Christmas Day Sewing

Since I was so behind with all my gifting this year, I ended up doing some sewing on Christmas day. This quick and easy bag for my youngest sister (who is practically impossible to shop or make for), inspired by Erin's, was cranked out in about an hour. My sister adored it, which is especially gratifying.

The "recipe" for the bag is here, and I didn't really change it at all for this bag. I did add some fusible fleece as an interfacing to give the bag more structure. The outer fabric is from Repro Depot, I believe, and the lining is just a green cotton. You can see the handle better in this one:

(It's not really crooked, it's just hanging crooked from the chair.)

And the vintage button I used, which is actually more red than it looks:

(That's snow you see, not dander or something. I like to photograph everything I make outside for some reason.)

And, no report about my Christmas Day Sewing adventure of 2007 would be complete without sharing the fact that I sewed through my finger with my sewing machine that day. All the way through it. The needle broke off while it was in my finger and was sticking out from both sides. My husband had to pull it out. It still hurts an awful lot, but is not infected, thankfully. I am not usually very squeamish -- actually, I'm really fascinated by all things surgical, etc. -- but I almost passed out from this. However, now I'm kind of wishing we took a picture of the needle in my finger. But we didn't, so you're spared. ;)

Comments

[Jo]

Ummm, thanks for NOT taking that needle picture. It turns my stomach just thinking about it!

[Allegra]

oooohhhhh....so sewing through your finger can actually happen?!?! I haven't learned to sew yet, although I have a machine and am obsessed with everyone's projects, and I convinced my husband that there was no way I could sew through my finger (being a violinist who has chopped through her finger with the biggest knife in our kitchen two days before I was supposed to play with YoYo Ma, DH is a bit overprotective).......I just won't let him read your post :) Hope your finger feels better!!! Happy New Year!

[UNCOMMON GRACE]

Allegra -- It was the middle finger of my left hand, and I'm a bit freaked out about it because I'm a cellist, you know. 2nd finger is absolutely vital, lol. ;) It seems to be healing nicely, though. And you probably won't ever do it, anyway. I was doing machine applique at the time, and there was a lot of fiddly turning involved, which is why my finger was so close. My mom once sewed through her thumbnail (before I was born), and I'm not really sure how that happened.

[Dawn]

Yikes! That sounds so painful. Like the above commenter, I haven't learned to sew yet but I'm wanting to (so much of what I see here- excluding the story about the finger, is what is making me want to learn). So sorry about your finger.

[Alicia A.]

OUCH! I've done that, but not so badly that the needle was all the way through!!

The bag is adorable. Me thinks I'll make me one.

[Alicia A.]

p.s.- are you buried in snow, sweets?

[Myshell]

Love the bag. Sorry about your finger, poor dear.

[Mama Urchin]

The bag turned out so well. i have a hard to buy/make for sister too and bag is always a good option. I'm so glad you didn't take that photo.

[aimee]

I have been a visitor to your blog for many weeks now and love it. I am so happy too that you didn't post a picture of your finger...although I did that many years ago myself and it killed! It amazed me at the time that such a small wound in your finger could hurt so badly! Speedy healing.

[kristin]

oh my grace - glad the finger is ok!! (i too did this a few years back - appliqueing with the zigzag stitch as well!!! but my needle didn't break - i just needed to turn knob and back it out. so not cool!!!)

well, i think your sister got a great new bag out of the adventure. it looks beautiful - especially out in the winter wonderland.

[Amanda]

Cute bag! I had a Christmas finger accident as well.I had no clue you could sew through your finger. I'm sure this could be the next feat I accomplish.....

[Mary Beth]

Oh my goodness, what excitement on Christmas! And still you managed to post on that day. Thanks for your "review" of the bag tutorial. I think I want to make that one.

[Allegra]

Grace, When I chopped through my finger it was my middle finger on my left hand as well! When they stitched me up and put a brace and bandages on it, I had to keep it elevated for a while, and I couldn't help but laughing because it looked like I was flicking everyone off!! :)

[Sarah]

Oh my. When I was making a smock for my niece a few years back I somehow managed to ram a pin REALLY far into my wrist. I am sure that sewing through the finger is only a matter of time. :-)

The bag is a sweet little thing.

[Pam]

I had the day after Thanksgiving, 2006, sewing through the finger incident ... yes, my husband helped me through it, I was amazed that both of us did not pass out.

Hope your finger is feeling better.

[Louise]

Ouch I've done that too only not quite all the way through, eeewww! I like the bag, such great fabric. Don't worry I too was sewing a bag on Christmas morning, and a scarf, calmly and happily though. And I really like the outdoor shots, especially given that it's going to be a scorching 36+ today. I can cool off thinking about all that lovely snow!

[Chelsea D.]

Lovely bag Grace and OMG about your finger!! Sending you healing finger vibes }}}}}}}}}}}}

[Bluebirdbaby]

Wow...needle in the finger! Eeeks! I'm glad you're okay. That's my biggest fear. Your bag is awesome. Looks way better than mine :) Enjoy the weekend!!

[andi]

Grace! Your sewing machine accident sounds so awful! I hope that it is healing up well and not causing you too much pain.

P.S. Your bag is beautiful!
P.P.S. Hope your holiday was lovely!

[shukr]

OMG Grace! My eyes nearly popped out reading that. Ay ayayay ewww.
Calendula and hypericum !?!

I am *so* squeamish it is ridiculous.
Needle through finger!!? Doesn't bear thinking about so am going to get off my squeamish trip and think of something else..

I hope it's all healed up soon - along with J's leg! I feel like you've got more to tell us too - any more gory stuff!?!

[Nicole]

The needle went through your finger!!! Yikes! i am always afraid of that, but somehow didn't really think it to be possible. Well, I guess now I know! I hope it heals soon!

[Kirsten]

Ouch! One of my bigger fears - a needle through the finger. Lovely bag though!

[cloth.paper.string]

ouch. i can't quite imagine that, grace. i'm getting a tad queasy thinking about it. i hope you continue to heal up quickly and that it's not holding you back for craft and music making.

and the bag, it's great. love, love, love the fabric and button together.

[Amber]

Wow. I wondered if that was really even possible but I guess it is! You'll always have a Christmas sewing story to tell your young ones!

Did you get it all done? I felt for you... I, too, was crafting up until the very last minute---which is very unusual for me. I literally finished my Mom's knitted gift while we were all opening presents on Christmas morn (she didn't realize it was for her)! Next year, I want to be a bit more organized...Phew, I feel so relieved to be done now. ;-)

[brit]

wow. ouch..all the way through? my worst nightmare...

[My Inspired Heart - Sandra]

Oh!...Ouch!!....I haven't done the needle through the finger thing...yet ;) But, I did pull the Christmas day crafting this year..I, too, just had way too much going on and it was difficult to fit it all in, but I did it! Yay! I'll try to start earlier next year and not procrastinate so much...Now, this week I have felt exhausted. But, I'm just about ready to get back on board and get our new year off to a great start. I hope your finger is better...I know it had to be really painful. Have a great week :)

[Ram in the Thicket]

I'm looking at my machine wondering how you could get it under the presser foot.. you must have gone over it. I hope it heals quickly, I'll bet it's sore. I put a staple through my finger once, but I'll bet this hurt a lot more.

[Cindy]

What a pretty bag, I have never attempted one and this looks like a perfect one to try. I'm glad your finger is ok, I read that part with one eye and it was squinted, yikes...and I'm a nurse!

[Jennifer Ladd]

What a beautiful bag - love the fabric choice. I really thought that being able to sew through a finger was an urban legend - now I think I'll always be a little freaked out when I approach my machine!

[emily]

not sure what to say first!!! that new banner - stunning. your poor finger - dreadful! and always photographing the things you make outdoors - me too. thinking of you, friend. and hoping your finger is healing nicely.

[erin]

i am cringing at the thought of your finger! ow! also thinking of you now as i am geographically much closer this week. (you know where i am, don't you?) happy new year, grace.

[kelly]

wow, what a lovely bag...i think your outdoor photos are fantastic! -kb

[bex]

EEEEEEEEEEP! how's that finger workin' out for ya?
Happy New Finger...er Year to ya!Xxx

[kate]

LOVE the bag, and thank goodness you didn't take a picture, sorry you sewed through it, the mental imagery is enough for one to handle on that subject for a lifetime, hopefully I stay away fromsuch a fate! Happy new year!

[qalballah]

Ack. That happened to my sister in law once - except hers was an industrial sewing machine. Shudder to think about it. So glad you did not photo-blog that or I might have fainted.

ANYWAY. Have a good one Grace. Loved you in 2007 - here's to bigger and better in 2008!

xx

[Tara]

My mother once sewed through her finger. She said pulling the thread out hurt the most. I can't even think about it without getting completely skeeved out by it. Knock on wood it hasn't happened to me yet. I hope you heal up quickly!

[Dawn]

I am so happy that you missed out on taking that picture..if I had scrolled down and seen it I WOULD HAVE PASSED OUT!

[misschris]

Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! I did the SAME thing in November. Seriously, I know your pain! And, I am happy to say it has completely healed and the nail has grown out just fine. Glad to see it didn't cramp your style too much. Here's my post on it: (http://pinkpicketfence.typepad.com/pink_picket_fence/2007/11/oh-dear.html)

[melissa]

ouch- your finger! hope it's feeling better now. i love your version of the bag! it's very pretty. and using interfacing was a great idea- i might try that if i make another of those.

[Berrie]

Beautiful Bag! I, too, have sewn through my finger. Twice! But you've outdone me by actually having the needle break off in your finger. Yikes! I had loops of thread through mine. Not nearly as scary.
Berrie