Sew Sew Awesome Gift! // Sew Sew Modern Swap

Round 3 of Sew Sew Modern handmade swap is already well under way. I will be sitting this round out since I have been so busy. I finished my partners items and received my items for Round 2 over a month ago, but am just now getting around to sharing.

Sew Sew Modern Sent

When I received my partner assignment for Round 2 I shouted with joy, because I knew her! Amanda at A Crafty Fox and Westwood Acres has shared a few tutorials for Pile O' Fabric and has been a great friend since I started blogging. Interestingly when it comes to fabric choices and style Amanda and I are almost opposites. I love to use all solids, or at least some solids, however Amanda prefers to use prints. I knew this would present a wonderful fun challenge. When I begin pulling fabrics for her item I already started to struggle. Amanda owns a fantastic fabric shop and I figured if I purchased one of her custom bundles she would have to love it since she put the bundle together herself, haha. I was getting ready to put my order in when I got an email from Amanda about doing a little handmade swap between the two of us with favorite fabrics from our stash. At this time Amanda had no clue I was her partner for Sew Sew Modern, so I thought what a perfect opportunity! We met in person for lunch while she was visiting town and exchanged some of our favorite stash scraps and fabrics with the plan to make whatever inspired us from the fabric. Being in a total bag mood lately I decided to make Amanda a tote.

For the sides of the bag I made paper pieced strips just like I did in the Broken Arrow Block for the Skill Builder BOM. One side of the bag had one feather unit and the other side had two. Amanda had mentioned one of her precious favorites in the bundle of scraps she gave me were the little china dolls so I made sure to include those. I used dark denim for the handles and tote base, and Anna Maria Horner for the sides.

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I had a really fun time incorporating hardware into the design of the bag. I know that hardware seems a little intimidating, but it is actually really easy to use and I feel adds class to a bag. I bought most of my hardware at Joann's, but recently found a new favorite place which has a great selection.

I was in such a hurry (as usual) to get her gift in the mail I forget to take photos of the whole package I sent her. I sent the tote bag, a matching little zipper pouch, and clover clips. It was a great learning experience and I always love making surprise hand made gifts.

Sew Sew Modern Received

The Sew Sew Modern swap is by far the best swap I have ever participated in. The swappers have serious talent and the items everyone makes are always so generous. For round 1 I received a weekender bag, and this time I received a new beautiful sewing machine cover and bucket.   I don't have any good photos with it on my Juki, because there is a window right behind my machine and I keep getting a glare, so I took so photos of it on its own. It fit's the Juki perfectly and looks so pretty.     I was so excited to see that the maker of these beautiful gifts was someone I actually know! Pam and I met at the Skill Builder BOM dinner in Austin, Texas, so it is so special to actually know the beautiful woman who put love into this gift! I am always ohhing and awwing over everything Pam makes, lately she has been making awesome pillows which you have to check out on flickr! Pam definitely captured my style to the T with these gift and I cannot thank her enough!!

Alyssa