sewtakeahike

Sneak peak, (help!!! I'm stuck in Spring!!)

Just a peak, 'cause I'm not done!

Penny

It made sense to at least one......

I am so excited.  When I put together the how-to/tutorial for the green wool bag, I thought, " I wonder if anyone will be able to follow these instructions".  I really had some fiddly moments when trying to put in words the procedure to make this bag.  My spirits were lifted however when I received this photo:

from my friend Jordana who lives in Cancun.  Isn't it fabulous?  She types in English very well, but professes her "English is not that good".  My thinking is if Jordana can follow the directions with a little bit of a language barrier, then surely someone who uses English as a first language can!  Thank-you again Jordana for sharing these photos with me!

~Penny

Green wool + brown plaid handbag "how-to"

So, here it is.  A semi-tutorial, how-to make the green wool bag.  I have tried to make this as complete as possible, however, I kind of got bunched up with how to say certain things on occasion.  Hopefully you will find my instructions plain as day, but if not, send me an email and we'll get it figured out.  REMEMBER, I am definitely NOT a professional at this, and my instructions may see weird to some, it's just how I did it.  Also, I cannot accept responsibility for bags gone awry and blah, blah, blah. ;).  Here we go!

First, here are the pattern pieces:

Pleated Vintage Handbag

List of materials:

• fabric for outside of bag, probably at least ½-3/4 yard, depends on how big you make your bag
• lining fabric
• sturdy interfacing fabric
• zipper*optional
• magnetic closure
• thread to match

• Cut 2 of shell fabric out of pattern piece A.
• Cut 2 of lining and 2 of  a sturdy interfacing fabric out of pattern piece B.
• Cut 1 of shell fabric and 1 of lining fabric out of pattern piece C.
• Cut 4 of shell fabric or 2 of shell fabric and 2 of lining fabric out of pattern piece D.  If you would like to be able to make this into a shoulder bag instead of a handbag, cut the handles out about 3-4 inches longer than noted.

1.      Mark pleats in  pattern piece A and pin pleats in place. I made 5 pleats and made sure that one was right in the center and two on either side.  I started about 3 inches in from the edge and the amount of fabric I used for each pleat was about 1-1 ½ inches each.  Make sure the top of the bag measures 13.5 inches once the pleats are in place so that the band will fit properly.  Stitch 1/8-1/4 inch from edge.  Pin pieces A right sides together and stitch sides and bottom. 

2.      Pin one of piece B lining and piece B interfacing fabric wrong sides together, and stitch together.  Repeat with other B pieces.

3.      At this point, insert a pocket and or zipper in the lining if you want.  The tutorial from creative daisy goes over how to do this.

4.      Pin the 2 pieces of B right sides together and sew together. 

5.      Place the lining inside of the shell (wrong sides together) and stitch around top of bag 1/8-1/4 inch from edge.

6.      Pin right sides of two of pieces D for handle together down the sides, sew together, turn, and top stitch.  Repeat for other handle. 

7.      Mark off center of band lining and insert magnetic closure.  The creative daisy tutorial also goes over how to do this. 

8.      Sew ends of piece C lining together then repeat for piece C shell.

9.      Pin handles onto right side of piece C shell fabric where desired (I usually place the seam of piece C in the middle of the back of the bag) then place piece C lining fabric over this,  pin and stitch down along top.  See Illustration A.

10.  Now flip the fabrics right side out so the handles are up and press seams and top stitch down.

11.  Pin shell fabric part of the band (right side) to right side of outside of bag and stitch down. 

12.  Turn the band and press. Hand stitch band lining down. 

Your bag is now complete minus a few details such as top stitching or  hand embroidery.

Ideas anyone?

A friend of mine gave me at least a hundred of these fabric swatches she got from a furniture store that was going out of business, and here is just a sampling of some:

Each one is at about 17"X7.5" and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of what I could do with all these?  Most of the fabrics are very cool...... one idea I came up with was to make some little shoulder bags, like this one I put together last night by just sewing the sides, adding a couple of zips and a lining and some webbing. 

It's big enough to carry a cell phone, wallet and some lip gloss without looking bulky.  Any other suggestions?

~Penny

It's the Red Baron!!!

First of all, I have to tell you all I got a call from my Mom this morning telling me she was relinquishing the rights to the green wool bag.  She wanted me to do a redraw to give all of you another chance  (what a sweetie!).  She then proceeded to tell me some very wonderful things like, she is so proud of me, and how creative I am, and ON AND ON, and secured my decision to follow through with the original drawing and her being the winner. 

So, here is my mother-in-law with her Red Baron bag bucket I made for her last night

She chose the materials from my stash, I just love the kermit material and I think the white denim was given to me by my very precious Glynis!  Thank-you Glynis for your recent contribution to my stash, your generosity will hopefully reach the globe!

Hope your day is fabulous!

~Penny