Sew Easy

In November I started a fairly time-consuming photography job. Between that and several other photography jobs, it seems that most of my spare time since then has been spent either taking photographs or editing them.  In the meantime I also hosted Thanksgiving, I've been taking the kids to all of their various activities and commitments - not to mention coaching their Odyssey of the Mind team AND chaperoning a field trip.  And let's not forget Christmas.  I'm sure I don't have to tell you how much work Christmas is. So, yeah, things have been a little nuts around here.

In an attempt to simplify my life I decided to purchase some cloth gift bags from Tiny Olive. I loved the idea of being able to reuse them year after year. But, just from looking at the description on the web site, I realized that these bags would not accommodate all of our gifts because they're fairly small.  And if you've been around young children opening gifts, you probably realize that they rarely wish for small things.  While I was looking around online for some bigger bags, inspiration hit. Why not make my own bags?!  My mom recently gave me a sewing machine, with the offer to teach me how to sew.  If you were paying attention to that last sentence, you probably caught the part about my not knowing how to sew. Plus I have absolutely no free time, remember?

Undeterred by theses small details, the very next day Mom and I set off for the fabric store.  We bought various necessary sewing supplies and about 22 yards of various different fabrics.  Instead of making a draw string, I decided I would tie a ribbon around the bags.  I figured that would make them easier to sew and I thought it would be pretty, to boot.  I also discovered that making my own bags was not great cost savings.  Hmph.

The pretty bags from Tiny Olive that provided inspiration.  By the time they arrived, I already had already completed three bags of my own.

Mom taught me how to load the bobbin and thread the machine.

She taught me how to make a french seam.

She showed me how to hem the top edge.

I now have a dozen large bags and I actually want to go back and buy some more fabric.  I may add drawstrings at a later point.  This was a great project for learning some sewing basics and I *do* think sewing is something I could totally get into it. Plus I'm excited to add these gift bags to our holiday traditions.

I'll have to add some photos of the final products.  I have a suspicion I'll be taking pictures on Christmas day...