Celebrating Corduroy Again

Last year, for the first time ever, I learned of Corduroy Appreciation Day. It got extra special attention last year because it was 11-11-11, an extra high holy day of corduroy.

Still, I was surprised I hadn't heard of it before, especially since 11-11 is also my birthday so, ya know, I pay attention to the date. Last year, in observance of the day, I made K a corduroy dress.



This year, I didn't think of it soon enough to make something big (the holidays always sneak up on you, don't they?). But I still wanted to celebrate in some way, so I dug through my small stash of corduroy and made this sunglasses case.



The pattern is from Sue Kim's book, Bags: The Modern Classics, which I highly recommend. I've made the Elegance Pleated Clutch from the book, and I have many more of these patterns on my sewing wish list.



The main fabric is Mod Blooms by Patty Young for Michael Miller and the flap fabric is from the Happy Together collection by Timeless Treasures, a leftover from the Music Class Skirt I made a while back. I love the variety of fabrics available these days.



Sadly, when I googled Corduroy Day today, I found that The Corduroy Appreciation Club has disbanded. I believe I shall continue to appreciate this fabric, even if there is no longer official club dedicated to it. Vive le corduroy!

Elegance Pleated Clutch

This weekend I finished up the Elegance Pleated Clutch from Bags: The Modern Classics by Sue Kim. I love the patterns in this book! I think the bags are fantastic and her fabric choices are wonderful. I checked this book out twice from the library, which took a while because there was a reserve list a mile long. Neither time did I actually have time to sew anything from it, so I decided to treat myself and buy my own copy.



The only problem I encountered with this project was my own stupid fault. The magnetic snap I first installed was ridiculously strong. Like I had to use a butter knife and pliers to get it apart STRONG. I bought these snaps several years ago when the Joann's in town went out of business, so they've been sitting around for quite awhile. Of course I had trouble getting them apart when I took them out of the packaging, but for some reason I thought they would be easier to get apart after they were in the fabric (better leverage?). Obviously, that was not the case. Maybe I need to revisit second grade science class and get a refresher course on how magnets work (i.e. they don't become less attracted to each other, just because they've been snapped into fabric!). Luckily I found a new set of magnetic snaps that fit in the same holes and I was good to go!



The fabric is from the Parisville collection by Tula Pink. It's another one of those fabrics I've been hoarding for just the right project. I had thought about using another coordinating fabric for the outside flap or side panels, but loved this print so much I wanted to use it everywhere. The lining is another print from the collection. And the button is just something I had in my sewing box- love it when I can use what I already have and don't need to run out and buy something special!





And I managed to finish this in time to participate in Purse Palooza! How can you not want to make yourself a new bag with all this inspiration flying around the blogs?! I have one more pattern in mind I'd like to make before the Palooza ends, but that may be a pipe dream. With so many other things going on in the summer, it's hard to find time to sew. Wish me luck!