Wednesday Wings from Bags of a Feather- Toucans

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Wendy

This weeks’ installment of Wednesday Wings From Bags of a Feather features toucans!

Keel-billed toucan

Toucans and toucannettes are parrots native to Latin America, and are instantly recognizable by their enormous beaks. In some species of toucans, the beak measures more than half the length of the body. Despite its size, the toucan’s bill is very light, being composed of bone struts filled with spongy tissue of keratin between them. They eat mostly fruit, but will also eat small lizards and insects, and sometimes raid the nests of smaller bird species for the eggs.

Keel-Billed Toucan

Toucans dwell in hollowed-out cavities of trees excavated by other animals such as woodpeckers—the toucan bill has very limited use as an excavation tool. When the eggs hatch, the young emerge completely naked, without any down. Toucans are resident breeders and do not migrate. Toucans are usually found in pairs or small flocks. They sometimes fence with their bills and wrestle, which scientists hypothesize they do to establish dominance hierarchies.

Toucans kept in captivity need large aviaries or flights to provide the exercise they need. They can be very curious and will try to eat almost anything.

Nesting red-breasted toucan

Toucan fabric can be hard to find. I am always on the lookout for unusual parrot or bird fabrics, including toucans. I do have some beautiful toucan fabric coasters in my etsy shop:

Toucan Fabric Coaster Set

Spring Cleaning Your Sewing Machine

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Wendy

iStock Photo- sewing machine by Sergey Belov

Spring is the perfect time to clean your hard-working sewing machine. Periodic cleaning and preventative care and maintenance is important to keep your sewing machine in good working order. If you use your sewing machine frequently, dust, lint, or bits of thread can get stuck inside the machine and cause it to jam or work harder than necessary.

Many older sewing machines have specific maintenance and cleaning instructions for removing dust and lint, and for oiling specific machine parts to lubricate moving or rotating parts. This simple maintenance will protect connecting metal parts from excessive wear and tear and ensure freedom of movement.

Unplug your sewing machine.
Remove the needle and sewing machine foot, and unscrew the throat plate on the machine.
Use a small lint brush to remove pieces of thread, lint, or dust inside the machine. Use if canned, compressed air is not recommended as it could blow dust further into the machine.
Refer to your individual sewing machine manual for specific instructions for oiling your machine.
Check the foot pedal for any accumulated dust or pieces of thread, especially if is resting on a carpeted surface.
Replace the throat plate, sewing machine foot, and needle.

Some older sewing machine manuals might contain more detailed instructions for cleaning and oiling the tension discs, bobbin case, or slide plate. Newer sewing machines have fewer owner maintenance instructions, and recommend that the machine be professionally serviced at a local sewing machine dealer..

Most sewing machine dealers offer periodic professional check-ups and cleanings to help keep your machine in top shape, and to avoid voiding the manufacturer’s warranty through improper care.

A few minutes of basic spring cleaning and preventative maintenance will allow you to enjoy your sewing machine for this spring and many years to come.

All About Anti Tarnish Silvercloth

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Wendy

Silvercloth or anti-tarnish cloth is a special fabric is made from heavy weight 100% cotton flannel. The cloth is impregnated with a non-toxic tarnish preventing compound. Silver surfaces attract sulfur, which in turn causes silver objects to develop tarnish. Silver anti-tarnish cloths contain either small particles of zinc or silver. They absorb sulfur before the surface of the protected silver object does, preventing tarnish. Silvercloth will not lose its effectiveness unless it is wet or washed.

Many companies sell anti-tarnish cloth by the yard so that it can be cut to size for storage of individual pieces of jewelry or silver serving dishes. Some people seal small pieces of the cloth inside plastic bags to store jewelry, or cut larger pieces to wrap silver serving platters or dishes. Other uses for silvercloth include lining silver storage drawers, jewelry boxes, and cabinets.

Anti tarnish Silverware Box

This product can either eliminate or greatly reduce the need to polish silver. This is an excellent idea if you have a lot of silver jewelry, especially with intricate designs or small stones. Turquoise and silver American Indian jewelry can be hard to polish without getting the chemicals on the turquoise.

I have a section in my Bags of a Feather etsy shop with a selection of jewelry bags that have either an inside lining or inner pocket made of anti-tarnish silver cloth. This unique design from Bags of a Feather features an inner lining or pocket made of a dark gray flannel anti-tarnish silver cloth fabric. This jewelry pouch or zipper pouch makes the perfect storage or travel bag for silver earrings, bracelets, rings, or necklaces. For an extra surprise gift, tuck a special piece of silver jewelry inside the pouch!

Antique bird print anti-tarnish jewelry pouch

Wallpaper Bird Nest Stripe Anti-tarnish Jewelry Pouch

Butterfly Jewels Pouch with anti-tarnish inner pocket

Birdsong Garden Anti-tarnish Jewelry Pouch

I recently purchased some silvercloth in a deep royal blue color, and will be making some new bags with the blue lining, as well as more pouches with the dark gray linings. Custom orders are always welcome!

Blue anti-tarnish silvercloth

Some New Things From Bags of a Feather

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Wendy

100% Organic Cotton Forest Animals pouch with anti-tarnish lining

Although I have not been doing a lot of sewing lately, I still have been slowly whittling away at the pile of bags all cut out, interfaced, and ready to put together. I usually get a burst of sewing “inspiration” and cut out the outer sections, linings, and interfacing for approximately 6-9 bags at one time. Sometimes I will fuse the interfacing all in one shot, and then put the pile next to the sewing machine until I am further motivated to begin sewing them together. It is rare that I cut out, interface, and sew a bag from start to finish in one shot. I do like to have something that is ready to assemble when I get the urge to sew something.

With over 150 available items in the Bags of a Feather etsy shop, I usually don’t feel a a great sense of urgency to frantically sew up new things. It is nice to use new fabrics, or to find a treasure among my fabric stash that is just begging to be sewn into something new and different. I like to play it by ear, and sew when I feel like it, and not try to turn sewing into a chore or a big production effort. That is just no fun!

Here are a few new things that I have recently listed in my etsy shop (click on the picture to go to the etsy listing and more pictures and descriptions):

Hand-dyed Pink and Purple Zipper Pouch

Linen and Cotton Bird print Jewelry Pouch with anti-tarnish lining

Retro Fruit Stand Cellphone Pouch or Coin Purse

Random Glimpses Into the Bags of a Feather Studio

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Wendy

A pictorial glimpse into the inner workings at Bags of a Feather, including the mess created by cutting up pieces of fabric and sewing them back together. Most of the following pictures were taken a couple of years ago and sent to an online venue for approval as a “certified handmade artisan” designation. I passed with flying colors- they determined that I was not a factory that was mass-producing bags all day long and passing them off as handmade.

It is messy at times, but I usually know where everything is. Sewing supplies take up a lot of room, especially when you just cannot say no to a beautiful new piece of fabric or a length of unique ribbon!

Sewing a bag lining on the trusty Janome sewing machine

Sewing thread and ribbon and cord storage

Fabrics for a coaster set and ironing area

Thread, bobbin holders, pinking shears and a big bag of zippers

Thinking Spring!

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Wendy

It is the last week of February, and right around this time of year, the winter seems like it will never end! The cold weather, snow, and ice having been hanging around since November, which is going on 5 months now. The huge piles of snow are dirty and slushy and seem to take forever to melt. Enough, already! I don’t know about you, but I am thinking SPRING!

Singing yellow warbler

Two years ago, a robin built her nest in a large holly bush right outside the bedroom window, and it was thrilling to see the eggs hatch and the babies fledge and take flight.

Robin chicks and eggs

Soon the great spring migration of birds will begin, and the goldfinches will lose their drab winter colors and molt some beautiful golden yellow feathers.

Padded Jewelry Bag with Anti Tarnish Inner Pocket in Goldfinch Bird Print

: Tree Full of Finches

I have a lot of bird fabric creations in my Bags of a Feather etsy shop. Here are a few favorites (click on the pictures below for more details):

Bird and Dogwood Blossoms Zipper pouch

Red Feathered Friends zipper pouch

Vibrant Meadow and Bird zipper pouch

Tiny Sparrow Anti-tarnish Jewelery Pouch

Bird Nest Stripe Anti-tarnish Jewelry pouch

Antique bird print anti-tarnish jewelry pouch

It is also a great time to be thinking about gardening, even though the garden is still buried under about 2 feet of snow. The best antidote for cabin fever this time of year is to get out the glossy seed catalogs and dream of new things to try in the garden this year.

Orange mums

Only a few more weeks to go- can’t wait for spring!

Clearance Sale on all Totes, Wristlets, and Shoulder Bags in the Bags of a Feather Etsy Shop

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Wendy

I have decided to clear out all of the larger tote bags, purses, and wristlets in my Bags of a Feather etsy shop, and have marked them wayyyyyyy down (30 to 50% off) from the original prices. Most of the larger tote bags were originally priced at $39.00 to $42.00 and are now priced at $19.00 to $22.00. The wristlets were $19.00, and are now marked down to $12.00.

Click here to go directly to the SALE-Totes/Wristlets section of my etsy shop, where the items are already marked down.

Tote Bag Display

The larger bags have never been very good sellers for me, and they involve a lot of time and fabric to make. I will make them as special orders if someone requests one, but I do not plan to offer them as a regular item in my shop in the future. Plus, I am tired of looking at them hanging on their special wooden craft show display rack, unloved and unwanted.

Birds of Norway Fabric Storage Bin

So this is a golden opportunity to buy something for yourself or as a gift for a friend. I am keeping several for myself- they are handy to haul stuff around in, like lunches, ipads, water bottles, etc. Plus they can be washed if they get dirty.

Penguin Batik Wristlet

These bags were fun to make, but it’s time to move on to other things and move them out of my sewing room!

Happy shopping!

More New Anti-tarnish Jewelry Bags From Bags of a Feather

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Wendy

Some more new anti-tarnish jewelry bags from Bags of a Feather!

Red and White Gingko Blossom Anti-tarnish jewelry pouch

I have been making all different sizes, including some small ones that would make lovely, reusable gift card holders or special bridesmaid gifts with a piece of silver jewelry tucked inside. These jewelry bags are also great for silver coins or cosmetics or cellphones.

Pink Floral Anti-tarnish Jewelry Pouch

This unique design from Bags of a Feather features an inner lining made completely of a dark gray flannel anti-tarnish silver cloth fabric. This jewelry pouch or zipper pouch makes the perfect travel or storage bag for silver earrings, bracelets, rings, or necklaces.

Millefiori Mediterranean Print Anti-tarnish jewelry pouch

Check out the complete selection of my anti-tarnish jewelry bags here. I am always working on new things, and if you see another fabric in my shop that you would like to have made as an anti-tarnish jewelery bag, just send me a message and let me know what you are looking for.

Purple and Black Bird Anti-tarnish jewelry pouch

Valentine’s Day fabrics for fun and romantic sewing projects

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Wendy

With Valentine’s Day rapidly approaching, it is the perfect time to be thinking about sewing up some quick and easy projects for your home or for your special someone.

Here is an article I wrote for the Springfield Sewing examiner.com page that features a colorful slideshow of some fun Valentine’s Day fabrics. There are also links in the article for project ideas such as a simple Valentine’s Day heart sachet, as well as free pattern downloads for wallhangings and banners. From hearts to candy kisses to a box of chocolates, there is something for everyone!

Robert Kaufman fabrics

Bernatex fabrics

Timeless treasures

Wednesday Wings from Bags of a Feather- Owls!

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Wendy

Another post in the continuing series of Wednesday Wings from Bags of a Feather.

This week’s featured bird is the owl.

Snowy Owl picture

We live on the edge of 12,000 acres of undeveloped watershed property, and there are a lot of owls in the woods. We can hear them calling to each other on warm summer nights and winter afternoons, and if we are lucky, actually catch a glimpse of one once in a while. During the winter months it gets dark by 5 PM or so, and every week or so, an owl will decide that the parrots by the windows downstairs look like an easy target and tasty snack. They will dive at high speed and then crash into the glass windows with a loud thump, which startles humans and bird alike. So far, we have been lucky not to have any damaged windows or injured owls. I have started covering the backs of the cages at dusk to avoid temptation.

Owl Facts From Wikipedia:

“Owls are a group of birds that belong to the order Strigiformes, constituting 200 extant bird of prey species. Most are solitary and nocturnal, with some exceptions (e.g., the Northern Hawk Owl). Owls hunt mostly small mammals, insects, and other birds, although a few species specialize in hunting fish. They are found in all regions of the Earth except Antarctica, most of Greenland and some remote islands. Though owls are typically solitary, the literary collective noun for a group of owls is a parliament. Owls are characterized by their small beaks and wide faces, and are divided into two families: the typical owls, Strigidae; and the barn-owls, Tytonidae.

Most owls share an innate ability to fly almost silently and also more slowly in comparison to other birds of prey. Most owls live a mainly nocturnal lifestyle and being able to fly without making any noise gives them a strong advantage over their prey that are listening for any sign of noise in the dark night.”

Yawning Owl

Owl fabric creations from Bags of a Feather:

Anti Tarnish Jewelry Bag in Sage Owls Print

Midnight Owl Padded Zipper pouch

Visit my etsy shop and use the coupon code OWLBAGS at checkout to receive 15% off any purchase (not including shipping).

BagsOfAFeather

Avuan and nature-inspired fabric creations

Category Archives: Sewing