DIY Yoga Mat Sling

A few years ago, I used to take #1 to outdoor yoga at the bandstand.  He was smaller back then and although he was able to handle a one hour yoga class, he wasn't able to handle the walk.  Now that he's a whiz on his bike, we decided to go to Yoga again, but on our bikes.

I had a hard time imagining how I was going to carry two yoga mats, water, snacks, and a light t shirt.  Our bicycle handlebar bags solved the problem of where to put our water and snacks.  But we still needed to figure out how to transport our yoga mats. 

Lucky for me, I had seen some yoga mat slings at the store and googled some simple instructions.  I had about 20 min to spare and wasn't about to re-invent anything. 

I used some stash fabric that I had from when I used to sew stroller bags.  It matches my purple yoga mat!  My tube of fabric was about 80" long.

We hopped on our bikes and raced to the bandstand.  We weren't able to get a spot in front of the teacher, but I like it better on the shady bandstand vs in the hot sun.  (no... those aren't my toes)

Someone was very relaxed and sleepy.

This was such an easy sewing project, but well worth it!  It's so small and easier to commit to vs a yoga bag.

Here we are with my emergency bag and water bottle.

We stopped off at the community chalkboard to write a little "hope for the future".

On the way home, we ran into #2 and Dada.  My little photographer took a pic of me wearing the yoga mat sling.  It fits really well but was so heavy due to the two mats.

It is worth repeating again that it was very heavy carrying two yoga mats, but I survived!  Unfortunately, weekly outdoor yoga sessions became just one as I now have a bout of recurring tendonitis which could have been aggravated by any number of things (sewing, knitting, yoga, push ups, etc)

Time for a break, 

Summer Sewing: Bicycle Handlebar Bag

Introducing... the bicycle handlebar bag!

Growing up, my mom sewed us all sorts of things.  We had little pouches and bags for buttons, our dolls, and everything imaginable.  I grew up knowing there was a pouch or pocket for all of life's emergencies.   When my kids were old enough to start riding trikes, they too got a pouch for their bikes to hold all of their treasures.  Here's a link to the original tricycle handlebar bag and here's the updated tricycle handlebar bag with different strap connectors. 

I love sewing for my boys but when I'm done working on their projects, I don't always have time to sew for myself.  This bike bag is all for me and I've been wanting to do this for more than a year!   I was thrilled when Sew Mama Sew asked a bunch of us sewing bloggers to create a summer bag using Manchester Metallics by Robert Kaufman fabrics.  I said "yes" right away and waited patiently for the fabric to come in.

I am so happy with the way it turned out!   The applique has such a nice sheen to it. 

Here's a view of the sides.  The outer is Essex linen in "natural" and you can see the Manchester Metallics Onyx peaking out beside the zipper. 

Here's a view of the bottom.  I usually quilt in a diamond pattern but I like quilted stripes as it feels more like summer.

Here's the back view.  I used D rings to connect the bag to the bike but there are plenty of combinations that could be used (backpack connectors, velcro, etc).

Here's a view of the top.  Next time, I will orient the zipper the other way.  I am right handed and I would prefer to unzip from left to right.

Here's the lining.  It's so soft... It's called Chambray Union "indigo".  Next time, I will include a secret hidden pocket to store loose change and some small bills.  You never know when you will  need to make an emergency ice cream stop!

It's a tiny bag but you can put a lot in it!  I plan on keeping this on my bike permanently so I have somewhere to keep my phone and other emergency items like bandaids and tissues. 

However, for those times when I need to leave my bike unattended, this bike bag also fits my emergency zipper pouch.  I can just pull it out and away I go.

Looks so nice on my bike.  It's the perfect fit and won't add too much weight to my bike.

This has by far been one of my favourite projects ever :o).  Nothing says summer like riding a bike and feeling the wind in your hair...  well, the strands that aren't covered up by my helmet!!!

Check out some of the other amazing designs from my fellow blog friends:

Mo Bedell
Sandy Whitelaw of UpStairs Hobby Room
Michelle Morris of That Black Chic
Kathy Green of Designs by KTGreen
Carrie Federer of carrie bee
Anne Zeitler of AnneZPlace
Sanchia Gair of Red Brolly
Natalie Strand of Vegetablog
Devida Bushrod of The Driftwood Thimble
Sara Johansen of The Sara Project
Sarah Sharp of No Hats in the House
Michelle Webster of michellepatterns
Marni Weaver of Haberdashery Fun

Here's one last picture :o)

Happy sewing and I hope you are enjoying your summer!

Summer Bag Sewing using Manchester Metallics

As mentioned in a previous post, I am participating in a summer sewing challenge sponsored by Sew Mama Sew using Manchester Metallics by Robert Kaufman fabrics. Here's a sneak peak at what I am working on.

I love collaborating with Sew Mama Sew.  The challenge is summer bag sewing and these are the fabrics that I chose:

1/2 yard of natural Essex E014-1242 NATURAL 

1/2 yard of onyx SRKM-15373-181 ONYX

 1/2 yard of indigo CCCX-14114-62 INDIGO

 

You can't tell by the picture but the Onyx is very sparkly and shiny.  It's more silvery grey than black.   I decided to use it for the applique for this project.

I am using shiny silver thread because it was in my stash.   I haven't used this thread since I made myself a silvery Halloween costume.

 Here's the finished applique.  If you've seen my work, you'll know that I love to applique on everything.

 Look, it's a bike!

But we are not done yet... time for some quilting.

 I didn't go over the applique, just stitched straight lines around it.

Were these pictures enough of a hint as to what I am making?  Stayed tuned for my next post for the big reveal...