Playing with Textures - Distressed Look

Okay, the other week I told everyone I was getting bored with the Messenger bag design and that I wanted to do something different, at least start with the flap.  So, as I started making another messenger bag with a recent purchase of red/burgundy cotton twill...  

I decided to added a strap of fabric down in front of the flap, then I frayed the edges and sanded the flap in spots to give the bag an overall distressed look.









As with all my messenger bags, the interior is lined with 10oz cotton canvas in natural for extra durability.

Under the flap - you'll find a two deep exterior pockets while inside contains a zipper pocket and a split pocket to hold your keys, cell phone and I-Pod, etc.

The adjustable strap is long enough to wear across your chest or if shorten to carry as a tote.

You can find this beauty here: Messenger Bag Distressed - Red Twill

Cyber Monday Sale

Hi all,
Hope everyone enjoying Cyber Monday.  HMMills is also having a Cyber Monday Sale, all messenger bags in the shop are 10% off!

Come see these wonderful bags, a great way to carry your laptop in style.

Click here to go to the shop: Messenger Bag Sale

Sale ends at midnight!

10% Off Coupon

Hello everyone, hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and is surviving the holiday shopping.  For my loyal readers (all 38 of you) LOL, I am offering a 10% discount on every item in my shop. 

Visit the shop today to take advantage, just type BlogReader during checkout and receive 10% off.

Coupon will be available now through Christmas Eve.

Black Friday Sale - All iPad Covers on Sale

Whoo hoo, the holidays are here and what better way to start than with a Black Friday Sale.  All iPad covers in my shop are on sale until Midnight tonight. 

Each stylish iPad cover is constructed with two layers of fusible fleece, keeping your iPad safe from scratches, bumps and smudges.  Covers are completed with a flap closure and recycled button from my ex-DH's grandmothers stash.

Made from 100% cotton they are easy to keep clean as you just machine wash cold / tumble dry. 



Quantities are limited, so hurry...

You can find these great stocking stuffers here:

iPad Covers

iPad Covers

Finally, decided to use some of the Amy Butler Love collection fabric that I have had on my shelf for the past few months. 

After playing around with my prototype I finally made an iPad cover using the Paradise Garden in Wine.  The color palette includes mint, yellow, coral, fuchsia and lavender on a wine background and I lined the interior with a matching lavender cotton. 

Also decided to add one to the shop, which you can find here.

I used two layers of fusible fleece, to keep the iPad safe from scratches, bumps and smudges. 

I added a front slip pocket so you can also carry your power cord, ear plugs, etc.

  

For a closure, I used a recycled button and loop. 

...here is a view from the back...

Working with Muslin

I decided recently that whenever I experiment with a pattern that going forward it was best not to use the expensive Amy Butler fabric.  As I write this I am glancing at the the remains of a bag gone awry and a beautiful Amy Butler fabric that will never to see the sun again.  I have been dying to make a cover for my iPad, so after drawing out the pattern, I decided to use Muslin.  What a concept.  I was watching a Project Runway Marathon and noticed another designer using muslin.  Each time I waste a great piece of fabric I think to myself, “why didn’t you pulled that bolt of muslin from the shelf.  Will I did….and here is the finished product:  

Based on this prototype, I have decided to eliminate the split pocket, as I the pockets were too tight.  Also I am going to do two styles, with and without the pocket.  I guess the one without the pocket would be considered a sleeve.  As for the closure, I may use three types of closures, the fabric loop (shown here), Velcro under the flap and an elastic loop and button.

Keep watch for the real thing....

Playing around with Textures

Okay, I get bored easily. I receive email updates from West Elm and they  have duvet covers to die for…I love this pin tuck look as well as the gathered one.  I would love to incorporate this type of texture onto a bag and I think perhaps next week I will experiment some one.  

 In the meantime, it’s been a while since I have made any changes to the Messenger Bag, the last change was to add was added an external single and split pocket under the flap.  I have been thinking about doing something else to the flap, perhaps play around with a colorful fabric on the cover as I did with this messenger bag, but I haven’t done either…

The other day as I was busy cutting and sewing numerous messenger bags (in a Red Burgundy Twill), I found that I still had some fabric left over.  It wasn’t a lot, enough to make a small strap, when it dawn on me, use it as a decorative piece and attached it to the front flap.  So I did.  On the second one,  I pulled on the fabric to give it some additional texture and a bit of a distressed look, I may even fray the edges.  I think I like it, and I hope you will too… hope to have some photos to post later on…

Easier Navigation Around the Shop

The other day I was on a website browsing through the clothes section and as I was clicking through the site, I thought how easy it was to navigate.  It got me thinking about the Holiday Shopping season and my own site; and what could I do to help my customer navigate around the shop.   

So I added a few new sections, for my customers that need and want it now, I have added a section called “In Stock & Ready to Ship.”  For customers who only want to shop within a specific price range, I have added:

• Gifts under $25.00
• Gifts under $40.00
• Gifts under $50.00
• Gifts under $60.00

Be sure to stop back as I start filling the “store shelves.”  Until next time, thanks for stopping by the blog.