After making the Hemingways for my sister, I had a piece of quilted foam left over. I have been collecting strips of quilted foam and it is getting a little annoying. It seems like such a waste to throw them away, especially since I spent time to quilt them (or money to have them quilted). However, they are small and I haven’t found a good project for them.
Eventually, I decided to sew the leftover Paris fabric/foam into a pencil or glasses case. I am not sure which it is and will let Lil Sissy decide.
I decided to make a Hemingway pouch for my sister for Christmas. Partly this was to provide a laptop/tablet cover for her and partly because this is a quick project and I hadn’t started a more complicated bag in time to get it done before Christmas.
I made this pattern once before. I ended up with a section of vinyl and half a zipper. This time I decided to take MaryC’s advice and make a small pouch to go with the larger one. Mary uses hers for WonderClips, but Lil Sissy can use her for small cosmetics or dog treats.
I am pretty pleased with how it came out, though the print looks a little sideways. I also meant to add a handle, but forgot in the process of getting it done.
Baby Hemingway – 1st iteration
The first iteration of the small Hemingway had the binding on the outside. My machine binding still needs work. I didn’t like the way it looked so I cut off the binding, bound it on the inside and made it a little smaller.
I finished the Cosquilla pretty quickly, considering I only started it a few days ago. In general, this pattern has only a few pieces, so is easy to cut out. The instructions are excellent and there was only one confusing part where I needed to watch the video to complete.
I was able to use one ByAnnie 30 inch double pull handbag zipper for both of the zippers needed in the project. The yellow of the zipper doesn’t go exactly with the fabric I chose, but I think it looks good. There are not as many zipper colors as fabric colors.
Beth’s Cosquilla: interior
This is the first time I have used the same fabric for both the exterior and interior. I don’t know why I never thought of it before (DUH!), but I think it worked really well. There wasn’t a lot of exterior and there were some focus type motifs that I fussy cut in order to make the parts interesting. I still wanted the whole pouch to read as yellow, so I kept that in mind.
Beth’s Cosquilla: zipper side
This pouch, as you can see, has a lot of vinyl. I recently replenished by supply of vinyl. Mostly I like the glitter vinyl, but this time I also bought some vinyl with stars printed on it. I like the glitter vinyl, because it doesn’t interfere with the pattern on the fabric. In this case, I used the star vinyl and I think it allows the fabric motifs to shine as well. The other thing I like about these two vinyl patterns is I can use every inch. I don’t have to worry about the motifs on the vinyl being in the wrong direction when the bag is finished.
Beth’s Cosquilla: side
The pattern had a really interesting piece for the bottom and the sides. It was a long oval piece that had to be quilted before cutting it out. There are fewer seams when one piece makes up the sides and bottom.
I really don’t know how Sara thinks of these bag designs, but I am constantly impressed. Having the sides wrap around the bottom/sides piece was really clever. I like the way it went together.
Sewing it together was no picnic, but it wasn’t as difficult as the Pearce Sling I made for Mom. They share that curved shape, but this pouch is much bigger and that curve was easier, though not easy to navigate.
Anyway, I got SIL#4 a couple of gifts off her list, but also made her this as a bonus. I like to receive things I want, so I always make sure I buy someone something off their list even if I make them something.
My niece, Michaela, asked me for a pencil pouch that she could use with her journal. It wasn’t quite that straightforward, but that is what the gist was. She had a use for a pouch that could go around her journal’s cover and hold a few pens. I love a challenge and went looking for a pattern. I didn’t find one in my Bag Patterns db and no mention in my Quilt Books catalog. That was disappointing, but it could be that such a thing wasn’t on my radar and I didn’t note it.
I had to go looking for a pattern and after a few false starts, which I talked about, I found one from Apple Green Cottage, which I liked. It’s free, but you can get a better looking PDF for $5. It is not a difficult project and I even modified it a little bit out of the gate. The project is billed as a 10 minute project. It took me about an hour and I think I might put my zipper foot on next time. I struggled a bit because the vinyl was a bit slippy with the zipper I chose.
Pencil Pouch with Elastic for Michaela
I also didn’t have the right sized tool to poke out the corners really well. I still need to work on that. I might talk to Modern American Vintage to see what they can make. First, though, I have to find the right size.
The picture at the top is an example of how it is to be used. I demonstrated for myself on the Make 100 Bags book** as it was a similar size to M’s journal. You can see the elastic at the bottom.
I told M that it was v.1 and to let me know if she needed a v.2. I am concerned with the Aurifil 50wt I used. I think I might need something stronger with the vinyl.
I want to make more of these. They do suggest pleather, vinyl or a similar substrate. I am going to try one out of glitter vinyl when I get my restock order and see if the insides are too sharp. I’d love to make more of them from this flower vinyl just to use it up. We’ll see.
Aside from loving a challenge, I love my niece and the fabulous person she has become. I also love making gifts that people can actually use and want. I used some flowered vinyl I received in an SHH gift box I bought for myself, which was great, because I wasn’t sure when I would use it.
It was a fun project and I like the speed in which I could make it.
**N. B. : Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this website.
I finished another Multi-Pocket Organizer for me. I gave the previous one away. LOL! I might end up giving this one away as well. 😉
Again, I carefully picked out fabrics that I would like. I cut the bag out before I left for Portland, so this was a good project on which to work while I was there. I worked on it after I finished Gelato #2.
Multi-Pocket Organizer #3: interior
The goal was to make this for my handbag to get the mess on one side of the divider pocket organized. I tried out the first one I made and it fit pretty well. The mistake I made on this one was to put fusible fleece on the back of that front pocket and on the Multi-Pocket Organizer’s divider pocket. This makes the Multi-Pocket Organizer much thicker, so it doesn’t fit as well into my handbag.
I am really happy with the way it turned out, so I am still thinking about what to do.
Multi-Pocket Organizer #3: back with zipper pocket
I am excited that I finished the Sleeping Bag pouch. I put it aside, but picked it up again last week to finish the binding and the handle.
Overall, I am pleased with the way it came out.For a project with no pattern it was fun and my success spurs me on to think about other bags I want to modify or create.
I want to make some changes to the Ultimate Project Bag and this pouch has made me feel more confident.
Sleeping Bag Pouch – binding/handle
There are things I want to change, so I will be making another one of these. I want to refine the way I finish the edges of the binding. I worked hard on those ends, but wasn’t super happy with the finish. I plan consult Bag Club about other ways of finishing the edge.
Sleeping Bag Pouch – closed
I am thinking about whether the zipper pull would be better closer to the handle when it is closed. I don’t know if it is possible to install it that way. I think I would have to use a regular zipper – use both halves of a zipper instead of one side as a continuous piece as I did with this one. Another topic to discuss with the Bag Club.
I may try another one with selvedges since I have a seemingly endless supply. I want to place the selvedges 180 degrees from the way I placed them this time. I’d like them to be right side up when I carry the bag. I don’t think it makes much of a difference since the selvedge words will be upside down if it is laying on the table or being carried depending on how they are placed. I’d just like to see the difference in how they look. I may as well do it since I have another half zipper anyway!
This will be a useful bag regardless. If I don’t give it to someone else, I have decided that I can use it as a small handwork bag. Maybe I’ll keep it in the car or in my suitcase? I plan to put the pincushion Amanda made for me along with a small EPP project. It is also quite the statement bag!
Yay! I finished the Multi-Pocket Organizer for my handbag! That is the intention anyway. More and more I have been thinking of sending this to a friend. It isn’t that I don’t like and don’t think it will be useful, but it is telling me it wants to go to my friend. We’ll see. I can always make another even with the same, or similar fabrics.
Above is the front of the organizer. It has a divided slip pocket that can be useful for pens or other item you need quickly.
Multi-Pocket Organizer #2: back
The back of the bag has an interior zipper pocket.
I used the Heather Bailey flower fabric as the exterior. If you look at the front and the back, you will see that I used the exterior fabric for the slip pocket. I was trying to give the most space to the large print. The Tula dot print on the front is sort of like a tone-on-tone and I thought it would work under the slip pocket. I am not sure I was successful. The only thing I don’t like about the heather Bailey fabric are the flies. I didn’t notice them until I cut out the pieces. If they were bees it would be different.
Multi-Pocket Organizer #2: divider pocket open
Inside are a lot of pockets. The first one I made, according to the directions, after assembling the exterior was the divider pocket. In the photo, left, it is wide open. The inside is made from one of the Tula neon fabrics. The taupe/grey (?) background was a bold choice for me, but I wanted to use the fabric and it went with the dots I used on the exterior.
The ruffly pockets are sewn to the lining and made with elastic. I was looking for a tool I have, the Clover Clip & Glide Bodkin**, which is great for slipping something like elastic through a channel, but couldn’t find it. I am sure it will turn up when I don’t need it.
Multi-Pocket Organizer #2: interior
The photo, right, shows the inside with the divider pocket mostly closed and a bit of the exterior. I used the exterior fabric on the divider zipper pocket, though lining fabric would work as well.
One thing I learned is to make the handles and zipper tabs out of the exterior fabric. They would blend in better.
This is a good project and it doesn’t take very long to make. Again, the pattern is from Sotak Handmade.
**N. B. : Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this website.
Remember when I mentioned the sleeping bag pouch made by CraftyKristnf? Maybe I just mentioned it to you in my head? She posted some guidelines for making it and I have been mulling them over in my head.
One thing she mentioned in the guidelines were the size of the base piece. A couple of days ago was the day I decided to start. I cut the fabric I planned to use as a base. WOW! It is large. When I think of a pouch, I think small, but this baby will be big.
Template for a curve
The top is curved so my first order of business was to figure out the curve. I decided it was more of an oval than a circle after trying different plates and templates laying around the house. I finally ended up with one of the platters from my china set.
The platter hasn’t been out of the china cabinet for a year, maybe two, so I am sure it was pleased to have an outing.
I folded the fabric in half. In the photo above, the fold is at the top of the photo.
Sleeping Bag pouch base fabric cut
I lined up the ‘short’ end of the platter with the short end of the fabric. I also lined up the ‘long’ side of the platter with the open (non-fold) side of the fabric. It didn’t exactly fit, but it worked well enough. I drew a line and then cut a curve along the non-folded side of the fabric.
I was very pleased with the way the base fabric was shaped. I plan to trace it and use it as a template for future pouches like this. I don’t want to keep running downstairs for my platter. LOL!
The example CraftyKristnf showed uses Renaissance Ribbon and is absolutely gorgeous. I’d love to make one like that. I have plenty of Renaissance Ribbons so materials are no problem. I didn’t want to use them if I was going to wreck my first effort. Selvedges occurred to me. I have a bin full of them as I haven’t cleared it out and given the most recent ones to Amy yet.
Applying selvedges to base
Before I started applying selvedges, I put some SF101 on the back of the base fabric. I thought it would strengthen the fabric for the applique’.
Next, I started arranging and pinning selvedges to the base fabric. Since the top is curved, I was able to use smaller pieces at the top. In the photo, left, you can see the arrows pointing to the curves at the top of the base fabric.
Sleeping Bag Pouch laid out
I was working on something else at the same time, so I dipped in an out of adding selvedges when I needed a break from the other project.
By the end of my sewing session, I had all the selvedges laid out and pinned down. Some of the selvedges are from favorite or much loved fabrics, which makes me happy.
My plan is to start sewing the selvedges on to the base and then trim the piece to size and shape of the base fabric. Then I’ll make the template, adjusting if necessary.
I feel so happy that I am trying this and that, so far, it is working out well.
Today’s is Lil Sissy’s birthday and I was able to finish her Zeppelin pouch and send it off.
I am really pleased that I was able to fussy cut the fabric so that main Paris motif is, essentially, centered.
This was a very easy pouch to make, if a little fiddly.I know I talked about the shape of the pieces the other day. The construction was genius! I am constantly amazed at what Sara comes up with. I don’t know how she figures out these bag patterns.
Zeppelin end
The one part that was a little confusing was the ends, where the zipper tabs and sides come together. I had to watch the video and that made it clear. You have to know what to do, then it works out.
The photo shows mostly the handle, but if you look behind the handle at the zipper, you can see the zipper tab, which is longer than normal sewn in. Super clever. It also reminds me of what I was trying to do the other day with the zipper tab technique.
Zeppelin back
I also remember to put on my label! It is pretty prominent, because I remember after I had already assembled the pouch. I think it is ok to have it be a little prominent for once.
The fabric I used is such great fabric! I was so pleased that I found more of it. I love all the different motifs.
Zeppelin lining anchored
I was also able to anchor the lining to the exterior even though there was no way to box the corners. I took a look at the Hackney pattern, which shows one method and kind of followed those directions.
SIL#2 led at swap at the meeting on Saturday. As mentioned, I made a pencil roll. I decided at the last minute to make another organizer in case a new member or potential member came and wanted to join in.
I found the pattern in a book I reviewed some time ago called Make It, Take It: 16 Cute and Clever Projects to Sew with Friends by Krista Hennebury. I am glad to say that I did notice this project when I reviewed the book.
Make It, Take It needlecase
I am very pleased with the needlecase I made. It is kind of a portfolio and holds quite a bit of stuff. I like it because it is useful and practical, but also has scope for creativity.
I used some of the leftover improv piecing from the latest improv donation top. I think it would work to use Quilt-as-you-go to make the cover as well. I could just as easily use one piece of fabric for a very quick finish.
I was also pleased to see the way the zipper was installed, because I thought it would help me with another project on which I have (mostly not) been working.
Make It, Take It needlecase – open, inside
This was a fairly quick project. I had all of the supplies, which helped. You do need some wool felt and a long zipper.
Each section could be used for a different type of needle, if one were that organized.
One of the reasons I am pleased with the pattern is that it gave me a different way to install a zipper on a circular piece. I can use this technique. I need more practice, but it came out better than my other project.
Make It, Take It needlecase – open, outside
I am also pleased because the exterior looks really good. There is ton of scope for creativity with the outside, as I mentioned. This might be a great project to work on in a group.
The other day I went over to Tim’s to sew. He planned to longarm and I planned to work on my flock of pouches. I was very well prepared and got some new pouches sewn so I could give Mom an even 10.
I was able to get them done except for the zipper tabs. I forgot to bring extra fabric for that.
After making good progress on the Open Wide Pouches, I switched to the Zeppelin pouch, which I had cut out the day before.
I was able to do the prep with the interfacing and foam and get started on sewing the pouch. I had some trouble understanding the zipper tab sewing. Good thing Continue reading “Sewing with Tim.. Again”
Somehow the Zeppelin pattern from Minikins Season 1 got lodged in my mind. I decided to make it as a birthday gift. July is a birthday extravaganza! There is one almost every day.
Once I decided to make it, I got a little nervous, because I could remember what the pouch looked like, but not how many pieces it had or how difficult it would be to make.
Zeppelin: Crazy pattern shapes
I went looking for templates, thinking that I had some. When I couldn’t find them I looked at the pattern and realized there was no way an acrylic template could be made in that shape, which was weird!
I couldn’t imagine how the pouch would go together from looking at the pieces, but I did once I went through the pattern and was impressed with the design. I cut everything out so I could take it to a Sew Day I was having with Tim. There weren’t very many pieces, so this might be a good pattern to have as a quick make when I need a project.
I was pleased that I was able to start and finish this pouch very quickly. This was destined for Tim’s birthday and I wanted to take over to him before he left on his trip.
This is another Retreat Pouch, which is pretty easy to make and comes out very well. I have made both sizes, which come in the pattern. I still want to make the handbag version I talked about last summer, mostly to use the border print. In general, I prefer the small size. The large size is hard to carry.
I also like it that it has a frame (not free). I like the open wide aspect that frames create. They sometimes have the required type of frame on Amazon, but I don’t see it today.
Tim’s Retreat pouch – interior
The interior fabric was printed by Sonja about a million years ago and gifted to me. I thought Tim would really appreciate her artistry and he did.
The high quality of the greige goods she used is another pleasure.
Tim’s Retreat pouch – interior
I consulted with Lynette to confirm my anchoring of the lining to the exterior. I am working on that technique and trying to do it with every bag. It worked well with this one using the same technique as I used on the Open Wide pouches. It is a difficult technique to explain in a pattern, which I why I want to do it over and over with different pouches and bags so it becomes second nature. You can see a little bit that the seams are tight against the bottom of the pouch.
Tim’s Retreat pouch – top
Tim said he would probably use it for travel. I thought he might and would have added Odicoat** to the pouch if I had planned ahead. He is going on a trip so I said I would do it after, if he wanted. He wasn’t sure how he would use it for traveling, but pouches are super useful for organizing stuff in your suitcase, so I am sure he will find a use.
Anyway, the pouch was a success!
**N. B. : Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this website.
As mentioned the other day, I worked on my Open Wide Pouches at Sew Day. They went from flat to 3D.
They are not yet finished, but I have only a few steps left: finishing the zipper tabs and sewing up the lining where I turned the pouches. I’ll definitely be able to finish these to take to my mom next week.
I followed the Sweet Cinnamon Roses IG “tutorial” and had mixed results. I was making 4 at once. Two were ok and I could use them. The other two needed unsewing. I sewed too close to the zipper tape and couldn’t turn them right side out. After unsewing and sewing the two again, everything was fine. Once I gave the zipper tape some space, the technique worked pretty well.
What I learned is that you don’t need to sew right next to the zipper tape. It is actually better to sew farther away so there is less bulk to sew over when inserting the zipper into the pouch later.
I suspect that I don’t even need to sew up the sides next to the zipper. I suspect that is just for convenience, or because it looks better/ easier on the video. I haven’t tried that, so stay tuned for further results.
2. Cut some squares or rectangles of fabric about 2.5 in. by 3.5 in. I made sure I had at least .75 in. on each side of the zipper tape. This is not exact and you’ll be cutting off much of it anyway, so use scraps. These will be your zipper tabs. The longer you make your zipper tabs the more options you will have for positioning the head of the zipper. I found that a solid would have worked better for the pizza print. Having part of the print show just looked a bit weird to me. YMMV.
3. Lay two zipper tab squares / rectangles on top of and under your zipper. You will be able to see the end of the zipper and the stop after you lay them out. The squares will have the zipper sandwiched in between. The zipper stop and 1- 1.5 ish in. of zipper tape will be sticking out. You are going to cut off the zipper stop, so make sure you have enough space so your needle does not hit the stops.
Sew in a U shape
4. Move the zipper pull out of the way
5. Sew in a U shape from the side where the zipper pull lives towards the zipper stops and back towards the pull. Make sure the top of the zipper tab fabric, by the zipper stops, is sewn a quarter inch away from the top. Sew far enough away from the zipper tape (on the uprights of the U) so you don’t catch it in the stitches
6. Make sure you haven’t caught any zipper tape in your stitching
7. Cut off the stops at the top. Use the edge of the fabric as a guide
Zipper tab finished
8. Turn the zipper tab right side out.
9. Press
Zipper with zipper tab inserted into pouch pieces
10. Insert your zipper into your pouch or bag. In the photo of the stingray view of the pouch, you can see that I have at least 1.5 inches of extra zipper tab. I could have lined the end of the zipper tab up with the edge of the exterior pouch pieces in order to lengthen the zipper. This is a good way to eek out a little more space if your zipper is not quite long enough.
In my case, I positioned the zipper head where I wanted it and sewed it into the pouch pieces.
Zipper tab finished
Once I turned the zip pouches right side out, I was happy and unhappy with the results.
I think the technique looks good. It is a useful finish for a zipper end. It came out as expected.
What I don’t like about it is that it isn’t great for an Open Wide pouch like the Noodlehead Open Wide Pouch. It doesn’t allow the part by the zipper to open wide.
Lynette gave me some tips for finishing the zipper ends, so I’ll try those and see what happens. For certain types of pouches, like the Triple Zipper pouch I sewed awhile ago.
