Showing posts with label Handbags. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Handbags. Show all posts

How to Make a Reusable Gift Bag with Ties: Easy to Sew

How to Make a Reusable Gift Bag with Ties: Easy to Sew
Hello Sewing friends! It's no secret that I love making bags and today I'm going to share with you how to make an easy reusable gift bag. The Holidays are upon us and sometimes I don't have time to make something special for everyone but I still like to give a gift with a touch of handmade.  Stuff these easy to sew bags with a package of baked goods, candy bars, lotion, a cozy scarf, or some fun socks and you'll have the perfect gift for a best friend, neighbor, or teacher. (Mine are holding a package of store bought cookies). Come learn how to make them! 

Mini Tulip Tote PDF Sewing Pattern


Mini Tulip Tote PDF Sewing Pattern
I have some exciting news. Today I am releasing my Mini Tulip Tote PDF pattern.  This has been a long time coming.  I don't know how many times I've promised that I'm working on this pattern. Well its done, DONE! And I'm so so happy to share it with you.

How to Insert a Magnetic Snap with 3 Helpful Tips


Title photo - How to Install a Magnetic Snap: 3 useful Tips

Hello Sewing Friends! Today we are taking the mystery out of installing a magnetic snap in a handbag. It is waaaay easier than you think it is! I'll walk you through the process and give you my 3 favorite tips that I discovered while installing hundreds of these little things. Lets go!!

Quilty Penelope Bag

Hello sewing friends. I get to be the guest designer this month for Patchwork Posse's online Quilt Guild and I'm so excited to share with you the project I've created for it.  I've added a little "quilty" flare to my Penelope handbag and turned it into a PDF pattern to share. Introducing the Quilty Penelope Bag.

The handbag has a Variable star built into the side panels, giving it a pop of color and a cute way to show off your love of quilting. The star panel is great for using up some of your scraps or for playing around with your new favorite fabrics. You can also substitute an 8”, or larger, orphan block to the center panel for a completely different look.



 The Quilty Penelope Bag is perfect for carrying all your essentials, plus a few extras. It’s small enough that it won’t weigh down your shoulder, but roomy enough to hold what you need. 

There are pockets on the inside and a simple magnetic snap closure. The comfortable fabric strap stays on your shoulder and easily slips on with one hand. 

This pattern is written exclusively for Patchwork Posse's online Quilt Guild. Are you a member yet? You may want to consider joining. Not just for my pattern but for access to all the other exclusive patterns, tutorials, Block-of-the-Months, and giveaways that come along with membership. 
There's also a facebook group where you can show of your projects and get feedback and fun swaps you can participate in. It's just like being part of a local quilt group but with the convenience of your own schedule. You'll find all the details about how to join on the Quilt Guild Info Page 
You can read more about me and my project on the Guest Designer page. Sign up and download my Quilty Penelope Bag pattern and let me know what you think.
Happy Sewing!

Teach a Sewing Class: Super Simple Tote


Today I'm sharing the Super Simple Tote that I taught at our Sewing Soiree last week.  It is very basic and great for beginners.   In fact, it is so easy, I think it is the perfect project to use to teach someone to sew.

 I think it is so fun to teach others to sew.  Sewing is such a useful skill, plus it's fun! I've put together a set of instructions for you to use to teach your own sewing class.  Teaching a class is a great way to spread the sewing love and share your passion with your friends.  This tote is by no means my own design.  I basically copied a simple store bought tote that I liked.  I particularly like that the bag has a gusset that is sewn into the side seams.  It makes such a cute little triangle, and is way easier than sewing a corner into the bag after you sew the side seams as you would for a traditional gusset. 

I also like the way the handles are attached.  You don't have to be careful about hiding any raw edges as you sew. 
  
Have I sold you on the simplicity of this project yet??

I made a word document with all of the instructions that you may print out to share if you are teaching a class. Click HERE to get to it. This bag is made of one layer of fabric so you will want to choose a heavier weight fabric for it.  Canvas, outdoor canvas, twill, decorator fabric, corduroy, or denim are all good choices.   You will need 1/2 yard of fabric.


 Lets get started, shall we?

1. Cut fabric. :
for body - cut a 14” x 32” rectangle
for handles - cut 2, 3” x 21” rectangles



2. Prepare handles by pressing long sides ½ in toward center with wrong side
of fabric facing up.  Then match folded edges and press in half forming a strap. Stitch along both sides 1/8 inch from edge.  At this point lay the handles next to each other and make sure they are still the same length.



3. Prepare the body of the bag by folding the rectangle in half with right sides
together. Make a small mark 1 ½” from fold on both edges front and back.

4. Make a fold connecting each of the markings and match folds together
making a pleat that folds up inside the bottom of the bag. Pin pleat at the

sides. See example.


5. Sew side seams by stitching along each side about 3/8 in. from edge. Using a wide
zig zag stitch, sew along side seam enclosing the raw edges so they won’t
fray.


6. Fold down the top of the bag ½” toward wrong side of fabric and press
pushing side seams to ones side.  Then fold it down again 1” and press.


7. Tuck handle end into fold 3 inches from each side seam and pin. Handle
should point down into bag. Repeat for the other handle.

8. Starting at a side seam, topstitch down fold 1/8 inch from bottom of fold on
the inside of the bag.


9. Finally fold up handle and stitch in place making an “x” surrounded by a box.
10. Now, for a perfect looking bag, iron it.

Okay, so here is a little more information.  You can also line this bag easily by cutting a second body out of lightweight fabric that is 3 inches shorter than the main body cut.  You make it exactly the same way and slip it inside just before you hem the top. 

You can also add a pocket to the inside lining before you sew it together.


Now go spread the sewing love and teach someone to sew!






I'm teaching a class!!

I am having so much fun hanging out with my family this week even though it is FREEZING here in Colorado. It is literally 3 degrees outside right now. I think the high was 19 today. I'm not typically a huge fan of Florida, but heading back there is looking quite appealing. Anyway, I almost forgot to tell you that I am teaching a bag making class at my local quilt shop next week. I'm so excited for the opportunity to teach!! I love teaching people to sew.


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The bag we will be making is called "Janet's Tote" from a Totes by Sandy pattern that they sell at the shop. Someday it would be fun to teach a class on how to make one of my bags, but I have to start somewhere right?.
If any of you local gals want to come make this bag you can find all of details HERE. The Janet tote is a large bag with a lot of pockets. It would make a great diaper bag or travel bag. It has ties on the sides that cinch the top to give it a cute shape.
I love all of the pockets....so many handy places to put things. This is a great bag for a beginner to intermediate sewer.

It will be fun to see how the class goes. I'm looking forward to it!