
I made a tote bag this week. It was an order from my sister, I will add it to the shop and make another if ordered. I am also going to make her a camera case, ditto with this. She wanted a plain black bag to use for everyday. As she knows, I don't do plain black, so I have added a machine embroidered bird on one side and cat on the other. The lining is an old pillowcase, I bought it from the op-shop because I just liked the pattern. I have a real penchant for paisley (also for Prince, they go hand in hand I reckon). Here is a picture of some test runs I did first. I did no test run for the cat, just sewed it on.

I made the yellow lines on blue into a top for my little boy. I also ironed on a shop name and logo design using that paper you can print on the computer. After a few washes there were a few problems I could see with the top. The first was with the logo and one that I kinda knew about already, but ironed it on anyway as I wanted to see what it looked like and it was not for sale. These iron ons really only last a few washes before they start coming off. The next issue was the ribbing I used for the neck. It was pilling after only 1 wash, so I have had to throw it out. Lastly and something that is not a real problem, just a small design fault, is with the hem, or lack thereof. I will turn this up and zigzag, it will look better as it rolls up and bit now. Though I think the cuffs are OK without this.
It pays to make a sample up.