Forget the Brown Bag, Lunch in Style

 One of the things I enjoy about blogging is that my blog serves as a personal journal of my creations.  I recently decided it's time for a new lunch tote and was kind of shocked to look back and see that the one I'm using is almost 3 years old!  Back then, I was asked to do a guest post and wanted to make something really functional.  An insulated, zippered, washable, lunch tote fit the bill.

 It was really fun to follow my own tutorial.  Since I have this problem of never wanting to do the same thing twice, I of course changed things up.  I used nylon on the inside instead of PUL and added interfacing to the exterior fabric.

The size is perfect and it stands up nicely.

I'd also been getting quite a few comments on the original post asking for dimensions of the finished bag.  I finally updated the tutorial page and added the dimensions as well as a few clarifications.  If there are any readers out there that have been waiting for that, sorry it took so long!  But if you head over to the original tutorial HERE, you'll find all the updated info.

 I'm really excited to head off to work tomorrow with my new lunch sack.  And, I'm working on a slightly smaller version to send to school with my kids.  Their current lunch bags get so stinky and I'm tired of not being able to throw them in the wash.  

Check back soon!

2, 4, 6, 8, who likes to PROCRASTINATE...

 This past week the kids have been off from school for February break.  We did a lot of fun family activities which meant not a lot of sewing got done.  So when Saturday rolled around and I finally got a little time, did I work on the unfinished projects that NEEDED to get done?  Nope, I totally procrastinated and decided to make a new ironing board cover instead.

The old cover had pretty much disintegrated and I was planning on buying a new one.  But, in an effort to use up fabric from the stash, I decided to make one.  I couldn't find a great tutorial to follow, so I just cut the elastic off the old one, traced my new fabric a little larger and made a casing.  I was being kind of cheap about it and decided to use a sturdy string to pull the casing tight rather than elastic.  It didn't work the best.

 I was able to reuse the hook and loop fasteners on the bottom, which helped.  While I was in the procrastination mood, I made a little tool organizer.

I attached it to the side with some adhesive hook and loop tape.

 A simple sleeve roll stuffed with fabric scraps.

 I also made a simple, weighted pin cushion.  I've dropped my plastic, magnetic pin cushion one too many times.  This one was super easy.  Just slipped a bean bag in the bottom and fiberfill stuffing in the top.

 Now that I've got a nice, neat, pressing station, I guess I can do some real work.

What do you do when you're procrastinating the projects you NEED to do?

The Lane Raglan Zaaberry Style

A few weeks back, Adrianna of Crafterhours released her first pattern for women, The Lane Raglan.  I've been a huge Crafterhours fan for years and even got the opportunity to pattern test when The Greenpoint Cardigan pattern was in the making.  

So, when on the day of the pattern release Adrianna said that 100% of the proceeds that day would go to charity, I absolutely couldn't say no.  

This yellow version was the first one I made, and in typical fashion, I put my own twist on the pattern.

 I wanted a shirt that was a little more tunic-like and made an asymmetrical hem.  The fabric is a heavyish weight knit. It's super comfortable, but the fabric isn't my favorite.  You can't see it so well in the picture, but the face of the fabric is kind of fuzzy and not so great looking.

 I do like the way it looks from the back.  Guess I'll just have to walk around backwards.

My next Lane Raglan I did a pattern mix-up and used the Lane for the top of a Lady Skater.  If you're a frequent Zaaberry reader, you know how much I LOVE the Lady Skater Dress Pattern.

This version is nice, comfy, and very wearable.  I think I shortened the bodice a bit, and didn't use the elastic at the bottom.  The fabric is heavy enough that it didn't need it.  And though it does help stabilize the seam, I found that it's kind of pokey on the my other dresses.  So I was glad I didn't need it this time around.

I'm going to need to learn about a swayback adjustment.  The back puckers on all my dresses...

Any good tips?