All posts by Donna B

A flat top for my post machine.

machine front view 1
Sans flat top (awesome for going around corners and such!)

 

I really like my post machine, but sometimes I’d prefer a larger surface to sew my big flat pieces…so I created this little beauty.  A box just the right size with a little inside support and a hole cut in the top did the trick.

flat top for post machine
Like magic or too ghetto? Dunno, but it works (uh, did I just jinx it?)

 

For a dancing munchkin

This was a tuxedo of sorts for a family member performing in a certain school play…

tux front
Lime green faux fur & striped calf length pants made from an off the shelf pattern.
tux back
Split tails on this tuxedo and matching flowers instead of buttons.
shoe cvr1
Black and lime green felt shoe covers. I stuffed the curled toes and added more matching flowers. Fun stuff!

 

Another commissioned bag :)

This is a variation of the ostrich vinyl tote for a friend’s client.  After I finished this bag, I went shopping (read as researching) at a local mall.  While cruising through the bag displays in a big box store, I overheard a woman say to her friend how much she really liked a certain designer’s bag but really disliked the gaudy logo/trinket…it was sooo tempting to offer to make her a bag that she could design and put her OWN initials on.  Then there was a man looking for a bag for his mother.  Again, I resisted temptation – besides I didn’t have a worthy sample on me or any business cards.

front view
No feet, single patch pocket on front. I changed up the straps a bit and cut them to points.

 

inside back pocket
The zipper opens up so you can get into the full interior of the bag. The back inside pocket has a zipper.
inside front pocket
Front interior open topped pocket.

 

The Mrs. J; handmade paper & leather

This was a custom order for a colleague’s mother.

front
Front view. Approximately 8.5″ high and 11″ wide.
back
Back view; silver colored metal hardware with bonded leather handle.
side
Black up-cycled leather sides and bottom.
inside
Hot pink vinyl interior with split open top flap pocket; perfect for a cell phone, compact and lipstick!
the paper
Store-bought handmade purple and black paper.

 

 

The New Mommy Tote

This is a variation of the other ostrich vinyl totes.  The father-to-be wanted functional picture-holder pockets for the kids’ art, hand and foot prints, and more.

front empty photo holder pockets
Empty pockets (the front & back are the same)
front photo holder pockets full
Front view with full pockets.
back with pics full pocket
Back view with full pockets.
top view closed 2
Extended top zip closure allows easy access to the full interior.
inside w bottle key hook n pockets
Roomy light colored interior with 2 bottle holder loops, a key hook, back zip-top pocket and front open top pocket.
side view
Side seams are top stitched for a finished look.
bottom w feet
Reinforced bottom with silver colored metal feet helps protect the bottom.

 

Last minute addition was a changing pad to match!

pad open
Two layers of the bag interior vinyl with a layer of quilt batting in between.

 

The beginnings…

This was my first tote on my industrial machine.

brown n black tote front
I really like the black leather accent with the brown vinyl. Up-cycled leather pocket, bottom and handles.
brown n black tote back
Plain back, but look close – I used animal eyes on the strap ends for fun.
brown n black tote inside back
I still carry this bag – in doing so, I identified what does and doesn’t work in a tote. These handles are a little too short for me…

 

This was my second tote bag on my industrial machine and the pattern has morphed into what my “ostrich” vinyl bags are today.

green tote front
Green patterned vinyl remnant with upcycled green suede pocket on the front.
green tote back
A plain back.
green tote inside
Up-cycled drapery lining for the interior with a zippered top.

 

Assorted Animals

leopard geckos 2
After seeing the kids fall in love with real leopard geckos, I designed these for the kids one Christmas.
turtle r side
This little guy was an original pattern, made of fleece with hand sewn eyes and nostrils for a friend’s son.

hotdog vendor monkey full

This little fellow was for a monkey loving family member who enjoys hot dogs. (Off the shelf pattern)

octopus 1
Lime green fleece and safety eyes were used on this original design for a friend’s son.
sock guys
Socks from a discount store and beads for the face. Kind of goofy, but had to try!