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You have some very nice new tops! I think we get bored or dissatisfied with the familiar and crave something new/different from time to time. Now I know why my husband watches his favorite movies over and over again - I always tell him to let me know if there's a different ending 😄! He does it to de-stress after working. The fabric for the bag you made is so pretty and the hoodie - and the boy! -are just adorable!

❤

Well, whoever might end up with the tops you purged should definitely enjoy them! You had a lot of really nice ones. And, wait a minute, did I hear you say something about trying your hand at quilting???? You could even embroider blocks and sew them all together to make a nice quilt. Just sayin'...

Hi Carole. Lovely t-shirts and well done for making so many. I have a few patterns that I make on repeat because I know they sew up well and look good and therefore I feel good in them. As you say, it is a happy and joyful experience when you sew something you’re familiar with, fits well and looks good. Afterall, we are sewing because we supposedly enjoy it! Having said that, I too made the same crossbody bag and had to take a couple of days respite because I probably used my seam picker more times on this one item than I have in my whole life. I missed cutting out one of the lining pieces but in the meantime had cut up the remaining lining fabric to make my own bias binding. I couldn’t bear the thought of mismatched lining, so had to buy some more of the fabric and wait for it to arrive. Sewing the round corners was not much fun and I’m being very polite when I say that. I could see from the pictures that machine sewing the binding was going to go all wrong for me because I just wouldn’t have the skill/patience to get a neat finish so I hand sewed the binding; not a speedy job. Using the same fabric has helped the binding blend in with the interior. I also had an upside down tree incident - I didn’t check the pattern on the outside and sewed the inside pocket so that the tree would end up upside down but saw it soon enough to whip out the seam ripper. I love the size of the crossbody bag and am looking forward to using it but, like you, I’ll be giving any patterns with inside binding a miss in the future. I’m looking forward to seeing your Mile End sweater next Friday. I have had the pattern for ages but have never got round to making it up. The Hug Hoodie is my favourite and I’m going to make the Maison Fauve Ressac shortly. Beautiful photo of your grandson. Have a good week. x

Carole, I use blue tape or washi tape to put on my rulers when I need to see a certain measurement over and over again. Then I find it easier to be faster than looking for that measurement every single time. Removeable! Especially helpful to me if it's a long length. Your block looks good! I also make my own hand sewing kit to leave at my adult children's homes. Then if we have down time, I can hand sew some things for them like my mom used to do for me!

I love Sallie Tomatoes bag patterns. The ones I have made have linings you will like.

So many lovely T shirts and what a happy boy with his beautiful top his nanny embroidered with his favourite bird 😍

The fat quarter for the bag was gorgeous! I don’t blame you for disliking doing that binding! Your tops are very pretty, and the fit is incredible. Thanks for the tips on changing the pattern. I meant to check out Izzy last week and didn’t, so I’ll do it know! Lucky you having a sewing social to go to! I haven’t found one here. Have a grand time! What a cute grandson, and his hoodie embroidery is awfully cute too!

The fat quarter for the bag was gorgeous! I don’t blame you for disliking doing that binding! Your tops are very pretty, and the fit is incredible. Thanks for the tips on changing the pattern. I meant to check out Izzy last week and didn’t, so I’ll do it know! Lucky you having a sewing social to go to! I haven’t found one here. Have a grand time!

Lovely seeing your tweaks to the T-shirt pattern, and I'm with you on the horror of a sewing kit but I did wonder whether he was going to present you with one of the little hotel freebie ones, so it could have been worse! And thanks for sharing the spring flowers, we are getting closer to spring :)

All beautiful makes but that New Look dress is something else! The fabric/pattern combo is gorgeous. Now on to hunt for similar fabric 😊.

I taught a "By Annie" pattern to a group of ladies. Many skipped the binding saying, "no one sees the inside!" I do the binding, but it's not a joy. I hand sew the final seam bc I cannot stand looking at the mess!

Your grandpoppet looks so cute 🤩

If something works it makes sense to do it again. Can you show your t shirt neck binding? Is there a vlog where you show what you use and how to do it? Thanks.

With you on the bag.! I dont like the look of binding inside the same with pouches. I did a recent cross body bag where you hand sewed in the lining. Whilst i like some handsewing i didnt enjoy this nor the finish i achieved. Not a pattern i would repeat!! Love the tops and the beutiful Dorset countryside. What is the music you use at the end i love it. Thanks again.

Hi Carole, I love your high neck turquoise jumper. My absolute favourite colour. I had that problem with a Love Notions T-Shirt pattern and did the same as you with bodice and sleeve alterations. Had to have a giggle at the „sewing kit“. Your embroidery machine does work wonders and your grandson was a really happy chappy. My goodness you are seeing crocuses already. Have a great weekend.🙋‍♀️🧵👍

Super catch up Carole. 😊

Carole, this was such an entertaining video as I chuckled a few times with you. I also have that pattern and love it. I love the changes you made, very smart. I made a boxy large bag that also had binding on the inside, I broke a needle during that process and swore I would never do that again, so I understand. Can’t wait to see your Sunday video.

Hi Carol. I agree with you about those binded seams. I don’t like the look and I think it’s a struggle to get them to look nice and neat. We just watched Stranger Things for the 2nd time! I’m going to start sewing patterns I have sewn before. Have a good weekend!

The way I look at it, sewing materials and sewing time is all about your OWN choices. You do you!😉 Thanks for sharing your lovely makes and future projects ideas. Happy sewing 🎈

I do like your blue tee shirt in the special fabric but I reeeaally like the green one. Isn't it funny how not so nice fabric becomes a really lovely top. And I do wish I had grandkids which would be hard as I don't have children 😁 but I would love to make little dresses and embroidered hoodies. Your grandson's hoodie is great. 💕

You wear t-shirts, you should make all you like! Love that blue one. Your little bag - I'm with you on the inside binding. I avoid those always. And I laughed out loud when you turned it around! How fun is improv quilting? If I can get into it this year, that's what I'll choose. Have fun at your social - I know we'd have them if I could just get it organized. And you know how I feel about fixing zippers. Your little orange bird! He's the Florida Orange Juice mascot. So cute and his little face - what a darling. I really want to join in on the FWOF - gotta get this wedding over and done with. You have so many wonderful projects - who can keep up? You inspire me. I need to lock myself in the room and just sew! xoxoxox

I am with you on that binding, but I always finish the binding by hand, you can fiddle with the way it lays. Agree with you on making things you want to wear.❤

Proper sewing kit would be a good gift for your son.

Hi Carole! You did such an amazing job on the tops! I agree… why save our fabrics for something “special” when it could be something we would wear all the time! I think I would love Ted Talks! 😊 I place a few glue dots on the bottom/wrong side of my quilting rulers. It keeps the rulers from sliding around and I can tell which was the right side is. I’m sure others have better suggestions! I think we sewists should have a bag we keep in the car at all times (like a doctor carries a medical bag) that way we have quality tools when we’re faced with someone’s mending. 😊plus it’s a good excuse to buy sewing supplies. Your grandson looks as proud as can be! You did so great in the embroidery! Can’t wait for the fabric wheel of fate! Mine should be out next week. Have a wonderful weekend! ❤ Diann 🍓

Oh my, I love today’s video, Carol. So much info. I love that you are honest and show us your items that don’t turn out as planned, as in your bag with the trees. It’s a lovely bag anyway, and we would never know about the lining unless you showed us. I was thinking that maybe the ridge around might get caught in the zipper, I don’t know. I just know I’ve had some handbags that have had that happen. Your t shirt sleeve turned out lovely. Do you have a favourite brand of patterns that is reasonably true to size without a lot of adjustments? Looking forward to next week’s project with the creamy/blue fabric. I was looking for it last night. Thought I had missed it. What a cute little hoody with the orange, for your grandson. He sure looked happy.😊 One more thing-do you have a serger (overlocker) AND a coverstitch machine? I have a serger and have wondered if I would use the other enough if I had one. Have a lovely weekend. Enjoy tomorrow.😊

I definitely agree about watching shows over and over along with making things over and over because I do that all the time(TV shows) and it does keep my anxiety level at bay.

Hi Carole 👋🏼. You have been a busy bee! I love all of the tops! They look great! I like the neck binding in the back of the tops. Did you make it yourself or did you buy it premade?

Love, love, love the upside down tree!

All three tops are beautiful! The bag is lovely! Surprise sewing! Can’t wait to see it! Cute grandson! 🥰

Hi Carole....Great that you changed your pattern and it's a success. That embroidery for your grandson is so cute too. Fabric wheel of fate make...I'm intrigued. Have a great week and enjoy your social day.

Hi Carole, Isn’t it strange how our ideas change and develop. I wouldn’t have been seen dead in a flowery dress 20yrs ago and now I love them! Just make what you enjoy and feel good in. If someone else doesn’t like it, that’s their problem… The orange toy embroidery is fab! 🥰 The bag looks great - love the fabric. I shall look forward to the funfetti make, I have 2 lengths in the stash. Happy sewing 💕

I love your new tops. I use the same pattern for my knit tops over and over. I change the sleeves, the hem and the neckline depending on what look I want. But it is nice to know it will always fit. Your little bag came out very nice. It looks like a very useful size. I am also not of fan of binding inside a bag. Your grandson is adorable. He looks so cute in his new hoodie. I'm still working on my sherpa/suede vest. I used the over locker around all the pattern pieces and then basted them together. I does not fit correctly. So this weekend I will need to spend some time fitting (my least favorite part of sewing). I'm still addicted to those taco bags, I made another one this week. Have a great week.

Great job altering the sleeve, front and back. Never feel guilty sewing up the same pattern. It's a new experience every time! OMG NO ONE can notice the tree upside down. No worries Carole. The bag is amazing! Too funny that I had someone ask me to blind hem their pants from my quilt group this week!! Those sewing kits are atrocious!!! LOL Your Grandson is precious. I know that joy for sewing for him. Annabelle is thrilled with the dresses I made for her birthday this month. Great job Carole! 🥰🥰

Absolutely lovely tops, Carole! You will get a lot of use out of those! Totally agree with you about binding the inside of bags - that’s why I avoid it at all costs! I find a way to “birth” them, instead! Your quilt block looks great! Have fun at the sewcial! 😘💗

I can appreciate/resemble love/hate cycle of different fabric types (or pattern cut/style)--whether in my closet, or still in my stash... But I hope you never hate teal! The color looks great on you! And love your pattern mods & use of "fancy" fabric for what you can enjoy daily!! Glad you encouraged us all to not be afraid of reusing a pattern, or tweak as needed--only weird if using the same fabric again, too--unless for uniforms! But kind of like binding on the bag--first time learning something new & yet always frustrating when it's not perfect in our eyes--but it's a new technique to us, and like doing a toile for a pattern to work out the fit & process, most things take at least one try to get perfect! But we are still our worst critics. And I have a love/hate of binding, too. But sometimes this step provides the firm structure to a bag that the designer intended... But changes can look great too! (No one else knows what it was supposed to look like!). Great results on the jacket--your grandson's smile is indeed worth it!

I love the color you choose, good for you to put your foot down and sew it your way

Hi Carole, love the three tops. I like the green one the best but the blue will go with anything. I have to agree with you on the bag, all that extra work for the inside does not make sense to me. Your grandson looks pleased as punch with his embroidered hoodie. The pics of the Dorset countryside look so nice and relaxing. Thank you for sharing ☺

I agree with you about using a binding inside a bag. Not only do I struggle with it, but my machine hates the bulk of the seam. Thank you for validating by feelings on this. This was a great video for me. Please keep it up. Also, check out Quilting is my Therapy by Angela Walters. She gives really good instructions on all kinds of quilting including using quilting rulers.

No need to feel guilty for making the same favorite pattern repeatedly. That always makes for a quick sewing win! Your shoulder bag is SO pretty! Look at you turning into a quilter! ❤. How exciting to be going to a sewcial! I cant believe your sweet Grandaughter is 18 months old already! 😮 How CUTE is that little orange bird! You are the best Grandma ever! Miss you!!!❤❤❤❤

Hi can you show us how you do that binding round the neck. Many thanks Susan Peach

I can't imagine feeling guilty about repeating makes! Recycle reuse etc...

My goal for this year is to get a basic pants pattern that really fits me for both knits and woven fabrics. I want a pants pattern that has an elastic waist with pockets. Also, I want a t-shirt and a woven blouse and top. I really want to have patterns that I know fits and feel great. Sounds like you have found your t-shirt pattern

Oh my goodness, Spring flowers already ! We are still in the midst of snow storms ....lol I love what you're wearing, that colour looks lovely on you. Very cute bag . I look forward to seeing what you made with the wheel of fate, have a wonderful week, Barb

Excellent explanation on armseye adjustment. I hate tees, tanks or dresses that are up in the arm pit! Lovely tops!

That fabric identity crisis is so real! 😂 but you made three tops while figuring it out - what a productive crisis 😂🔥

Your grandson is so sweet looking! Adorable!

Hi Carole, I love your new shirts. They look so pretty. I can't believe your granddaughter is already 18 months old and your grandson is adorable. Thank you for the Dorset scenery video. Spring is just a distant thought for us right now. I'm in New England USA and they have predicted snow for five days next week. I'm sure it will only be a couple of inches each time, but when you have to use a walker to get around, snow is not your friend. Enjoy your weekend. ❤🙂🙃🙂❤

I used to keep a sewing kit in my desk drawer. The kits are great for emergencies. Some of the attorneys, if a button came off their clothes would ask me if I could sew the button back on. It was not a big deal.😊

I've found I have to lower the bottom of the armhole too. Makes so much difference to the fit. I've seen a video of binding inside a bag and it does look really awkward. It would probably be easier on a bigger bag. Oh that sewing kit! So funny. I have one I've had for years but never used.