Envelope Clutch {Busy Girls Sews Blog Tour}

Hi there! I’m so happy today to show you what I’ve made from Heidi Staples‘ new book:  Sew Organized for the Busy Girl.

I decided to make the Envelope Clutch in the larger Art Pack size. I’ve been wanting to make something similar for ages!

Before I show you my project, let me tell you a little bit more about the book. The book is filled with short and sweet little projects for us busy gals. Knowing that finding time to sew can be a challenge for busy girls (and guys!), the book is also full of organizing strategies. Heidi’s goal is to make your sewing and your space flow so that you can stop and start effortlessly.

There are tips and tricks from industry professionals sprinkled throughout the book.  What I think is really neat is the way that Heidi has allowed space through the “Busy Girl Takes Action” pages. These pages feature open ended questions and prompts that allow the reader to think of ways that benefit the specific reader most. There’s even a place for you to write down your answers. You can nearly hear Heidi coaching you as you think through the questions.

So for example, I had forgotten my organizing boxes. I’ve been organizing my projects like this for years, but I’d forgotten this trick – maybe it was the move or the kids? But I totally forgot! As I started working on my project from Sew Organized for the Busy Girl, I was completely overwhelmed by the clutter on my work table. After reading through the book, I remembered my project boxes. So here’s how I typically organize my current projects:

I felt much better, once I set all that aside. It’s so hard for me to enjoy a project when I’m surrounded by clutter.

One other thing I like to do is keep a running list of my very most important “to do” lists. So I have this square chalkboard with my “to dos”. I’m almost ready to clear it and write down a whole bunch of new to dos. The 2 post-it notes on the bottom of my chalkboard have my “to dos” for the summer before school starts back up again. Does anyone else do the thing where you make your to do list but then finish a different chore and then add that finished chore to the to do list just so you can check it off? Yeah, I do that. I do that quite a bit.

Ok, now for the project.

I chose one of the fabulous canvas prints from Cotton & Steel’s latest collection releasing in July: this is an apple print from Melody Miller‘s Picnic fabric. The top is an old favorite American Jane (I heart American Jane). Of course I have a red, polka dot fabric on hand. And some light blue herringbone. I think that’s Joel Dewberry’s (correct me if I’m wrong)?

Typically, I shy away from anything not quilty related which is just plain silly as making this project was a nice change. The project was easy and it didn’t take me very long at all, maybe 3-4 hours. It could have taken a shorter amount of time but I had to pause for hear my Netflix. 🙂

I made one small change: I just made it shorter. It’s supposed to finish at 15 1/2” tall, but I made mine a tad shorter at 14”.

I’m out of practice making non-quilty things though. One thing I forgot to do was to audition the placement for the velcro. And I missed! So I had to unpick the velcro and I’ll have to resew it. So the velcro you see, might just be glue-basted for now (oops!).

And there it is and there is a daughter right on cue asking to have it. Silly girl. 🙂 Maybe for a back to school project?

If you are a busy gal (guy) and like to get organized, I’m pretty sure you would enjoy this book. I for one am going to keep on getting organized. Last week, I took my email inbox down to zero for the first time EVER. It felt ever so good. So I’m on an organizing kick! What else can I organize?!

Thanks for reading guys! And thank you to Heidi for having me! Congrats on the book – it’s lovely!