One of my sewing projects a couple of weeks ago was to create a Passport Pouch for my sister Naomi who is heading overseas on a wonderful volunteering adventure. The brief was simple ... it needed to be - a little bit bigger than passport size (so it could fit in a few other important essentials); have an adjustable strap, zip pocket and flap. Oh and also important, but not for functionality reasons, not too light in colour as she is going to Cambodia so it will be subject to sweat & dirt!!
I chose some cheerful 100% cotton quilt fabric from Spotlight that just happened to be on their $5 - $8/m specials table - it's always nice to find something you like that isn't full price ... my theory is 'think about how much money you saved!' rather than 'how much money you actually spent'!
As a base pattern I decided to use the Makeup Purse pattern (you could also just as easily use the Coin Purse pattern) from Nicole Mallalieu Design but adjusted the size, drafted a shape for the flap (with a 14mm magnetic catch), and added an adjustable strap. Naomi thought she might need to tuck it into the top of her shorts (on the odd occasion for additional security) so I made the 'flat' version of the purse (without the boxed corner). The photo below is a particularly attractive image of me modeling this 'look' - "yikes" ... that is definitely not going to make it onto any runway in the near future!
The great thing about adding an adjustable strap (using a 25mm small slide adjuster and 25mm small o-ring) is that it can be worn any one of three ways - around your neck, across your shoulder or around your waist. The trick is to get the strap so it's long enough to go around your neck but still able to be adjusted to a short length so it will fit snugly around your waist.
Naomi has just arrived in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and has taken her little bag out on it's first outing (see her blog entry here) so it has been officially 'christened' in the 35 degree heat - sweat and all!!
Sometimes it's nice to have a really relaxing weekend, especially when one of your sisters (Naomi) is visiting.
The following recipe was followed -
Stay in your PJ's as long as possible - Naomi managed 36+ hours straight ... I had leave the house to do something (I can't remember what though) so I opted for getting dressed 'cos a girl likes to be prepared for that just-in-case scenario. My reason for this - I have, one time only, accidentally driven into the back of a V8, near-new ute which was the pride & joy of the guy who was driving. It was just a minor dingle but it would have been even more embarrassing if I'd been in my nightie!
Spend most of the day lying down on one of the most comfortable couches around ...
while enjoying a few wines, accompanied by some junk food ...
then smearing a face mask on each other and leaving it to dry ...
waiting for the best bit when it begins to crack ...
then washing if off to reveal heavenly smooth, radiant skin!!
The yellowy-green mask with our glasses on reminded me of ba'Nana Mouskouri.
And as we'd both prefer to remain incognito there are no post-mask photos.
Don't you think we should all do this relaxing thing a little more often?!!
I'm a Kiwi girl who moved to Oz in 2003 with my husband and two children. I enjoy crafting and sewing - anything from bags and purses to ballet costumes.
