Sew much to do, sew little time - but it was worth it! New PTR link posted! ~~~~~~~~~

[VBAndrea]

Well, I spent the entire day holed up in my sewing room. I am so happy that I finished the backpack. Now my girls each want one for our trip... I told them they have to get in line - with a deposit. I am just super excited about this bag, and I am so happy that it came together so nicely. The hardest part was figuring out how I was going to do the drawstring, there are so many ways to do it, but I am glad I did it this way. This bag is a lot bigger than the UPB - I was surprised, but it's a nice bigger - it's not overly huge.

Believe it or not, I am actually starting on another prototype bag today. My EPB (Essentail Park Bag), I need to have it finished before the PO closes on Saturday. I work Thursday and the girls want to go to Valley Fair on Friday (and I have to grocery shop for the lake). So, I only have today, tomorrow and Saturday morning to work on it. I really hope I can get it done on time.

Again - thank you all for such nice comments on the Drawstring Backpack... Now I need to come up with a name for it... Any good ideas? I really like my UPB/EPB theme I have going...

D~

So is the EPB smaller than the UPB? Either way, you really should make patterns and sell them! Otherwise one of the days I will have to break down and buy that other pattern -- I know, I said the same thing six months ago -- see, I really am holding out for your pattern b/c I just know it will be better!

Oh, and I also wanted to add...

I am not sure why - if it's because I took the pics outside, but the colors are a bit off on the bag. The bag itself is a bit more green - the pictures show it more blue... and I quilted it in yellow, the pics make it look like lime green.



D~

The stitching looks yellow but the fabric does appear an aqua blue like Dory is swimming in the water. It looks like it matches the interior fabric.

Can the ties be made to go inside the bag when cinched closed? I don't like the ties hanging down covering up your perfect applique! I didn't notice that until just now, but NOTHING should distract from your applique work.

 

[smile5sunshine]

D~ I just LOVE the Dory applique! So happy that the backpack turned out just like you wanted it to. I know that it will be another great option for people who need a park touring bag. I'm not good at coming up with clever names so it's best I leave that to the professionals! HA!

SO, have you told the girls yet that they are going back???

Sunshine

 

[DMGeurts]

Love the backpack, colors, hidden pocket, inside, all of it! Amazing job!

ultimate back pack?

Very cute Dory back pack.

Thanks Tink!

This had me laughing this morning.

D I adore the bag and love how you used the Nemo fabric and today I will be walking around saying Just Keep Swimming, Just Keep Swimming.

Thanks! Yah - thanks for helping me out with the Nemo fabric - You are the best!

I hope you had a good day yesterday!

Amazing Squishy bag as always! I really love how it all came together!

D, how about the Ultimate Park Backpack? Or knapsack or something like that?

Yep, all the credit goes to Liddy though. She was the mastermind behind that name

I thought the same thing. It is going to be so hot and crowded next month there....I can just see myself "swimming" through the crowds singing that song I might get some weird looks, but I bet they would move out of my way!


D~, how about the UBP (Ultimate Back Pack)?? UBP vs UPB Too confusing?

LOL and once they part the sea - they'll have a view of your awesome backpack!

D~ that backpack is phenomenal!!! Once again, your creations are simply genuis!

Thanks Oopsi!

how about the Fantastic Back Pack - FBP!!!

good luck with your new creation, I would love to see how that brain of your's works my friend!

about getting the girls to pay a deposit for their "FBP" heck I'd use it for your advantage, tell them they have to be sweet to each other or its a no go

I like FBP!

I'd love to see how my brain works too.

Oh yes... My girls seem to think their mom can create anything. LOL

a great backpack. Good luck with your new prototype

Thanks Lillian!

I love the new backpack! The hidden zipper is genious! I am always afraid that if I wear a backpack in the parks someone could easily get in it especially while standing in line and that makes it less obvious!

As for your next trip, YEAH! I vote for June because that is when I am hoping to convince DH to go! I really want to meet the wonderfully fantastic and talented D~!

Thanks!

I am just not sure when to go yet... Does Disney usually offer any good codes in June? Or is it such a busy time that they don't need to? I really need a good code.

Oh my. Love the backpack. It looks to be a great size for the parks. The straps look comfy too

Thanks Liz!

What ^^^^^ They said!

LOL

So is the EPB smaller than the UPB? Either way, you really should make patterns and sell them! Otherwise one of the days I will have to break down and buy that other pattern -- I know, I said the same thing six months ago -- see, I really am holding out for your pattern b/c I just know it will be better!

.

The stitching looks yellow but the fabric does appear an aqua blue like Dory is swimming in the water. It looks like it matches the interior fabric.

It does match the Dory fabric - almost perfectly - but my camera made it look more blue, it's a bit more green than it appears on my screen.

Can the ties be made to go inside the bag when cinched closed? I don't like the ties hanging down covering up your perfect applique! I didn't notice that until just now, but NOTHING should distract from your applique work.

I had that same issue. I laid in bed last night, trying to figure out a solution to this. Unfortunately (Suzi), I wouldn't be able to add it to this bag - if you have issues, you could maybe tie them up? I might be able to add a small pocket at the top to tuck the longer ties into on future bags? Do you have any ideas? I agree - I don't like the ties in front of the applique either.

D~ I just LOVE the Dory applique! So happy that the backpack turned out just like you wanted it to. I know that it will be another great option for people who need a park touring bag. I'm not good at coming up with clever names so it's best I leave that to the professionals! HA!

SO, have you told the girls yet that they are going back???

Sunshine

Thanks Sunny! I have kind of told the girls we are going back. And they are excited - to a point. We really won't know for sure until after my trip to Charlotte and how much I spend there. Whatever is left will be the beginnings of my trip budget. So, I am going to try to be a good girl and keep my spending in check.

The rest of today will be on some small odds n' ends projects that I don't want hanging over my head while I am gone. Anything I don't complete today, I will have to work on tomorrow night after work, Friday night after Valleyfair/grocery shopping/packing or Saturday morning before we leave. And I still have to do for the lake... Fortunately - we have a washer and dryer up there, so that's not as much of a necessity as it used to be.

OK, enough rambling from me... Have a fantastic day everyone!!!

D~

 

[blessedmom4]

On our way to pottery camp when the Princess finishes breakfast and it occurred to me, I told you on the Disboutique thread how much I loved your latest Dory...but needed to let you know here..it is so pretty! I just LOVE your appliqués, you are the master of design!!

 

[DMGeurts]

D~

 

[Terkina]

I vote for Perfect Park Pack (PPP)

Have you tried to explain to your friends that you have deadlines to meet and people counting on you? I would think that if someone told me that even if they work at home they still have deadlines to meet I would understand and know that you can't meet up with friends all the time.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Yep~PPP gets my vote too!

 

[mommy2mrb]

even though I came up with the "FBP" I like the "PPP" too!


for the cinch strings....could you make it so they hung down the back side of the bag? or would that look funn?

can't wait to see the EPB!

 

[DMGeurts]

for the cinch strings....could you make it so they hung down the back side of the bag? or would that look funn?

See... Now there's the reason you all are my friends... Sometimes my mind is so focused that I can't see the obvious. That is an EXCELLENT idea!!! Not only that - but that's the perfect theft deterrent!


D~

 

[lovethattink]

I like PPP too.

D~, how high up on the neck does the bag lay? Does it touch the neck? From the picture it looks like if she'd look up, the back of her head would crunch the bag. Is that because of the angle the picture was taken?

 

[smile5sunshine]

I am just not sure when to go yet... Does Disney usually offer any good codes in June? Or is it such a busy time that they don't need to? I really need a good code.

Thanks Sunny! I have kind of told the girls we are going back. And they are excited - to a point. We really won't know for sure until after my trip to Charlotte and how much I spend there. Whatever is left will be the beginnings of my trip budget. So, I am going to try to be a good girl and keep my spending in check.

I was able to finish an amazing amount on my prototype EPB yesterday. I've made it a "rule" that I don't go into my sewing room after 4 pm... But I have had to break that rule all week. I have soooo many things I need to finish before V and I leave for the lake on Saturday, and in order to do that - I need to spend as much time in there as I can. Thankfully, my family understands. My IRL friends don't understand too much though - and that bothers me a bit. They seem to think that because I work at home, that I have unlimited amount of time to "do whatever I want" - they don't understand that I have deadlines to meet, and that I have people counting on me. So, that aspect of it is a bit frustrating...

Anyways... I should have the EPB completed this morning and pictures (hopefully) posted at lunch time. So far, I am very happy with it and I think it will be the perfect bag for the Disney minimalist!

The rest of today will be on some small odds n' ends projects that I don't want hanging over my head while I am gone. Anything I don't complete today, I will have to work on tomorrow night after work, Friday night after Valleyfair/grocery shopping/packing or Saturday morning before we leave. And I still have to do for the lake... Fortunately - we have a washer and dryer up there, so that's not as much of a necessity as it used to be.

OK, enough rambling from me... Have a fantastic day everyone!!!

D~

I don't know that they do offer any big deals. I know they don't offer free dining at that time (at least historically they haven't) There have been some % off room only codes. If you go in June, you might consider trying to get a room only discount (either general or PIN) and then have the girls do one of the individual enrollment YES classes so that way you can save on your park tickets (we purchased 6 day tickets WITH park hoppers and water parks & more credits for 5 people for right at $1000). That might offset needing to buy the DDP. Just a suggestion.

Oh dear, if you have to behave while you are in Charlotte then your Disney trip is DOOMED There is no way you will behave! Oh, you mean you have to behave MONEY wise, well that might be a smidge easier for you, but you'd better tell Marianne that she can't be tempting you by taking you to MaryJo's and other fun fabric places like that!

I'm sorry that your IRL friends don't get that you have commitments even though you work from home. I hope you are able to finish up all your little extra projects so you can have FUN at the lake.

Oh... And a few names I am kicking around for the backpack... I have ruled out the Ultimate Backpack, just because it would get too confusing for me.


The Incredible Burden (lol depending how much you put into it, of course) (ICB)

HA HA HA HA!!!


Favorite Back Pack (FBP)

This one is my pick.

D~

Sunshine

 

[Lidian]

Oh... And a few names I am kicking around for the backpack... I have ruled out the Ultimate Backpack, just because it would get too confusing for me.

Super Cinch Sack (SCS)

Perfect Park Pack (PPP)

Piggy Back Park Sack (PBPS)

The Incredible Burden (lol depending how much you put into it, of course) (ICB)

In a Pinch Pack (IaPP)

Favorite Back Pack (FBP)

Anyone care to add more, or vote on these?

D~

I'm going to be different in my vote. (I know, Liddy be different? How unlike her!)

As much as I love all the suggestions, my favorite is: Super Cinch Sack (SCS).

 

[solana131]

I laid in bed last night, trying to figure out a solution to this. Unfortunately (Suzi), I wouldn't be able to add it to this bag - if you have issues, you could maybe tie them up?

This doesn't bother me as much as....

how high up on the neck does the bag lay? Does it touch the neck? From the picture it looks like if she'd look up, the back of her head would crunch the bag. Is that because of the angle the picture was taken?

....This does. I was a little worried about that too, but I was just hoping it was the picture. You said she had the straps cinched up real tight, so maybe if I let them out more it will fit better It's not enough for me to not want the bag...I still love it! But I was concerned about it in that picture. And also that it doesn't appear to cinch closed very tight. I was worried about people being able to just stick their hand right down in and me not notice. Usually on a drawstring pack the straps are the drawstring, so if someone was opening it, you would feel it, but I won't feel it on this one. Hoping the top cinches up tighter than it looks in that picture.

So sorry D, I hate to criticize anything you make because I just love them all and this is no exception, but just wanted to voice my concerns. I'm sure I will love it when I get it

 

[DMGeurts]

I like PPP too.

D~, how high up on the neck does the bag lay? Does it touch the neck? From the picture it looks like if she'd look up, the back of her head would crunch the bag. Is that because of the angle the picture was taken?

This doesn't bother me as much as....



....This does. I was a little worried about that too, but I was just hoping it was the picture. You said she had the straps cinched up real tight, so maybe if I let them out more it will fit better It's not enough for me to not want the bag...I still love it! But I was concerned about it in that picture. And also that it doesn't appear to cinch closed very tight. I was worried about people being able to just stick their hand right down in and me not notice. Usually on a drawstring pack the straps are the drawstring, so if someone was opening it, you would feel it, but I won't feel it on this one. Hoping the top cinches up tighter than it looks in that picture.

So sorry D, I hate to criticize anything you make because I just love them all and this is no exception, but just wanted to voice my concerns. I'm sure I will love it when I get it

No problem everyone! I purposly had her hike it up tight on her back, because if I let her lay it the way it layed naturally - it looked awkward in pictures. I thought I mentioned that in my original posting? Here, I'll go grab another pic for you all.... Sorry - the only child available was A - she is bigger than V, but I just snapped the pic with out adjusting it at all. Hopefully that relieves your minds a little bit. Also, I just double checked - it cinches up enough that I can't squeeze my hand (or fingers) in there... If anything, it's a bit of a pain to open, because I made that button hole smaller to keep someone from reaching in - so you have to give a little effort to un cinch the string. Make sense?

Stay tuned - uploading ECB pics as I type!

D~

 

[DMGeurts]

Finished size on this bag is approx 8" tall x 6.5" wide.

Because this bag is so small, I had to make the zipper "round the corners" - otherwise, you wouldn't be able to get into the bag at all. I also made the straps come diagonally out of the top of the EPB, so that it lays flat on you when carrying (which makes it hang a bit funny in the fence pictures). As usual, the strap is fully adjustable. I included 4 CC/GC/KTTW card slots integrated into the bag, because if you carry a camera - there isn't much room for a wallet - unless it's small.

Anyways... Here it is:

Applique close up:

Alli wearing it - see how it lays flat on her?

Looking down into the front slip-in pocket:

I turned the bag inside out - so you can see the cc slots:

And the cute interior fabric on the otherside:

Looking down into the main compartment:

And the back of the bag:

Phew! Done with that! Now to finish my lunch and start my next project...

D~

 

[Lidian]

OMG D! I absolutely LOVE it!! Are the inside CC pockets really tight? Because it looks like you may be able to slip a cellphone into the top pockets (which is right up my alley!).

My favorite part? The FLOWER!!!!

Okay, story-time!

Our first trip in 2009 ... I searched for the PERFECT pair of ears. I found a pair in ASMovie gift shop, but I was hesitant because I hoped to find a better pair. Long story short, I never found a better pair and they SOLD OUT. I tried several resort shops and DTD ... no sign of the ears.

What were they? Minnie Mouse's "hat" with the flower dangling. I regret not buying them on arrival day.

Your bag (especially the flower), reminds me of that hat.



I'll have to get with you on this style of bag. It may be perfect for some little girls I know.

Also, I love how the stitching is multiple coordinating colors! Amazing details, D!!!!

I wonder how an Evil Queen would look on a bag style like that?

 

[newtexan]

Great minnie bag. Love how flat it lays too.

 

[Terkina]

Lovely bag. I really liked the interior fabric. It's so cute

 

[mommy2mrb]

So cute D~ LOVE the flower, the perfect accent! great idea for the slots to hold the cards....question how wide is the bag from front to back? thinking this might be the style I want for next years holiday trip!

 

[smile5sunshine]

Finished size on this bag is approx 8" tall x 6.5" wide.

Because this bag is so small, I had to make the zipper "round the corners" - otherwise, you wouldn't be able to get into the bag at all. I also made the straps come diagonally out of the top of the EPB, so that it lays flat on you when carrying (which makes it hang a bit funny in the fence pictures). As usual, the strap is fully adjustable. I included 4 CC/GC/KTTW card slots integrated into the bag, because if you carry a camera - there isn't much room for a wallet - unless it's small.

Anyways... Here it is:

Applique close up:

Alli wearing it - see how it lays flat on her?

Looking down into the front slip-in pocket:

I turned the bag inside out - so you can see the cc slots:

And the cute interior fabric on the otherside:

Looking down into the main compartment:

And the back of the bag:

Phew! Done with that! Now to finish my lunch and start my next project...

D~

what a cute little bag. I agree, the flower is the icing on the cake for me. I LOVE that. Do you mind if I CASE that part for a pony tail holder?

LOVE it and CONGRATS on finishing it up!

Sunshine