Moved Blog!!

 

Etsy

ByYourSide2009

The blog previously known as “It’s in the Bag!” has moved.  “It’s in the Bag!” has been dissolved.  But not to worry, I have started a new blog for my new business and would appreciate my fans following me there!


Just click here to link to the new blog!  It will be full of fun with tutorials thrown in along the way!  So, come join me there for my latest adventure in accessory design!


~Michele

More “Tiny t” Handbags!

Just a short post to show off some more “Tiny t” handbags that I picked up from ***** today.

Aren’t they cute?!

We did some fabric shopping too, so there will be more pictures to come!

We have a New & Improved “*****” & “Brittney” and will be presenting the new “Daisy Mae” apron! So, check back to see all of the new purses and aprons.

I better get going, I have a full weekend of sewing ahead!

The Debut of The “Tiny t” Handbag!

Handbag version of our popular “Topanga” sling bag!

Finally enough sun to take some pictures!!

The “Tiny t” is a smaller handbag version of the “Topanga” sling bag. She is approximately 11.5” across, 15.5” from the bottom of the strap to the bottom of the purse and the drop is 14” from shoulder to the bottom of the strap.

The “Tiny t” is fully reversible & lined with a complimentary fabric! She will hold more than you expect and has two side pockets for the smaller “stuff”.

So, let us know what you think!!! We hope the “Tiny t” will be as popular as the “Topanga”!

New Layout!!

I am so excited!!So, here is our new layout, what do you all think? I am so happy with it and think this new layout fits “It’s in the Bag!” so well.

All my thanks go out to Jen at Jenieshell’s Design Challenge!! Jen has perhaps the coolest tech blog ever, easy to understand, awesome tutorials and plenty of freebies!

I learned how to make a blog button with scroll box, so people can grab it and place it on their blog, also how to make a scrolling blog button box and Jen also provided this cool new layout!

So, if you are in the mood for a change or maybe just want to spiff things up a bit a visit to Jenieshell’s Design Challenge is a must!

Leave us a comment and let us know what you think of our new & improved look!

A Felting or Boiled Wool Tutorial

As done by ***** & Michele…

The following are our “hints” on how to achieve a satisfactory result for you felted or boiled wool project. ***** & I use the term “felted”, so I will be using it in the following tutorial.

Felting is a process by which you take a knitted project and basically shrink it, no longer being able to see the knitted stitches. This process creates a dense fabric, roughly 30% smaller than the original size.

We will be felting a purse. ***** & I like simple patterns, details can get lost during the felting process. Make sure that the yarn you are using is 100% wool (not washable wool), and that it is knit on at least size 10 needles. Also, keep in mind darker colors felt faster than lighter colors and some white wools will not felt at all.

Above is the knitted purse before felting, notice you can see the stitches. Fun~Fur was added as a tag-along with the blue wool along the bottom and top of the purse.

Next You will want to toss the purse in your top-loading washer.

Select the hottest water temperature, the lowest water level and the fastest agitation. You will need as much friction as possible, so you may need to throw in a pair of jeans. You may also need to add boiling water if you notice the process not moving along.

Let the purse run through the wash cycle, checking often to see how it’s progressing. Do not close the lid!!! My washer will not continue on to the rinse cycle with the lid up, and you do not want to go to the rinse cycle!

Once you can no longer see the stitches, lightly squeeze out excess water and remove purse from the washer.

Lay out on a towel and then…

Stomp, stomp, stomp out the excess water.(Gosh, I need some sun!)

Next you will stuff…

And shape…

Let dry, this can take one day or several, depending on the conditions of the room. Flip purse periodically and change the towel when damp.

Once your purse is dry, it’s time to trim and shave! Yes, I said shave, Audra and I believe this adds to the finished look of the final product.

Your purse will be a “FUZZY BEAST”, as ***** likes to say! Don’t be scared apply pressure while shaving and shave in all directions (the dollar store is great for razors). Trim handles and hard to shave areas, avoiding the areas with the Fun-Fur.

Well, there you have it, you are done!! You can leave as is or embellish.It’s really easy and a lot of fun!

See the difference in size?!

Felting is great for a beginning knitter, mistakes are hidden and gauge is not important.

But, if you are a complete control freak and do not like any surprises, this may not be for you.

All of the above purses are the same pattern, knit by me, felted at the same time in the same washer, and all are different! That is the fun of felting!!

I like this site, Knitting Pattern Central, they have a lot of cool free patterns.

So, ***** & I hope that this helps, if something isn’t clear or you have questions just leave a comment and I will reply!!!

~Michele

**Checkout our Photo Albums on the right to see examples of finished felted projects!

Introducing The “Phatty Matty” Bag!

The perfect bag for every little girl…

***** has been a busy little bee!

The “Phatty Matty” is the perfect bag for every little girl! The perfect size for her books, color books or maybe a couple of friends!

Machine washable & 100% cotton the “Phatty Matty” is made with two fat-quarters - that’s the Phat part and Matty is after my fat dog!

Every “Phatty Matty” is lined with a complimentary fabric and has a matching grosgrain handle.

So, let us know what you think!

~Michele

Coming soon The New & Improved “Brittney” Bag!

The Great Northwest!

Not even an hour later!!

Need I say more? I’ll leave it at that!

~Michele