Branching Out

Slowly but surely things are moving forward (or at least treading water). 

I now have my bags (Abintra Designs) displayed at 2 local stores. Yah!!! 

So now they are available online:   www.facebook.com/AbintraDesigns
                                                        www.wix.com/sls_abintra/AbintraDesigns

and in stores: The Cornerstone Coffee Shop, Van Horn, TX
                      Paradise Beauty Salon & Spa   Van Horn, TX

Broken Needles

Yesterday I was in the spirit of sewing. I had received all of my sewing equipment form Maine and some new material. I was rearing to go. I starting making an amazing vintage look purse from some material a friend had once purchase for curtains, but it never became drapery. Knowing I shouldn't push the machine, I tried anyway. I had a section of the bag that was too think and the needle shattered. I immediately freaked out, spill a glass of water everywhere. I quickly put everything away and "gave up". Later that day I finally realized a broken needle isn't the end of the world, and by trial and error I will find out what the machine can handle and what it shouldn't sew.

Today I pulled out some supplies and created this little beauty:



Check out more on my FB: www.facebook.com/AbintraDesigns

Kindle Case

I had a custom order for a purse with a detachable Kindle Case. Its sounds like a handful at first, but after a few hours of working on it I have it about half done. The case I have completed and it was fairly simple.

I measured the Kindle (this one was a 3rd generation with keyboard) and added about and inch to the length and height for the fabric. I cut two of these rectangles out of the liner fabric and the outer fabric. Facing wrong sides together of each, I sewed three sides, leave one longer side open. I turned the outer piece right side out and slipped the inner piece inside of it. Cutting two pieces of sheet foam (found in the kid's craft section) that would fit in between the liner and outer fabric, I slipped them between the two "pouches". This provides cushion for the Kindle. Once the foam was in place I pinned the zipped on the open edge and sewed it in place.

For this one I added snaps on the back before sewing the zipper in place. You can also add variation like a handle, buttons, or wrist strap.  

Vintage Buttons

A friend of mine had someone give him a bunch of old, "ugly" jewelry from an auction. He didn't know what to do with it so he asked me if I could use it for my bags. Could I use it...

YES! 

My mind started swimming with ideas. 

Gaudy earrings could be turned into buttons. Over sized pins could be handbag decor. Broken chain bracelets could become purse handles. Strange could become beautiful. 

  

The first item I created with my vintage stuff was this cute "vintage look wallet". I used a fat quarter of some material that reminded me of shirts my Great Grandma used to own. 

Making a simple fold wallet with credit card and phone pockets, I added one of the old red buttons to the front and a broken bracelet as the handle. 

Simple. Cute. Useful. 

www.facebook.com/AbintraDesigns