Sewing s'more!

I've recently started sewing, and since my initial project of a bike basket tote bag I've been hunting bike-themed fabrics for a purse and/or clutch to take along on my shopping excursions.

This multi-colored bicycle fabric is actually a body pillow cover I picked up on clearance from Target. Assuming I can finish all of the Christmas tote bags I'm making, this is going to be the fabric for a handbag. I may make it a smaller tote sort of bag to fit in the front basket, which would be a trick. All it really needs to be able to handle is: keys, glasses, phone, and credit card/I.D.

...does anyone else craft specifically for their bicycle, or am I insane?

Summer Absence

Well, as of early July I paused my bike commute. It was hot as all get out and the bus stopped the Southside Express for lack of riders. Most people have trouble with winter commuting, mine's going to be summer.

We did, however, get our first cold front in late September and it's now delightfully cool. I've also tweaked my route: my new route is slightly longer, but a much better ride. Less traffic, wider roads, and more shade.

But I haven't solved the problem I always have: cargo.

I currently wrap up my purse (with phone, ID, and entry card), plus whatever I'd forgotten to stock my work locker with, in to a small, soft-sided bag that came with my luggage. I then bungee it to the rack and off we go.

While I've been looking for a rack trunk, I've been disheartened to find that they're almost all completely, boring BLACK.

First I decided to make my own, using an adorable bicycle-themed fabric I scored on Etsy. My original plan was to waterproof it (either by having it laminated at $60/yard or via linseed oil for old school oilcloth). This looked to be expensive and time consuming.

And then I found this one. First off, it's YELLOW. Have you ever seen such a happy little trunk? It's also got fold-up panniers, which would come in handy in case I unexpectedly needed to carry more cargo. It also comes with a little waterproof sleeve (a raincoat!) to put over it in case of inclement weather; though the reviews say that it does a good job of staying dry even without it.

I did, however, leave Houston WITHOUT the adorable yellow rack (I decided that buying 2 jerseys, new cycling shorts, an "I <3 My Bike" T-shirt & a mini air pump was enough bike-related spending for the weekend)...but am now having my Houston-based friend buy it for me & send it back with her family. I can't wait to try it out!

Sewing Lessons

A lady at work is graciously teaching me to sew, and of course I first wanted to make something for my bicycle.

I have two bikes: my Dahon commuter "real" bike and my Huffy cruiser "errand-running" bike.

On the rear rack of the errand-running bike, I've attached a ridiculously roomy Wald basket. It can fit an amazing amount of groceries.

Sewing Teacher helped me design and make a liner/removable grocery bag to go inside of it (coordinated to match the bike's color scheme, of course, because I'm a big girl).

First we made the pattern by laying brown craft paper inside the basket & marking to get its shape.

Next we cut pieces from a coordinating fabric for the liner, and sewed it together (leaving the bottom open for later).

Now we cut pieces from the outer fabric & some buckram for stiffness. Sewed the outer cover & the buckram together along the bottom seams but left the top open.

We attached the handles to the bag before sewing the liner in to the top of the bag, making sure to get the liner, outer cover, and buckram all folded together with the liner hidden just under the top.

And finally we turned the liner inside-out, pulling the rest of the bag through the still-open bottom of the liner (so we didn't have a bunch of seams showing), before hand-stitching that bottom seam shut.

It fits perfectly in to the basket & is going to be such a delight to take to the grocery & farmer's market!