My job at the fabric store keeps me quite busy cleaning, organizing... and spending a quarter of my check each week...
Not that I'm complaining, by any stretch-- this is me at my highest point in life, living the feeling of overall life satisfaction. Now if only I could see my momma regularly, it would be extremely difficult to put me in a sour mood.
You all have no idea how much I've added to my stash-- with a 50% discount, it's really a wonder I haven't purchased the entire store.
Oh how Halloween will hurt so good.
Which, somehow, brings me to my main point. My latest and greatest obsession right now is the construction of bags. All bags-- from pencil cases, and makeup bags, to totes and messengers. Clearly, I need them to contain the contents I've recently ceased to carry-around. Funny how that works-- I could never find the perfect bag to carry my life around in, but as soon as I relinquish the desire to carry it all, suddenly I begin obsessing about the receptacles in which to house them.
I was about to say that this particular fabric caught my eye, but that would be a blatant lie... it all catches my eye. This just happens to be one of the choices that actually made it through checkout, along with a purple on lilac polka dot print to go with it.
Unlike most impulse fabric purchases, however, I did have something very specific in mind for this-- especially because I only bought them in fat quarters.
That's right, a makeup bag-- surprise, surprise! But what else can one really do with mere fat quarters. Besides... I honestly couldn't think of better in my pastel stupor.
And, to add, I was also on a roll... with figuring out the equation to make a pattern specifically around any size zipper I had on hand.
I now have patterns for a smaller, medium, and large makeup bag-- to match any future bag scheme.
I'm wondering if I should contribute this creation onto furthering the pastel goth movement... add an eyeball to the bow, or drip black puff paint along the topstitched edge, something like that.
I tried doing something fancy for the topstitch, but my machine is very limited in the number of decorative topstiches it has... which is ironic, because it doubles as an embroidery machine, with a mechanical hoop arm and all those trimmings (that I haven't even used yet).
Clearly, my secret love of pastel goth is showing with this... quick! Avert your eyes and convince your brain you've just seen something that's Kawaii and not "pastel goth"!
Well, if you're having trouble convincing your brain, here's a distraction in the form of a useful tip.
For stabilizer I used a fusible fleece, and like all fusibles they tend to really gunk up your iron very quickly. My advice is to tackle that task before it gets past the point of replacement, and it need not be that tedious and equally gunky as most iron cleaners in tubes.
After one makeup bag, my iron is looking a little rough... and since I appreciate its quality and lack of drippiness, I am doing everything in my power to make it last. I'm a huge advocate for preventative maintenance!
Most household alternatives to iron cleaners area little too abrasive for the surface plate of an iron of this type. Vinegars, baking sodas... you might want to skip those altogether. Instead, try...
A magic eraser!
No, I am not being sponsored... hell, use the generic; they work just as well. Wet the "eraser" as per usual, but don't have it sopping wet. Then place a towel on your board with the sponge on top and run your iron over it on a high-ish setting as if you're trying to iron out those ridges on it. Wipe down the plate with the towel, and you're done! Even on a really grimmy iron this has worked for me-- and I'm talking about countless burned fusible glue. The sponge will be icky... but your iron plate will look like new! Assuming you haven't chipped it like I have with my past irons...
 e |
| ERMAHGERD-- MERGIC!! |
P.S.
Someone of more sensible tastes is welcome to purchase this little bag, as is, without the eyeball black drippiness I am including in the next version.
I am asking $12.50 U.S.
Email me to inquire for total including shipping charges to your area, and other specifics.
So cute! I love the candy print. : ) Whenever my iron gets gunked up from fusible fabrics I wipe it down with rubbing alcohol. I also try not to use fusible fabrics very often, if I can. I think my most hated thing about them is when they wrinkle... you can't iron the wrinkles out! XS
ReplyDeleteI love candy prints-- I have a few different ones in my stash now, heheh.
DeleteI have never used rubbing alcohol before, but I usually have a magic eraser on hand simply because it's the bees knees to clean anything stubborn with.
I love the crispness that fusibles add, I don't think I've ever had them wrinkle before, but can imagine how annoying that must be =S
I didn't know you got a job at a fabric store - what a great and suitable job for you! (and dangerous... :)) Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteYes, I do, and yes it is quite difficult to restrain myself at times from buying something everyday. Thank you!
DeleteThat fabric is so cute!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, it is... there's just something really attractive about candy prints-- I can't ever seem to go without buying at least one candy print a year... >.>
DeleteA magic eraser ... who'da thunk it? If I ever see my iron again, I hope I remember this tip! :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I can't remember where I heard it first... but it's been an invaluable part of my sewing maintenance kit.
DeleteOnly 50% of your check! I admire your restraint! I spent more than that of mine when I worked in a bookstore!
ReplyDeleteVery pastel Goth indeed, and cute! I could never make the pastel/cute Goth thing work for me, but I like it on others!
I sometimes wonder where this willpower came from, and how come it never popped up before. I usually never show restraint lol...
DeleteI will definitely need to add that eyeball with maybe some bat wings to complete that pastel goth look-- for now it's more Kawaii, heheh.
I don't know if I can pull off the pastel look myself, which is why it's simply a secret love affair =P
But yes, I do so enjoy seeing it too