Tulapink Handbag

Hello and welcome back!

If you'll recall, earlier this week I shared my new sewing machine with you - a Janome MC 6600P - and I also mentioned that I'd already completed a project on it but at that time I didn't reveal what it was.  Well, now is the time.

In preparation for a recent sewing day with friends, these luscious Tulapink fabrics followed me home (completely on their own accord, I swear!):

From my own perspective, I found this really interesting, because that beautiful eclectic top motif is so not my usual style (bold colours, clean and geometric design).  And while I'm definitely a big fan of orange and turquoise, those lovely lilac and lavender shades of purple rarely see their ways into my wardrobe or projects.  I guess what I'm saying is that even I was surprised with my choices here but I had a plan...

So from that - to this:

I really couldn't have planned a better fit for the fabric on that flap had I tried.  In addition to the lovely fabrics, I used a double-sided fusible stiff interfacing (quite stiff) so the bag retains its shape even when empty.

There is a zippered pocket on the back.  I love that little peak of lining fabric around the zip.  Incidentally, this is the first time I've shortened a zipper for a project - crazy easy; why haven't I done this before?

And on the inside, there are two spacious interior pockets and plenty of space for even long wallets and sunglasses and the like.

My new Janome sewed through that stiff interfacing and multiple layers of it and fabric all like a breeze.  I did use my old Elna girl's freearm to sew the lining to the top of the bag and do the top stitching along that top edge but the rest is pure Janome work.  This bag has some pretty serious WOW factor going for it - or so I've been told by those who have seen it.

If you're interested in the pattern (the handbag is called 'Paris'), it's available for free from Romanian Quilt Studio.  It was very well written with clear instructions and plenty of helpful photos and diagrams.  The only addition I would make to the instructions is that when you sew the lining gusset to the lining sides, it doesn't state what seam allowance to use.  I would recommend that you use a 1/4" SA for this.  I mistakenly used a typical handbag SA of 3/8" and my lining was a bit small matching up to my bag.  I made it work but the smaller SA would have made it a perfect fit.

New Toy!!!

I'm so excited, I have a new (or more accurately, new-to-me) toy to share today!

But first, I'd like to introduce you to my old workhorse sewing machine, my Elna, which I inherited from my ex-fiance's sister, who herself inherited it from one of the family's great aunts, as I recall.  It's some 50 years old, solid metal, heavy and just keeps on chuggin' - you gotta love that!  Honestly, it's a fabulous machine, high quality and I've loved it deeply for many years.

Elna Supermatic, circa 1961

At this point, I'm sure you're sensing a 'but' so here it is...but, it doesn't quilt.  As you can see, it's a freearm machine, which is awesome for hemming trousers (and being barely over 5'0", every single pair of trousers I buy requires hemming) but not so great for quilting.  Plus, it's so old that you can't buy a walking foot attachment for it, let along a FMQ foot attachment.

I wanted more.  So I finally did something about it.

I'm pleased to introduce my new (new-to-me) Janome Memory Craft 6600 Professional sewing machine!  Complete with original foot attachments (a bunch) - including Janome's own specialised walking foot and FMQ foot, tools, tool box, presser foot lifter knee control and extra extension table!  All at a very reasonable price, and cheaper than brand new but in excellent condition.

Janome MC 6600P, circa 2011

A half century makes for quite an update.  So far I've been sewing on it for three days and I'm already in love with it.  I especially love the automatic thread cutter (so handy for saving on thread wastage), the speed slider, the needle up/down lock, the extra wide arm space, the see-through bobbin cover, the extra wide & marked throat plate, the extra high pressure foot lift and the fact that it sews like a hot knife through budder (yes, that's right, budder - not butter - it's just that smooth).  And I have an English copy of the manual on order.

So far I have one project completed on this girl already, which I'll be sharing with you shortly.  In the meantime, my goal is to finish up the piecing work on my other quilt projects so that I can give my Elna a little R&R time and move my Janome from the kitchen table to my proper sewing table for more long-term usage.