Travelers Keep: Fabric Art & Bag Design

For a number of reasons, this past PAX (East 2016) was an incredibly positive experience for me. I wanted to write down a few things I learned that helped me have a fantastic time. It has taken me a long time to realize a lot of these ideas and it sometimes still is difficult for me to remember and accept all of them. However, I know deep down that they are true.

*The list below is intentionally concise to not overwhelm anyone with details. If there is interest, I may expand upon one or more of them.* 

 Dress to impress yourself. It may take time to find what suits you best (it took me many years), but once you do you’ll feel better and more confident. People will notice that and not specifically what you’re wearing. 

 Your friends love you for who you are. You don't need to impress them every time you see them. Being yourself is much easier than trying to be someone you’re not. 

 Self confidence can be the difference between having a great time with your friends or just an ok time. If your friends invited you and you still don’t feel like you belong, chances are you won’t have a great time. You’ll be dwelling on whether or not you belong instead of enjoying the time you have together.

 Everyone, no matter how famous or accomplished, feels like a secret fraud sometimes. We’re all in this together. 

 Understand that everyone has things going on in their life. They may not want to talk about them either, but give them the benefit of the doubt. Give them space and time if they need it. Don’t automatically assume they hate you.

 Don’t sell yourself short. Everyone has completely different and interesting life experiences.

Here is some additional information from personal experiences  that I hope will help you with your creative ventures.

Lessons Learned:

 If you need help or encouragement, ASK FOR IT! Don’t be scared to ask, everyone needs a cheer squad sometimes. You’re not bothering them and they’re not going to hate you for asking.

 If you fall short of your expectations, step away, take a deep breath and a SHORT break, and then keep doing it! Don’t give up, learn from your mistakes and get better!

 If you’re not sure if you’re doing something correct, ask someone who knows! Don’t assume you’re doing it wrong and everything you do is crap. Chances are you’re doing just fine.

Dealing with Copyright:

The short answer is, don’t take or copy any one else’s work for personal gain or commercial use, unless you have the creator’s permission (and they fully understand what you will be doing with their work). Fan art is great for practicing, showing you love something, projects for yourself, gifts, donations, etc. You’ll be happier with the final product if it’s something you created, even if it’s inspired by someone else. Design or draw your own spin on it to make it different.  At the end of the day, you have to be comfortable with selling what you’ve created.

Getting over an uninspired rut:

Take a step back - for a few minutes or a few days. Whatever you need, but don’t give up. I like to do something else creative like painting, taking a glass-blowing class, reading comics, going to a convention, watching a creative show, etc. 

When you’re ready, set a small goal that you can more easily accomplish. Even if it’s an easy or simple project, it can help give you the confidence to tackle your larger ones.

Books:

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

Thank you so much to everyone who came to the crafting panel at PAX South this year! There was some really great questions and discussion that I wanted to summarize along with some addition information and references.

Tutorials:

*Note: most, if not all, of the following sites are designs for personal use only. They still are a great source for practice, personal projects, gifts, or inspiration.

Craftsy - Video-guided sewing projects with printouts

Mood Sewing Network: Sewing Tips & DIY

Online Fabric Store - Sewing project videos

SparkFruit - Electronics project videos

AdaFruit - Electronics projects & DIY

YouTube - A little of everything

Personal Inspiration Sources:

Video games, comics, other artists, craft shows, art museums

Books:

Practical Electronics for Inventors

Craft, Inc. Revised Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Turning Your Creative Hobby into a Successful Business 

Other Notes:

Dallas Maker Space -  Weekly open tour night: Thursdays at 7pm

PolyPrinter - Recommended 3D printer

Desert Bus for Hope - Yearly charity drive benefiting Child’s Play. You can donate handmade items to the ‘Craft-Along’.

Panelist Contact Info:

- Katrina Keller - Fabric Artist    [email protected]   Etsy    Twitter

- Haley Moore - Artifact Creator   [email protected]   Lady Brain Studios    toenolla

11x10x4″ Space Dragon Bag

Appliqued blue dragon design

9x8″ Outside back zipper pocket

Inside: 7x6″ zipper pocket and 3 side panel pockets 

Top zipper and adjustable 2″ strap

10x10" Kirby Pillow

Cloth pillow

9x7.5″ Zippered bag

Two internal side pockets

Internal zipper pocket

Adjustable strap

3.5x6.5″ Cell Phone Wristlet

Two pockets on either side

Snap button closure

6′ Strap

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You can find the instructions and pattern here. There are three different sizes you can make based on your phone size. I made the medium one.

It was a pretty easy project. I used a key ring instead of a D-ring and also accidentally sewed all around the outsides before folding, which is why I have double lines.

19x10x8″ Weekend Tote Bag

Two expandable outside pockets

Interior zipper pocket and 3 other pockets

Adjustable strap and handles with padded grip

7x4″ round TARDIS Dice Bag

Appliqued design and sewn detailing 

Blue and black galaxy/stars patterns 

I’ve donated two items this year - both are fabric art replicas of Devin “Featherweight” Harrigan’s illustrations from Loading Ready Run’s D&D campaign: Temple of the Lava Bears.

First is iconic hymnal cover of Pele’s volcano and a lava bear. The appliqued design is on an 11x14″ canvas and will be a giveaway item.  Timeframe: 06:00PM PST, Nov 15th - 02:00AM PST, Nov 16th.

Second is the lava bear head t-shirt design. The appliqued design is also on an 11x14″ canvas and is part of a special Lava Bear Lot that includes original art from Featherweight and a Lava Bear plush! This lot will also be a giveaway.  Timeframe: 10:00AM PST, Nov 18th - 06:00PM PST, Nov 18th.

Be sure to sign up for a donor account ahead of any auctions and giveaways you’d like to participate in. If these two items aren’t for you, there are TONS of other wonderful and amazing things, both handmade and not, that you can win!

Sewtober Highlights

Halloween Tote Bags

Sewn applique designs of jack-o-lanterns and a ghost

New project announcement:

I’ll be making tote bags with 8-bit character designs from Kevin Cole’s Kickstarter for his new game ‘Haque’! You choose which character you want on your tote bag: Cat, Dog, Eagle, or Sword.

President Snakes Pillows and Tote Bags 

Rewards from The Doubleclicks Kickstarter

10x10 sewn applique pillow