Small Tote Bag

I made this bag with some really cute denim pants I bought at Goodwill. (I would've been tempted to keep them if they hadn't been made for someone who's at least 6" shorter than my 5'10" self...)
so here's a project I came up with:

I thought it would be easy to put library books or magazines into. I used a tweed fabric on the inside. I love tweed.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am trying this recipe for a turkey rub this year. However, I won't be making the turkey until Friday (we're going to the in-laws and my parents are serving pork chops on Thanksgiving!)

I didn't buy and start thawing the turkey til Monday! So Friday is the earliest I can cook it!

Happy Thanksgiving from our family!

Want to Make: Even More Baby Shoes

Did you see the results of baby shoe factory last week?

In case you wanted more ideas, here are some more patterns for baby shoes.

Pattern one
booties, not shoes
Mary Janes! Too cute.
Requires button holes. But they look easy other than that detail!
Here's a few cute pairs with cute color combos (boyish)!

Denim Velcro Case

I made this from an old pair of jeans. I made the lining and outside the same way I did my button-front pouch found here. I just added a flap and some velcro for the top part!

Small Button-Front Bag Tutorial

I got a note from a friend I haven't talked to in awhile yesterday. I decided I wanted to make her something and send it to her. I decided on a quick bag.

I started with four pieces (two for the outside and two for the lining). I used 11"x 7" for both the outside and the lining (so four of that size). And then I cut a 2" x 8ish" (not sure, I sent it to her already!) for the closure.
I sewed the closure pieces right sides together like a tube, turned it, pressed & topstitched it, and then did a small button hole!

I attached this piece to the bag's back.

Then, I sewed the front and back pieces together.Gussets are easy. Here's how to do them. Take the corner of the bag and fold it along the bottom and side seams into a triangular point. Measure 2" from the point and then mark this spot. Sew a straight line parallel to the corner of the bag (the top of the triangle). Does that make sense?
In other words, sew in the direction the pin is pointing. Do this to both bottom corners of the bag and you'll have a nice, flat bottomed bag that will sit on its own.

Sew the lining pieces together but leave a space at the bottom for turning.

To attach the lining and the rest of the bag, pin the upper edges together (right sides together). Make sure the bag's closure piece is tucked inside so it doesn't get caught in the seam!Sew the bag together along the upper edge of the bag and lining.

To turn it, reach through the hole you left in the lining and grab the outer portion of the bag. Pull it the whole way through until it is right side out. Now push the lining back down into the bag.
You should press it well to get a good, crisp edge along the top.

To finish it off, I topstitched along the upper edge. I also added tucks on either side of the bag to help it have some shape (due to lack of interfacing, it sort of sagged without these tucks).

If you want to add tucks, just pinch the fabric about a half inch on either side of the side seam. Sew 3/4" seam at this half inch mark. I tried to catch just the outer layer of fabric for this button to hide the stitches.
I should have added this button before sewing the lining into the bag.