Week 7-I SEWED Over My Spring Break!

         Over Spring Break 2010, I spent my time doing homework and sewing for this project.  Awesome, right?  Who needs the beach and happiness when they have the Discovery Channel and Taco Bell.  A lot has gone on with my project since the last post, please note the picture below.  I finally have enough fabric sewn together to cut out my pattern for the shape of the purse.  This whole quilting process has taken far longer than I ever imagined.  

            I had just woken up when this was taken (note the sleep-marks from my sheets on my cheek still), so it really does not do how big the piece of completed fabric is justice.  I was at Little 500 qualifications yesterday when I looked up and saw a girl with a strangely shaped purse.  I decided to change the design of what I had originally planned to be a banana-esque shaped purse to one which resembles a triangle with a flat top like the one I saw at the track.  I realized putting together the completed purse would be much easier this way, and would look better in the long run.  

              This break was the first time my mom really got to see the design for her soon-to-be summer purse.  Her favorite fabric turned out to be the one with the white background, featuring circles and green and blue diamond shapes.  She requested that a pocket on the inside be composed of this fabric, so I'll see what I can do.  

               Right now in class we're reading Cheap by Ellen Ruppel Shell.  The best way I can relate that to my project is in the topic of price.  The fabric and supplies for making a purse like this were pretty expensive considering how little you got for your money.  Then you have to consider the zippers, ribbons, etc.  However, after reading this book I've come to the conclusion you could purchase this type of purse at Wal-Mart for, like, ten bucks.  I understand the appeal.  This thing has taken me hours and I'm no where near being done.  Something made by hand by fabric sold in a fashion which would benefit the producer, should and would be higher in price at retail stores if the labor and materials were being purchased fairly.  

             Tonight I will be cutting out the pattern and hopefully sewing in the blue liner for the purse, I'm going to have to start cramming to make up lost time on the quilting component.  

Week 6-Progress?

         Ok, so last week I took my "One Free Pass" off of posting a blog entry, due to a friend passing away in a car accident.  Needless to say, I wasn't in the "crafty" mood.  This event, however, did remind me of Babcock's article.  There were so many people making little things to put into his casket and one of my friends, his best friend, is now getting a tattoo in memory of his life...outlets for grief, but art nonetheless.  

          The middle of this past week I began working on the purse again, and I honestly don't feel like I'm getting anywhere at all.  I mean...looking back at last week's picture I realize I definitely have added to my project, but not enough in my opinion to post a picture.  As I've said before, I will be using my sewing machine at home over spring break, so that should definitely help give me a leg-up in my progress.  Currently, I'm watching the Oscars and hoping to get some more work done on the purse while I sit here...to rid of idleness and be useful simultaneously.  In order to get as much done as possible during break, I'm going to be working very hard on the "hand" work of the project during this week.  Lately, I've been trying to work going to the gym into my already busy schedule.  Working on this "by-hand" project is definitely something I've had to put before working out which has been disheartening at times.  However, I'm hoping once I finish that the effort and sacrifice will feel very worth it.