Allyson Hill

Homemade Oilcloth - how to make your own oilcloth fabric

I'm in love with Martha Stewart's Oilcloth Finish by Plaid:

"Martha Stewart Crafts® Decoupage Oilcloth can be used on any fabric to make your project shine, for indoor and outdoor use. It dries hard with no tack. It's top-rack dishwasher safe, water base and non-toxic."

I wanted to make a tote using this great home-dec weight black and white thick striped fabric, but knew it would dirty too quickly to be practical for anybody.  So I applied 2 coats before sewing, leaving plenty of time for drying and curing (1 hour between coats and 24 hours before sewing).  I seriously love how it turned out, especially the glossy finish.  Joann Fabrics does not seem to carry this, but I have found it in store at Michael's Crafts, online at Amazon (with Prime shipping) and online at the Plaid store.

Personally, I love the homemade look of this oilcloth finish.  If you plan to use this I think you must be okay with seeing brush strokes and imperfections, I don't think a perfect finish is possible outside of a factory setting.  How it compares to factory made oilcloth: so far I don't find that it has a glossy smooth feel, but perhaps I am spreading the coats too thin?  I would have to play around with that some more with scrap fabric.  I also find that it is not as stiff as the store bought kinds.  I tested the stain repellancy (not on the bag itself) with splashes of coffee and chilli - yup, wiped clean even after left to dry!     

Make sure your area is free of pet hairs and lint and I found that using a good ol' kitchen spatula works great!  After spreading it on in light and even coats I like to finish with crosshatch strokes to make it more organic-looking and intentionally imperfect.  After you sew and flip the bag right side out, you obviously cannot iron it so expect a wrinkly look.  I need to locate my heat gun to see if that will relax the wrinkles a little bit, but the hairdryer made no difference.  I have two more totes in the making using different fabrics, this time quilting weight.  I will post pictures when I'm done!  

For sale in my Etsy Shop

Suede Fringe Crossbody Bag

Here is my first bag made of suede, no wait my second bag - the first one I made for myself !(I'll show that later)  I used to use faux-suede all the time, but the real thing is SO much nicer!  The suede I'm using here is a 4oz Toast-colored suede, which is perhaps my favorite shade of brown.  This stuff is durable, poking a hole in it with the tip of a seam-ripper was not possible!  That's a sure sign that it will be long-lasting.  Again I used 4/5oz vegetable tanned leather for the straps, cut nice and slim to 3/8".  They attach in the back with round carabeener-style rings so the strap can be removed if wanted.  It can even hold an ipad mini!  (not that I have one, but my son does :) 

Toast-colored Suede Fring Bag, soft bodied, unlined, no pockets available in my Etsy Shop

Weathered Leather Tote

I have started working with leather and I really love it!  It reminds me of working with wood actually.  I am never happier than when experimenting with new materials and learning new techniques.  The key is having fun, staying relaxed and being totally okay with trial and error!

This bag is a spontaneous creation and I probably won't make another one like it.  It's made witih English Kip, Vegetable Tanned Leather and domed studs.  I applied Aussie Conditioner containing beeswax to the Kip and then I oiled the veg tan and then sealed it with a waterproofer.  For sale in my Etsy shop

Around the Factory

just some everyday photos around my home factory

New Updated Auto Trash (car litter bag) Design!

I made some wonderful updates to my Auto Trash bags before Christmas that I never got around to sharing here on the blog. (by the way, I stopped calling them "car litter bags" because SO many people were reading it wrong and thought it said "cat litter bags" ha!  I would get funny emails saying things like-I really like your bags, but I don't understand why you would want to hang cat litter over your stick shift.  Isn't that hilarious?!)

Anyway, I never got around to sharing the new design!

 

I am really happy with the addition of the flexible plastic liner (made with post consumer recycled plastic) for many reasons.  First, it gives the bag more stability.  Second, it helps protect the outer fabric case from getting soiled.  Third, it has decreased my manual labor.  Fourth, it's made in the USA.  I'm sure I can think of many more reasons to love it...let me know what you think!      

Faux Patchwork and Lace

 

 

Patchwork and Lace fabric by Anna Griffin (from her Carolina Collection).  One thing I enjoy about collecting fabric is picking out patterns for people with different tastes than me.  This is something I can get confused about - do I only make products in patterns that I would choose or do I include fabrics that I wouldn't choose, but that are lovely and that I know somebody else would want.  I choose the latter. 

This weekend I made this custom tote (center photo) for my sister-in-law.  I don't make these very often because they are very time consuming - it took me 7 straight hours to complete it.  exhausting!  It's kinda sad to see the stores stocked with mass produced purses selling for so low.  I know that a lot of time went into those purses, though the price tag would suggest the opposite.  I know that often a lot of corners are cut in making those purses quickly and efficiently, and a lot of special machinery is available in the factories to enable the workers to pump out bags quicker.  Hey, I wouldn't mind owning some of those special machines myself. 

I am so thankful for my customers who are willing to pay a little extra to own my products.  I am taking steps to try selling on Amazon, a decision that is very nerve-racking to me.  I am not sure if the people on Amazon will understand the artisan-made nature of my products and I am afraid to get negative feedback.  But, can't let fear stop me - we'll see how it goes!

(tote bag is not available for sale, auto trash is available for sale here)       

Stop Worrying and Just Sew!

Sometimes I over-analyze new products to the point that I stop producing new things for my shop!  Maybe the summer heat is slowing my brain down because lately I have been feeling energized to just make it and enjoy myself during the process and not worry about whether it will sell or whether anybody will like it.  Who cares!  Just make it!  Hey, at least I got some pretty pictures out of it : )