I created a custom bag for a customer and I thought it would be one you might like too.
Here is the new pattern. It's the duffle, re sized with some changes and improvements. The new size makes it a lot easier to sew. As you can see, I even quilted it more. For those of you who like to quilt, the more manageable size makes the quilting more fun too. The end pocket on the right holds a magazine perfectly. I found a better way to explain the pleated zippered pocket and a new way to put it on that is a lot easier - that pocket is still on the other end. The ends are rectangular - taller than they are wide, so it sits atop your rolling luggage better. There is a sleeve on the back side that slides over the luggage handle to attach the duffle to the other luggage. Since this bag is a couple of inches shorter than the original duffle, I was able to use 2" wide webbing instead of the jute. This is going to give you some fun design options with color, and it makes the bag machine washable. I wrote it up with a new, faster way to attach the straps. (One of the benefits of making more than a hundred of something.)
Most of you probably know that the
zip around wallet pattern is out. I have it on Etsy and Craftsy. Craftsy is actually better for me as a shop than Etsy, but whichever you like to use is great. I decided to size it down as small as possible for the first version. I think it works great and have great feedback from those using it. Of course, my first custom order for one on Etsy is for someone with the iPhone5, and I researched just to make sure it will fit - and it won't. If you are making this pattern for the iPhone5, you will have to make it 1/2" taller. So you will split the base pattern in half at the center and add a 1/2" there. Also add the same to the interior and exterior pockets. The spine will need to be 1/2" longer and the zipper 1/2" longer. I will have to adjust the pattern pieces and release it again with both options. It is an advanced pattern though, so those of you who have it should be able to make all of the adjustments with no problem.
Just because I am not blogging, don't assume I am not creating anything. I drew those bears the other night. For my son's graduation, I am making him a special quilt from fabric I have designed. My daughter and I drew the vans, and I have a friend in Seattle who colorized the drawings. The
vans fabric is available on Spoonflower. It has 6 different colorful vans on a fat quarter. They are great for a quilt sized project like mine. I will have to scale it down if I want to use it for Kindle Fire cases and smaller stuff. As soon as I decide on the size and layout for the bumper sticker bears "Cher Bears," I will get that uploaded as a fabric too.
Mail Chimp makes me feel like a chump. I have a list of people who have signed up for pattern and product updates, but I haven't used it. I am hoping you all are reading the blog too.
Maybe someday I will be one of those sewing bloggers who learns how to post a picture and some words everyday. Or maybe even one of those who has a schedule: Mondays WIP, Tuesdays a recipe, Wednesdays something I drew, Thursdays Pinterest, Fridays Flickr, or something like that. Doesn't sound too hard, right? I don't think I could do the same thing every week. Maybe I need something more like a list of things to cover monthly, and I check them off as I do them. It's on my to-do list to blog better. Making the stuff is more important though.
Recently, one of the Facebook groups to which I belong had a conversation about pattern illustrations. I was very surprised to learn that most of the gals in that particular group of garment sewing PDF pattern lovers prefer photographs over drawings. I was about to put out my Infinigan pattern with drawings. Instead, I opted for photos. What made it possible was printing my pattern at 1/2 size and making the mini version photographing as I went. Getting the whole garment in each shot was easy and no one would know the difference. I have frequently made half sized bags to try out ideas faster and with less fabric. I never thought to make a half sized garment, but now I am hooked. I will be doing this more to play with design ideas and then to photograph pattern instructions. You can see my mini sweater pinned on the bulletin board above and next to 8.5 x 11 paper. When you print a pattern 1/2 size, you are really getting about 1/4 because it cuts the length by 1/2 and the width by half. It is not a substitute for grading. This wasn't made to fit anyone. Babies certainly don't have the same proportions as adults, so don't think about printing PDF patterns at 50% to make them for your little ones, LOL. Here is the infinity cardigan pattern listing. If you got the free tutorial you will notice that the pattern is vastly different. The tutorial version is really a hack, but the full pattern is a proper garment. I can't wait to see the versions other people are making right now. The photos show 3 of the sweaters I have made. You know it's quick and easy if I make 4 or 5 of something without turning it over to Alice.
Does anyone else feel like Friday comes too early in the week? I did manage to get a slip cover and a baby change pad bag out this week. My bride is being very patient with me on the 6 duffles she ordered, as I have run into fabric back orders and interrupted myself to bring out the 
