Zipped pocket bag (with mini tutorial)

With these bags I seem to have found a relatively easy way of attaching a zip - something I am frequently asked for.

The solution came to me - as is often the case - in the middle of the night.  Unusually I remembered it the next morning!

How to imitate this:
Make a pocket bag as per my earlier tutorial, but only make the front and back panels for the bag.

Add a 3" strip of denim to the top of each panel, fastening the bag straps between the panel and the strip.  I usually place them half way along each pocket square, and stitch over the strap end three times.

Now cut the lining to match the panels.

Using a zipper foot, sew one panel to the zip.
Put the lining so right sides of the lining and bag panel face each other, and the zip is sandwiched between the two fabrics.  Stitch again, to fasten the zip securely.
Turn the fabric the right way and then top stitch the zip.  Stitch as close as possible to the edge of the fabric.

Repeat with the other bag panel.

Now open the zip and then open out the bag and lining so that the bag panels are right sides together, and so are the linings.  It should make one large rectangle. Sew all the way round the rectangle, leaving the bottom edge of the lining open.

Turn the bag the right way in, and sew the bottom of the llining up.  You can hand sew this for a neat finish, but I usually turn the edges in and top stitch with the machine!

Push the lining inside your bag and it is finished!

Shared at

Appreciation and encouragement.

These postcards carry a variety of messages - I have had more fun with the slogans!

"Do what you love, love what you do."
"The simplest things in life are often the things most precious."
"Always follow your heart".
"Relax".
"You rock".
"Good morning sunshine."
"Laugh".

Pocket purses

These are a good seller, and fun to make.  I enjoyed selecting some interesting pockets and turning them into these little bags.

It also made a lovely change to do these rather than animals!

Positive postcards

These postcards are multi purpose, with the main hope being that they will raise a smile both for the sender and the recipient.

Which one catches your eye?

Pocket coin purses

I am getting better at these, and definitely faster - I think I can now create one in about 10 minutes.  These are lined, with zips.  And yes, the zips are top stitched as well!

As is often the case when using pockets, the attractiveness of the pocket is key.  Fortunately I have received some fairly "blinged up" jeans recently!

Saddle bags

Not sure where this style of bag got the name I associate with them, but that is how I term these.  This is my own design (though influenced by many bags I have encoutered).  It is relatively easy to make, and I think the pocket on the front adds a unique touch.

I have used a variety of strap lengths here.  However, I am certain that someone will want a length I have not yet created - it is always the way!

Jeans donation

I am so grateful for the generosity of those who donate jeans.  Lance Haggith approached me at Bromham show, offering more jeans.  These turned out to be jeans passed on to him by Trading Standards, having been confiscated by them as imitation designer items.  This is the latest batch, soon to be cutup and recreated.

Despite being imitation, these are very good quality, and brand new - a delight to work with.

Keep calm..

A selection of "keep calm" slogans on postcards.

I enjoy watching people's faces as they browse my postcards.  Often I can work out which one they are looking at!

Pocket purses

This has proved another very popular line - so much so that I have virtually sold out.  So, before my imminent run of sales, it was time to restock this line as well.

I was given a loarge reel of grosgrain ribbon, which I have used for the "string" on some of these pouches.  I will be interested to see the response.
As ever, interesting (and fairly small) pockets are the key - these are a good way of using the pockets on children's jeans.  I have found it much quicker to make these witha zip top rather than with a flap fastened with a button.  This is a clear sign of my growth in confidence - I still remember (and am frequently reminded) saying to a friend that I "don't do zips".  Fortunately I have conquered that fear!

Birthday cards

The previous line of embroidered postcards having sold out really quickly, it was time to make more.  This line is a variety of birthday cards.

I probably should have made more... these may not last for very long!  I have at least speeded up production by avoiding the tedious oversewing of the edges.

How to deconstruct jeans

I thought this might be useful to some.  This is one way in which I deconstruct jeans.
Take one pair of jeans.

 Cut up each leg seam to separate front and back legs.

 Cut the back pockets off and trim to an appropriate size.  I aim to cut to 8" square, but these pockets ended up as 9" square.  I use the pockets to make one of my varieties of pocket bag.

 I trimmed one front pocket to 6" square, though I am not sure as yet what I will use if for.  This is often a problem with front pockets - they are very attractive but often difficult to use.  In this case I loved the buttons, but had to use the seam and the waistband in order to have any chance of using them.  I may manage to turn this into a pocket purse.
 The other front pocket was easier to make use of.  I cut it to size for a mobile phone case.

I cut as much as possible of the legs into 4" strips.  For me, this is the most versatile use.  I can use these for my flower bags, for the top of a pocket backpack, for handles, or piece four different strips together and cut into 4" squares.

 The remainer of the legs was cut into 3" strips.

 The scraps - of a reasonable size - will be used for crazy patchwork, or "found fabric" as I sometimes call it.  I keep bags of scraps and, when I am feeling creative, piece them together to create new pieces of fabric.

So there you have it. One way of deconstructing jeans.

Birthday postcards

This latest batch of cards has proved extremely popular, and particularly the birthday cards.  The next batch will have to include more of these.
It's good fun choosing the designs and the colours.  Those pictured here are from a range of sellers.

Cutting spree

I spend an evening cutting in the garden and thought you might like to see what 83  pockets look like!

These will be made into pocket bags.  Sadly this pile will only make ten bags.  Fortunately I have been collecting pockets, and have a considerable number more, ready for my forthcoming sewing day at Tudor Rose patchwork when some lovely ladies will be joining me (I hope!) to help me make lots of drawstring backpacks as well as some of the original pocket bags.

Giraffe gathering

Another large scale restock, this time of giraffes.  This is the second most popular line of animals, and possibly my favourite.  They are also the most tricky to make of the animals.

Made from a  Funky Friends Factory pattern.

Herd of elephants

I thought I was doing really well when I finished these 20 elephants, and believed such an increase in stock would keep me going for some time. not so - they have all now been sold!  On to the next batch...

Postcards

I would love to be able to photograph the reaction to the arrival of one of these.  On the rare occasions that I do get to find out a reaction, it is always positive.  My hope is always that these unusual postacrds bring surprise and pleasure.

The "Keep calm and..." theme continues to be popular...

Little bags for little girls - strap variation

These bags are both, like the previous original version, without any fastening, but made with longer straps.  For a little girl, these could be cross body; for a bigger girl they would just make a shoulder bag.

Crocodile hunting!

Here are two more of my newest design.  These have all sold, so more need to be cut and sewn - but the list of cutting and sewing seems to be growing faster than my ability to complete it!  Hopefully the summer holidays will provide me with time and space to make progress and rebuild my stock.  It is great to see how quickly these African animals are selling.

Made from a  Funky Friends Factory pattern.

Snakes alive!

Another new toy - this time a snake.

I'm interested to see how well these sell.  They are much easier and faster to make than the other Funky Friends Factory designs I have made, and will be priced accordingly. 
Made from a Funky Friend Factory pattern: http://www.funkyfriendsfactory.com/ 

Elephants stomping

Here are the latest elephants.  These are still selling amazingly well, and I am looking forward to making more.

Some of these are doorstops, with feed filled with sand.  I have now had a request for some lion doorstops - still trying to find time to complete these!