Feels Like Forever!

Hello all my wonderful sewing friends! I was literally so excited to write this Blog post because I finally have something super fun to share with you that I made, and I feel like it’s been forever that I’ve been truly excited to sew again!

I definitely was in a big sewing slump, which happens to all of us and normally it’s no big deal, you know you’ll snap out of it eventually and get back to business…but this felt different, it felt more ummmm, permanent, for lack of a better word. I had absolutely no desire to sew, I wasn’t missing it, when I’d think about it, I felt very neutral, like it didn’t really matter to me if I ever sewed again…….and I didn’t like it! So I did the only thing I could think of….I forced myself to sew!!!!! I didn’t allow myself much thinking time, I just sat my butt down and got to sewing, and for the first bit I wasn’t even enjoying it, but I didn’t allow myself to stop. I put on a favourite movie, 4 Weddings and a Funeral in case you’re curious lol, and just sewed.

It took awhile but eventually the “feels” were slowing creeping in, especially as I was nearing the end of the project. Once I was finished, I sat back to admire my project and literally burst into tears, but happy tears…..”proud of me” tears! I really can’t express how close it felt to me that I was giving up for good so I’m super proud that I bullied myself back into it lol! I’m so back at it that I’ve already finished 2 other projects lol….gosh it feels good to say that!!!!

Ok so let me share what I made! This project was much needed…..a new bag for myself! I hadn’t made a new bag for me since my Hocus Pocus Halloween bag, which I carried well after Halloween cause I loved it so much! I considered making a Christmas themed one but that never happened, not this year anyway lol! So, January arrived and my trip to BC was coming up quick, so what does one do…..you start making a new bag the week you’re leaving lol! My initial thought was that I’d take it with me but I quickly dismissed that as I didn’t want to take up precious space in my carry on. I got the 2 exterior panels completed before my trip and that’s where I left it so when I forced myself into my sewing room that day, this was the perfect project to work on because it was all set to go, everything was already prepped so it was simply a matter of turning my machine on and away I went, begrudgingly lol!

This is the pattern I was making, the Deskasow Organiser by Country Cow Designs. This is the first time I’ve ever used one of their patterns so I was curious and hopeful that I would enjoy their process. Before I share my thoughts on the pattern, I’d love to share my completed bag with you!

Lol……well hello there hippos!!!! Isn’t this bag just so much fun, can you even look at it without smiling, because I certainly can’t! I knew as soon as we got in the My Hippos Don’t Lie that I would be making something with it and it was gonna be fun….so a bag it is lol! Listen, I’ve told you before that I dress quite plain, usually all black so I like to add in fun prints, and colour, in my footwear and my bags, that’s my comfort zone so hippos it is lol!

Ok so now my thoughts on the bag, here we go lol! I didn’t 100% love the pattern!!! It wasn’t the worst pattern I’ve ever made, my goodness, not even close but a couple of the steps seemed just unneccesary….as in, there has to be an easier way to do this! I sometimes feel that designers want their pattern to be so different/unique (obviously lol) that they come up with a new way to do a step but it’s really not a great way to do that step lol!!!! I know I’m sounding judgmental but this is strictly my own opinion, and I’m no one lol! I’m sure there’s tons of you out there that love this design and designer and that’s fabulous! We’re all different and we don’t have to like everything the same because wouldn’t that be boring lol! I won’t go into the specifics of which parts I didn’t enjoy because I’m not here to bash the bag or designer, again, I’m happy with my finished bag and I will carry those funny little hippos around with pride!

Tell me, are you a bagmaker that loves Country Cow Designs? If so, what’s your favourite pattern? I’d love to try another one of their pattens but not sure which one!

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead! Cheers my friends, and Happy Sewing!

Shawna