Celebrity Bag Rehab
February 28th, 2008
Have I mentioned I loved bags? And not to make light of addictions - but I am addicted and I know I’m not alone. If Dr. Drew had a clinic for us… would you go? And if we did go, I KNOW we would FIND A WAY to smuggle in fabric, needles & thread, buttons, zippers…
My friend Lisa is a bag enabler. Look at the awesome rockem’ sockem’ little bag she made me! Lisa has mad sewing skillz and the inside is just as amazing as the outside (I have to wait for better weather to take an interior pic). I love pink and green too… how did she know!?! Psychic abilities must be another one of her many amazing talents. Lisa also put inside the some delicious Aloha fabric for me. Mmmm! Have you met Lisa? She’s awesome. We met over a strawberry, and now I’m addicted to her blog as well. Lisa’s blog is so much fun, and her field trips are the bomb! I heart you Lisa! Edited in: Here is a link to Lisa’s post about the box bag.
Gosh (or gorsh if you’re reading this from the mid-west), maybe I’m an enabler too??? I had forgotten all about this little bag until Sharon started making them, and then again for her girl gang. Sharon also made a darling one for Anna! Sharon and Anna make me blush-n-gush… I heart you both!
It’s been a few years since I’ve made the Ditty Bag, and after seeing Sharon’s darling bags… I just HAD to make some again. Sounds like an easy task, but it was quite an effort to find the pattern in the basement of my computer. At least I knew if I couldn’t find it, I could at least go groveling and begging to Kris or Karen for a copy.
Fast forward… I’m makin’ the bag, “threading” the drawstring (even though it’s not a string), and thought to myself… I should share my tip. Now, I wrestle with sharing tips because I always feel like everyone knows it already and I’m the last to discover it and then I feel like a doof for posting it. Necessity was the mother of my invention, so if you already know this tip - humor me and pretend you didn’t learn it already via your grandmother’s great aunt who’s been doing this since before the bread slicer was invented.
E-z cheezy… here’s whatcha do. Get an el-cheapo letter opener with a puka on the end. I got mine at my local Safeway for 99¢ (which means it’s probably about 49¢ elsewhere). Thread and knot a ribbon to the end of the letter opener. I suppose if you’re not lazy like me, you could actually tack or sew it down instead of knotting it. Attach a safety pin to the other end of the ribbon.
Attach your drawstring or strapping to the safety pinned end. Your letter opener is now one gianormous Land of the Giants sewing needle… and you can thread your drawstring through the tube/channel with speedy ease.
Before you know it… you’re done and doner with that pesky drawstring!
Posted in Quilty n Crafty, Tips & Trix |
Unsupervised quilting, crafting, mischief and absurdity from my teenie weenie tiny little studio in the woods on the North Oregon coast.
Thanks for the link to the lovely Lisa’s blog. One more added to my blog roll…
February 28th, 2008GENIUS on the threading tool. Absolute GENIUS!!!
I have never heard of that idea - although I have spent a fair amount of time trying to maneuver a safety pin attached to a drawstring - wwould have been terrific if I had a letter opener…
Great idea - and cute bags. I’ve just learned to sew and I’m looking for simple projects to practice on. Thanks!
February 28th, 2008The letter opener tip IS genius. I haven’t seen that before. Like Melody, I always did the safety pin attached to draw string. It works but it ain’t always easy. Thanks for the tip!
February 28th, 2008I have been thinking about doing some bags too but have other projects that must get done first.
Genius idea! I am going to use that tip. I promise not to claim it as my own…
February 28th, 2008Add me to the list of “doofs” who didn’t know about this tip. Thanks and thanks to your grandma for sharing.
February 28th, 2008Aloha!
Coool tip Monica.. love your little fabric combo there too. I had to rush out and get myself some of the strawberry as well. I can’t quite decide what to make but I OWN IT.
February 28th, 2008p.s Land of the Giants.. ha!
February 28th, 2008Add me to the list of folks who think your idea for the threader is genius! I’ve been a fan of Lisa’s for quite some time now…she’s wonderful. She actually turned me on to your blog! Love, love, love your blog! Thanks for sharing.
February 28th, 2008wow! that’s such a good idea!! i never would’ve thought of it! beats using a safety pin!
February 28th, 2008i just found your blog! i knew i got into crafting for a reason!! :)
Lisa’s bag is really cute. I’ve been on a bag binge myself lately — and I’ve never been a bag person. I guess I’m going through the change of life and instead of hot flashes I get bag flashes. Now who feels all doofy???
February 28th, 2008I don’t even have to pretend to not know about using a letter opener. Great Idea, now I just need to find and buy one. I have a Safeway in my town (it is our ONLY grocery - LOL) I’ve just started to make bags, so I love looking at your examples!
February 28th, 2008What a clever gal you are. Great idea with the letter opener. Im gonna give her a try, oh yes I am.
February 29th, 2008I LOVE that little bag Lisa made. And let’s see yours. I’m lovin those colors I spy! Come on give it up, I wanna see.
Such a cute post. I love to make bags, too. So little time . . . so many bags and things I wanna make!
February 29th, 2008Have I told you I’m addicted to making bags. I have more than I could possible use and if another cute one is passing under my nose I can’t resist.
February 29th, 2008The letter opener thingy is so fantastic…I can’t believe it never occurred to me before…thanks for the big tip.
Good grief, girl…that is a fab idea! Love the bag too!
Okay, I did know about it before…but only because you had told us about it previously!
Looking for sunshine for a nice photo op, are you…hummmm…I think we have it ALL!!! Lovin’ it too!
xoxo
February 29th, 2008Love that bag the talented Lisa created for you! ALOoooooooooooHAAAaaaaaaaa!! The bags that Sharon has been making are the cutest, and I should have known when I first saw them they had the mark of the Zombie on them. Your tip is awesome, and I didn’t know about it, so you’re not a doof…..I am!! LOL!! I’m looking forward to seeing your bag now - love the colors that are peeking out!
February 29th, 2008wow…you never cease to amaze me…pure eye candy!!!!!
March 1st, 2008R
I love pink and green, too, so your new bag is a big hit with me! I like the idea with the letter opener…I have spent long hours trying to feed elastic through a waistband with a safety pin!
March 1st, 2008yay makeshift bodkin! i just gave in and bought a real bodkin (not too $$ but more than .99) and its only advantage is that instead of a point at the end it has a ball that won’t snag in the tube. otherwise it is identical. these def make life so much easier! and about the only way to turn narrow tubes rightside out.
March 1st, 2008Awww…I heart you too, Monica. A big flu-infested virtual hug to you.
March 1st, 2008Love the bag and love her blog!! By the way, lovely quilt in Quilts and More! Picked up a copy last week at my quilt shop and I just can’t put it down. Love all the projects!!
March 2nd, 2008What a gorgeous bag - and thanks for the tutorial. x
March 2nd, 2008AH-HA!! I’m so excited about the letter opener tip ~ I was on a drawstring bag making kick a couple of years ago and had the darndest (and longest) time threading it through. Do you have a similar very cool trick for turning the sewn drawstring right side out? Does the letter opener work for that as well?
March 2nd, 2008Is the new Quilts & More magazine out? I see it in your side bar and thinking I need to run to Safeway for it~
Oh, and that bag AA club? Yep, I just counted. There are 6 bags hanging on my bedpost right now. Three are not handmade, but I made one, my sister made one, and YOU made one. I think I better come to that meeting…
What a great tip!!! I have that exact same letter opener at work - guess what will be coming home with me next time I need to thread a drawstring:)
March 2nd, 2008Such a cute bag from Lisa !! I LOVE her blog !! She cracks me up!!
…..and thanks for the letter opener tip …. I’m usually a day late and a dollar short so of course that was a new tip to me ….. but I do have a question …. you said get a letter opener with a “puka” on the end …… what the heck is a “puka”? (now who’s the doof?)
……and it’s nice to meet your Elna …. mine is taking a nap right now otherwise I’d haul her over to the computer to wave.
…..AND I also just picked up the newest version of Quilts and More and was paging through and saw …..YOUR QUILT !!!! WOW !!!! VERY PRETTY !!!
March 3rd, 2008From one bag lover to another, that is a cute sack!
March 3rd, 2008oh my!! i’m a new blog enthusiast (stalker). that bag is the cutest thing ever!! the one that lisa made for you. i went to her site, checked out her patterns, it’s not there. do you know where one could find a zippered pouch pattern? i’m thinking my teenage daughter needs one for her makeup, and i need one for my….and my… and my…. i can see i’m in trouble. i’m doomed!!
your blog is great reading. you always make me smile.
brigette
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May 17th, 2008Here’s the link to Lisa’s post about the box bag. - m
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