The Sewing Summit.........the days passed quickly.

The Sewing Summit went by quickly.  A lot was crammed in during the time I was there.

I flew in on Tuesday so I had extra time to spend on Wednesday, I decided to go find a fabric store.  I posted on the Summit Facebook page that I wanted to go to a store but they seemed to be too far away.  A couple of ladies recommended Tissu Fine Fabric  http://www.tissufabrics.com
it was worth the short walk from the hotel. The shop was stocked with so many different types of fabric to chose from. I was able to get some fabric for my metal clutch purse. Hopefully some of you were able to visit her store on the Friday and Saturday to take advance of the Sale.

I had so much fun - learned lots, laughed lots and ate lots. The time seemed to fly by I enjoyed the lectures I took as well as the hands-on classes I had.  I think I had a good balance between the lectures and hands-on classes.  I left the lectures with some new motivation to work on my blog, which I  hope to do over the next few weeks.  Also, with an interest in getting back to finishing some of the patterns I have been puttering on.

It was great to have so many ladies in one place all interested in forms of sewing whether it be quilting, sewing clothes, or bag making.  It was fun seeing a lot of great sewing going on in the sewing rooms after hours and also they amount of new bags and clothes that were made to use during the Summit.

I now have a lot of new friends interested in the same things I am, as well as a lot of new to me exciting websites to go to.

The hotel was great and is amazing how many conferences and meetings that they can put on at once. I also enjoyed that we were able to walk to the Temple Gardens and walk around in such  beautiful flower gardens. 

 
I had such a great time, I would love to go again sometime.  It was so great to make it to the Summit after following the posts about it for the first two years.

 

But the big question is did I buy more fabric on the Shop Hop or Marshmallows from Walmart?
Needless to say I didn't have to pay extra for too much weight in my suitcase. In fact the guy at the airport looked at my suitcase and said it didn't look over 50lbs so he never even weight it.

Sewing Summit...it's getting closer.

Well one sleep left and I'm on the plane to the Summit.  Can't wait, I made it to the hotel in Ottawa.I think it was a good choice, lots of construction on the 401 and 416 I believe it was 6 constructions sites we passed that had the Hwy down to one lane.  Of course the off ramp we wanted to take was closed to.  So glad I'm here already and only a 5 min drive tomorrow.  We would have been pushing it to make it on time tomorrow morning.

Look I pack light so I have room to bring stuff back with me. My carry on will have my lap top, the cords, camera and kobo.


I will try post during the Summit.

Leather Messenger Bag......Sewing Summit here I come.

This is my Leather Messenger Bag,  I wanted something that I could carry my laptop in and also use to carry just about anything else in.  I have used distressed cow leather in a burgundy colour.  I wanted something that would stand up to years of use but not something that I worry about it getting marked up.

This is my own pattern that I designed as I went along to be able to add everything that I wanted in it.
I have a pocket that the computer slides into that I have added a leather strap that holds it closed so my laptop stay in place.  I have a large zippered pocket, that stays flat until you place things in it and then it expands as it is pleated at the bottom. I have also added a leather strap and toggle hook to hold my keys so they don't end up at the bottom of the bag. I used a fusible fleece attached to the lining and added horse hair interfacing, it is free floating from the top of the lining front to back to help the lining not stretch too much when the bag is fully loaded. If I make myself or anyone one I will go looking for a heavy fusible Pellon  interfacing.  I have a hard time finding it in my area.

As I want to use this bag when I travel to The Sewing Summit in Salt Lake City, Utah in about a week, I wanted to add the Canadian Maple Leaf to the bag.  I didn't want to add a badge or pin to it of the Canadian Flag. I drew an outline of a Maple Leaf on paper and then used the pattern to sew around the pattern.  It is nerve racking to make sure you stay on the line and I would suggest checking your bobbin to make sure that you have enough bobbin thread.  (I did do the bobbin check.)
I suggest when sewing with leather to check your bobbin regularly.  Back stitching on leather while top stitching never looks right.  I always tie off my ends instead of back stitching while top stitching taking the extra time produces a more professional look.

Now to add a little bling to the bag by adding purse jewellery. I was able to try Janelle's new "handmade" hardware.  Janelle from Emmaline will have these in her shop soon. She also came up with a zipper flog that says handmade as well. I'm in love with this purse jewellery,  I can see me adding these to more items in the future. I think these take your bags to a whole new level, maybe even making people think that it is a name brand.  I didn't want to take away from the Maple Leaf or the handmade hardware, so I used magnetic snaps as the closures for the bag.

Well I'm now Traveling Handmade for the Sewing Summit, I can't wait.

The Sewing Summit, Salt Lake City, Utah

 



Taking a page from my sons books........I leave for The Sewing Summit in 12 sleeps. It is getting closer, it seemed so far away when I purchased my ticket back in April.  Of course I had to book my flight right away to get a good deal.  I got a great deal except my flights have changed 3 times, I'm so  glad that I booked it at the travel agency less stress for me.

As we are coming down to the wire, I had  realized that I needed a new bag or purse.  I have decided to make a messenger bag out of distressed leather, in burgundy.   I have been making up the pattern as I go making notes so I can make it again. The only problem doing it this way is you keep changing things and adding a few other things.  I hope it doesn't end up being too heavy to carry. I can fit my lap top into it if I wish and a lot of other things I most likely do not need.

I also have to sew a pouch for the secret swap, I know I will make it in time.  As I always finish things I making for Christmas even if it means staying up late on Christmas Eve. So no problems it will be done.......I guess we can't take our scissors on the plane.

This is the front flap and the main body piece, I have added extra support in the bottom for all the extra stuff I will carry.