The Marrakesh Overnighter

I finished 'The Overnighter' bag over the weekend. The new technique learnt while making this bag was the folded strap handles and the shoulder strap with slider.
I have made some changes to my blog today primarily changing the name, I felt the old name 'The Photo Collection' was no longer adequate.

Work in Progress

This week I have been working on the folded strap handles for the "Marrakesh Overnighter" bag.

The Pleated Handbag

This is the third bag I have made from "The Better Bag Maker" it's the 'Osaka Pleated Handbag'. This bags skill level is Advanced beginner.
my thoughts on this bag- the purse feet are cute but not necessary if I was to make this bag again I would eliminate this step or maybe use flatter purse feet. The base is too wide for a small handbag. I like the polyester boning used on the handles. it is light and roomy. The pleats were too thick at the top seam for my machine, to get the stitching started  I used folded card board under the presser foot  at the start, since I don't have any presser foot spacers.
Also a note to self when adding the exposed zipper pocket I need to reduce the opening, in the materials list this bag calls for a 6' zipper which I purchased but when it came time to make the zipper pocket I forgot about the smaller size and had to put the project on hold until I had purchased a larger zipper for the opening I had made.
The O ring is from Bagmaker supply and the rest of the materials from Joann's  expect for the pelmet interfacing that I got from fabric.com.
I am currently gathering the materials for the next project in the book.
happy sewing

Work in Progress

Cut  bag pieces for the 'Osaka Pleated Handbag' from "The Better Bag Maker". The O- ring I purchased from  Bagmaker Supply and the fabric from Jo-Anns.

Book Review- The Better Bag Maker

Basic Bag

I purchased 'The Better Bag Maker' by Nicole Mallalieu to continue my exploration of bag making. This book has 11 projects, and comprehensive sections on techniques, tools and materials.
The projects are graded as beginner, advanced beginner, intermediate and confident. The instructions are straight forward and are accompanied by how to photographs and illustrations.
There are tip boxes scattered through the book that are just as important to follow as the step by step instructions.
All the pattern pieces are full size. The book retails for $26.95.
I made the 'basic bag' project (pictured). The instructions were easy to follow and the bag came together without any problems. I used a quilting fabric with Pellon SF101 interfacing and a calico lining. It's a large tote (measures approx. 12x13x7") that has become my favourite bag for taking to the pool and other family outings.
My favourite detail is the internal base support which prevents the sagging bag look.
a book for anyone interested in bag making.

Bag Making Stories

front

back

 

After making all the bags mentioned in this post  I had a go at designing and making one. Its a small bag (approx. 7 X 7'') with a long strap (45'') so it can be worn across the body (hands free). There is a zippered pocket at the back to keep valuables safe. For the front flap closure I used a magnetic snap and for the interfacing I used craft-fuse Pellon style  #808 .

Bag fever continues,  this week I brought a new book called "The better bag maker" I am currently reading it so expect more bag stories soon.

 

Have a good one!

Bag Fever

I have spent the past 2 weeks making bags. I started with the lined drawstring bag from 'School of Sewing' (I wrote about this book here) and kept going until I had made every bag in the book.
Let me show you my finished bags:

Lined Drawstring Bag

 



Essential Tote Bag



Carry all Clutch

Zipper Pouch

Pleated Purse

Have a lovely weekend!


 



beaded Cat Girl

while working on this doll yesterday I looked out my window and saw a ginger cat strolling in my garden. How appropriate.
I used seed beads for the facial features, faux fur for the front top, feet and tail tip, the rest is 100% cotton.
oh and as you can see the daffodils have bloomed, yeah for Spring.

Book Review- School of Sewing

my speedy pillowcase

 

if like me you purchase your books on Amazon then you know that every time you search for a book or buy a book Amazon will  recommended similar book for you to buy. This is how I came across 'School of Sewing' by Shea Henderson. what made me click the buy now button was that the book had a section called 'Your sewing machine " and with all the trouble I have had recently with my machine I wanted to read that section.
Am I happy with my purchase? Absolutely. I read the book cover to cover within two days. Its well written, easy to follow and included many informative photos. The first half of the book provides the reader with a ton of information on sewing machines, what each part is called, how to maintain your machine, the different types of machines available- mechanical, electronic and computerized. There is a round down of the different feet available and when to use each one. Next sewing supplies are discusses which ones are essential and which ones are nice to have. The book also covers fabric. The different types of fabric available and also how to pick a fabric, the author recommends quilting cottons for beginners. I agree. There is a section on interfacing- fusible v's sew in, woven v's non woven.  The section titled Driver's Ed talks about cutting and unsewing (using a seam ripper, threading a machine, stitch types ( straight, zigzag, etc) and hand sewing.
The section I found most interesting was Pressing 101. What I learnt was there is a difference between ironing clothes and pressing fabric during a sewing  project. Ironing can stretch the fabric especially when cut on the bias.
The second half of the book contains the projects. There are 12 projects each project introduces a new  technique or builds on a previously learnt one therefore each project increases in difficulty. The author suggests that you try each project in the order given in the book. Also each project has an extra credit step.
I liked the projects in this book because they are all useful items that can and will be used once made. There are bag and pillow projects, an apron, placemats and a quilt.
 I had a go at making the first project (pictured above) called 'Speedy Pillowcase'. yes it was quick. What took me the longest time was picking the fabric. The technique learnt in this lesson were French seams. The instructions were easy to follow and the step by stop photographs clearly presented each step. I had no problems or confusion while making this project.
Another thing I like to mention about the book is that the author has included comments from 8 of her students, how they felt , what they learnt, what went wrong while making the projects. This I feel removes some of the fear and loneliness associated with learning a new skill from a book because it shows how others how successfully learnt the skills you are trying to master and the problems they faced while learning.
My one negative would be that the book at sometimes felt like an advertisement for Janome.
'School of Sewing" is aimed at beginners but I feel that we can all learn something from this book. I know I did!

Hand stitching

well my sewing machine is still not working so it was perfect timing that I received the Lucky Bear plushie kit with issue 50 of molliemakes last week. This kit is an exercise in hand sewing using a variety of different embroidery stitches, my new favourite stitch is now the buttonhole wheel and scallop.

Cats

Made these kitties for the special people in my life. I used the kitty pattern from this book, and changed the oval tummy to a heart.

Frilled Cushion

Adding a frill to a cushion cover gives it a soft feminine look. A frill trim need not be restricted to floral fabric.
To make the frill you will need to measure the cushions perimeter and add a seam allowance of about 5cm (2inches) and double it. Decide if you would like a long or short frill for the width and double that figure also. Cut strips of fabric  that measure the length and width you have calculated, joining strips if needed. Fold the strip in half on the short side (width) wrong sides together. Using the longest stitch length on your machine tack the folded strip on the raw edge. To gather pull the threads. The gathered frill should measure half the original length. Attach to cushion front the same way you would any other trim.

Star Gathering

Experimenting with different ways to manipulate fabric using this book as a reference guide.

Craft book Review

The Making of a Rag Doll by Jess Brown

I have been waiting for the release of this book since reading an article in Mollie Makes about a year ago. So when I saw it listed on Amazon I preordered it and last week it arrived.

Jess Brown makes dolls with distinct facial features – star eyes and heart mouths; you may have seen the dolls in the Land of Nod catalog. This book gives you the chance to recreate a similar doll. It’s not the original pattern but close enough.

The book retails for $24.95. It provides the pattern for the ‘Jess Brown Rag Doll’ and nine projects for making accessories. There are two dress patterns, the sundress which is the one I made in the photo  and a drawstring dress which is the one on the book cover. Other projects include knickers, two hats, coat, and apron, bag and a quilt.

I had no problems or confusion while making the doll and dress. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. There are illustrations to support the written instructions. The patterns are to scale and seam allowances are included. However the section of hair is very brief. For example it says to cut felt scraps into 4 x 30.5 cm strips but does not mention how many strips are needed. Also I am left wondering if I should start attaching the strips from the front or the back.

This is a good book for a beginner or someone wishing to make a Jess Brown rag doll. The more experienced doll makes will not find anything new in this book in terms of techniques or knowledge.

It’s a beautiful book to look at however I felt that there was not enough content to fill a whole book,there is lots of empty space and lots of photographs sometimes the same photograph appears twice.

This book allows you to make your own Jess Brown Rag doll and to personalize it, something you cannot get from a readymade.

Patchwork Cushion Cover

This is a good project to make with fabric left over from other projects.

 

Materials needed

one 12in zipper

17in striped fabric

5in navy fabric

8in floral fabric

Finished size 16in square pillow

Instructions

Cut  the following-for the front one 7in square from floral fabric, two 7in x 2 in from navy fabric, two 10in x 2 in from navy fabric, two 9 ½ in x 4 in from striped fabric and two 16 ½  x 4 in from striped fabric. For the back cut one 16in square from striped fabric.

Sew the 7in navy strips to the top and bottom of the floral square. Follow this by sewing the 10in navy strips to the sides of the floral square. The square should now be framed by the navy fabric and measure 9inches.

Next repeat the same steps with the striped fabric. Sew the shorter strips to the top and bottom and the longer strips to the sides. The square should now measure 16inches.

To attach the zipper place the front and back pieces together with right sides facing centre the zipper on the bottom raw edge measure the zipper  pin and stitch a 1in seam leaving the section were the zipper will be unstitched. Tack the zipper opening closed. Place the zipper face down on the zip seam tack into place. Using a zipper foot stitch the zipper into place starting about 1in down from the pull tab. When you reach the  opposite side of  where you started stop and slide the pull tab down and behind the zipper foot. To do this leave  the needle in the down position and lift the foot so as to not lose your place. Once you have the pull tab behind the zipper foot release the foot and finish stitching.

 

Open the zipper place front and back pieces right sides together stitch the other three sides to complete the cushion cover. Turn right side out stuff with cushion pad and enjoy.

Yoga bag

I had a lovely black yoga bag for about 7 years but it was falling apart. The trim at the top was unraveling. It was time for a new bag. I did consider buying one but in the end I chose to try and make one myself. I used the old bag as a reference, and even used the old cord for the new bag. The bag is simply two pieces a rectangle  which is joined on the long side to create a tube and  folded under at the top to create a channel for the cord and a circle for the base.

Joe the Fisherman

I received my copy of 'Stuffed' Volume 7, Issue 2 this week. My work is featured on page 133. It's always exciting to see my work published along side so many other talented artists.

Making and Growing

The garden is growing nicely. The above picture shows yesterdays harvest. That pickle sized cucumber was out of this world delicious.

Abby from Whileshenaps is hosting a sew-along, it inspired me to try the pattern. The pattern is 'The Peanut Baby' by Rachael Gander.

 

This week

Work in progress-pieces from my next doll

The garden is blooming-marguerite daisy

Essential Craft Tools

Having the right tool for the job makes a huge difference when working and in the finished product . This week I thought I might show you some of my favourite and essential tools in creating my cushions and dolls.

Rotary cutter, mat and ruler

Three separate items but as a team they are a dream allowing me to cut straight neat edges when making cushions.

Stuffing Stick

Not much to look at  and I am sure it has a proper name but it makes turning arms and legs right side out so very easy. Also it was free with a bag of fiber -fill.

Fabric Marker

I like to use the purple end. I write on the fabric and by the time I am finished with the project the marks have completely disappeared. Magic really.

Scissors

Good  sharp scissors are important in preventing fatigue when cutting. Only use fabric scissors to cut fabric never cut paper with them, constantly reminding my children not to cut paper with my fabric scissors.

 

Seam Ripper

For my mistakes of course.

Tape Measure

Measure twice cut once, the advice my TAFE teachers gave me. My tape measure is in centimeters  on one side and inches on the other.

 

Finally my sewing machine, its a Singer, its basic and well I love it.

What tools  do you use most often?