Thursday, April 5, 2012

March Challenge

I'm finally sewing again.   But this is an insanely busy month for me, so I don't know how much I will accomplish.

I belong to a sewing club, which is termed a "designer" group.  Every other month, one of the gals issues a challenge.   We each tackle the challenge, interpreting it our own way, and bring it back for show and tell.  The challenge for March is to make a handbag from men's suit jackets.  Not only are we supposed to use the fabric from the suits, but parts of the suit such as the lapel, cuffs, pockets., etc. should be visible on the bag.  Yikes huh?

The person who is hosting this challenge got her inspiration  from this site:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/mandinka  The bags on that site are selling for $140-$280.  Can you imagine?

I went to the thrift store and found a couple of coordinating suit jackets, threw them in the dryer with some Dryel and took them apart.  I have the front and back of a bag finished.  Wish I could post a photo, but it must be kept under cover until the next meeting.

Hopefully I'll be able to finish it in time.  It will be scramble.

Sewing on as time permits.
More to follow


24 Talk to me:

Lori said...

Sounds like a fun challenge and I am so happy you are sewing again and feeling better. Take care.

Corrine said...

Dear Gwen, so glad to hear you are feeling well enough to sew again. When you love to sew, not being able to sew, is like missing an important part of who you are. I did go to the site to check out the bags. Very interesting. This reminds me of an upscale version of making the hobo bags from recycled jeans of the past. I can't wait to see your project. Your group sounds like so much fun. I find that challenges work well to get me moving. Happy Easter to you and yours.

Linda T said...

Great to hear that you are sewing again! Looking forward to seeing your "suit bag."

Ann said...

What an exciting challenge. I am excited to see the end result.

Glad that you are feeling much better. Have a Happy Easter.

Eileensews said...

So glad you are back in action.

Irene said...

I was sorry to read that you were so very unwell. I do hope that you keep on improving in health.
Can't wait to see your bag! You always do such interesting things.

KID, MD said...

I'm so glad that you are doing better!

And I can't wait to see what you've done with the bag. That sounds amazing!

Faye Lewis said...

Sounds very interesting to say the least. I've been thinking about you, and am glad you are sewing again.

Patty said...

Great challenge, can't wait to see what you do with it!
Glad to see you are feeling well enough to sew again.

Bunny said...

Glad you are back at the machine as I know the happiness it brings you. Your bag challenge sounds like great fun. I was very impressed with those bags on Etsy. Nothing like letting some one else do your welts and flies for you!

Christiana said...

This is such a cool idea. I can't wait to see the results.

Christiana
sewamusing.blogspot.com

The Hojnackes said...

It's so great to hear that you are feeling better and sewing again!

Anonymous said...

Glad to know that sewing is back on the agenda; although the challenge sounds less than appealing to me, I do look forward to seeing what you can make of it. LauraUK

The Slapdash Sewist said...

Looking forward to seeing the bag, that sounds like quite an intriguing challenge. I hope you continue to mend.

Lisa said...

Gwen thankyou for the comment on my blog.Just so you the Craftsy course has no expiry date I'd take advantage of the cheap price and take it in a few months or next year .

Rose said...

Now, that's a creative challenge! I'm looking forward to your version. Have fun with it!!

Sheila said...

Glad you are feeling better and sewing. That's an interesting challenge and looking forward to the reveal. Thanks for lovely compliment on my tops.

Dr. Fun (AKA Sister) said...

Welcome back to the land of the living and sewing! Glad you're better.

Tee said...

Glad your back and feeling better!

Fran said...

Glad to see you're sewing Gwen. Sounds like a fun challenge and a fun sewing group!

Faye Lewis said...

Hey Gwen! Thanks for looking in at the tops challenge. The E&F pattern is a really good pattern. I don't sew very many independent patterns - scared of the unknown I guess. But then again patterns from the big 4 can be a little bit like sewing in the unknown zone too. I met and talked with Louise Cutting at the Sewing Expo. This is the second of her patterns that I've made. For one thing, the instruction sheet is CRAMMED FULL of sewing information. She leaves nothing out. I like the tunic and it turned out EXACTLY as I expected. I'm sure you would enjoy it too.

Cennetta said...

Wow, what an interesting challenge. I wouldn't have thought of that in a million years. I'm sure yours will be spectacular. Good luck with squeezing in some sewing this month.

Diana said...

Hi Gwen. I hope you are continuing to improve in health and that you are able to spend a little time sewing.We all know how therapeutic sewing can be. God Bless.

SewVintageBunny said...

That seems like an awesome group.I really like the idea of doing different projects and making them your own.

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