How To: Sew a Lingerie Bag

Lingerie laundry bags are great for protecting delicates. I just toss these in the washing machine along with my other clothes and wash. I chose a sturdy synthetic lace (usually very inexpensive too). Cut one piece of lace 32"x12" (you can vary the size depending on your needs). Turn under the short sides 1/2". Sew the lace to the zipper, leaving the zipper exposed as shown in the pictures. Topstitch a narrow ribbon or trim on top to dress it up a little. Cut 2 ribbon pieces, 3 1/2" long each. Fold each piece in half and stitch ,raw edges even, to each end of the zipper as pull tabs. Open the zipper, turn inside out. Position the zipper 1 1/2" down from the top (as in the pictures). Stitch the side seams, 1/2" seam allowance. I double stitched for strength. Turn right side out. Add a piece of ribbon for a zipper pull and you are done! Makes a great gift too.

What's New-A Great Weekend Bag

I call her Lola. She is carefree, always up for fun and adventure. Roomy enough for all your essentials. Make her for yourself with my new pattern: "The Weekend Bag Instruction #409", available in my shop http://catsongstitchery.etsy.com in the Pattern section. Finished size: 15 1/2" wide by 13 1/2" deep. One inside pocket, padded handles, fully lined. PDF format so shipping is free! Let me know what you think!

Book Review: Omiyage by Kumiko Sudo

I have made many items from Kumiko Sudo's books, "Omiyage" and "Kokoro no Te". Both are fabulous. The pictures are beautiful and the instructions are easy to follow. The projects are mostly handsewn and small enough to take places so they are perfect for waiting rooms etc. I really like the permission she gives teachers in "Omiyage" and the lesson plans in the back of the book along with traceable patterns. "Kokoro no Te" also offers traceable patterns for beautiful small bags with beading, the tiny kimono, and the needle book shown above as well as the pansy pin that I like to make for gifts. Both books are well worth checking out!

Sewing Journal

It took me years of sewing before I realized that keeping a sewing journal is a great idea. My current one is shown here, but yours doesn't have to be fancy. It would work just as well if it were a plain notebook from the dollar store. I write the project, who is it for, size, pattern or book used, date and any changes I made or would suggest in the future. I include a drawing and note fabrics and colors. If I go back years later and make another one, I write it on the same page. It has really come in handy to keep track of gifts I've given. I also get a real sense of satisfaction seeing how much I actually sew! I also record knit, crochet, and craft projects I make. It is helpful when my current jeans wear out and I want to recreate them but can't remember how I changed the pattern. The other photo is of fabric swatches from clothes I've sewn. I group them by warm and cold weather clothes. I take the swatches to the store and can easily match and coordinate new projects with what I already own. It helps avoid the closet full of clothes and nothing to wear problem!

The Cat Sisters- Cute Pet Pictures

Here they are, the girls responsible for the name Cat Song Stitchery. I was up late one night trying to come up with a name for my new shop (http://catsongstitchery.etsy.com ) when one of them came sauntering through the room, singing! The rest is history. They sing often.

They also enjoy dressing up. Really! She sat like that for almost an hour, enjoying all the attention. They like to look outside and ride my exercise bike too.