~~~SEWING my way to POFQ ~ American Girl outfits & Custom Park Bags! ~~~

[nowellsl]

Wow, what an awesome bag!! Your daughter is very lucky!!

 

[dianemom2]

The Up bag is truly amazing. Great job on it. I don't think that anybody except for you will notice that the stitching around the zipper is a little wonky. The rest of the bag is wonderful. The applique is perfect and I just love the use of the buttons for the badges. I can see why it took you 17 hours to do the applique. Now I can't wait to see the accessories that you make to go with this one!

 

[Lidian]

I know you all have been anxiously waiting for me to finish this bag.

It's about time you finished! I was ready to drive west with a whip.

I want to start off by saying, there are no balloons on this bag. I know what you are thinking... What! NO Balloons??? But it's true. When I first went fabric hunting for this bag, I was looking specifically for balloon fabric - I looked online, I looked in stores, I looked on Ebay, I looked everywhere. I did find a few balloon prints, but really nothing that spoke to me. That's when I decided that maybe balloon fabric wasn't the way to go for this bag. I figured I would work them into my applique.

The fabric I ended up using, I found in this teeny tiny fabric shop about 20 miles from here... Getting tired of searching and finding the same fabrics in store after store, this fabric shop was a last ditich effort. I must say, this fabric didn't jump out at me - it was kind of "meh" - but it was better than anything I had seen so far, so I payed the inflated boutique shop price for just barely enough to make the bag. It wasn't until I got home and found the fabric for the pockets that it really pulled all the elements of the bag together and I got excited about what I was going to do.

As for the applique.... which turned into a 17 hour applique (start to finish)... I know Allison really wanted Dug on her bag... I tried so hard, but in the end - I just couldn't wrap my mind around his fur, and how Dug just wouldn't fit into the theming of the rest of the bag. It wasn't until Saturday morning, when I asked Allison to help me choose an applique, I explained my dillema, and in the end - we went with Russell. Not just any Russell, but the most difficult Russell you could think of. It was so difficult, that just the prospect of adding balloons just made me ill... It took me almost 2 hours just to draw out each piece of the applique, and almost 3 hours to piece it together... But in the end - I am super happy with the result, and I just love the bag!

Front:

Applique close-up:

We did a few fun details:

And it was Allison's idea to use buttons as Russell's badges - that was my biggest hang up with doing Russell in the first place, was how in the world was I going to applique all those badges? The buttons turned out to be the perfect solution - which took me long enough as it was. I love how the buttons and the beads give the whole applique a 3D effect.

D, I absolutely love the buttons and the dangles! They are PERFECT! You did such an amazing job!!!!

Under the flap:

Inside the box pleat:

Looking down into the bag:

The pocket fabric, which I think pulled this whole bag together - I just it!

My only disappointment with this entire bag, is that I didn't realize the Patience's needle was slightly bent when I was doing the zipper top stitiching - it wasn't until I was completely done installing the zipper that I noticed my sitching looks like a drunk sailor did it. Oh well, normally I would rip it all out and redo it, but I just couldn't make myself do that, so it will have to look wacky.

I can't tell that you let a drunk sailor sew on your zipper. Not sure why you'd let one ... but it looks great to me!

Inside that pocket:

And one of theoutside side pockets:

D~

D, you did an amazing job! Where's the pic of the back? Even if there's no applique, I still think we're entitled to see how it looks from the back.

 

[donac]

What a wonderful job.

 

[poisonapple_PRINCESS]

THIS BAG IS GORGEOUS! Your talent just never ceases to amaze! LOVE THIS!

 

[babynala]

D~ you are amazing. The fabric is perfect and that applique is gorgeous. I REALLY love the buttons and the beads on the badge. Simply stunning.

I didn't get a chance to quote the other day but your travel planner came out great. You did an amazing job coming up with the pattern and design on your own. That zipper must have been very tricky.

 

[cajunfan]

AMAZING...simply AMAZING!

Even my contrary teenage son was impressed with this!

Lynn

 

[Tink9721]

Hi I saw your PTR link in your signature when you posted on my report so I thought I'd hop over here!

I LOVE all of your bags and outfits! I took Home Ec in middle school, which was part cooking and part sewing. I wasn't very good at sewing but maybe I'll try again at some point.

 

[miprender]

WOW I did comment of FB but it is truly amazing.

Hi I saw your PTR link in your signature when you posted on my report so I thought I'd hop over here!

I LOVE all of your bags and outfits! I took Home Ec in middle school, which was part cooking and part sewing. I wasn't very good at sewing but maybe I'll try again at some point.

^----- Look Marianne another RI'er. We are taking over

 

[karebear23]

It turned out great! I love how the buttons worked out!

 

[mphalens]

WOW I did comment of FB but it is truly amazing.




^----- Look Marianne another RI'er. We are taking over

Cool! It's because we're such a small state . . . no one suspects us

 

[DMGeurts]

WOW everyone! Thank you so much for all your compliments on the UP! bag... It really is such a relief to have it done.

I love the Up bag!!!!

I can see what you mean about that applique, there is so many small pieces.

It came together perfectly, I love the fabric.

Your trip is getting so close.

Thank you... Yes, the pieces were insane... usually I write on the back of a few of the pieces as I am drawing them, so I remember what they are - Like "left eye" or whatever... On Russell - I had to write on the back, detailed notes (and an arrow for North), so I knew how to piece him back together...

WOW! its adorable! love the button's and little extra details! it does make the bag!

Thanks Lisa... Yes, Allison's idea with the buttons was amazing! Totally changed my idea about doing Russell - I kept shying away from doing him because of his badges.

the up bag is absolutely fabulous. Totally in love with it.

Thanks Chiara!

LOVE IT!!!!! Fabulous fabulous fabulous!!!!

Thanks Miss Marianne!

Wow, what an awesome bag!! Your daughter is very lucky!!

Thanks Stephanie! I told her that I am going to glue it to her shoulder at WDW - and for as much work as I put in it - she better be carrying it every single minute. LOL

The Up bag is truly amazing. Great job on it. I don't think that anybody except for you will notice that the stitching around the zipper is a little wonky. The rest of the bag is wonderful. The applique is perfect and I just love the use of the buttons for the badges. I can see why it took you 17 hours to do the applique. Now I can't wait to see the accessories that you make to go with this one!

Thanks Diane... I really doubt anyone will notice. You really can't see the stitching when you are looking down into the bag. The only reason you can see it so well in these pictures, is that I always try to take inside pictures before I assemble the bag - so I can get a straight on shot. As of right now, the only accessory I plan to make is a coordinating zip-wallet - and maybe lanyards, but that will be a last minute item, if I have time. I am still not sure which applique I am going to do on the zip wallet... I really want to put Dug on it for her, because I know she loves him the most. I will have to see if I can find the right fabric for him when I go to the store on Fri.

It's about time you finished! I was ready to drive west with a whip.

For some reason, I am not at all surprise that you have a whip.

[D, I absolutely love the buttons and the dangles! They are PERFECT! You did such an amazing job!!!!

Thanks Liddy! Those were the easy part. LOL

[I can't tell that you let a drunk sailor sew on your zipper. Not sure why you'd let one ... but it looks great to me!

He was quite funny, actually, and he insisted that he knew how to operate a sewing machine...

[D, you did an amazing job! Where's the pic of the back? Even if there's no applique, I still think we're entitled to see how it looks from the back.

I did take a picture of the back for you, but it's still on my camera - upstairs - too early to climb the stairs to get it.

What a wonderful job.

Welcome! And thank you!

THIS BAG IS GORGEOUS! Your talent just never ceases to amaze! LOVE THIS!

Thanks Stephanie!

D~ you are amazing. The fabric is perfect and that applique is gorgeous. I REALLY love the buttons and the beads on the badge. Simply stunning.

I didn't get a chance to quote the other day but your travel planner came out great. You did an amazing job coming up with the pattern and design on your own. That zipper must have been very tricky.

Thanks... And thanks for the comments on the travel organizer - that thing was wicked hard to do - you are right, the zipper was the worst, and I still don't think I got it quite right. If I had the time, I would totally remake it. <---That is the perfectionist in me speaking, I OTOH, would never say such a thing.

AMAZING...simply AMAZING!

Even my contrary teenage son was impressed with this!

Lynn

Thanks Lynn and thank your son too... If a teenage son can like one of my bags, I know they must be pretty cool.

Hi I saw your PTR link in your signature when you posted on my report so I thought I'd hop over here!

I LOVE all of your bags and outfits! I took Home Ec in middle school, which was part cooking and part sewing. I wasn't very good at sewing but maybe I'll try again at some point.

Welcome! That's all I took for classes too - so you can always learn if you desire to do so. I wasn't very good when I sewed when I was younger, I didn't have the patience for it, at all. But as an adult, when I wanted to learn, that's when it really clicked for me.

WOW I did comment of FB but it is truly amazing.

Thanks Michelle - and thanks for commenting twice. I always feel weird posting in several places... I always post here first though. I post on FB because I know my family wants to see, and I post on the Disbou thread because I know that some of those people don't follow my PTR. I really try to limit my posts to those 3 places though.

It turned out great! I love how the buttons worked out!

Thanks Karen!

Cool! It's because we're such a small state . . . no one suspects us

I've always suspected you... You are the suspicious type.

I started quilting my next bag order all day yesterday, I was very happy with what I was able to accomplish. I probably won't touch it today, because I have to work at my real job. It shouldn't take me long to make at all - but I forgot to purchase zippers for this bag - and they aren't sold locally, so I need to run to the fabric store that's 35+ min away - which I don't have time to do until Friday morning... Grrr... Sometimes I wonder where my brain is???

I might work on Allison's wallet here and there, before I get to JoAnn's. Or I might draw out my applique for my Donald sweatshirt, or I might finish Alli's pirate skirt, or - I dunno...

Have a great day everyone - and thanks again for all your comments on the UP! bag - despite it's difficulty, I really love the end result.

D~

 

[Lidian]

Thanks Stephanie! I told her that I am going to glue it to her shoulder at WDW - and for as much work as I put in it - she better be carrying it every single minute. LOL

You're welcome?

For some reason, I am not at all surprise that you have a whip.

I hear that a lot ...

Thanks Liddy! Those were the easy part. LOL

Yes, but I meant the idea was PERFECT! It just really added that... UMPH and pizzazz (insert jazz fingers)!

He was quite funny, actually, and he insisted that he knew how to operate a sewing machine...

Well, apparently he did. And did a great job at it!

I did take a picture of the back for you, but it's still on my camera - upstairs - too early to climb the stairs to get it.

But ... it's almost 8am here. Us moms should have been up and going hours ago! Who gave you the day off?

Thanks Stephanie!

You're welcome, again?

 

[DMGeurts]

OK... I think that once a week, I go through my trip financials to see where I am sitting, and what else I need to do.

The trip is paid in full - big hurdle is taken care of.

We still have to add 8 more days of park tickets (or 7 - still haven't decided)... I have about half of it saved, and I am expecting a check next month that will finish it off (provided the entitiy remembers).

Photopass - to share or not - that is still the question. I really need to make a decision on this - and SOON. I have enough funds in Paypal to cover the cost of the $100 preorder. OK, I just talked to Josh, he is on the same line of thinking as I am - and the share I am participating in is just too large and he is not comfortable with it (neither am I) - that, combined with the fact that we don't have the fastest internet, it may make it impossible to sift through everyone else's photos just to edit my own. As much as I don't want to (I'd really like the cost savings), I am going to back out of the share.

I need to purchase another $171 (my discounted price) for $200 worth of GCs, to cover any extra meals at WDW. I have one bag pre-sold for next month, which will cover a good portion of this.

And I also need to have $250 cash (I bumped that up from $200) for Airport food, tips and our DTD meal we are planning OOP. Previously, after my figures, I had $60 remaining for incidentals, that number just felt too low to me, so I added another $50.

Then, of course, there's the endless souvenier battle. I still don't have a number for this. Victoria has managed to save enough babysitting $$ to buy a $50 Disney GC - so she will have some souveniers.

OK - I am done rambling for this week.

D~

 

[mommy2mrb]

looks like you have all your $$ figured out...seems like a good amount for the extra's!
I don't think I'd want to share photopass with a big group either unless I knew everyone in it.
yay that Victoria has some of her own $$ to spend....it will all work out and you will make the most out of what you do end up bringing!

hope work goes quick and you can get some of your projects going tonight!
we have another snow day, staying in warm and cozy!

 

[sl_underwood]

Love the Up bag. It is just so adorable!

Figuring out the finances is not nearly as fun, lol. I just did my first real financial look the other day and I am rethinking a whole lot because of it. Would never have been a big deal if it hadnt been for this tumor- I am thinking it deserves a disney villian name since it keeps mucking up all my plans!

 

[cogero]

WOW you are so organized. Love it.

I may be able to help your cause if I could decide what I want on a bag

 

[sherrynjoe]

How can we order???? I am in love with the clothes and bags! Trip is in August would love to order

 

[WDWCP96]

I love the UP bag! Using buttons for the badges was ingenious on Allison's part.

You amaze me with design and sewing abilities with every new bag you create.

I don't think I would do a PP share with a large group that I didn't know everyone and with a slow Internet connection. The PP website can be slow enough sometimes as it is.

That is good that you figured out the financial stuff. It is never a fun job but as least it is for Disney and not household stuff!

 

[Lidian]

OK... I think that once a week, I go through my trip financials to see where I am sitting, and what else I need to do.

The trip is paid in full - big hurdle is taken care of.

Huzzah for being paid in full and passing the hurdle!

We still have to add 8 more days of park tickets (or 7 - still haven't decided)... I have about half of it saved, and I am expecting a check next month that will finish it off (provided the entitiy remembers).

You'll get your 7-8 days added!

Photopass - to share or not - that is still the question. I really need to make a decision on this - and SOON. I have enough funds in Paypal to cover the cost of the $100 preorder. OK, I just talked to Josh, he is on the same line of thinking as I am - and the share I am participating in is just too large and he is not comfortable with it (neither am I) - that, combined with the fact that we don't have the fastest internet, it may make it impossible to sift through everyone else's photos just to edit my own. As much as I don't want to (I'd really like the cost savings), I am going to back out of the share.

I understand completely. These are a few of the reasons why I don't want to do the PP share. Plus, I'm impatient and once I'm done with edits, I want to be able to submit.

I need to purchase another $171 (my discounted price) for $200 worth of GCs, to cover any extra meals at WDW. I have one bag pre-sold for next month, which will cover a good portion of this.

Wanna buy my GCs, too? I could use a healthy discount.

And I also need to have $250 cash (I bumped that up from $200) for Airport food, tips and our DTD meal we are planning OOP. Previously, after my figures, I had $60 remaining for incidentals, that number just felt too low to me, so I added another $50.

Always better to have too much and bring home extra than not enough! I'm sure you don't wanna wash dishes. But if you do, can I take pics?

Then, of course, there's the endless souvenier battle. I still don't have a number for this. Victoria has managed to save enough babysitting $$ to buy a $50 Disney GC - so she will have some souveniers.

OK - I am done rambling for this week.

D~

I'll pick ... 3. Is that a good enough number? Just trying to help you out. But I can pick more numbers if you prefer. I am studying accounting.