How things eventually come together

Around these parts, things rarely happen in a linear, organised fashion. It's all multi-tasking, juggling too many ideas and not enough time, dodging unforseens, managing minor crises and drawing wildcards... and no lists. Most people who see this in action wonder how anything gets done at all.
But they do. All it sometimes takes is a few hours in the studio on my own, with no interruptions. Weeks of half-started projects are completed, photographed and hung in the showroom. Gosh, sometimes they're even Photoshopped and blogged.

(This felted wool number is my Sling bag pattern, with a bit of a ruffly rose made from the off-cut selvedge. I also altered the strap to put a big shiny ring in it. Fabric was a bargain from GJ's).

And HOW LOVELY to see a completed nest of A-line skirt samples - sizes 8-18 (US size 6-16?). My only disappointment was that I made this panel feature on the size 18 instead of in my size.
This pattern is currently being tested by lots of lovely gals, and will hopefully be ready in time for the Quilt and Craft Fair in Melbourne.
My patchwork experiments have been put to use in a few bags and purses. I tried to blend the craftsy look with a bit of street-smart topstitched denim and a few sharp lines. My Day Bag pattern was a good 'blank canvas' to play on...And I made the Day Bag as a satchel, in soft and fuzzy woolly Rathdowne Remnants bargain fabric with more patchwork and a few (..ahem... strategically placed) bits of leather.

This 150mm Frame Purse (below) makes the pretence that what is revealed by the cut-away area is indeed worth featuring (??) but it was a little idea I've had in my head for a while, so it was good to get it out.
And sometimes, to finish off a good finishing session, I just have to start something else...I made this Chunky Purse with some machine-knitted "learning experience" pieces. There was an awful lot of chopping and stitching bits on, until it resembled a rose-ish sort of thing.

It took ages. I nearly gave up and binned it a few times... and then poof! It appeared! As if by magic. (I only wish I'd done it in a colour that's easier to photograph.)

After that, I needed a super-quick-fix, so whipped up a Party Purse in the same knitted fabric - this time using the reverse side (ok.. so I accidentally interfaced the right side of fabric...As the wee girl says after embarrassing interruptions, "Let's continue...").

I slapped on a few randomly cut bits of felted jumper (sweater) with a few rows of top-stitching. Voila! FINISHED PURSE! (...and might I say, finished in an organised, linear fashion..?)
School starts again tomorrow, so hopefully there will be less distractions and more coming-together-of-things.

Gosh, I might even be organised in time for the Quilt Fair ....Who'd a thunk it?

Note to all the people who ask me where to get the patterns, purse frames, interfacing or hardware featured in my blog posts:
Please click on the highlighted text. It takes forever to put all the links in for you - please use them. :)