Walking on Wednesday - Finding My Way Through a Coffee Bag

Opportunities arise when you least expect them. And sometimes they involve things you never thought you would  try. The key is to let go of your limits, to step outside the box. Sometimes it is finding your way through a coffee bag.

An opportunity presented itself at the beginning of this month that Raige never thought of. A coffee grinder had some coffee bags they wanted to see turned in to other things. They didn't want to just sell the bags, they wanted to give them to someone to inspire them to create, and then they wanted to showcase those creations in their coffee shop. 
Coffee bags. Burlap. This is a medium Raige had not explored before. 
The question to Raige was:
"So, are you a seamstress?"
 Raige:
"What??? Um, NO. I would certainly not call myself a seamstress. But I CAN sew a bit." 

Thank goodness Laura was as willing to take that leap of faith as Raige was. She gave me a bag, and thus began the journey through a coffee bag.

As with any project, there is much trial and error. The first coaster I made, well, I had to take apart and re-make. Crooked square and button too close to the edge means skewed and unraveling to the point of unacceptable.

Then, the Mug Rug, well, the square for the mug is a little small for a mug! And the snack side, well, it would hold the chocolate covered espresso beans the shop has...but only a few it looks like. 

Then there is the question, how much fray is too much fray?? If you know the answer to that - I would say you are in good shape.

The Christmas Stocking. It turned out great, I think. But let's just say it was the epitome of trial and error. Had to rip out the first stocking try and start over, one broken sewing machine needle, and the third cuff was the charm. I forgot about the hanger until I was congratulating myself of a job (finally) well done. But even as an afterthought, I love how it turned out.

The printing on the bag is pretty cool, so I wanted to showcase that. It was between a bag or a pillow cover. Would have been a pretty large bag, so pillow cover won. I am still contemplating painting the little Yin-Yang circle in the "C's", but think it left as it is may win out. It is burlap on one side and a silky fabric on the other. Great wood buttons to keep the pillow safe inside.

I still have to sew on the buttons, but I did manage to get some crochet in. It was perfect for the button holes. This would be perfect for a bench in the foyer, or that backyard gazebo. Yin-Yang Coffee, hmmm.

By the time I got to the pillow, I felt I was getting the hang of working with this textile. Sure, I got up from my work space with small pieces of burlap stuck to my sweater, and Eggbert my little pin cushion looks like he has seen better days, if you can spot him in a few of these pictures. But burlap is actually a nice thing to work with, the texture is great and the color is something you just can't get with other fabrics or mediums.

About time for a bottle of wine, no? YES, and bring it over in this wine bag. Just gotta decide if the handle is too long, and then hope the needle goes through that thick layer of folded burlap and fabric, and sew it on. 

Okay, that is not wine in there. Ahem. We don't happen to have any wine. See how versatile this bag is? Rum or wine, great gift bag. Maybe I will add another splash of red to the bag, or use that grape bunch stamp I have, we will see. I have until Friday to sort it out. 

It has been great to find my way through this coffee bag! I love being challenged, and getting back to sewing. I am also so excited for this great opportunity the Biltmore Coffee Traders have given Raige.

Have you had to take an unusual leap outside your comfort zone? And were you thankful you did? 

It was a direction I never imaged, but am so thankful I took that step outside of my comforting crochet, and back to exploring the wide world of sewing, some of which I have yet to discover. I have found my way through this coffee bag, and hope Laura, her husband, and Raige can continue to work together through many a coffee bag. 

Happy Thanksgiving!