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

Harry Potter phone cases

More larger size cases, this time with the Hogwarts school emblem. Harry Potter doesn't seem to go out of fashion, I'm glad to say.

Pocket phone cases

These were an early creation, and have remained popular.  Interestingly I have had to adjust the size.  When I first made these, the most popular and best selling size was the one which fitted an iphone 3 (or 4!).  Now phones have got larger, and I needed to reflect this in my latest batch of cases.

This is a great way of using front pockets, and I think the pocket is really useful in a phone case - a space to hold your headphones!

More pocket bags

I really needed to stock up on these bags.  One thing I have definitely learnt over the two years I have been sewing with a view to raising money for Utange is that all bags are faster to make when made in bulk.  So I try to make at least five of a style of bag at one time. Occasionally this has been a mistake, when the style of bag has not sold well, but generally it works well.  I bear this in mind when cutting, too.  With all the adult jeans I am given, I have a standard method of cutting them up, which involves cutting up the seams to separate the four leg pieces.  My next step is generally to separate the back pockets from the rest of the leg, and I aim to cut these into 8" squares.  Sometimes this is not possible, and so I have a large collection of pocket pieces waiting to be used in projects which.  However, the 8" pockets are used to make these bags and the backpacks.  I then piece the pockets in pairs horizontally, then put two pairs together to make the front or back of the bag.  The linings are then a standard 15 1/2" square and it all sews up remarkably quickly.

I'm sharing this project at the following link parties:

Crafty Showcase	Polkadot pretties	Saturday Sew and Tell
Saturday at Seven	Strut your stuff Saturday	Check me out Saturdays

Backpack bonanza!

So here is the remainder of the backpack stock.  I realised that I made ten of these in my latest batch of sewing.  I wonder how many will be sold in the sales I have before Christmas!

I've had these bags purchased as changing bags, school bags, sports kit bags, and shopping bags.  I look forward to any new ideas in the coming season.

This project will be shared at the following link parties:

Sew Cute Tuesday	Too Cute Tuesday	From Dream to reality
Fluster buster	Nifty Thrifty Tuesday	Ladybug Blessings

Pocket backpacks

These bags are so very popular.  They have a special significance for me as well, knowing that the children of Casuarina House each have one, made for them for last year's Christmas presents.  I have become quite adept at running them up quickly, and they are often a project which goes with me to sales, where I have found it is easy to thread the cord through a batch while manning my stall.

The tutorial for these bags can be found here.

I'm sharing this project at the following link parties:

A Round Tuit	Sew Can Do	Hand made Monday
	Sew Chatty	Calling all Crafters
Make it yourself Monday

Pocket purse restock

Sophie, who recently went to Utange with a group to carry out some volunteering, has been doing a great job selling some of my items for me in the Wellingborough area.  Such a great job, in fact, that she recently asked for more small items to sell - which meant it was more than time for me to restock my pocket purses.  I pinned these on Pinterest, and I have to say they are probably the most frequently repinned item I have!

I'll be sharing this post at these link parties:

Create and Share	Made by Me	We Made it Wednesday
A Creative Princess	Whatever goes Wednesday	A Little Bird told me

Apologies - and a new post!

I seem to have forgotten how hectic the start of a new school year is!  It isn't that I haven't been sewing, or haven't been selling for that matter.  Rather, I haven't had time to take photos and/or create blog posts.  But I do intend to turn over a new leaf, in the hope that there are still some people left following this blog!
I have lots of news to pass on - and, tantalisingly, I intend to leave the news to follow in later posts!  Mean, aren't I!  While you wait, here is one of my recent creations:

 This bag is a long-standing favourite, both of mine and for customers.  It is always fun choosing which pockets to use.  It's a sturdy, practical bag. and I'm glad to have it in stock again before the Christmas sales.  You can find the tutorial for this bag here; it is a great one for a beginner to make as the construction is so simple.

I'll be sharing this bag at the following link parties:

Cet Crafty Fridays	Can I get a Whoop whoop	Anything Goes
5Days5Ways	Friday Follow Along	Show off Friday

Money apron

This was an adaptation of the peg apron.  I have been using a money belt for takings at fairs, but it gets a bit fiddly at times.  So I designed myself an apron.  As you can see, there are jean pockets on the outside. Then there is a divided pocket behind that, and two more jean pockets inside the apron.  I use these for notes; the large pockets (originally for pegs) for coins, with £1 coins separated from the rest, and the outer pockets hold a pen and my cards.  It has been so useful.  I made  a second one, and sold it on its first outing!

This post will be shared at these link parties:

Create and Share	Made by Me	We Made it Wednesday
A Creative Princess	Whatever goes Wednesday	Wow us Wednesday

More pocket bags

The basic version of this was one of my first designs.  I developed it into a larger version with a gusset.  The latest development has been to add a zip.
My journey with zips has been an example of God at work. When I first made the bags to be sold for Kenya, J asked me about bags with a zip.  My response was rapid - "I don't do zips".  At that point, zips scared me.  I didn't think I would ever include them in my creations.  I said as much to J.
Just as I am now doing lots of things I thought I would never be able to do, zips now form a part of my repetoire.  I don't claim to enjoy using them - I do still find them something of a challenge.  But I am becoming more confident. And when I tell J of other things I "don't do", she often smiles at me and gently asks, "like zips?"

This post will be shared at these link parties:

Catch a glimpse	Things I've Done Thursday	Link it Up Thursday
Hookin up with HoH	It's Stinkin Cute	Make it Wear it Thursday
I gotta create