Not A Primary Color

If you regularly have cold feet and you’re looking for a scrap busting project, make these. For a quilting project, they sewed up pretty quickly and would make great gifts.

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PATTERN: Quilted Slippers by Sew DIY, view A Booties

FABRIC: boro stripe in flax (main), speckled linen cotton blend (lining), Big Sur Canvas (sole), leftover batting

SIZE: B – I wear US women’s size 6 shoe but used the finished measurements chart to select size

MODS: made the opening about an 1″ wider. I did this for two reasons; it was a little challenging to get my foot in and I couldn’t attach the lining and exterior together because it wouldn’t fit around the arm of my machine.

Listened to ‘So you want to talk about race’ by Ijeoma Oluo while making these.

This post had to start off with my color inspiration for my Slabtown, which was another Klum House bag. I finished this Fremont Tote in early May and it’s the perfect day bag.

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It has two exterior pockets that are perfect for my phone and a mask, plus a d-ring to clip my keys to. It has a small interior pocket for my wallet and sanitizing wipes, and a spacious main compartment for other essentials. Enough room for a book, sketchbook, planner, snacks, sunglasses, etc. – it’s really the perfect size.

I purchased the Fremont Full Maker Kit, which included all of the hardware (brass), pre-cut and marked waxed canvas and lining (natural), and pre-cut and punched leather (tan).

This greenish gray waxed canvas has been in my stash for years, I honestly don’t remember what I bought it for, but it felt like the perfect accent fabric. Once Klum House reached out to see if I’d be up for making the Slabtown (duh), I knew I would have to make a matching backpack. The pair will be a great travel set in the future (I hope… please wear a mask).

I also decided to add a monogram leather tab to play with my Leather Stamps Kit.

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KH Full Maker Kits are so good. They include EVERYTHING and you can also purchase the necessary tools. I’m not sure if the full maker kit comes with the pattern, but I received it since the lovely KH folx knew I needed to cut my accent. The instruction booklet also comes with labels so you can keep track of everything.

It’s really easy to agonize over the color combinations available. Klum House even released a few new colors (hi, field tan) with the Slabtown release. But I stuck to my matching set plan and was gifted the Slabtown Full Maker Kit, the felt strap expansion pack, and class in mid-May.

I gained access to the class before my kit arrived and watched the whole thing that same evening. It’s comprehensive, digestible, and Ellie is delightful. It makes the whole experience really approachable and fun.

I’m really happy I bought the Bakelite Mallet from Klum House and this Mini Anvil from Blackbird fabrics. They’re great for setting rivets, snaps, and jeans buttons.

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Side panels constructed and ready for hardware. What the backside of tubular rivets look like.

Each step in this project is so rewarding. Here’s my fully constructed front. I ended up adding another line of topstitching on the hidden pocket zipper because there was about an 1/8″ of raw edges peeking into my front pocket. My accent fabric was surprisingly stretchy.

I used the interior pocket from my Fremont kit. It was leftover because I ended up using the greenish gray waxed canvas. I guessed at its placement and it worked out great!

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Front and back become one, then on to boxed corners! The seams are finished with twill tape and once again Klum House shares some extremely helpful construction tips.

Once the rolltop is on, the last step is adding the straps!

The strap reinforcement leather is the perfect place to personalize with stamps.

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Although there are other parts of my Slabtown that aren’t perfect, the way I messed up the straps is super disappointing. All of the leather is pre-punched for you, but if you get the felt expansion pack you’ll need to punch four holes in your straps. And I punched one of them 1/2″ off. GAH.

My solution was to add this silly little leather loop. I will eventually add a brass key ring so I can clip my keys to it. I guess it’s better than a random hole?

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I’m so happy with these bags. Klum House provides you with the most complete and caring experience with their kits. I cannot recommend their patterns and products enough. It blows my mind that I made these.

The Slabtown launch sale end June 30th, so go get it!

A mask is not a restriction of your freedom. It’s a simple courtesy. If you’re out, wear one.

PATTERN: State the Label

Ok, I don’t have any photos with these two patterns worn together, but trust me – it’s the perfect combo.

Made this Seamwork Bo out of Washed linen in Cactus from Blackbird Fabrics.

And made the Seamwork Joss pants out of some natural linen that might be from Joann Fabrics.

I made size 6 for both patterns. I shortened the crotch depth by 1″ and the legs by 2″ on the Joss pants and raised the neckline a teeny bit on Bo. I could probably size down to a 2 for Bo, but I was lazy and already had a 6 cut out. I’m planning to make the Joss pants again out some wide striped fabric. I’ve been wearing both a lot.

ACCESSORIES: Tree Fairfax half moon bag, Avery Williamson earrings, thrifted clogs, and Inari Tee.

I’ve been in a making funk lately. Maybe it’s the weather, maybe it’s because work life isn’t killing my soul and I don’t need an outlet as much anymore. I don’t necessarily feel bad about it, it’s just weird to have lazy hands.

I started writing this post well before COVID-19, but now I’m in even more of a personal making funk. I want to make things but my brain is really scattered and I’m finding the process not as satisfying.

I’m so grateful for my job, our house, food, the company of my husband and dog, and our current good health. I hope you have what you need during this weird and scary time and you are able to find some peace in making right now, or know it’s okay to take a break . Now on to the make details since I find looking at other’s makes a nice distraction.

My first LB Pullover was made out of this super textural woven cotton I found at Bolt. I can’t find it on their website, but check them out anyway – they have a lot of amazing fabrics and if we’re able, we should support small fabric stores right now.

The second version I made used this drool-worthy jersey knit from North of West, another great small PDX business. The sister duo occasionally hosts warehouse sales where you can scoop up yards of fun fabric. I purchased three fabric bundles which had well over 12 yards of fabric! If you’re interested in scoring some of their fabric, follow them on Instagram and hopefully in the near future we can all meet up at their warehouse.

The third and fourth versions also used North of West fabric. The cream squiggle print is a yummy terry. The other black version I made for my mom.

PATTERN – LB Pullover by Paper Theory

FABRICS – see above

SIZE – 8 for myself, 6 for my mom

MODS – none

The LB Pullover is a great basic pattern – perfect for beginners, or if you’re wanting a quick and satisfying sew. I’m pretty much living in these right now.