Runaway Train - Brandon Boyd

Hello everyone! Happy Monday! Just felt like sharing my current favorite song with you. I absolutely LOVE this song... & not to mention, Brandon Boyd himself.. :) This is his first single off of his newly released solo album, The Wild Trapeze. I definitely recommend checking it out! Of course, I wouldn't go into this thinking it won't sound anything like Incubus, because it does. But, what do you expect... afterall, he IS the lead singer of Incubus! All of the instruments and backup singing is done by him. I think it's a truly amazing album! Can't get it in stores though, so click here if you are interested! Have a wonderful Monday! xo TL

Project 3

Our third project for Home Ec is a reusable grocery bag/book bag/tote. I knew I would have a great time making this one! :)

Above- Here I just hemmed the top of each panel of the bag. Now I am attaching both handles.

Handles are on and I pinned each panel together (good sides together). Now I am ready to finish this bag!

Isn't it great?! Love the purple ribbon too! Seems out of place, but it actually pulls it all together and adds a little funk to it! Hope you like it!

xo TL

Quilted Paisly-Print Handbag

Hey guys, I just wanted to share with you what I was working on for a little bit! This was not a home ec project. Just something I wanted to see if I could do! This would be the second purse I've made so far and I love it! The whole point of me making purses and stuff was so I could sell them (which I am still planning on doing)... However, this one is not for sale! As soon as I saw this fabric, I was automatically drawn to it and I knew I just had to have it! (And extremely expensive too.) So this one is most definitely a keeper. Wait until you see the interior fabric... it's gorgeous! :)

Above- Isn't is pretty?! This particular fabric had a gorgeous exterior & interior, so I chose not to put a lining in. Which is why there's no pockets or anything. The reason being, if I had sewn a pocket in, those stitches would be seen on the outside of the bag and I did not want that. The fabric is a quilted fabric and is very secure and sturdy!

I really hope everyone liked my handbag! More to come real soon! I've already got a few people interested in buying one! :)

If anyone would like me to make a bag for them email me @ tlarish9509@live.com with your name and contact info and we will discuss fabrics, embellishments, colors, cost, etc. Thank You!

xo TL

Project 2

Hello again! Today was the second day in Home Ec and project #2! A gift pouch! Another fairly easy one, but I did learn how to make a drawstring casing. That was the hardest part in my opinion. Check out my work below!

Above- I have all my fabric cut and now I'm pinning the band to the bag! Ready to sew!


All done with the band. (I love these fabrics together!)

Next, I folded it in half and sewed just the outer 2 sides.


The free arm was a great invention! Here I folded the band halfway and I stitched 2 parallel lines; making sure the beginning and ends are about an inch or so apart to leave room for the drawstring.


To get the ribbon (drawstring) through the small opening, I used a safety pin and pinned it at one end of the ribbon. This makes for a better guide to get the ribbon in and around the inside of the band.


There she is! My little gift pouch! Came out great for my first gift pouch!


I guess I can give bro a thumbs up with this project for sure! :P

Next project is a reusable grocery/book bag!

xo TL

Project 1 & Work Space

The first sewing project for the class Home Ec was to make single-layer and double-layer napkins! Sounds fairly easy (which for the most part it was), but I swear my sewing machine does not like to zig zag! It sure was a long journey. However, I think I did pretty well if I do say so myself! Take a look!

Above- I just finished pressing my fabric (even though you can't tell) and I pinned the sides down. Ready to start the sewing process!

Here's my bro! (That's my lil nickname for my machine!) Here I had just finished threading the bobbin, then I put the bobbin in its little home under the needle and now I'm ready for take-off! :)

I test drove the whole zig zag stitch on a scrap piece of fabric before starting the real project. So this image is when bro started to cooperate with me.

Done! The white napkin in the middle is the single-layer and the outer napkin is the double-layer! I surprised myself with the double-layer because you have to round the stitch at each corner and I did it like it was my job! :) Overall I had a lot of fun making these! Can't wait for today's project; a gift pouch!

Below are some pictures of my work area. The space really should be a little bigger! :) But for now it will do and I still love it!
My dad actually made this sewing table for me! Isn't it great? It has a lot of storage and a cute little area for my laptop! The best part is, while it's not in use, the whole table closes up!