Sunday, July 6
I made these two macrame mini bags for one of my buddies.
She LOVES green so I knew just what color she would want. She surprised me by also asking for one in beige.
Just need to get the linings made and sewn in so I can mail them off to her.
Hope she likes them!!
Tuesday, June 10
I know, I know.. it took me awhile to circle back around to work on these macrame purses. I bet you thought I had forgotten.
On 5-21 I posted, More Macrame Purses Coming. And true to my word, here they are.
BEFORE
AFTER
Used 113 yards of 6mm braided macrame cord.
Measurements:
BEFORE
AFTER
Used 98 yds of 6mm braided macrame cord.
Measurements:
I have made many macrame purses over the years but had never tried either of these designs before. Both purses were really easy. Only had to consult the instructions twice. Once for the brown one, when creating and attaching the flap and another time for the lavender one, when creating the “V” shape in the front and back. Anyway you slice it, a square knot is a square knot. I can usually look at the picture and figure it out. Like cooking your favorite dish. You don’t need to look any longer at the recipe.
I am hoping the brown purse is a hit with a chat buddy of mine. She asked me to make her a macrame purse several months ago. She knew I was just getting back into macraming so said there was no rush. Not really sure what she would like, I searched through my macrame purse books and selected this one. I changed up a bit from the original instructions. I added the beads on differently and made it wider and longer. So after looking at the directions to add on the flap, it was just me and the knots, going to town.
The lavender purse was fun to make. So much fun, I have already started another one in peach and will probably make several more in summer colors. No added cost for a purse handle. It is all cord. And quite easy to make. I don’t think I will sew buttons on any of the others. I only added buttons to the lavender one since, # 1, it is Button Month, and # 2, I had a lot of lavender and purple buttons to use up.
There are so many other things you can make with macrame cord. Not sure if you have ever seen or heard of the Chinese Crown Knot. It is really a cool knot. Very easy to make. You only need two hands and a pair of knees. This knot can be used in so many ways. I have used it in plant hangers, candles, corn stalks, animal noses, snakes and bracelets. Once I get over my obsession with purses, I will show you how to create things using it.
Macrame Cord Suppliers
Saturday, June 7
I totally forgot about all the novelty buttons I have. I have been accumulating them over the years as well. I add to my collection whenever one of my favorite craft stores has a button sale.
Here are two examples of how I decorated a macrame basket using novelty buttons.
The red basket is perfect for a child’s room to keep the crayons, pens and pencils off the floor and neatly organized. I made two baskets and just need to sew on the buttons. They are temporarily attached with T-pins. Also perfect for a small child learning their ABC’s. Think playing school. There’s even a yellow school bus.
I wish someone would invent a way to get buttons sewn on without the sewing.
Tuesday, May 6
An online friend suggested I might enjoy sewing this little project called Double Pocket. She had made several in various colors and they turned out very pretty. So I decided to try my hand at making one.
It has a pocket in front and back of the buttoned tab. I had a bit of a problem sewing all the pieces together and getting them all on the right side but eventually I did figure it out. I am going to make a second one just to see where I went wrong. It turned out good. It will do what it is intended to do. And that is to hang from a belt to hold small items such as keys, coins, cell phone, etc when you are out partaking in your favorite form of entertainment or exercise.
Here is how it looks hanging from the denim tote I made. I used the same denim and printed fabric. You could use fabric leftover from other sewing projects. Would be perfect to use up some of your scraps.
Supplies used to make Double Pocket:
Measurements: 7 1/2″ height and 3 1/2″ length
Pattern used: Double Pocket from the book A Pocketful of Whimsy, Wee Patchwork Gifts by Kathleen Rindal Brooks, pages 28-30. Full size pattern pieces are in the book. I scanned the pattern pieces and printed them out onto hardstock paper.
Saturday, May 3
This tote is HUGE!! I had no idea it would make up this big!!
This is the purse I had planned to make with my wild and crazy fabric. Can’t do it now for two reasons. I would look like an idiot coming down the street with it, feeling like everyone was looking at me. 
And #2, I don’t have enough of my wild fabric to make it. It really takes a lot of fabric. I used four Fat Quarters of the printed fabric. So..I will save it and make something else.
This tote was made from Kwik Sew Pattern 3133, Bag A. I had no problem understanding and following the pattern instructions.
I am just about done. I need to finish turning one of the straps, sew the straps to the lining and then sew the lining to the purse.
If I make another one, I will use heavier fabric for the entire tote. It will make a nice book bag.
Saturday, May 3
Yep, I have been sewing…still.
I have actually been working on these purses with doggy fabric for several days. Didn’t want to get too far behind so thought I would post what I am working on.
These just need the strap sewn on the sides. I found this strap when going through my craft supplies. I don’t remember how long I have had it but it works perfectly for these little totes. Adds a hint of a doggy collar or leash.
These totes/purses are quick to make, now that I have made so many of them. If you want to try your hand at it, you just need 1/2 yard of two different fabrics. The doggy fabric I purchased by the yard from JoAnn Fabric and Crafts a couple years ago. (Probably that’s when I purchased the black strap.) The black print fabric was a Fat Quarter 18″ by 22″. Fabric must be a square for both pieces. I used 18″ square.
I also made a larger tote in denim and red fabric with tiny white hearts. I had to buy special denim needles to sew the sides together. Size 16. They work great. No more jamming.
Haven’t decided how I will finished this one up. Probably a shoulder strap. I have about two yards of denim left. Next time I get my hands on a 50% off coupon at JoAnn’s, I will replenish my supply.
Friday, May 2
Not sure how I came up with this idea. One day last summer I was making macrame baskets and it just popped into my head.
Why not make a sewing basket to hold all the gadgets a seamstress needs within reach!!??
I had plenty of macrame cord and rings so I got started designing one. First on paper, then I started testing what length of cord I would need to make a long row, a sennet, of square knot buttons, SKB. I wanted the SKB’s to go around the basket to hold scissors, cutting tools, etc.
I ended up fusing the cord several times when I was short on cord but not yet at the desired length. So my first attempt was kind of makeshift. Though you would never know it since I am a master at burying my flubs within the knots. 
So after a few test runs, I was ready to make the SKB sennet with the correct yardage of cord. I have to tell you, it was kind of genius the way I turned the square knot buttons to go horizontal instead of vertical. But that was the only way the tools would fit per my design. They needed to hang downward.
I also knew I wanted to store spools of thread right on the basket so I put elastic around the inside rim to hold them.
On the navy one and red/black/white one, I added elastic around the bottom area so thread could be accessible from the bottom as well as the top. You can unwind the thread right from the elastic, no need to remove it. That is another cool feature of these baskets.
Inside the basket has a clear plastic liner to hold even more supplies such as glue, ruler, fabric, zippers, buttons, etc.
They all have removeable carrying handles. Some handles hook on, some tie on.
I am proud of how the baskets turned out. I made eight and sold five. I have a green one started and need to finish it.
My favorite is the beige one with the buttons. The buttons are on the front side only. This was the first to sell. Maybe it was the buttons.
Tuesday, April 29
OK, I feel rested now and ready to go. Back to Sewing!! Cause Macrame Month is around the corner. (As if anyone even remembers or cares what it is, LOL!!)
But today I need to make a visit to the Janome store. I want them to tell me how to sew through stacks of denim. My sewing machine, Janome 10001, doesn’t seem to like heaps of thick fabric. And for the price I paid for it, it should sew through gold!!
I don’t normally pay much attention to needles. Just turn the machine on and go. That is, until I break one. Several days ago, I broke a needle sewing on denim. I switched to a size 16 and that seemed to fix the problem but today it jammed again and would not go through the fabric at all. Oh, what a racket the machine made. I guess it told me, don’t even think about it!! I have no clue what size needle I need so I will let the experts tell me.
So…if you are looking for me, that is where I will be. BBL
Sunday, April 27
I am having fun making these totes/purses. My hubby asked how many purses was I going to sew. I said, “Until my fabric runs out.” LOL!! Men!!
Making this tote was a challenge with the stripes and all. I kind of succeeded in lining up the stripes on one side but the other side is hopelessly a mess. But…it is what it is. I am happy with it.
I changed this one up a bit by adding buttons to the sides instead of pulling a strap through the stitched down front tabs. I used my automatic sensor to make buttonholes. Yay!! Yippee!! I figured it out. I gave up last year when I was trying to get this to work. No clue what the instructions were telling me. But last night, I GOT IT!! I like how it works. I add the button to the attachment and away the machine goes to create the perfect button hole.
I forgot the measurements of the fabric that I used. I “think” it was 30″. I will have to check to see if I jotted anything down. I put fusible interfacing in the tote and also the handle strap. The buttons are light beige trimmed in gold. I have had them for years. Found them in my button stash.
Here’s how the tote came out.
Off to a bead class. Supposed to be making a Bezelled Pearl bracelet. I hope I finish it and bring a completed item home.
I finished the tote bag I was working on today. It came out pretty nice. I like it.
This one was made from 20″ denim (cut one) and 20″ red and white heart fabric (cut one). I used lightweight fusible interfacing so fabric wouldn’t be too bulky to work with. I still ended up breaking a needle. I forgot to switch to a needle specifically made for denim. After switching, sewing went smoothly over the thick sections.
Inside has four small slanted pockets formed from folding two of the corners into a center square.
Supplies used in this project:
Measurements: Length 9 1/2″, 7″ height and 2 1/4″ width, at the widest point, the bottom.
Pattern/Directions for Baby Tote, Project 107-2 can be found here:
