Yay! I finished the Carrier in time for the next Sew Day. Yes, I am finishing a lot lately. It feels great, though I still have a lot to finish.
This is a large bag and it is simply a bag. There are no ironing pads or tool holders and there aren’t 45 pockets. I even forgot to put a leash in it with a lobster clip!
As mentioned previously, I thought it would allow me to be modular in my transport of tools and supplies to Sew Day.
There are 8 pockets, six on the outside and 2 on the inside. The inside pockets might have been better as vinyl pockets. I had already added Soft & Stable** as the interfacing. This means that the first time out, I was reluctant to add another layer to some already thick seams.
With this bag, I was already considering whether or not I needed an industrial machine. The top stitching around the handles and the edge was difficult, but I lengthened the seam allowance and that worked pretty well. I really don’t want additional machines hanging around. If I had a larger workroom, maybe, but I don’t.
The pattern called for ‘heavy interfacing’. Peltex 70** was suggested. As you know, I have yards of Soft & Stable and I know how that works. I haven’t tried Peltex 70, that I remember. I also know how to work with Soft & Stable, so I went with that interfacing. The bag stands up, which I like, so I call it a win.
The lining isn’t as tight as I would have liked. I should have used a larger seam allowance. I trusted the pattern maker and the lining was very saggy baggy. I went back and increased the size on some of the seams I could reach once the bag was all together. That made it better, but not as I would like it. I have to review the directions in a different pattern, which is rumored to include anchoring the lining in the seam allowances. Stay tuned for that.
I also painted Odicoat** on the bottom. Not photo since you can’t see it in a photo. I put on two layers after the bag was completed and I don’t see any harm to the bag. I don’t see much, if any, shrinkage. When I do this again, I’ll still pay attention.
I still have to migrate all of my ‘going to Sew Day’ tools and supplies to this bag. That’s a project for another day this week.
Making bags is always a learning experience. I learn something every time. I need to remember to incorporate my preferences into each bag regardless of what the pattern says.
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