My first pattern of my own... and others

I attempted my first project of my own design.  It didn't go so well.  It looks cute from the outside.  And the inside.  And my straps even turned out well.

Unfortunately, it's ended up bulky with too many layers and too many seams.  I think I'll stick to tried and tested patterns for a while longer.

But it's still cute and useful.

Also, I made some card holders for my friends.  I showed off the one I made earlier, well, the one of the three that I kept, and they thought it was very cute.  So I had them pick out their colors and finally finished the card holders.

These turned out even better than my first batch.  The seams are straighter, the corners turned out better, the buttons sewn on cleaner and the elastics on straighter. 

Overall, they turned out pretty darn well!

Aren't they cute!

Next up, I have a skirt to make.  I bought a pattern, some black jersey knit fabric, and some elastic thread for shirring (or smocking, I'm not sure which it is).  I also bought some Pellon Easy Pattern so I can make my pattern from it.  I'm not completely sure what size to make, so I don't want to cut up the pattern until I know.  Plus, I may want to make more of them.  It's a simple, versatile, basic skirt that would look good in a lot of patterns.

I also have another request from my friends for jewelry cases.  So I found a really cute pattern and tutorial from Positively Splendid.  I picked out some fabric, a whole bunch of other supplies, printed out the pattern and am almost ready to go.

These are the fabrics I picked out:

Can't wait to start on the next projects!