started to put my needles in and realized that I counted wrong. By 5 circulars! 1, ya ok, it happens, but 5? Luckily I had room to double up a couple smaller ones and, really, when don't I have multiple projects sitting on needles?

Then I closed it. I forgot to put the snaps on! There's no way that I'm picking all those stitches. In this picture I'm using double sided tape to hold the flap shut. It works but it's probably not a permanent solution :)

I need an idea to close the flap that doesn't involve machine sewing, since I can only go through one layer on the body. It also needs to involve three spots (top, middle, bottom) to close the flap properly.

So far I've only come up with 3 options. 1) Three small black frog closures. I can sew them on by hand and they'll probably match. But, with shipping, they aren't cheap. 2) Green fabric loops on the flap side and buttons on the body side. Con: I would have to sew the green loops to the outside of the flap rather than enclosing them in a seam. It could look really sloppy. 3) Three Velcro circles. Ugly but it would do the trick and require the least amount of work.

I wish I had the ability to consider it a mistake, stick an elastic around the center and be done with it.

Things that make you go hmm

Pattern: Birdie Sling by Amy Butler
Fabric: Some sort of Japanese import, on the exterior, and bunnies on the interior.
Time: One night
Cost: Too much. Since it uses fusible fleece and interfacing and the pattern is pricey, it's not a cheap bag. Definitely get the components when Joann's has a 50% off sale.


This is my first Amy Butler pattern. It's a super easy pattern (although wordy) that makes a cute bag and would be just fine for beginners.

Like most patterns, yardage is grossly overestimated. The weird thing is that they cut the interfacing yardage really close. I found that 1 yard of each fabric was more than enough. The 1/2 yard of fusible fleece was the exact amount but the 3.5 yards of interfacing was a close call.

The bag is BIG, which I love, but a little too stiff for my liking because it's lined with fusible fleece. Next time I'll replace the fleece with interfacing. Also, this bag gapes a lot, do to the gussets, so it could definitely use a magnetic snap or zipper. I would also replace the inner pockets with a zippered pocket.

I've received some nice compliments about the bag, which leads me to believe it would be a nice gift for friends. It would probably make a really great beach tote too. Also, the large inner pocket, with the seam up the middle, makes for somewhat long, thin pockets that are perfect for straight needles. A few tweaks and this could be an awesome knitting bag.

One caution: If you're really tiny, this bag might be a little overwhelming on you.

All in all, I'm very happy with the finished object. Amy's patterns are very appealing, especially the Weekender. But, for such a simplistic pattern, I think that $13 is way too much money. I'll definitely make it again (if anything to get my money's worth out of the pattern :).

Did you notice the cabinet that the bag is hanging on? It's my new yarn holder. Not bad for $30! I love being able to look at all the yarn - it's like having my own yarn shop. fun fun! I'm working on making my craft corner organized enough to use it on a regular basis. Exciting stuff.

First Try!

I only had to sew it once, ya!

I can't tell you how happy I am to have a needle roll. Why did I take so long to get around to it? Oh ya, the space. I think Travis is getting tired of being poked by pins on the kitchen floor.

Soon I'll be able to find all my needles. When i was thinking through my needle roll needs, I realized that I would need 3 cases. I have a lot of needles so one case that does it all would have to be large and (probably) unwieldy. It made more sense to make three: one for straights, one for circulars, and one for travel/carrying around. So far I've only made the straight.

I don't know who the fabric designer is but I bought it at Eddie's Quilting Bee/whatever the other name of the store is. The case holds 18 sets of needles. I made the slots in various sizes so the small needles wouldn't be swimming in their home and the large needles wouldn't have to have to be split up. It's padded with a very thin, natural, batting. It could probably do with two layers or one thicker layer but I'm happy.

I had originally intended for the inside to be entirely green but I was watching a movie while cutting and cut the green pieces to small. There wasn't enough green to cut more so I added the print to the inside. It's a happy mistake because I think I like the mix better.

This is what it looks like with the top flap closed and the needles inside.

It makes a nicer roll with the needle sizes mixed up, rather than in order of smallest to largest, which is the way I sized the slots. Next time I'll change it up.

Before sewing the front and back together, I played around with closures. The measurements were based on quarters (edges into center then in half) with the intention to use a magnetic snap. But, with needles ranging from 1-15 inside, it was uneven and lacked structure. The traditional roll made the most sense (if it ain't broke...).

Once I knew I would roll it, I had to decide how to close it. Ties weren't an option, which left snaps or D-ring. Depending on the number of needles inside at one time, the snaps would have to be adjusted or have multiple in line (like a belt buckle) so D-ring it was! Now if I only put the straps on the correct side. I chose the right side because it wouldn't tug the case in the wrong direction, when closed, but I didn't consider opening the case. Instead of undoing the strap and having the case roll open, you have to unwrap the strap all the way around. I would change that next time as well.

Sewing has made something very apparent - my math needs help. I like to think that it's because I'm always cutting when I'm distracted or that my grids are US Customary rather than metric, but it really comes down to my basic math skills. After all, I'm supposed to know how to add fractions in my head, right? (even if they are an inconvenient measurement system)

I think there are a gazillion needle roll tutorials out there but if you want me to write it up for you just drop me an email.