Downward Facing Dog

This is my fantastic new yoga bag. I was compelled to make it because I fell in love with the Yoga Dog designs  from Embroidery Library.

I've made this bag pattern before in trade for some work.  It is a free Amy Butler pattern - oh my gosh, no. It is from Sew4Home. They used Amy Butler fabric in the picture.  I made some changes because I wanted to try using two-sided quilted fabric rather than lining the tote. JoAnn's had this pretty batik print.

I bound the seams to provide a neat finish inside. That is not a problem until you start sewing over layers. Stitching two layers of double quilted fabric, plus two layers of folded bias binding, to square the corners was horrific. Arg....I'm surprised that only one needle broke. I wouldn't choose to do it again. Even with the walking foot and the  "jean-a-ma-jig" it was way thick. Oh, and I pounded that seam as well.  


I could not find brown cotton webbing (no patience to order it - had to be NOW) so I used nylon webbing. Just let the iron touch that nylon webbing one little bit and you've learned a BIG lesson.


I do like the bag but the original, lined version is much easier. I could sell the totes if people could afford me. Honestly, if you ONLY consider the cost of the fabric, webbing and the designs  & thread - sure someone would love to buy it. But....now consider the time it takes to make it.  Sewists understand what a dilemma it is to figure out what to charge 


However...I love the generous sized bag. The pattern states -we guarantee good karma for all who tote the tote to class.  How Zen! I did have loads of lovely compliments in my yoga class. Truly, I am considering making some more for yoga friends.

Are you smiling when you look at this? 

I thought so!

Beagle in Camel Pose!

(P.S.  I can do this pose but Kelly does it much better!)

Yoga Bag

  My friend in yoga class has beautiful penmanship. She hand wrote my daughter's wedding invitations.  That made the invitation so sweet and personal.  Charming, huh?

At one time Roz had ask me if she could pay me to to make her a yoga bag.   I am not one to sew much for other people because I have so many things I want to sew for family and friends. I'll never see the end of my list.

But that changed -- I told her I would be happy to make her a bag in exchange for the invitations. 

  Roz uses two yoga mats. She rolls them together. That makes a pretty thick roll. I felt a tube bag was not practical for her. There was my challenge.

I finally found this Yoga Tote pattern on Sew4Home. In fact they have tons of cute patterns.  I added lots of bells and whistles!

I had the perfect fabric, the same denim I used for the goddaughter's laundry bag. Roz is such a fun lady so this bag needed pizazz.  The embroidery, bright lining and some crystals applied to her name helped out. I used a bright shoestring for the lobster clip and for the button closure.

(I hope the picture shows the details. Click to enlarge pictures.)

Actually I love the bag but I was so nervous......would Roz like it? Turns out she seems to love it, whew!  In fact she wouldn't bring it to yoga today because it was raining ;-)   You gotta love that!

This is why sewing is so much fun - no one else has a bag like Roz. I made it step by step. And I feel it is creatively done! Now I want one!