June Brides

This month is the, often thought of, most popular month for being a Bride.  Having done Bridal alterations and Bridal dressmaking for many years, in this area, October has always out numbered June for Brides.
Nonetheless, one of the Mother of the Bride gowns I'm altering now, for one of this month's June weddings, is the subject of this and  my next blog.
The hem, which has four layers, has been pin fitted and I am going to hand baste each layer for a basted fitting.  After any adjustments in the second fitting, it will be machine stitched and cut.
This is where this gown becomes the subject of my next blog.  What to do with all those beautiful chiffon cuttings.
How obvious!  I think I'll do a Bridal handbag!

Stay tuned for next time to see what I come up with.  In the meantime, visit my new page, Bridal Boutique, to see a few bags, like the one above, completed with " leftovers".  http://www.franciebags.com/
Talk soon, have a good day!

Spring! Finally!??

I've been wishing for Spring for several months now.  It's certainly warmer but where is the sun?  SOOO much rain.  Well, the lilacs say Spring so I guess it is!

For Your Royal Wedding!

Well, I finally finished the design for the Bridal Zipper Clutch Bags.  Nine of them are listed in my Artfire Shoppe.  It's amazing what can be done with fabric cut off a too long bridal gown train or the bottom of a gown with extra length.

Anyone interested in having a purse made to match their bridal gown or to match the bridal party gowns?  Contact me through my Studio http://www.franciebagsetc.artfire.com/ for details. You can also choose to purchase any of  the "one available" sample wedding purses,( ready for immediate delivery), listed in the studio.  Until next time, much joy to you!

Behind the Bags-Update Report

Haven't blogged in a little while, because I have been busy as a bee doing some new bags and accessories suitable for the warm weather coming sooner or later.

Took a little timeout to show you the two listed in my http://www.franciebagsetc.artfire.com/ shoppe, so far.  Lots more to list, but I'm kind of slow with the picture taking.
These bags are all handmade by me using never worn or hardly worn leather skirts and jackets.  I've added a hand crocheted front to the creamy white tote, one of my favorites.
Back to work, talk soon!

Behind the Bags-Grandma's Apron

The History of 'APRONS
I don't think our kids know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few. It was also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons used less material. But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.. And when the weather was cold Grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables.

After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

We would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron - but love...

   I don't know where this originated, it was sent to me by my Sister, so credits cannot be given.
My last week's blog showed an apron cut from an unwanted man's shirt.  Check it out.

 Shows the shirt prepared to cut,  I just eyeballed the cutting.

 Shows all the pieces as the book suggested, plus some trims.

  I went to the thrift store yesterday, (they were having a half off sale on clothing) to get a large man's shirt in a bright printed cotton to try doing the suggested "upcycled" apron.  So, for $1.50 plus some trim and buttons from my stash, the cutest apron was designed.  Give it a try!
Next week it's back to the bags.  Have a nice day!!

Behind the Bags-And Aprons??

Good Morning Friday!  Had a busy and productive week.  I have a collection of old sewing books, the one below from 1925.  Sometimes, it's fun to divert from what you normally sew or create and try something different.  While dusting, I flipped through this particular book and came across recycling (it's called remodeling in this book) a man's shirt into an apron.  Thought you might be interested.  I'm going to try this as soon as I find a bright printed cotton shirt at the thrift shop.  Will post when it's finished. 

They even made use of the shirt sleeves.

Behind the Bags-Thinking Spring!

Oh yes, the weather here the past few days required being outdoors enjoying the sun and NO SNOW!  Going back out to enjoy, in a bit, but wanted to keep you posted on some of what I accomplished this week.  Next week I'll do more in the studio and more listing in my shoppe because our weather is all downhill starting tonight.

I'm doing some things for the warm weather ahead, including Easter or Spring hats for Mom and Daughter--and leather zipper wristlets, that I just love for all the casual activities of Summer which require only a "grab n' go" type bag.

Talk to you next week.  Enjoy the weekend!

Behind the Bags-Finally!!

"The Dead of Winter" is behind us!  January 10 to February 10 is the designated time frame for the lowest period of the winter season.  It's all "up" from here.

Time to think SPRING!  That's what I'm doing.

Time to think brighter colors and Proms and Weddings.

Time to dust off my ceramic friends and think about where they will fit between the flowers.  Ahh! the thoughts of Spring and Summer!

Behind the Bags-Long Gloves, Tutorial

This is the time of the year when I purchase stretch gloves in all colors at 50% and higher off of the regular price.  Hence they end up being 25 to 50 cents a pair!
Then, I try to think of unique ways to use them for the craft shows during the year.
In the past few years, these "magic" fit everyone gloves have been embellished every way possible.  Always a great seller.
Last year, while visiting one of my favorite upscale, (too expensive for me) boutiques, I saw some colorful long gloves.  "I can make something similar."  And I did.  Every pair I made, sold.  Thought you might be interested in how I did them.

 Some of the different colors of gloves.  I have many, many colors.

You will need a pair of stretch gloves and the sleeves from a SOFT, felted, wool sweater.  Felted sweaters are very warm and will not fray when you cut them.  Putting 100% wool sweaters into hot water and a hot dryer once was a terrible mistake.  Now we do it on purpose.

 With sharp scissors, cut the cuffs off of the gloves.  Need the fingers, not the cuffs.  Cut any thick side seams from the two sleeve pieces.  Decide on a length for your sleeve pieces and cut.  (These were cut 10" long from the edge of the green cuff to the edge of the pink line and 8 1/2 " wide.)

Fold sleeves in half, right side to right side.  They now measure 4 1/4" wide by 10" long.  Pin 1/4" seams and sew.  Since I wanted a foldover cuff, I only sewed to the green cuff, clipped, turned to right side and sewed and serged the cuff. This way, you will not have a seam showing on the folded cuff.  Also, you can taper the cuff a bit, for a better line, if you wish.

Next, divide both the sweater and glove fingers into 4 equal parts with pins.

Turn the sleeves wrong side out, place gloves inside, right side to right side.  Match pins to divide equally, and pin 1/4" seam.  Sew seam and serge.

 I don't serge the long seam because it won't fray, and I like it to be soft.  The ones I sell have a handcut felted wool flower with a button sewed in the center.  You can embellish how you wish, or not.

Behind The Bags-Hand Spun & Dyed Yarn

Recently, while selling at a local arts and craft show, I spotted a table filled with luscious colored hanks of yarn.  It amazed me how the artisan was sitting there spinning the wool into yarn.  And I thought I had patience! 

Anyhow, it was hard to choose what colors I wanted, they were all beautiful and so soft!  Finally, I settled on a purple and a pink. 
If you love putting your time into upscale fashions, visit this shop for hand spun, hand dyed yarns.  http://foxyie.etsy.com/
The two sets are now listed in my shop, http://franciebagsetc.artfire.com/

Behind the Bags

Welcome to my new weekly feature, Behind the Bags.  Once each week, I'll be blogging about what I'm working on, various artisans and businesses where I get yarn, sweaters, etc., and even a few tutorials and general chit chat on what might seem interesting to me at that moment.  I hope you'll follow me and encourage your friends to do the same.  Love to have you!
Presently, I'm changing direction, a tad, as far as how I'll present my business and what I'll be designing.  Lots of work to do on photos, SEO, etc.!  I'll keep you posted on how it's going.

The past couple of weeks, I've been kept busy with my alteration business and doing special orders.  Also, in anticipation of  "the big game" this weekend, I've done some recycled leather key pouches and zipper bags.
So, see you next week when a yarn and fiber artist will be featured.