I think it's safe to say that spring is here. The birds are singing, the grass is finally getting a green tint to it (there was snow all over the place just a few days ago so that's saying something), and people are starting to go outdoors again. Needless to say, I got very little craftiness done today. I did wear my frog skirt all day today. Love it! I'm really jumping into this skirt only summer. My cats though got a bit confused by the naked legs and kept attacking me, I'd like to think Libby was just trying to keep my legs warm but she is lacking in claw control.
After a day of just enjoying the day I watched a few reruns of Supernatural (Dean Winchester, uh huh) and got to working on a project that has been bouncing around in my head. Nothing like a little demon hunting to get my creativity into gear. Hopefully my new project will be photo worthy by tomorrow.
And speaking of tomorrow my 25th post is coming up so I am planning something special. So stick around, there might be something in it for you. I suck at keeping secrets.
Tuesday, 8 April 2008
Monday, 7 April 2008
Part 2: Tote Bag Tutorial
So the exterior of the bag is done so on to the interior. First up is the Zippered Divider Pocket.
Zippered Divider Pocket:
12" zipper
2 9x15 zippered divider pocket pieces
zipper foot
Lay one divider pocket piece right side up. Centre the zipper along one 15" side and line up the edge of the zipper fabric to the raw edge of the pocket. Sew along the edge with a 1/4" seam. Lay the piece right side up and fold the zipper so it is also right side up which will turn the raw edges to the wrong side. Pin the fabric so it just touches the edge of the teeth. With a zipper foot sew along the edge of the teeth. One side of the zipper is attached. Now repeat these steps for the other side.
With the zipper attached lay the pieces flat with wrong sides together and pin. Sew a scant 1/4 inch seam along the three open sides. Clip the corners.
Unzip the zipper and turn the bag inside out. Press the edges and sew another slightly larger seam but this time begin and end about 1/4" from the stopper on the zipper.
Turn the pocket right side out and set aside.
Lining:
Sew the lining of the bag the same way you sewed the exterior but don't attach the bottom yet. Leave the lining so the wrong side is facing out.
Place the Zippered Divider Pocket inside the lining placing the edge of the pocket centred along the uninterfaced channel of the Lining Sides. Pin and sew a 1/4" seam to attach the pocket inside the lining. Make sure to sew all the way along that edge, not only the part where the pocket is or your lining won't fit properly.
Now it should look like this.
Now attach the bottom of the lining the same way you attached the exterior bottom.
Assemble the Bag:
If you would like to add a sturdier bottom in the bag cut a piece of plastic to fit (I used one of those hard plastic sheets out of a binder) and place it in the bottom of the exterior. Slip it under the seam allowances to help keep it in place and the slide the lining bag into the exterior bag. Line up the side seams and pin the two bags together. I've made this bag three times so far and every time the lining ends up a little too long so don't worry if it pokes out above the top of the exterior bag. It's more important that the inside be smooth and fit snugly rather than those top edges meet exactly. Sew all the way around the top edge of the bag to hold everything in place and trim whatever excess lining is peeking out of the top.
Attaching the Top Trim:
If you would like you can add a magnetic snap to keep the bag closed. I finally did this on this last bag and I love the results, but it isn't necessary. Just attach it on the insides of the Top Trim pieces.
Open the Top Trim piece so it lays flat. Stand the bag up and slide the Top Trim piece over the bag so the raw edge of the Top Trim matches up with the top edge of the bag. Pin all around the top of the bag. It will look like this:
N.B. If you opted for the magnetic snap make sure the side where they are attached is not the side that you are pinning to the bag or else you will have little magnets on the outside of your bag.
Carefully sew a 1/2" seam all around the top of the bag. Pull up the Top Trim piece and turn the inside to the inside. Pin the inside of the Top Trim piece along the inside of the bag turning under approximately 1/2" to cover up your stitching line. Carefully top stitch all around the bag again and you're done!
Zippered Divider Pocket:
12" zipper
2 9x15 zippered divider pocket pieces
zipper foot
Lay one divider pocket piece right side up. Centre the zipper along one 15" side and line up the edge of the zipper fabric to the raw edge of the pocket. Sew along the edge with a 1/4" seam. Lay the piece right side up and fold the zipper so it is also right side up which will turn the raw edges to the wrong side. Pin the fabric so it just touches the edge of the teeth. With a zipper foot sew along the edge of the teeth. One side of the zipper is attached. Now repeat these steps for the other side.
With the zipper attached lay the pieces flat with wrong sides together and pin. Sew a scant 1/4 inch seam along the three open sides. Clip the corners.
Unzip the zipper and turn the bag inside out. Press the edges and sew another slightly larger seam but this time begin and end about 1/4" from the stopper on the zipper.
Turn the pocket right side out and set aside.
Lining:
Sew the lining of the bag the same way you sewed the exterior but don't attach the bottom yet. Leave the lining so the wrong side is facing out.
Place the Zippered Divider Pocket inside the lining placing the edge of the pocket centred along the uninterfaced channel of the Lining Sides. Pin and sew a 1/4" seam to attach the pocket inside the lining. Make sure to sew all the way along that edge, not only the part where the pocket is or your lining won't fit properly.
Now it should look like this.
Now attach the bottom of the lining the same way you attached the exterior bottom.
Assemble the Bag:
If you would like to add a sturdier bottom in the bag cut a piece of plastic to fit (I used one of those hard plastic sheets out of a binder) and place it in the bottom of the exterior. Slip it under the seam allowances to help keep it in place and the slide the lining bag into the exterior bag. Line up the side seams and pin the two bags together. I've made this bag three times so far and every time the lining ends up a little too long so don't worry if it pokes out above the top of the exterior bag. It's more important that the inside be smooth and fit snugly rather than those top edges meet exactly. Sew all the way around the top edge of the bag to hold everything in place and trim whatever excess lining is peeking out of the top.
Attaching the Top Trim:
If you would like you can add a magnetic snap to keep the bag closed. I finally did this on this last bag and I love the results, but it isn't necessary. Just attach it on the insides of the Top Trim pieces.
Open the Top Trim piece so it lays flat. Stand the bag up and slide the Top Trim piece over the bag so the raw edge of the Top Trim matches up with the top edge of the bag. Pin all around the top of the bag. It will look like this:
N.B. If you opted for the magnetic snap make sure the side where they are attached is not the side that you are pinning to the bag or else you will have little magnets on the outside of your bag.
Carefully sew a 1/2" seam all around the top of the bag. Pull up the Top Trim piece and turn the inside to the inside. Pin the inside of the Top Trim piece along the inside of the bag turning under approximately 1/2" to cover up your stitching line. Carefully top stitch all around the bag again and you're done!
Sunday, 6 April 2008
Part 1: Tote Bag Tutorial
Okay, this is my first tutorial so go easy on me. If something doesn't seem to make sense I will try to explain it better. I tried not to get too wordy with it and used pictures where it seemed useful. Of course, the usual restrictions apply, don't pass this off as your own pattern, link to this tutorial and give credit if you do make this. Do not make this for profit, though if you get in contact with me and explain the situation an exception might be made. Please make this for charity and gifts, send me a pic if you do - I would love to see them!
I like a bag that is sturdy and looks just as nice when it is empty as when it is full. But this pattern does still look nice even if the lining isn't interfaced, or if it is interfaced with a mediumweight interfacing instead of heavy. Guess I'm just trying to say it is a flexible pattern.
Materials:
1/2 yard cotton for exterior
3/4 yard cotton for lining
1/2 yard cotton for handles and trim
2 yards heavyweight fusible interfacing
12" zipper to match lining fabric
Optional:
1 magnetic snap
1 14 x 4 inch piece of plastic (for bottom)
Directions:
Fold the fabric selvage to selvage to cut it. If you are a visual person I snapped these pictures to show all the dimensions.
Bag Exterior
Lining
* that red text I tried to highlight came out unreadable, it says 5 1/2 inches.
Handles
Once all the pieces are cut you will have:
Exterior
Interfacing:
Now that all the pieces are cut out cut your interfacing for each piece. I cut all of my pieces 1/2 inch smaller on each side to minimize on bulky seams.
A couple of exceptions are the Lining Sides. Cut a 4x10 inch piece of interfacing for each and then cut each one in half so you have 2 2x10 inch strips. Fuse each strip with the same half inch seam allowance so that there will be a 1/2 inch gap left unlined. This is where the Zippered Divider Pocket will be sewn in later.
I also did not interface the Divider Pocket pieces, or the Lining for the side pockets, and only interfaced half of the handles. For the Top Trim cut 4 18x4 inch rectangles of interfacing and we'll shape those next.
Top Trim:
To shape these pieces draw the pattern onto one Top Trim Interfacing piece that has been folded in half. Measure in 3 7/8 inches from the folded edge and 1 1/2 inches down. Draw a curve to remove the sharp angle and cut out this piece. Use the discarded piece as a template to draw the rest of the curves.
Now measure over 1 3/4 inches from the top of the curve (this is where the handle will be attached) and use your template to trace the curve again. Cut out the curve and then trace the pattern onto the other 3 pieces of interfacing.
Handles
Once all the pieces are cut you will have:
Exterior
- Front & Back 11x15 inches
- 2 Sides 5x11
- 1 Bottom 5x15
- 2 Pockets 6x5
- Front & Back 11x 15 inches
- 2 Sides 5 1/2 x11
- 1 Bottom 5x15
- 2 Pockets 6x5
- 2 Divider Pocket 9x15
- 4 Handles 2x21 inches
- 4 Top Trim 5x19
Interfacing:
Now that all the pieces are cut out cut your interfacing for each piece. I cut all of my pieces 1/2 inch smaller on each side to minimize on bulky seams.
A couple of exceptions are the Lining Sides. Cut a 4x10 inch piece of interfacing for each and then cut each one in half so you have 2 2x10 inch strips. Fuse each strip with the same half inch seam allowance so that there will be a 1/2 inch gap left unlined. This is where the Zippered Divider Pocket will be sewn in later.
I also did not interface the Divider Pocket pieces, or the Lining for the side pockets, and only interfaced half of the handles. For the Top Trim cut 4 18x4 inch rectangles of interfacing and we'll shape those next.
Top Trim:
To shape these pieces draw the pattern onto one Top Trim Interfacing piece that has been folded in half. Measure in 3 7/8 inches from the folded edge and 1 1/2 inches down. Draw a curve to remove the sharp angle and cut out this piece. Use the discarded piece as a template to draw the rest of the curves.
Now measure over 1 3/4 inches from the top of the curve (this is where the handle will be attached) and use your template to trace the curve again. Cut out the curve and then trace the pattern onto the other 3 pieces of interfacing.
Now fuse all the interfacing to your fabric pieces and cut the Top Trim fabric with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Now it's time to sew!
Handles:
Pin two handle pieces (one interfaced and one plain) right sides together. Sew along the long edges leaving the ends open with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Repeat for the other handle. Turn the handles right side out, press and top stitch.
Top Trim:
Pin two of the Top Trim pieces with right sides together. Place each end of one handle strip into the spaces for them letting them stick out about 1/2 inch or so beyond the end on the Top Trim piece. Make sure the handle is not twisted. Sew along the top edge of the pattern pieces and clip the curves.
Turn right side out and repeat for remaining pieces. Open the Top Trim pieces and lay them right sides together. Pin the short sides together on each end and sew.
Now turn right side out. Topstitch all the way around the upper edge of the Top Trim, pull the stray threads to the inside and knot. Trim and set aside.
Assemble the Exterior:
Pin one exterior pocket and a lining pocket right sides together. Sew across the top edge then flip so the wrong sides are together, press. Topstitch along the top edge you just sewed. Repeat for the other pocket.
Layer the pieces as shown in the image and sew along the turquoise line. With the other pieces layer them the same as the picture except sew the Pocket and Side pieces to the other edge of the fabric so you will end up with a pocket on each end of your bag. Open up both sets and lay them with right sides together. Pin and sew each end to create a tube.
Cut a small square out of each corner of the bottom piece to make sewing in this piece easier.
Line up the fabric so the corner of the interfacing points into the side seam. Repeat for each corner. Pin along the long sides of the bag.
Sew up these sides beginning and ending at the corners of the interfacing to preserve the shape of the bag. Line up and pin the short sides together on each end and sew them the same way.
You're done with the exterior part of the bag! Now I think I should divide this tutorial in two posts because it is getting pretty long.
Saturday, 5 April 2008
I signed up
I signed up for the Sassy Apron Swap a couple of days ago. I'm so excited as this is my first swap, and it is for aprons! I was already dreaming up designs, I'm having such a hard time not starting on one (or two) aprons already, but I want to wait until the partners are passed out so I can work on one especially for my recipient. This is going to be so much fun!
hmm...guess I could always just make an apron or two for myself first. We'll call it practice.
Friday, 4 April 2008
Frog Invasion!
The froggies invaded my sewing room
and now little frogs are hopping across my new skirt. It took me the better part of today to get all the kinks worked out, but I'm so happy with the finished product it was totally worth all the annoyance. Did the seam ripper ever get a workout today!
I drafted this skirt pattern earlier. Originally it was just a plain A-line skirt with a couple of darts on the front and back, with a facing at the waist and it was cut on grain. Well I liked the way the frogs looked when the fabric was on the bias so I decided to cut it that way instead of on grain which led to problems along the way.
Last night all the pieces got cut out, the interfacing was fused to the lining, and the polkadot trim was sewn to the bottom edge. French Seams are my favourite as it keeps the inside nice and clean (stray threads bother me). They are really easy, and great for delicate fabrics (though I use them on cottons). Anyway, just sew a 1/4 inch seam with wrong sides together, open up and press in one direction then realign the fabric with right side together and sew another seam slightly larger than 1/4 inch. Now the nasty raw edges are hidden between two seams. Tada! It looks like the picture above.
This morning I started working on the skirt and everything just went wrong. First the darts weren't working. Why I thought the darts would behave the same way on the bias fabric is beyond me, the end of the dart kept ballooning out no matter how it was sewn. I guess because the bias fabric has so much give on the diagonal as soon as there wasn't another stitch holding it in check the fabric went a little crazy. I ended up sewing long gradual darts from the top to the bottom of the frog fabric so I could keep it under control.
I put this together differently. First I sewed the left seam of the lining together, then the left seam of the skirt pieces, and then attached the lining to the skirt, pressed and top-stitched. So far the right side seam where the zipper is sewn in is still open and it made pressing so much easier. Then I couldn't put the zipper in. First it was too low, then it was crooked, then it was bumpy. Interfacing saved what was left of my sanity. I love the polkadot lining!
So after a day of pulling my hair out and swearing, I have this:
It's cold and rainy here today but I was already wearing it around the house with some black leggings on underneath to stave off the goosebumps. I can't wait til it gets warmer, this will be great with some flip flops and a hoodie.
p.s. You know you want the frog fabric, don't deny yourself the pleasure!
*edited to change the finished skirt pic. I covered up the duct tape with my fav tee. I'll probably wear it with that, I like the way they look together. Anyone recognize the character?
and now little frogs are hopping across my new skirt. It took me the better part of today to get all the kinks worked out, but I'm so happy with the finished product it was totally worth all the annoyance. Did the seam ripper ever get a workout today!
I drafted this skirt pattern earlier. Originally it was just a plain A-line skirt with a couple of darts on the front and back, with a facing at the waist and it was cut on grain. Well I liked the way the frogs looked when the fabric was on the bias so I decided to cut it that way instead of on grain which led to problems along the way.
Last night all the pieces got cut out, the interfacing was fused to the lining, and the polkadot trim was sewn to the bottom edge. French Seams are my favourite as it keeps the inside nice and clean (stray threads bother me). They are really easy, and great for delicate fabrics (though I use them on cottons). Anyway, just sew a 1/4 inch seam with wrong sides together, open up and press in one direction then realign the fabric with right side together and sew another seam slightly larger than 1/4 inch. Now the nasty raw edges are hidden between two seams. Tada! It looks like the picture above.
This morning I started working on the skirt and everything just went wrong. First the darts weren't working. Why I thought the darts would behave the same way on the bias fabric is beyond me, the end of the dart kept ballooning out no matter how it was sewn. I guess because the bias fabric has so much give on the diagonal as soon as there wasn't another stitch holding it in check the fabric went a little crazy. I ended up sewing long gradual darts from the top to the bottom of the frog fabric so I could keep it under control.
I put this together differently. First I sewed the left seam of the lining together, then the left seam of the skirt pieces, and then attached the lining to the skirt, pressed and top-stitched. So far the right side seam where the zipper is sewn in is still open and it made pressing so much easier. Then I couldn't put the zipper in. First it was too low, then it was crooked, then it was bumpy. Interfacing saved what was left of my sanity. I love the polkadot lining!
So after a day of pulling my hair out and swearing, I have this:
It's cold and rainy here today but I was already wearing it around the house with some black leggings on underneath to stave off the goosebumps. I can't wait til it gets warmer, this will be great with some flip flops and a hoodie.
p.s. You know you want the frog fabric, don't deny yourself the pleasure!
*edited to change the finished skirt pic. I covered up the duct tape with my fav tee. I'll probably wear it with that, I like the way they look together. Anyone recognize the character?
The Lightning Zero
Your Superhero Profile |
 Your Superhero Name is The Lightning Zero Your Superpower is Paranormal Your Weakness is Reruns of the Cosby Show Your Weapon is Your Poison Shotgun Your Mode of Transportation is Zebra |
What's your Superhero Name?
Just had to post this because it gave me the needed giggles on this rainy morning. Poison Shotgun, nothing like a little overkill. The new froggy polkadot skirt I'm working on would make a perfect costume, especially with that stripey Zebra I'd be riding. Okay, I'm putting too much thought into this. I have to go finish my costume...err skirt!
Oh and the bag tutorial will be finished this weekend, the 12 inch turquoise zipper is an elusive beast.
Just had to post this because it gave me the needed giggles on this rainy morning. Poison Shotgun, nothing like a little overkill. The new froggy polkadot skirt I'm working on would make a perfect costume, especially with that stripey Zebra I'd be riding. Okay, I'm putting too much thought into this. I have to go finish my costume...err skirt!
Oh and the bag tutorial will be finished this weekend, the 12 inch turquoise zipper is an elusive beast.
Wednesday, 2 April 2008
More Fabric
Here are some pics of the rest of the new fabric that came in the mail. These are from Sew, Mama, Sew and I just love them! I already got to playing and picked out the coordinating fabrics so all that is left to do is pull out the rotary cutter and start slicing it up. Oh, that sounds so cruel. That might be what my problem is - I anthropomorphize everything. Yes, I make the animals talk but everybody does that, right? The problem goes much deeper than that though (like here for instance). People who know me get used to it, or ignore it, or think it's quirky that I'm having an ongoing conversation with the soup. So, it makes sense that I sometimes get the jitters when it comes to cutting up fabric. It's been welcomed into my home, washed, dried, ironed and folded. But it has also been petted, adored and a little life has been created for it. Then there is the future and aspirations of what it wants to become. It is just a matter of me making it so. That's a lot of pressure, but I have to believe that the skills are in me to pull it off so the transformed fabric can be sent of into the world in his new incarnation.
Oh yeah, I was going to show you fabric pics instead of rambling on!
I just love the spirals in that one, and the colours. He wants to be a skirt of some kind.
Frogs? What can be better than frogs? I'm going to cut the fabric on the bias like its shown here because the frogs seem to have more movement this way. They were going to become a bag for the tutorial I'm working on but the progress shots would have been too dark. So it's becoming a skirt too.
I just love this little pattern, it reminds me of something from when I was small, but I can't quite remember what. I think it might be similar to something on my grandmothers everyday dishes.
Alright, now I'm going to go work on that bag tutorial.
Oh yeah, I was going to show you fabric pics instead of rambling on!
I just love the spirals in that one, and the colours. He wants to be a skirt of some kind.
Frogs? What can be better than frogs? I'm going to cut the fabric on the bias like its shown here because the frogs seem to have more movement this way. They were going to become a bag for the tutorial I'm working on but the progress shots would have been too dark. So it's becoming a skirt too.
I just love this little pattern, it reminds me of something from when I was small, but I can't quite remember what. I think it might be similar to something on my grandmothers everyday dishes.
Alright, now I'm going to go work on that bag tutorial.
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