Custom Doctor Who TARDIS bag

After making this bag, I told myself that I probably wouldn't do it ever again. But it appears that people really like it and with the impending start of me selling things, I might be forced to make some. This bag has the same structural pattern as the Toile bag on a previous post and I'll put a link to the pattern at the bottom of this page. However, for this bag I altered it in a few ways.

First, I added a custom flap to make it more like a laptop bag. I did not include the magnetic clasp this time because I didn't feel it was necessary for the bag to stay closed. I didn't have any buttons that matched the colors so I custom made some buttons from shrinky dinks and a dalek design I created a while ago. The last alteration was stitching the handles directly into the exterior shell. I was worried about having the dalek buttons hold all the weight so doing this worked out well. I had already topstitched the straps (which isn't required but I hate hand slip stitching) so I ended up having to double over that stitching to attach it to the bag. Somehow, I did that really well, but in hindsight I might have done the topstitching and attaching to the bag in one fell swoop.

The final product with a matching coffee cozy!

There is a double pocket inside the bag

There's a pocket with a ruffle under the flap and these are the custom buttons

Just a little before-and-after of the buttons

I sewed in the flap during the process of attaching the exterior and interior pieces

As promised, this is the free original tutorial. I think this project was good to open my eyes to how I can alter patterns to make unique things. I wouldn't have done it if someone hadn't requested this particular type of bag in exchange for something they were making for me.

Hardest project so far...

...and of course it was a gift I don't get to keep for myself. ;-)

I've been sewing for quite a while now but somehow I can't get myself to venture too far from small ticket items. But, for Hanukkah this last year I thought I'd attempt something on a bigger scale. Usually, I have intentions of making things (to save money and put thought into a gift) but they don't always pan out. This one wasn't done in time for the holiday get together, but at least it got done!!

So, without further ado, I present to you the giant bag/purse I made (using this tutorial from Sew4Home: Everything Old is New again Toile Tote)

The whole bag!

My first gathering/ruffle attempt.

Button accents made a colorful addition!

Some inner detailing. There was a pocket and a magnetic closure.

I'm attempting some more purses now that I basically have my life back but I'm going to start with ones that are easier than this!

More posts coming today about other crafting...

Now That School Has Started...

...let's talk about coffee! That makes sense, right? Oh wait, I should first mention that when school is in session I'm constantly in need of caffeine. My choices are energy drinks (which I understand aren't too good for you) and coffee...and with the adorable coffee cozy tutorial I'm linking to at the end of this, you'll choose it too!

Over the summer I went on the hunt for easy, quick, and FREE gift ideas I could make. Keeping in mind that I don't sell these for money, I found quite a treasure trove of ideas. One of my favorites is a coffee cozy that I made multiples of when I still had time. Mine receives compliments EVERY TIME that I use it and I'm not exaggerating. Last week, someone asked me where they could get one and I wished I had remembered the exact name instead of fumbling through telling them how I found it.

So, without further ado...

I mustache you if one of these is your cozy.

The only one I've made for myself...so far!

Whoooo...whose adorable cozy is this??

One of my favorite things about this coffee cozy is that you can match the hair tie color with funky buttons and fabric and the choices are endless!! So, I have two tutorials to help make this a gift you could do in a night (though allow yourself the afternoon for the first one just to get used to it).

Coffee cozy tutorial and Sew4Home Warp Speed Button Sewing. The second tutorial has taught me how to attach buttons like a pro! It took me a few tries of reading the directions and sewing on buttons at the same time, but now I only need to refer to it if it's been a while.

Seriously, make these cozies to not only impress people with your neat sewing skills (even if you don't have any...like me!) and save some trees by avoiding those paper wraps on your coffee and hot choco!