What's New???

A lot has been going on at Uniquely Michelle! The first Uniquely Michelle newsletter will be going out soon! In the Uniquely Michelle newsletter, I will keep you updated on any upcoming pattern releases, share pictures of bags made using my patterns and I will include a promotion every so often too. You can sign up to receive my newsletter by filling out the form at the end of this post.

 I am very excited about a new pattern that will be released in a few days (another good reason to sign up for the newsletter)! I am not ready to tell you too much about it, but I have a few preview pictures that I am willing to share to keep you guessing.

This pattern doesn't require a lot of hardware. Actually what you see in the above photo pretty much covers it for hardware!

This is a picture of the inside of one of the bags. If you are wondering, yes that is clear vinyl. Lining the bags with clear vinyl is an option included in this pattern. Even if you have not worked with clear vinyl before, this pattern will give you all the tips and tricks you need to use it in the bags you will make with this pattern and in all your bag making!

I am sharing this picture just because I love that napping fox! :)

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A New Hoodie for Me

My hoodies were falling apart. This is a problem because I like to wear a hoodie in the morning and evening when the house is a little cooler. I had two hoodies, one had a broken zipper and both had holes in them. Instead of buying a new hoodie though, I decided to make one and I am so glad I did. I made the Sol Hoodie by Jamie Christina.

I was attracted to the Sol Hoodie for its use of ribbon as a trim, the thumb holes in the sleeve cuff and the option of lining the hood. It was a great pattern to make with easy-to-follow instructions that include diagrams. I added a lining to the body of the hoodie because I used light-weight knits and I wanted to make sure it would keep me warm. (The lining of the body was my own addition and not an option with this the pattern.)

 I wanted to showcase the Tula Pink Sprout in Midnight ribbon that I chose, so I used a dark gray heather knit for the hoodie, a light gray heather knit for the lining of the body and a solid aqua knit for the hood lining.

I changed things up a bit with how I added the ribbon trim. The instructions have the trim sewn into the seam with the zipper as well as the front edge seam of the hood; this would mean that part of my ribbon wouldn't be visible because it would be within the seam allowance. I really loved the ribbon I chose and I wanted all of it showing, so I added the ribbon after I sewed those seams and placed it about 1/8" away from the seams.

It was easy to top-stitch the ribbon into place and I liked the extra stability those seams added to the lining layers.

I don't use the thumb holes all the time, but they are great for chilly morning walks with the dog.

When I am not using them, I just tuck the lower half of the cuff up into the sleeve and it wears like a normal hoodie without thumb holes.

As some of you may know, I have two daughters, one who is in college and the other is finishing her senior year of high school. When I said that I was going to make myself a new hoodie, both responded with, "Why not just buy one???" I told them that it would be fun to make one and that it would be my very own - no one else would have one exactly like it. Their responses involved some slight rolling of the eyes and shrugging of the shoulders. Once my hoodie was finished, both my daughters said, "Mom, I really like your hoodie!!!" :) I love showing my daughters that handmade doesn't mean unattractive, it can actually look better than what you buy in the store and the quality is usually better too! 

Have fun sewing!

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Taking a Break from Sewing to Get Things Done

I haven't been writing much recently because I needed a break from sewing for my business to get some other things done.  I did do a little selfish sewing recently and some non-sewing business related to-do's, but I also spent a lot of time with my family too.  If you want to get to know a little more about me and what I do when I am not designing patterns or sewing, read on.

During the holidays, I spent a lot of time with my family.  This year is our youngest daughter, Sarah's last year at home before heading off to college, so my husband and I are enjoying every minute of it that we can.  Our oldest daughter, Megan is in her second year of college at an out-of-state school, so the holidays are a very special family time for us.

I guess we didn't get enough time together during the holidays, because recently my husband, Sarah, our dog Chessie, and I took a road trip to visit Megan at school.  I love road trips!  When I am not driving, one of the things I like to do is crochet.  I have been working on crocheting an afghan for Sarah to take to school with her.  Sarah picked out the yarn, her favorite colors.  Now I just hope I can finish it before this fall.

I have been working on this when I have time for over a year now.  It is almost finished!

We had a great time visiting Megan and letting A LOT of college kids pet Chessie, our goldendoodle.  I have learned that college kids really miss their pets and love to be around anyone's pet.  Fortunately, Chessie loves to be with people, it was very much a win-win! 

A picture from our visit with Megan.  Megan and Sarah are enjoying some ice cream and Chessie was excited to meet EVERYONE!

I will have to admit, I also bring work with me when we travel.  I find that a road trip is a great time to plan for upcoming sewing projects and pattern designs.  I take all my file folders, notebooks, sketchbooks, pens, pencils, iPad, and more in my personal Sidekick Tote.  It works really well with all the pockets to keep me organized and there is plenty of space for everything I need.

My Sidekick Tote is packed and ready to go on a road trip.

Speaking of work, I spent a lot of time recently making sure I had everything organized for filing taxes, not a fun project, so I am happy to be finished with it.  I now have everything set up to be more organized with my business finances for this year - I hope it works and I can stay on top of it! 

My daughters laugh at my "retro" calculator.  I don't think it is that retro and it still works! :)

I have spent some time sewing too!  Our church is putting together School Kits that will be distributed to children whose families don't have the money to buy school supplies and therefore the kids don't go to school.  The school supplies are put into a handmade drawstring backpack.  I love finding ways that I can sew something to donate that makes it possible for kids to be educated around the globe.  I really enjoyed sewing up a few drawstring backpacks for this purpose.  I know the Sunday School kids at our church are going to love filling them with the donated school supplies!  If you are interested, check out the information on sewing the backpacks for these School Kits and see where they go!

Six drawstring backpacks to be filled with school supplies for kids who need them around the world.

I have to admit that I also did some selfish sewing.  We needed new curtains in our bedroom, so I made those as well as some pillows to match.  I am always amazed at how new curtains and a few throw pillows can change the look of a room.  I feel like our bedroom has a very serene, peaceful look to it now - I love it!

It looks so peaceful, it makes me want to take a nap. ;)

Now you know a little more about me and what I have been up to recently.  Currently, I am working on sewing some samples of a new pattern that I designed.  Hopefully I will be ready to share some sneak peeks in a couple of weeks and have the pattern ready for purchase next month!  Thanks for reading - now back to my sewing room!!!

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Grandma G's Just the Ticket Luggage Tags

Grandma G, an accomplished seamstress and photographer, made some Just the Ticket Luggage Tags that I want to share with you.  

Actually, Grandma G wasn't the only one working on making these beautiful luggage tags, it was a bit of a family affair as she explains in her blog post about them.  I love the fabric she used, it is a line her daughter, Jessica Jones, designed called Typography.  The prints go so well together and are perfect for the Just the Ticket Luggage Tag.  

I love how the snaps coordinate so well with the Typography fabric prints!

I am sharing some of the pictures of Grandma G's luggage tags here, but to see more pictures and read about how a whole family can help on sewing day, check out Grandma G's blog post.  

Jessica also shared a wonderful printable luggage tag insert that you can use if you don't have a business card for identification.  Here is the link for the luggage tag inserts so you can print some for yourself.  

The open luggage tag has the luggage tag insert that Jessica designed and shared with us - thanks Jessica!

If you would like to make your own Just the Ticket Luggage Tag and you don't have the pattern yet, you can find it on Craftsy or in my Etsy shop!  I will have to agree with Grandma G, making these luggage tags can be addictive!  Thanks for sharing Grandma G!   

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Adding Some Embellishment to the Just the Ticket Luggage Tag

For those of you lucky ladies with an embroidery machine, I wanted to show you how some of my testers embellished their Just the Ticket Luggage Tags with some great embroidery!  If you are like me and don't have an embroidery machine, there is an idea here for you for embellishing your Just the Ticket Luggage Tag too.  I think the Just the Ticket Luggage Tag looks great showcasing a pattern or design on a piece of fabric, but if you have the capabilities to embroidery, you can use a more plain fabric and showcase the embroidery.

This is a Just the Ticket Luggage Tag that I made.  I don't have an embroidery machine, but I wanted to showcase the elephants in this fabric.

In case you haven't seen the Just the Ticket Luggage Tag before, this luggage tag has a clear vinyl pocket under the flap that a business card fits into perfectly.  The flap covers the vinyl pocket so that your personal information is hidden from view.  A gift card also fits in the vinyl pocket if you want to use it as a gift card holder or you can use it as a gift tag that can then be reused as luggage tag!  

Diane Cullum, of Two Chicklets, made a cheery looking Just the Ticket Luggage Tag in red, white and blue fabrics.  She added a monogram to the flap of the luggage tag, a perfect way to further personalize a luggage tag for yourself or for someone else.  

View fullsize

View fullsize

Sue of Dreamscape Studio made a couple Just the Ticket Luggage Tags.  One has a embroidery design that would appeal to hunters and with its pink camo fabric, female hunters would really love it!  Sue's pretty purple and blue luggage tag doesn't appear to have any embroidery on it, until you lift the flap and there it is, her shop name and logo peeking through the ID window.  How cleaver!

Jenniffer didn't add embroidery to her Just the Ticket Luggage Tag, but instead she added a line of fancy stitching to the flap.  I love how her added stiching coordinates with the fabric that she used for the main part of the luggage tag.  You may recognize the bag that Jenniffer put her Just the Ticket Luggage Tag on - it is her Megan Travel Tote that she made when she tested the Sidekick Tote and Megan Travel Tote pattern for me!  The two look fabulous together!

Linda also added a monogram to the flap of her luggage tag.  I love the purple fabrics she used.  The patterned fabric on the main part of Linda's Just the Ticket Luggage Tag frames the flap and monogram so well!

I want to share another Just the Ticket Luggage Tag that Linda made.  This one looks like it would be perfect for a boy with the Dalek fabric.  It is great to have something to make that is so versatile; it is great for both males and females, adults and kids.

I hope you have seen some ideas here that will inspire you to add some embellishment to your Just the Ticket Luggage Tags!  Please share in the comment section below any ideas you have for embellishing the Just the Ticket Luggage Tag!  If you don't have the Just the Ticket Luggage Tag pattern yet you can purchase it from Craftsy or from my Etsy shop.

Remember to enter the contest to win a Just the Ticket Luggage Tag pattern and/or a Just the Ticket Luggage Tag by commenting on the post on my Uniquely Michelle Facebook Page.  The contest runs until Sunday, December 13th at 5:00pm MST, when I will draw one winner for each prize.  Good Luck!

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The Just the Ticket Luggage Tag - Time for a Giveaway!

My latest pattern, the Just the Ticket Luggage Tag has been available for just over a week, so it must be time for a giveaway!  First though, I want to share some of my testers' beautiful creations.  

Marilyn of Shades of Bold, made this beautiful Just the Ticket Luggage Tag.  I love the fabric she used.  Marilyn used some 10" squares from a layer cake to make her luggage tag.  She had to change the way she cut the fabric for the strap to make it work.  She wrote about testing the Just the Ticket Luggage Tag pattern and how she cut the fabric for the strap in a blog post.

You can see how a business card fits perfectly in the vinyl pocket of the Just the Ticket Luggage Tag.

This pretty and colorful Just the Ticket Luggage Tag that Paula made would be easy to find in a mass of black luggage!  The multi-color stripes make this tag look like it is ready to be used for a tropical get-away.  Doesn't it remind you of a beautiful sunset, on the beach with the turquoise ocean at your feet and . . . okay I'm dreaming now, but if I were going on a beach vacation, this is the luggage tag I would want to put on my luggage! 

Paula was so sweet to make this custom card to go in the vinyl pocket of her Just the Ticket Luggage Tag.  It is a perfect match with the fabric she used!

Carolyn made one Just the Ticket Luggage Tag to test the pattern, but she didn't stop there, she decided they would make great Christmas gifts!  Carolyn's family members are big University of Iowa Hawkeye fans, so she made several using Hawkeye fabric.  She also made a Disney princess luggage tag and a tropical themed luggage tag.  Carolyn said, "Wow, thanks for the pattern!  It is easy, fun and fast and I like to cut 4 of them out at once, then just assembly line sew them."  I'm sure Carolyn's family will love getting her Just the Ticket Luggage Tags for Christmas gifts this year!

You can purchase the Just the Ticket Luggage Tag pattern from Craftsy or from my Etsy shop.  How much fun it would be to make one for everyone on your Christmas list and one for yourself as well!

And now about the giveaway!  If you would like to win a Just the Ticket Luggage Tag pattern and/or an already-made Just the Ticket Luggage Tag, go to my Uniquely Michelle Facebook Page and comment on the post for the contest.  Make sure you tell me in your comment whether you would like to win the pattern, the luggage tag, or both!  This contest will run until Sunday, December 13th at 5:00pm MST when I will draw one winner for each prize.  Good Luck!

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The Just the Ticket Luggage Tag

I am very excited about my new pattern, the Just the Ticket Luggage Tag!  I love it because it is quick and easy to sew and it makes a great gift - just what I am looking for this time of year!

I was inspired to write this pattern when I was writing a post for a fellow pattern designer's blog.  Samantha, of Patterns by Mrs. H, did a blog series for the month of November called the "Big November Destash," so I decided to create a pattern for the post that I contributed that could use up some scrap fabric.  I don't know about you, but I don't like to throw away scraps of fabric, although I find it difficult to come up with a good way to use them.  

The Just the Ticket Luggage Tag is not only a perfect way to use some scraps, but the flap on it is also a great place to showcase a favorite design on a piece of fabric or to add some embroidery.  (I will share some of my testers' Just the Ticket Luggage Tags in the next few days so you can see some great ways to add embroidery.)

I love the ticket-shaped design of this luggage tag.  The vinyl pocket on the Just the Ticket Luggage Tag holds a business card and the flap keeps all your personal information hidden from view.  The sturdy fabric strap can easily loop through the handle on your piece of luggage, while making your luggage easy to spot among everyone else's.  What better way to distinguish your luggage and add some personality at the same time than to add a handmade luggage tag.  

Since making one of these luggage tags is quick and easy, making several for Christmas gifts can easily be accomplished.  One of my testers has already made several for Christmas gifts.  The Just the Ticket Luggage Tags could also double as a fun and unique gift tag on a birthday or Christmas gift or as a gift card holder.  It would be a fun gift to give to newlyweds - a luggage tag to use on their luggage for their honeymoon with a gift card or some cash tucked in the ID pocket to use on their trip!

If you would like to make your own Just the Ticket Luggage Tag, you can find the pattern on Craftsy or in my Etsy shop.  If you would like to read the post I contributed to Mrs. H's Big November Destash, you can check it out here.  I hope you enjoy making one or several Just the Ticket Luggage Tags!

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Destashing - Learning to Love It

A fellow bag pattern designer, Samantha of Sewing Pattern by Mrs. H, is devoting her blog for the month of November to posts about destashing.  I always have such mixed feelings about destashing.  I love my stash of fabrics, they are all my favorites.  But when it comes to using my fabric stash, I struggle with it.  

More than once, I have excitedly gone to my fabric stash with a bag pattern that I can't wait to make.  I start pulling fabrics from my stash, matching up exterior options with lining options and loving every combination I come up with, only to stand back to choose one combination and realize that I can't make myself part with any of the fabrics that I have chosen.

I love this Tula Pink fabric, but I struggle to use it!

This whole exercise has sometimes ended with me returning all my fabric combinations to their places and vowing to try again later.  

Moose and flowers, how fun!  This Art Gallery Fabric is fabulous!

What I always try to remember is that even though it is difficult to think of giving up a favorite fabric to a sewing project, I always love knowing that it will go to someone who will also love it in its new form.  So, I guess destashing is good.  I will admit that I am hoping to really enjoy destashing as the holiday season is approaching and I can give Christmas gifts to some of my favorite people, made from some of my favorite fabrics!  

This beautiful and colorful Alison Glass fabric looks fabulous with so many different fabrics.

If you want some help starting the destashing process and finding some great inspiration and tutorials to help you use some of your favorite fabrics, check out "THE BIG NOVEMBER DESTASHING" blog series by Samantha of Sewing Patterns by Mrs. H.  As I read The Big November Destashing blog series, I was excited and honored to see that two of my patterns were chosen for Samantha's  "20 STASH BUSTING FRIENDLY BAG PATTERNS" blog post!  My recent pattern, the Sidekick Tote and Megan Travel Tote is featured under "Tote Bags" and my Lindsay Wristlet pattern is featured under "Clutches and Wristlets."  

Have fun sewing (and destashing)!

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Time for a Giveaway!

The Sidekick Tote & Megan Travel Tote pattern has been out for over a week now, so it must be time for a giveaway!  But first, I want to share the last of my testers' pictures.  Jenniffer made a gorgeous Megan Travel Tote. She used a solid fabric for the body of the tote which really highlights the sailboat fabric that she used for the exterior pockets.  I love the bright accent fabric she used too!

The picture Jenniffer took of the inside of her Megan Travel tote really shows how large it is.  It looks like she is ready for a day at the beach!  This tote is large enough it could hold an entire family's gear for a day at the beach!

Jenniffer used decorator weight fabric and canvas for the exterior fabrics and quilting cotton for the lining for her Megan Travel Tote.  I love making the Megan Travel Tote with a decorator or canvas weight fabric for the exterior, it makes the tote that much more durable for travel or any adventure!

Did I mention a giveaway?  Yes, I did!  I am giving away two prizes on the Uniquely Michelle Facebook Page -  a free Sidekick & Megan Travel Tote pattern and a $25 gift certificate good at my Uniquely Michelle Etsy shop.  To enter, just go to the Uniquely Michelle Facebook Page and find the post that has information and directions about how to enter the giveaway and leave a comment on that post.  The post should be the first one on the Uniquely Michelle Facebook page!  Good Luck!

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Publicity for the Sidekick Tote & Megan Travel Tote Pattern

I have written quite a bit about the Sidekick Tote and Megan Travel Tote pattern, but sometimes I think it is good to hear about a pattern from someone other than the designer.  Of course I love my pattern - I designed it.  Two of my testers, Marilyn Brandt and Sue Reed did their own write ups about the Sidekick Tote and Megan Travel Tote pattern.  I have already posted pictures of their beautiful totes last week, but I want to share a couple of their pictures again - they both made gorgeous Megan Travel Totes.  

Marilyn wrote about the Sidekick Tote and Megan Travel Tote pattern on her blog, Shades of Bold.  I love how Marilyn used mega paper towel rolls to demonstrate the large size of the Megan Travel Tote!  It is definitely worth looking at Marilyn's blog to see the paper towel picture. :)  Marilyn's Megan Travel Tote is beautiful!

Marilyn's beautiful and classy Megan Travel Tote.

Sue wrote about the Sidekick Tote & Megan Travel Tote pattern on her Facebook page, Dreamscape Studio.  I love Sue's picture of her Megan Travel Tote on the shoulder of a dress form mannequin.  Not only does this picture give you an idea of the size of the tote, but it also shows off the side of the tote.  If I had Sue's Megan Travel Tote, I would be planning a trip just to use it - it is so gorgeous!

Sue's gorgeous Megan Travel Tote.

If you would like to make your own Megan Travel Tote or the smaller version , the Sidekick Tote, you can purchase the pattern from my Etsy shop or from Craftsy.  Have fun creating!

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