Pages

Sunday 21 April 2013

Key fobs once more

These key fobs have been such fun to make.  I hope they will boost sales too - smaller items seem to be selling so much more than larger ones lately (a sign of the difficult financial times so many of us find ourselves in, I am sure) so I am trying to include more and more small items at sales.
Pin It

This funky alphabet is a delight to sew and appeals to children in particular.
I will be sharing this post at these link parties:



sew many ways

Sew Darn CraftySunday FundaySubmarine Sunday
Life on Lakeshore Drive
I Heart Nap Time

Thursday 18 April 2013

From the archives - bucket bag

This is a bag from a while back, but one I hope to remake soon. It is called a bucket bag, and I have lots of embroidery ready to use in this style.  The shaped top and tie handle ring the changes a  little.

 I'm adding this post to the following link parties:

A Glimpse Inside

Seven Alive
Catch a glimpseThings I've Done ThursdayLink it Up Thursday
HookingupwithHoHStinkin Cute Thursday ButtonPhotobucket
Hookin up with HoHIt's Stinkin CuteMake it Wear it Thursday
I gotta create

Wednesday 17 April 2013

Zipped bag tutorial

This little bag is a variation on one I have been making for a while now. The first variation was this:
It came from a Japanese book (yes, all in Japanese except for the measurements on the diagrams!) of items made from denim.  I have now developed the bag into this:


Pin It
 It is a zipped bag with longer handles - and here is a tutorial for it.

From denim, I cut four rectangles each 5" x 10" in two different denims.  I also cut three denim strips 2" wide and three strips of contrast fabric 2" wide (and at least 5" long); four 3" x 10" strips for the zip edging, four 4" square pieces for the zip ends and two 4" strips (each the length of a jeans leg) for the straps.
From lining I cut two rectangles each 10" by 11".
I used a 10" zip and cut it down; I suspect you could get away with an 8" zip.

First I made the handles by folding each strip in half lengthwise and pressing, then pressing the long sides to the middle (wrong sides together) and folding it along the original fold.  I top stitched each edge of each strap.

Next I made the contrast band by stitching together the denim and contrast strips, alternating them.  I needed 3 of each strip.  I pressed the fabric pieces and then cut across them (at right angles to the seams) to make two 2" strips.

I next put two pieces of 3"x10" denim right sides together with the zip sandwiched between them.  I sewed them along the long edge, and repeated with the other side, then topstitched both sides.  Opening the zip partially, I sandwiched the piece between two 4" squares at each end to make the enclosed ends for the zip.  Much experimenting has shown me that this makes the neatest zip fastening for bags. It ended up like this:
All my pieces were now ready and this was getting exciting!  I took one contrast band and one main 5"x10" denim piece and sewed them along the long side.  I then sewed the other 5"x10" rectangle to the other side of the contrast band to make one complete side.  I repeated this with the other denim and contrast pieces to make the other side.

I took each side piece and pinned the handles in place to the top edge.I then took one of these side pieces and one of the lining pieces and put them right sides together with the zip between them, lining up the long sides of the zip with the top edges of the bag side and lining.  I then sewed along this side, starting and finishing 1/4" from the edge. Back stitch over the handle for added strength. After repeating this with the other side, I opened the pieces and checked I had not missed any seams - it is easy to do! 


Next I pinned the denim pieces together around all three sides.  Leaving 1/4" unsewn along the join between lining and main fabric means that you can sew right to the top of the seam.
 

 I repeated this for the lining, but left a gap of about 4" along the bottom edge for turning.

Once the main bag pieces were sewn, I pinned and sewed the shor zip edge, only trimming to size after I had sewn.
From the corners of the main bag and lining I cut out a 1.5" square.




Pinching the sides together, I sewed across the seam to box the base.

I then turned the bag the right way in, but before putting the lining inside the seam I top stitched the open section.
The bag was nearly finished - just the zip to sort out!
I pushed the zip and its edging inside the bag and pinned it in place, then top stitched round the top of the bag.  I found it best to do this from the inside - and even so, with denim it is tricky.  Take it slowly and make sure you are using a proper denim machine needle!
Finished - one handy little bag - and possibly the best zip technique yet!

I will be sharing this post at the following link parties:



circle_header

Create and ShareMade by MeWe Made it Wednesday
Button pic 9
A Creative PrincessWhatever goes WednesdayWow us Wednesday

Tuesday 16 April 2013

More keyring monograms

The second of this batch of monogrammed keyrings.  These ornate floral ones are most likely to appeal to a female audience, I suspect.
Pin It

This post will be shared at these link parties:

Better Off Thread
Sew Cute TuesdayToo Cute TuesdayTake a look Tuesday
Creative Sewing Blog

You flew TuesdaysNifty Thrifty TuesdayLadybug Blessings

Monday 15 April 2013

Glasses cases

Continuing on my theme or using up the mass of pockets I have accumulated, here is my latest offering of glasses cases.  These have a zipped top, and the pocket would be ideal for storing a cleaning cloth, I feel.
Pin It

They are ideal for using up fancy pockets too!  I made them from rectangles 4" x 8", which I believe will fit most reading glasses comfortably - and some styles of sunglasses as well.

This post will be shared at these link parties:


The Girl Creative
A Round TuitSew Can DoThe Girl Creative
Sew Happy Geek
Sew ChattyMondays @ All Things Fee!
Manic MondaySew ChattyCalling all Crafters
Ninth Street Notions
Inspire me MondayCraftomaniac MondayI MAde it Monday
Etcetorise