swachter

swachter, 20 days ago to random

The only thing I like better than pockets are secret almost invisible pockets.

Two pictures of the same bag are vertically arranged. The bag has a multicolored print of classic books on a navy blue background, with cream colored tote style straps and a knaki band at the top. In the first photo, it looks as if the khaki band is sewn directly to the navy blue fabric. A navy blue zipper pull from an invisible zipper can be seen. In the second photo, a woman’s hand pulls open the unzipped pocket to show a grey lining.

swachter, 23 days ago to FiberArts

I realized on my walk this morning that I was wearing a totally me-made ensemble.

Dress: McCall’s 7121 from Spoonflower fabric
Shirt: Liverpool shirt from Amy Butler patterns, stash linen
Bag: self drafted pattern from Spoonflower fabric

#sewing #handmade #memademay

swachter, 29 days ago to random

Just got to hold a tiny tiny baby. So good.

swachter, 1 month ago to random

#maker #patentlaw question: If I see an object in the wild and I can figure out how to make or adapt some feature from it in my own designs, is that patent infringement? I make and sell bags and often see neat things out in the world (eg, a particular closure mechanism or way of rigging convertible straps) that I’m interested in incorporating into my own work, but don’t want to 1) be a bad person and 2) have any hostile attorney-type conversations more than absolutely necessary.

(YANML, TINLA, etc disclaimers fully apply.)

swachter, 1 month ago to science

FOR GREAT SCIENCE!

These will all be for sale this weekend at Somerville Open Studios - come see them in person at the Armory mezzanine, stop #45, 12-6p Saturday & Sunday.

#handmade #handmadebags #artforsale #cambridgema #somervillema #bostonma #science #space #chemistry #penguins #somervilleopenstudios

https://www.somervilleopenstudios.org/web/artists/artist_profile/2346

A black tote bag with a pattern of solar system planets and stars and nebulas and suchlike. There are several science-related books in the background.
Four science themed bags. Two are made of bright blue fabric with penguins on it, one from a solar-system themed fabric, and one from fabric with a periodic table of the elements pattern, a white background with brightly colored hexagons and chemical symbols and weights.
A messenger bag made from fabric with the periodic table of elements print - the background is white covered in hexagons. Each hexagon had a brightly colored outline and a chemical symbol and weight inside it. There is a bright red zipper pocket in the flap and a cargo pocket on the side holding a water bottle.

swachter, 1 month ago to cycling

Seems like a good day to post my #bicycle themed collection - I’ll have these for sale at Open Studios this weekend!

https://www.somervilleopenstudios.org/web/artists/artist_profile/2346

#cambridgema #somervillema #somervilleopenstudios #handmade #handmadebags #bikes #biking #urbancycling #bakfiets #artforsale

Two brightly colored bike-themed messenger bags. The one in front has a cream background with a pattern of teal cruiser bikes and autumn leaves and flowers in a watercolor style. The bag in back has a navy blue background with a pattern of lime green, teal, and aqua bakfiets (Dutch cargo bikes). Both bags have zip pockets in the flap and side cargo pockets to carry water bottles, as well as many internal pockets (not visible).

swachter, 1 month ago to random

Just went over to the Armory to check out my space for open studios. Damn, it’s weird to see that place empty.

swachter, 1 month ago to random

Today was mostly working on a single messenger bag - I've made several at this point, but I'm still not totally happy with some of the ways things come together and there was entirely too much realizing that I'd done things in the wrong order and having to rip back. I'm also trying some new closure mechanisms - deep gusseted pockets with button flaps (got to use the automatic buttonhole on my machine, which is always nailbitingly stressful) and adding a buckle to the front flap for some additional security.

swachter, 1 month ago to random

Spent most of the last two days cutting out and interfacing a huge stack of messenger bags. I’m hoping to have these ready for #somervilleopenstudios on May 4-5 - I’ll be selling stuff in the Armory and will have lots of tote bags, aprons, and messenger bags for gamers, bicyclists, and nerds of all varieties!

#handmade #somervillema #bostonma #handmadebags

swachter, 2 months ago to random

I have to say, having an unknown piece of electronics begin smoking aggressively is a damn effective way to end an otherwise lovely chat between Randall Munroe and @pluralistic. Gotta remember that one for the next time I want to get out of a meeting.

swachter, 2 months ago to food

Spouse left me unsupervised, it’s drizzly and gross out, scones were the only logical course of action.

#food #baking

swachter, 2 months ago to FiberArts

I’ve been experimenting with some new pocket options. In no small part because I wanted to be able to include a slip pocket even when I don’t have enough fabric to create a separate pocket. I’m pretty happy with how these are looking - I poked at a bunch of tutorials before eventually following none of them and all of them simultaneously.

Also this fabric is cute af and I am dyiiiing at how adorable they’re going to be. #sewing #handmade #bags #ttrpg #handmadebags

swachter, 2 months ago to Canada

We’re heading up north to see the eclipse next week. #fabric folk in #canada, specifically #montreal #quebec, any fun places for fabric, ribbon, yarn, webbing etc that I should look up? Especially any place that sells locally made materials? #sewing #advice #recommendations

swachter, 3 months ago to Bags

Finally got my act together to take some decent photos of the two recent rainbow dice messenger bags. #handmade #bags #sewing #ttrpg

A messenger bag with two large cargo side pockets. The bag flap has an orange zippered pocket and a pattern of rainbow colored TTRPG dice against a white background. The strap is black and has rainbow hardware.

swachter, 3 months ago to random

I love the questions that living in #SomervilleMA brings up. Questions like, “Are squashed rats compostable?”

swachter, 3 months ago to random

Setting up a small business is unreasonably frustrating and confusing.

swachter, 4 months ago to FiberArts

In honor of Superb Owl Sunday, please enjoy some pictures of a diaper bag I made on commission for a friend of mine. She requested a ludicrous number of pockets and for it to be convertible from backpack to messenger bag or stroller bag. #sewing #handmade #handmadebags #SuperbOwl #owl

The exterior of the bag, underneath the flap. There are two zip pockets on the front. The pattern of owls has been carefully matched up so that no owls lost their heads.
The full bag with flap closed. The exterior is a cream colored canvas with charming owls in assorted colors. There is a zipper pocket in the flap. I cannot explain to you how many pockets this thing has. So many. And so many cute owls. The bag is sitting on a bright red locker-style shelf from ikea and there are several happy plants in containers around it.
The rear of the bag. The strap is fully convertible from a backpack style to a messenger bag. Also there are more pockets on the back, again carefully lined up so that owl integrity is maintained.

swachter, 4 months ago to FiberArts

A couple shots of what I was so excited about last night. Fully lined, with no turning gap visible. #sewing #handmade #handmadebags

A picture of the grey lining inside. There are origami folds on the corners of the interior as well. You can also see where I put my needle through the metal bracket at the zipper end. Mistakes were made.
A wider view of the whole bag. It is Very pink and Very derby themed.
This is the magic trick. You move the turning gap to the zipper and make dual W-folds for both interior and exterior at the desired finished width of the bag.

swachter, 4 months ago to FiberArts

This object has arrived at its intended recipient, so I can show it here - this is a wee project bag for my niece, featuring her own artwork that I embroidered onto a felt square and stitched to the bag. Apparently this made her (happy) cry so I think I did good.

Pattern is the Kato project bag from Kandou Patterns (https://www.etsy.com/listing/702002990/drawstring-bag-sewing-pattern-beginner), fabric is from the Languid collection from Kaufman. Niece’s artwork is here: https://www.tumblr.com/cosmos-and-whatever/738280130912436224/hey-i-hope-everyone-has-a-nice-new-years-and-i

#sewing #handmade #bags #embroidery #rainworld

swachter, 4 months ago to knitting

Fun #knitting hack: if you think you might be playing yarn chicken between a pair of items (mitts, in this case), weighing the finished item and then the ball of yarn can give you a decent idea of whether you have enough left. (I’m not too worried in this case bc I’m pretty sure there’s more than 2 grams of other-colored yarn in here, so we should be good.)

#yarn #handmade #knit #colorwork #fiberarts

A pink color work knitted mitt on a kitchen scale. The scale readout is 27 grams. The mitten has color work strawberries.

swachter, 4 months ago to StarTrek

#StarTrek has had a timeline problem with the Eugenics Wars since the mid-90s. We just watched #strangenewworlds S2 E3 last night and I gotta say, the writers did a nice job on the ret-Khan.

swachter, 4 months ago to StarTrek

One of the things I’m really enjoying about #StarTrek #strangenewworlds is the extent to which giving a character a whiff of backstory or internal motivation or story focus is NOT the loud ticking of a deathwatch beetle. Characters get backstories and then SURVIVE. It’s wild. I love it. #iflytheship

swachter, 4 months ago to random

This toot is a friendly reminder that if and when you hit a paywall on the internet, check your local library to see if they have access to this resource. Your #library card entitles you to access to more than just books! (Am I subtooting the link below to the Boston Globe? Yes. Yes I am.)

Don’t have a library card? Get one! For most systems all you need is a piece of mail with your mailing address on it - even if it’s just a postcard from a friend. And it’s ✨ free! ✨

swachter, 4 months ago to random

Apparently Mastodonians really like their libraries. I knew y'all were cool.

swachter, 4 months ago to FiberArts

Eeeeeeeee the most perfect webbing arrived and I can finish the rainbow dice bag now!!! #sewing #bags #handmade #ttrpg