Made by Mandy

[redhairedgirl]

Witty Title, isn't it?

I am offering my services of custom sewing projects. While diaper bags are a pretty hot item, I am able to do other items as well, if you just ask.
I made a diaper bag for SarahK which can be viewed at this thread: http://www.onceuponalife.com/showthread.php?t=4985

Her bag was made with a seamless bottom so there should never be a risk of the bottom falling out. I also gave her six pockets, a mommy pouch and a changing pad. I reinforced all stress points and it is structured to stand on its own.
I give the option of choosing your own fabric, then you tell me how large or small you want it and how long you would like the straps. I have the ability to draft my own patterns or alter an existing pattern, which gives me a lot of flexibility. I am also able to match fabrics, if you like something specific. Just send me a link to a picture and I'll do my best.

[redhairedgirl]

Here is another exceptional bag and another review!

Originally Posted by LynnMSH

I have a Made by Mandy bag! I can’t tell all of you enough how wonderful Mandy is to work with. She won’t send you your bag/item until SHE is satisfied with it. And it is obvious how detail oriented she is by the wonderful quality of her work.



I chose to use quilter’s fabrics, as they were more in the color range I was looking for. Even though they are 100% cotton, the bag still feels like it has enough holding power and it’s not at all wimpy. I am going to get a can of Scotchguard to spray on my bag, as we all know that it is impossible to keep a diaper bag clean! But I know I can just toss it in the wash if I need to. I may just spray the handles and the bottom and leave the plaid as is.


Inside the bag I had Mandy put 6 pockets, and as you can see – there is more than enough room. I have a box of wipes, diapers, my huge wallet, keys, my cell phone, a sunglass case, lipstick, nail file, a box of lipgloss, a changing pad, diaper cream, coupons and 3 burpcloths. I even have too much room if that is possible. There is still plenty of room for extra toys and a sippy cup and jars of food.


I can guarantee that you will all be thrilled with your bags. And I’m not just saying that because she’s my friend. I went over the bag with a fine tooth comb because I wanted all of you to know that her work is excellent. I highly recommend her work and know that you will all be pleased!

Here are the pictures:

The whole bag – She asked me what dimensions I wanted so mine is a little bit smaller than most. I still have LOTS of room.




Another view:




A closeup of the detail:





Inside: (I had her put a snap to keep everything in place)

[redhairedgirl]

I have two prior sewing projects which I'm just putting up here to just basically express my experience. I have others, but all in time!
I said I'd come back and do this awhile ago. I just didn't expect the amount of support I've received. So, I'm a little behind in updating this advertisement.
My experience:
I have an Associate's of Arts Degree in Fine Arts and am a whopping three classes shy of a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fine Arts, with a concentration in Art History and a minor in Architecture. I originally started out with a concentration in Sculpture, where I had a professor who noticed I had an interest in sewing and allowed me to pursue it a little farther. I basically have only been sewing for the last 4-5 years, which is a drop in the bucket to some seamstresses. However, I am an ambitious seamstress who has taken on many harder and advanced designs. For instance, my Mother who has been sewing for the last 30 years will tell you that I can sew better than she can. Just because I'm still a "newbie" doesn't mean that I do not know what I am doing.
With my experience in drafting, I'm able to draft designs and patterns. If you find something you like, ask me if I can do it. I enjoy a new challange and do not shy away from harder projects.
I also have researched textiles over the last four years. I originally started sewing because I really love Renaissance gowns that are worn at reenactments and the Rennaisance Faires. Next thing I know, I've spent hour after hour just reading about fabric. I know the difference between a rayon velvet and a cotton velveteen. If you have questions, I can usually answer them. If not, I know where to look (which I once was told is usually half the battle).
I take each person and their individual needs seriously. Those of you who have worked with me, know that I am detail oriented, and that I meticulously will go over any potential problems, offer suggestions, and really put care into each project. Because of this care, if you are not completely satisfied, I will work with you to find a solution, should it be I completely start over or simply alter it with no extra cost to you. When you open your box from me, I want you to say, "This is exactly what I want!" So, I make sure I go over everything with a fine tooth comb.

I know that many of you have asked about pricing, so as a general guide, I'm finding that a bag made like the plaid above, runs about $30. I can make them as cheap as $20, and that's labor included. That particular bag is a quilter's cotton bag. Upholstery fabrics, that are dry clean only, do cost more. I can make a bag with upholstery fabrics starting at $40. SarahK's bag, the original toile bag I made could be a little cheaper, as it was made with machine washable home decorator fabrics. I also can do a "price match", so if you are shopping around, just let me know, and we can work something out.

I try to remain easy to work with, so just ask if there are any requests or needs. I enjoy the "fame" of knowing that my work is out there, and you can enjoy a bag (or any project) that is made just for you with your needs in mind.

Mandy

Attached: False Canapy headboard and my son's little snowsuit were both made by me.
The False Canapy, I accidently "melted" the original comforter (polyester and a high heat dryer don't mix!), so I took my seam ripper, ripped all the seams and recycled the fabric after we bought another comforter in the same style.
I can offer "fabric recycling" where I can turn one item into something new, if anyone is interested. This can be something as simple as turning a crib bumper into a window valance for an example.

[redhairedgirl]

This is another project I have done, it is a chair for my DS, Aiden. It is four pillow forms with a slipcover over it. Although everyone except Aiden seems to use it.

[redhairedgirl]

Here are some of the bags that I've made:



Not a great photo:













And once my scanner quits being a pain I'll have some more....

[redhairedgirl]

This is a costume that I made for my friend Sue (chatphreak on BOLU) for her daughter. It's a monkey costume. I had to modify the little hat because it was a full headpiece and I didn't think that a newborn would like that too well... just had to share cause it is just too darned cute! There is also a tummy piece made out of ultrasuede that you can't see... but I love that little tail and those little ears!


Mandy

[redhairedgirl]

Here is my son, Aiden in his Halloween costume. He is a Jester. :jester: He was not too happy about the hat.... or the rest of the costume. Maybe he'll let me take another picture of him standing up (or not). Oh, and I made his hat a little too big...







Okay, here's a picture of him standing... and I did make him wear this to his Doctor's appt today.

[redhairedgirl]

This is one of the newest members of the Mandy crowd! This is a bag that I made for AahRee for a Baby Shower (not for her! ) I actually took a picture of how I do the pockets... if you want them with elastic, just ask (cause I admit, I normally don't think about it )
This is a box pleat which allows fullest expansion of the pockets. I normally do 6 pockets, but can do more (up to 8 depending on size of bag) and can do less. I start the sizes at 8.5" x 8.5". They can be larger or smaller, just ask!


Here is the finished product with changing pad and mommy pouch!


Oooo... and an added picture of me showing off what 25" straps look like for a 5'6" frame. This is the typical size I use for a large bag, which is 18 inches at the opening at top, tapered to 14 inches at the bottom, 14 inches tall, with a 6 inch width.
I told DH to not get my face.


I am also offering new features such as insulated pockets and zippered pockets! Have an idea? Want something specific? Just ask! I am usually up for a good challenge!

Mandy

[redhairedgirl]

My website is not "completely" finished - still a lot of little details left that need to be finished, but here it is:

www.made-by-mandy.com Ready to take orders!!! Try out our new contact form on my site!!!

There is an order form - it's not completed (As there is only one state listed....) but I can be reached via the email listed on the contact page. I'm currently up and ready for new orders for the new year - and if you're not sure you want to go all out custom, I will be getting some things over to Shannon's www.littleprinceparker.com

I am also still extending a wholesale price of materials times two to all OUAL subscribers. Please send me a link to your stars so that I can give you that adjusted price.

I also accidently wiped out the links, so here they are again:

www.joann.com
www.denverfabric.com
www.equilter.com
www.thecottonshop.net
www.fashionfabricsclub.com
www.hancockfabric.com
http://www.pierredeux.com/newyellow.cfm
http://www.frenchrendezvous.com/vari...nchfabrics.htm
http://www.fabriccarolina.com/upholsteryfabrics.htm
http://www.designerfabrics.to/shop/scripts/
www.fabric.com

Thanks!

Mandy


Still sewing for the orphans - www.aidfororphans.org

[redhairedgirl]

Here is another project that I completed prior to the Christmas rush: a double layered fleece poncho for Caurie's little boy Brice:


Caurie asked me if I could do it, she liked some things that she saw, but wanted little alterations here and there - and I honored my price match for her. She wanted it long to really bundle Brice for those cold winters in NY, so I made it double layered and the length pretty long - she gave me his height and I altered it as such. I even included a 2 inch hem - should she wish to use it next year, she can just take a simple seam ripper and go along the bottom seam and - tada! Two extra inches longer for extended wearing time!

Hi Mandy~
We received the poncho today!!!! It is absolutely gorgeous THANK YOU! I love the color - it matches pefectly with my camel hair coat!!! It is so plush and will keep him so warm. I appreciate the extra length feature too. So beautiful and definitely better then anything I could have bought at a store or online. Please let me know how much I owe you. Thank you so much again Mandy.
Another very happy customer!!!!
Caurie
Brice in his new poncho

[redhairedgirl]

Yoga Mat Bag in Chinese Brocade material:

[redhairedgirl]

Black Sash Bag:



Andrea's new bag:


Interior - the interior is made of satin. The velvety texture of the exterior needed something to compliment its tactile stimulation - so I went with a bit more luxe material than a normal lining material. I scotchguarded it for wear.
This bag also includes an insulated pocket - however, I am going to offer matching insulated holders rather than the pockets as they add extra bulk due to interior materials needed.

[redhairedgirl]

More recent projects - some fun totes:

Interior view:




This is a purse made for a friend's Mom - it is made from black ultrasuede and then I jazzed up the interior with cheetah print. She wanted something that she could use for everything but something conservative. Well, I knew her Mom well enough to know she is vibrant and full of life and wanted to express that fun side in the interior:


She also wanted A LOT of pockets:

I don't know if it can really been noticed, but I made nested pockets - much like you would find in a wallet or organizer. I probably should have added some paper or something to the pockets to emphasize them - but there is some topstitching, so if you see a faint black line, that's where the stitching is on top of each pocket - it's really just an embellishment stitch.


More to come!!!! I just need to beat up my scanner again!

I also will be showing off the Baptism gown that I made here in the next few days!!! I'm just waiting for the recipient of the dress to have her picture taken in the dress.

Mandy

[redhairedgirl]

Here is the baptism gown being modeled by the lovely lady it was made for:
(More to come, but I'm having a difficult time with upload)

[redhairedgirl]

Embroidery personalization is now available. Just ask for details!

[redhairedgirl]

This is a shoulder bag that can have the strap unzip and become a backpack:

That's a front pocket with a flap over it to keep things from falling out:

[redhairedgirl]

Now taking orders....

I may need a bit more time to complete projects. I have a back problem, so if something took me 2 weeks, it may now take me 4. I will still deliver as fast as I can. I'm just getting older. I do have a back-up person that will help me, however.

Also, I will need to revamp pricing. This will be reflected in any estimations that I do, though I can clearly say that any convertible backpacks/messenger bags will be a minimum of $150. A deposit may also be needed, depending on the project to cover materials.

If you're curious about a price, I can give one. Just ask.

Embroidery can be done... just ask.
Most projects can be done.... just ask. I'll be posting more pictures of my experience soon.

Mandy