I love Amy Butler

I've linked to the pictures on my flickr page.

I have done a couple of Amy Butler bags before and I've been really happy with the outcome of them, but this bag was different and very much special because of it.

I took the class for this bag at Lavender Lime and I'm so glad that I did. I never would have had the nerve to try this pattern without the class. I've never done zippers before and I've never tackled such complex construction before.

The bag has multiple pockets, three of which are zippered and two pleated pockets. These are new skills for me but I did a good job on it and the instructor at Lavender Lime did a great job walking us through it. I choose two Amy Butler fabrics and a really stiff canvas lining. I'm especially proud that I made it through this project without breaking any needles although my machine and I had a few fights along the way.

I love it! Let me know what you think.

How Do You Use This Thing?

Today, I pulled my sewing machine out to sew lining for the cabled purse I've been knitting. I choose a really cute leaf patterned fat quarter of fabric that I purchased at the quiting store. I chose the thread. I have to admit that my working thread and bobbin thread are two different colors but they coordinate with the fabric. Threading a bobbin was not in my plans for the day.

I set about to start and realized that it's been so long since I've sewn anything that I no longer remembered how to use my machine. Of course I eventually figured it out, but having to take the time to re-orientate myself made me realize that my sewing skills are suffering and fading. Not that I know that much about sewing anyway. I can do the basic stuff but don't ask me to put in a button hole or a zipper.

I need lessons. Quickly. So look forward to more on my sewing projects in the near future.

What's on my needles?

I'm glad you asked!

At the moment I am knitting several projects. I alternate between them depending on the kind of mood I am in. If my week has been stressful, I try to put a little more time on the weekends into my knitting. This week was a doozie!

I've been working on the Isabeau purse for my little sister. Part of her growing but late birthday gift.
I've finally started one of the Schaefer scarves that I purchased yarn for. I think I will gift this to my older sister when I'm done. Her birthday is in 3 days. I think this will make a good, light scarf that can be warn throughout the spring. It will be pretty with a coordinating Easter outfit.



Two projects that I want to finish but I'm not necessarily enthused to knit are the knitted bag from Last Minute Gifts and some hats that I'm knitting up for charity. I pick these up when I'm wanting to keep my hands busy but I don't want to have to think about the stitches. I have no idea what I'm going to do with the bag when it's done.
My intent is to do at least nine of the charity hats, but I will go until I run out of wool. I think this will strictly be stash busting. If I go out to buy more yarn, I may go overboard and buy too much.

My absolute favorite but LONG project going at the moment is the simple cable hat and scarf sets from cables untangled. The hats are done and one scarf is still in the beginning stages as you can see. I figured out I could knit them both at the same time so I got the new one on the same pattern row as the one in progress, put them on the same needles and off I went. I'm not sure how long they'll both be when finished. I'm just going to keep going till I use up all the yarn that I have. They are knit with this very soft and luscious Malabrigo yarn.