Everything But the Machine Bag

MaryC came to the last Sew Day with a new bag, the Everything But the Machine bag.

Those in her sewing gang were also industriously working on their own versions. Many others were interested so the guild is planning a Sew Day where everyone works on their own versions of these. I didn’t really want to make one, but as a good guild citizen (President), I signed up.

At first I thought I would make one for my mom, but she said very firmly last time I visited that she didn’t need any more bags (this was before the backpack conversation). I thought about others for whom I could make one and came up blank.

The week before the Sew Day was shaping up to be busy. It was a lot of ‘fun’ busy, but still busy and I was concerned I wouldn’t get the pieces cut out. I couldn’t get them cut out if I hadn’t picked fabric.

As the day got closer, I really needed to decide on fabric. I finally decided I would use some really nice fabric, some fabric I loved or that I had been ‘saving’. I also thought I would use some fun zipper pulls and make it for me. Someone else might like it, but I also thought of ways that I could use the bag. I think I realized that I often don’t make bags for myself, because I don’t know how I will use them.

I did want to finish cutting out the 1,000 pieces for the Urban Sea backpack, but once I did that, I looked through my fabrics and started cutting. I actually was able to cut everything out very quickly. When you are able to use a rotary cutter and ruler, the cutting goes quickly!

I am using Pristine Poppy from the old, old, old Notting Hill collection by Joel Dewberry. I made the Oxbow Tote out of another colorway from that line. Both lining and exterior are the same print in different colorways. I am using some of the zipper tape I bought by the yard at Sewlarium.

I still have to interface the pieces, but am pretty much ready to go.