Kerry'd Away

Despite the fact that I have more than enough projects on my plate, I’ve decided to add one more. As you can tell, Chester doesn’t have any faith that I’ll actually get to it.

The lunch bag that I use for work is falling apart. By “falling apart” I mean that the vinyl liner has cracked and the foam “insulation” (I use that term loosely) is falling out. I need to do something soon.

I thought about just patching it somehow. Yet, there have been many times that I wished it was a little bigger so that I could fit both my salad container and a slightly bigger container of fruit in it without spilling juice all over. I’ve looked all over, but I’m really picky about my lunch bag so I refuse to buy just any ol’ lunch bag. I don’t want to waste my money on something that I won’t use. The bag that I’m using now didn’t cost me anything as it was a gift from my previous employer. Our company won supplier of the year from a fairly large customer and I guess that our company decided to get morale up by giving us lunch bags. They were actually nice bags as I think that they were Koozie brand. Anyway, mine is now falling apart. I decided I have nothing left to do but design and sew my own. HA! Now you see why Chester is ignoring me…

Here’s what I expect from a lunch bag:

1. Ample room for both food containers AND ice packs
2. It will zip so that I don’t have to worry about anything falling out when I toss it into my car at the end of the day.
3. It will be easy to wash out if something spills.
4. It will keep the chilliness from the ice packs INSIDE the bag.
5. It will be a Goldilocks size: not too big and not too small
6. It won’t be pink

That’s not really asking for much, is it? So I started looking around for patterns…

Over on Craftsy I found this pattern. This is pretty close to the shape and design that I’m looking for, but in a much larger size. And with a handle.

I like the boxy lunch bags. My square lunch containers fit in them a lot better than the lunch sacks that you see in stores and such.

Then as I was looking around, again on Craftsy, I came across a pattern for an ice pack. I read how easy they are to make and it gave me an idea…

Currently I use the blue igloo ice packs in my lunch bag, but after a while they develop cracks and leak. Also, there’s not enough room in my bag to accommodate two so I either keep the top or the bottom of my lunch cold. This was my thought… what if I designed a lunch bag that had pockets in the inside for the custom-fit ice packs to fit into? Then I could surround my lunch on all sides with coldness. Plus, if one of these leak it’s easy enough to make another one.

So while I was shopping at Wal-Mart one day I ran across their summer clearance. There was a vinyl tablecloth for $1. I grabbed it thinking that maybe I could use that to line the inside of the bag. I would then use the thermal batting that you can buy to help keep the cold in, but I was undecided what I wanted to use for the outside material. After all, it needs to be durable and washable.

That’s when I ran across this fabric. This is waterproof Oxford fabric that looks like it could work quite nicely. I was reading a blog called Sew Can Do and the woman had made a toy storage bin out of it. I went to the website where you can purchase this material and I’ve been drooling over it ever since. And instead of using the vinyl tablecloth that I bought I might actually buy some PUL fabric from the same place as the waterproof Oxford fabric. Technically the PUL was first developed for cloth diapers, but I think that it would work great as the lunch bag liner.

As I can find more time I will do more planning on this. Until then I will have to make my current lunch bag last.

What do you think? Any ideas or suggestions for me?

Have you ever been on Craigslist and realized that you had just spent WAY more time than you wanted looking at junk other people are selling? Me, too! My favorite part, though, is reading the ads that either make no sense or else the people are WAY too honest. My favorite one was the ad in the ‘Free’ section where somebody was giving away boxes of cereal. It turns out that he had purchased a bunch of Lucky Charms, but had picked out all of the marshmallows so all that was left was just the actual cereal part. His roommate was unhappy with all of the boxes sitting around their place so he was trying to give it away to anybody who wanted it. He figured that maybe a daycare or somebody would be interested. And don’t worry! When he was picking the marshmallows out he was careful and didn’t touch a lot of the cereal.

Well, for today’s post I thought that I would look to see what I could find on Craigslist in regards to sewing machines. I found some pretty interesting ones (original typos included) …

Sewing machaine

Pfaff sewing machain bought new in the 60’s has cabinet and all parts has not been used for a while new $650 for sale for $350

I see the cabinet… but where is the machine??

Singer sewing machine 1902 – $499

antique sewing machine dates back to 1902, works and has an electric motor this will sew through leather and canvas

If you were entertaining the thought of paying $499 for a machine, wouldn’t it be nice to actually see it?

Baby lock espree sewing machine!!! – $280

Hello I’m selling a baby lock espree machine for $280. works great for sewing shapes and pictures and more thanks!

It took me a few moments to realize that by “sewing pictures” she meant that it’s an embroidery machine!

Singer Sewing Machin – $20

Shows sing of wear

At least this person is honest…

Brother LX2500 Sewing Machine – $50

I purchased this sewing machine during the height of my Pinterest obsession with the belief that I could make all kinds of adorable and crafty things. It turns out that was not the case. I made 2 napkins and that was all.

I bought this sewing machine in factory RECONDITIONED condition, and it is in perfect working order. I still have the manual if you want it.

Another honest seller! Quick question, though… wouldn’t you toss the manual in with the machine regardless if the buyer wanted it or not?

Sears sewing machine – $30

This is a older sewing machine we bought for my daughter.
I don’t know how to feed the thread in the spool but it worked when she used it.

Apparently just looking at the back of the machine is enough to determine if you are interested in it.

Brother Sewing Machine – $20

The sewing machine has been checked out and needs a new motherboard or motor according to a Sewing Machine Repair place in Hurst, TX. The machine is fairly new and hardly used. My wife and her mother tried fixing it and it became worse.

This one made me laugh out loud. Is there some hidden hostility for his wife’s and mother-in-law’s ability to repair anything?

Singer back and forth pedal sewing machine – $225

Absolutely beautiful case cabinet on this ornate 1900’s sewing machine with carved fronts on the drawers and ornate carvings on the sides. Black iron works. Must see, prettiest one I have come across. Singer Manufacturing Co. Serial No. G982908 on right front of machine on a plate. Pristine Oak wood. A great find. I have enjoyed it for a good time now and it’s time to pass it on.

When I saw the title of the post I knew what I was going to find in the picture, but it still made me laugh!

Vintage Sewing Machine with Table! – $179

Rare, Vintage Sewing Machine with Table in great condition. It might need a minor tune up or fix, but other than it’s a great machine and table. Please call

I hate to tell these people, but I saw at least another dozen of these Singer machines on Craigslist. I have to admit, though, that I would almost pay that much for the cabinet alone!

Finally, I had to laugh when reading this wanted ad:

Wanted newer sewing machine & VITAMIX BLENDER

Wanted:

NEWER MODEL VITAMIX

OR

BLENDTEC BLENDER

OR

NUTRIBULLET BLENDER

AND

newer sewing machine

for reasonable price

I just need a BLENDER!!! Any kind… I’m desperate for a blender! I would really prefer an awesome Vitamix blender, but I’ll take ANYTHING! Oh, and if you happen to have a sewing machine kicking around I might be willing to entertain the purchase of that for a reasonable price. BUT I REALLY WANT A BLENDER!!!

Yesterday I posted links to various charities for people who want to use their sewing talents.

I thought that today I would highlight some articles in the news that deals with sewing. All I did was a search for Sewing and the articles that I came across are all about people sewing things for charities.

Many of these involve groups of women who get together to sew and socialize. If you are interested in joining a group like this check around your local area to see if there’s anything similar. Keep an eye open when you read your local paper or visit your local churches websites to see if they host a sewing group. Most churches will allow a member to use space in the church without mandating that every member of the group belongs to the church. Or, check out your local quilt guild as they might do charity sewing.

My dad receives Farm Show magazine which is all about farming and the latest ideas for farmers. Most of it consists of farmers who have modified equipment to do new things or to improve how they do things. It’s actually quite interesting. Well, my mom gives me their old issues so that I can look through them. The last one she gave me had an article about Myrtle Farrell, who is 106 years old, and is still sewing about 100 baby quilts a year. In fact, she sews on an older Kenmore sewing machine that looks a lot like the sewing machine that my mom had when I was growing up. Ms. Farrell sells her quilts and also donates them to charities.

The next article I came across was a group of women in Iowa who make quilts for local Veterans to thank them for their service. Most of these quilts are lap quilts and have a red, white, blue and gold color theme.

A 10 year old boy is using his allowance to help others. He became interested in sewing clothes while watching his mom run her sewing machine. With her help they make clothes to give away to those in need. This family has been homeless at times so they know how special it is to feel that somebody is thinking of them. This little boy just wants to help others.

Another group of women in Idaho get together to sew various items for women who are recovering after a masectomy. They make pillows, drape aprons and bags for these women. The interesting thing is that some of them actually knit prosthetic breasts! I didn’t realize that you could do that!

I want to leave you with an article about a lady who had heard about Little Dresses for Africa and felt called to help this charity. She kept talking about it and finally just decided to do it. Like the group that I work with this group has been able to donate over 400 dresses so far.

It goes to show that sometimes all you have to do is just do it… and others will join. Sew it and they will come. There are probably more people out there who want to do something like this, but have no idea what to do. My advice is just do it! Can’t find a local charity that you feel like you can participate in? Create your own. All of these charities had to be started by somebody… why not by you?

I have purchased a lot of fabric in the past few months, but haven’t stitched with any of it yet. That didn’t stop me from buying more this last weekend. As the lady was cutting my fabric she asked me what kind of quilt I was making and I told her that it was for sundresses, not quilts. My mom spoke up and explained how I make dresses for the little girls in Haiti. You should have seen the look on the woman’s face when she said, “So you donate all of it?” Umm… yes.

It puzzles me how surprised this woman was that I would pay for material, sew it into dresses, and then just give it away. To complete strangers. To people whom I won’t ever know how they even reacted to my donation. And yet I continue to do it. Why? Because I have the means and ability to do so. I love to sew, but how much stuff can I possibly make for myself or family? This way I get to put a smile on a little girl’s face (hopefully!) and I get to enjoy the time that it takes me to sew them together.

I used to cross stitch quilt squares for an organization called COLE’s Quilts. It was started by the message board that I belonged to at the time. One of the members had a little boy with SMA (a debilitating nervous system disorder that most children with it pass away by the age of 3). Well, little Cole was instantly adopted by the entire message board and some ladies got together, stitched squares, had another lady sew them together and quilt them, and they presented it to Cole. It was a visible reminder for our member that she had a support group who loved her little boy, too. Word started to spread and soon there were requests for quilts for other children with SMA. I donated to that for a few years, but I have to admit that I’ve drifted away from this charity. It takes a while to stitch a square and so I just haven’t done it. That’s why I like the Dresses for Missions; it takes me maybe an afternoon to make one dress. Instant gratification!

I thought about it and realized that there might be more people out there like me… they would like to help, but they aren’t sure how. They love sewing, but have run out of people to sew for or things to sew. If you are looking for something to possibly do, please read on for more ideas.

While looking through the blog on Craftsy I came across this post about sewing smocks for babies in the NICU. I have to admit that I stopped and thought about it for a minute, and then decided that I had enough on my plate. However, I have bookmarked this one in case I suddenly have more time on my hands.

Another charity that I found sews clothes, blankets, and other basics that babies need in their first few months of life. Bundles of Love is located in Minnesota, but it appears that they will accept donations from all over. People are always yelling about how our government gives money and help to other nations when we have plenty of people in our own country who need help. They are right. It starts with you and me, though. Be the change that you wish to see in the world. Do you want to help others? Then find a charity that helps new babies who are in need. There are plenty of them!

Newborns in Need is another charity that looks to be similar to Bundles of Love. Help give needy babies a warm start in this world with clothes or blankets that were made with love. Do you remember how good it felt to curl up with a blanket or quilt that somebody had made just for you? Give another child that same kind of comfort and love.

How about a charity that helps women and children? The Pink Slipper Project finds shelters that will accept donations of slippers and they do massive drives to make enough slippers for all of the women and children staying there.

If you’re interested in making dresses like what I’ve been doing for my church there is Little Dresses for Africa. This charity does the exact same thing that the Dresses for Missions at my church is doing; making pillowcase dresses for little girls.

Do you want to do something that will help out an organization closer to home? You can make fleece blankets or quilted blankets for your local animal shelter. They can always use blankets and definitely would be appreciative of whatever you can give. My mom makes dog blankets for the local shelter because it gives her a chance to practice with her long arm quilting machine.

Looking for more ideas? Here’s a VERY long list of sewing charities that you can check out. Some of these links may no longer work, but at least you can get a better idea of what’s out there. Be sure to check out the charity’s requirements, too, before deciding to donate to them. Some organizations require that all donations come from smoke free homes. Other may request that you not allude to anything religious or spiritual in nature on anything that you donate due to certain regulations. The charity should have a decent list of things that you need to do, or avoid, before donating. Take some time and look over the list. Who knows what hearts you may end up touching!

Are you bored with just sewing quilts?

Are you tired of looking at Dresses for Missions?

Chester has requested that I mix this up a little bit.

What does this  have to do with sewing? You can make a panel for your wall. It’s fabric art on display!

The picture that is second from the left was a panel that my mom sewed and quilted for me. I believe that I hung it up with dental floss….

Do you fly RC airplanes? Do you want to accessorize your aircraft?

How about a nice set of wheel pants?

What about a passport cover? Or just a book cover in general?

You can also make wallets, checkbook covers, and envelopes easily, too.

You could sew up a small crazy quilt cover and make a pillow.

Crazy quilts not only include sewing, but you also get to explore embroidery stitches, too.

Or, try a different technique and make a pillow. The brown pillow that you can’t really see is all gathered in tufts with beads (it’s gorgeous in person). And the rose pillow was done with a corduroy technique of some sort. I’m not sure if that’s the real name for it, but that’s what it reminds me of.

Those are just a few ideas of what else you can sew besides quilts or clothing. If you really want some ideas check out Craftsy’s pattern or project areas.