This project started off so well and wasn’t difficult. There was one crucial line missing from the directions that threw me off.
That line was “Remember, this needs to open like a book”.
It is perfectly usable. It would work very well for someone who was left handed. As you can see the opening is on the left. If the directions had said “Remember, this needs to open like a book”, I think I would have been able to better picture the directions in my mind. Instead there were a lot of words describing flipping the exterior in different ways, which was confusing.
2-in-1 Case #1 interior
Also, I used a snap instead of the magnetic clasp called for, which I know had an effect.
I also added a piece of foam in addition to the fusible batting. I like the heft. I might try two layers of fusible batting next time. Yes, there will be a next time. I think this is a useful pouch/booklet, but also not difficult, so it is a good item for a door prize.
Despite the problems, I found this a fairly easy project. It also gave me practice in using my Snap Setter. I always wonder what my DH thinks I am doing when he hears me pounding away. I am always amazed that the tool doesn’t break.
This one is an International Women’s Day gift for Gerre.
This is the fourth one I have made and I plan to make a few more. I have made them all in the large size. I could make the smaller sizes; I just haven’t yet. For some reason I like making these as gifts.
Sugar Skull Hackney interior
I used the same lining fabric as I used for the Skeleton Hackney. It is a good lining fabric. I haven’t used it as a background as it is pretty dynamic and doesn’t fade into the background like other fabrics.
I did the pocket a little differently, too. I made a vinyl pocket using the Glitter vinyl from Sew Hungry Hippie. There was a little bit of a problem sewing the turning opening closed, but not much. Some of that could have been from forgetting to use a 3/8 inch seam allowance on the top.
Sugar Skull Hackney handle
I also added a handle to this one and remembered not to sew through the lining! It was much easier to put the whole thing together.
I put a few small gifts and a card inside. I hope she likes it.
I try to make sets of things using the same fabric, but I have very little of the Sugar Skull fabric left. I thought the dots coordinated well.
I made another Hackney. It is a gift for a friend. As you can, no doubt, see this one also uses the Timeless Treasures fabric that I used for the Skeleton Hackney.
Hand Bone Hackney bottom
I talked about this one in another post. I am really liking the pink zipper, of which you just get a slight glimpse. It is a fun addition to the somber skeleton fabric.
Every time I make one of these, I feel like getting a Switch and seeing if it would really fit in here. Stupid waste of money since I probably wouldn’t play with a Switch. Still, I am curious.
Hand Bone Hackney -interior
I used an older Joel Dewberry fabric for the inside and it is cheerful. I am making another one as a gift and I am going to change the mesh pocket for something different. Maybe a vinyl pocket?
I think the mesh pocket looks ok and I did a good job. There is something about having the zipper where it is that bugs me.
Hand Bone Hackney – handle
I added a handle, because I think it makes the bag more useful. I haven’t quite figured out the placement and I think this one is a little too tight. It was a little hard to get my hand around it. I also sewed through the lining as well and that caused some challenges for later steps in the process. Since the handle isn’t part of the pattern and I have to add it before the whole thing is put together, I think I am doing ok. I’ll do better next time.
I talked a little about the random things we did and saw in Portland the other day. There were also several bags that I have made which made the trip with us.
My Take a Stand in the wild
I didn’t want to bring A Place for Everything, which would have carried everything, but it is big. I was trying not to bring my entire workroom, so I brought my Take a Stand/Without a Trace bag. Using the supplies I fit in this bag, I knew I would be able to work on La Pass Month 18. In it I stuffed my La Pass Sew Together Bag. To carry my La Pass thread, I brought the Inside Outside pouch, pattern from Aneela Hoey. Both of these bag fit snugly in the Take a Stand.
La Pass Sew Together Bag in use
I keep the Sew Together Bag handy when I am working on La Pass, because it has everything I need. I know it is hard to see what is going on, but trust me, it is super useful.
We stopped to stay with Mary and Michel on our way home. Mary wants to make this bag and we spent a lot of time talking about the construction.
It was useful to have everything I needed fitted into the Take a Stand. I knew nothing would fall out, so I didn’t have to worry. I also didn’t have to change bags in order to make everything fit.
Mom’s Take a Stand
Mom also brought her Take a Stand. I am not 100% sure what was in there, but it was hanging around the house.
She also brought her Percheron Pouch with her, which I didn’t photograph in situ. She used it a lot. It houses a crochet project I bought for her that she has been working on for quite awhile. She had a big space she could use to lay the piece out so she could see what she was doing. If I remembered the pattern, I would share, but I don’t.
This poor bag’s post has been juggled around for at least two months now.
Julie’s Take a Stand Bag
I finished this bag back in May after I finished my Mom’s Take a Stand and before I finished mine. This was originally scheduled to be a gift for Friend Julie’s birthday. That meant I couldn’t show it to you until at least December 2. This state of affairs was terrible enough for me, but then I decided to give her this gift for Christmas and give her the Ultimate Carry All Bag for her birthday. That meant I had to wait. Then our New Year’s plans to go out with Friend Julie and our DHs were postponed, because of terrible weather. It is hard for me to wait to show you what I am making. It is so fun to read what you think. Also, I get to think about what I made when I am writing about it. Anyway, we made it through.
Finally, I gave her this bag over the weekend. I had filled it with a lot of little gifts.
Usually, I choose purple fabrics. Julie and I were out together and she mentioned this fabric, which gave me the idea to make her a bag from it. It won’t exactly go with her other bags because I usually choose a darker purple. I hope she likes it anyway.
Julie’s Take a Stand interior
I am REALLY pleased with the inside. The fussy cutting came out really well. Also, the construction of the ByAnnie bags means the linings are really taut, which I like.
A happy accident is the lines at the end of the pencil points. The bottom matches up with the sides! The pencil fabric is from Crimson Take and I am really glad it is highlighted.
Julie’s Take a Stand front pocket – interior
I used an old Moda Marbles light purple for the main part of the bag. This is fabric that will mostly be covered. I found that to be true with the APfE v.2 as well, that is that most of the outside is covered by pockets so choosing a tone-on-tone rather than a special fabric makes more sense. This Moda Marbles light purple fabric ties the bag to her other bags.
I used the Tula Pink Scissor ribbon from the Homemade line for the interior of the front and back pockets to cover the zipper join.
Again, I used the Tula Pink webbing for the strap (see above). Mom’s was kind of my test bag so the strap for this one went a lot quicker. I am pleased with how well the webbing color fits with the colors of the bag.
I am still calling this the Without a Trace bag periodically. And I still don’t know why!
I went on another organizing rampage this morning. I decided to gather all the fabrics and supplies for several bag projects I have planned. This task has been on my list for awhile, so I decided today was the day. In the course of this effort, I tidied up some project bins that were stuffed full of fabric, patterns, etc.
I-Spy / Roadtrip pouches
In one of the project bins I found two of the smaller, completed Crafty Gemini Organizer Club projects. I know I left them there so I could put them together with the last two projects. The last two projects, the Retreat in a Bag and the Ultimate Project Bag have not yet been made, but are on the list. Thus, they were two of the projects for which I gathered supplies and materials.
One of the projects I found, which will be clipped into the Ultimate Project Bag was the Roadtrip bag (right, photo above). Seeing this project again made me think of the templates for which I made a number of pouches.
The Roadtrip bag (pouch) was not used for the templates, but it could be. It looks very similar to the I-Spy pouch by Sew Sweetness (left, photo above), which I did use for the templates. Not counting the size differences, the main difference is the side strip on the Sew Sweetness bag. I made several of the I-Spy pouches for acrylic templates.
The reason I am talking about these is that I thought I would make a larger one, adjusting the size, to suit two sets of templates which don’t fit in the sizes given in the pattern.
The Sew Sweetness I-Spy pouch comes in 3 sizes. The largest size is 10.5 in x 8.5 in high, which is great except that it will not fit the larger templates that need a home. I want to make a pouch for the Chickadee Backpack templates I bought last year when the pattern came out. The templates need a pouch that is about 8 in by 19 in.
Yoko Saito’s Natural Patchwork bag
I know I talked about the bag from Natural Patchwork**, which I still want to make, but I don’t think today is that day. I do like the idea of handles (makes me think of the Grab & Go pattern, also from the Minikins patterns) and I may use foam instead of batting since the templates are quite large and I don’t want them to break.
What did I gain by today’s organizing effort? 1. I have everything ready when I decide to cut new projects out; 2. I have zippers on order, which weren’t already in my bin of zippers; 3. I have more of an idea for securing some templates; 4. Bins with less junk in them.
**Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need at quilt shops, I use 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 blog.
Yes, another bag as a gift for Julie. I actually finished this in September, but couldn’t show it until now, after it was presented.
I chuckled to myself as I cut out the bag at Super Sew Day right under Julie’s nose! She may have noticed the fabric, but I just didn’t make a big deal out of it.
I didn’t have a good sense of how large these bags would be. I hope this one isn’t too small. It will work for a bag or accessory project for sure, but probably not for a large quilt project. Julie doesn’t knit or crochet, but she does have embroidery projects and this will work for one of those as well.
It is, as I may have mentioned, a fairly easy project. I think the ByAnnie patterns seem overly complicated sometimes. The directions are very complete and I have grown attached to the binding instructions, but in general I think they seem overly complicated.
The Percheron Pouch ended up very well. Despite my despair when I was finishing it, it turned out fine.
Although I am not a fan of brown and beige, I think the brown and beige handbag zippers work with the Paris fabric.
Percheron Pouch: bottom has OdiCoat
There is a little bit of turquoise in the fabric to liven up the bag. I fussy cut the top so that the Paris motif shows, which means that most of the turquoise is on the bottom.
I was also able to fussy cut -sort of- the Paris motif on the back panel. The back panel makes up the hinge assembly for this bag.
As you might remember, I put Odicoat on the bottom to help keep the bag clean. You can’t really tell that there is anything on the bottom.
Percheron Pouch – top inside
Percheron Pouch – bottom inside
I chose a dusty turquoise for the inside or lining fabric. The lining is a little baggy so I need to work on that on the next one. Without putting Odicoat on the inside I am not sure how I would use one of these. I’ll have to think about it since I may want to make another for myself.
I still plan to make another since I figured out why the thing was so hard to put together – and I want to get it right. This is an interesting bag and I think it makes a great gift.
I made a bunch of these project bags as Christmas gifts. Here is one I made for Mom.
Of course, I used the paint tube fabric. I still have a lot of it, so there are more bags in Mom’s future. The ByAnnie pattern** includes four sizes. This is the large size, but I don’t think it is very large. It is about half again as wide and tall as a sheet of notebook paper.
Mom’s project bag back
I was kind of surprised at the size, actually, though I do have issues with understanding how big something is in real life when I look at an image online or check dimensions. If I had known the size, I would have made the extra large, which is also included in the pattern.
I am not sure I’ll make this pattern again. While it wasn’t difficult, once the quilting was done, I am not sure it is useful. There is no gusset, so how much stuff could actually fit? I don’t know. I haven’t tried one. Maybe for EPP pieces?
Two project bags for Mom
I hope these are useful despite the size. My Mom always finds good uses for the bags I make her.
**Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need at quilt shops, I use 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 blog.
I am really pleased with the way this bag went together and moderately pleased with how it came out. I want to make another one, now that I have the basics down in my head, because there are some things that didn’t come out right….for me.
Knitting Needles bag – starting to open
I was glad to have a project on which to use canvas. I bought the cream dot canvas A LONG time ago and have just never used it. This pattern specifically called for canvas and I am determined to use fabric I have as much as possible, so I pulled it out. It looks very cheerful in the picture and IRL, too.
I thought the pattern was very good, too. I know I didn’t believe what the designer wrote, but she wrote it correctly.
Knitting Needles Bag snaps
I know I mentioned adding snaps in the last post, but I have to say that I was pleased to do so and have some ideas for using them. Also, again kudos to the designer: the snaps all lined up properly, which was great.
I used the SnapSetter I got from Sew Sweetness. I tried to use the pliers I bought, but couldn’t figure them out. I found the SnapSetter to be really easy and straightforward to use. Sara of Sew Sweetness has a video on how to use the tool.
Knitting Needles Bag – label and binding
My striped binding wasn’t the ideal choice. If I had it to do over again, I’d choose a solid. Normally, I am a huge striped binding fan, but in this case it clashes a bit with the dots and I think a solid would work better with that non-45 degree point in the front. The stripes make that weird angle look bad. Otherwise, the binding looks fine.
The other good thing about the pattern is that the designer tells you exactly where to put a label. I am excited about that since I just bought some Wunderlabels. You can see that I added one in the location indicated. It is covered when the bag is closed.
Knitting Needles Bag – fully open
The bag has three compartments. It is designed for circular and double pointed needles. There are some optional directions for modifying the compartments for other types of needles. I have a lot of circular needles so I will use it for those.
Knitting Needles Bag – starting to fill
I haven’t completely filled it yet, but I have started to put some needles in it.
The circular needles are placed so the snap is in the middle of the needle. This is great, because it is another check to make sure the needles don’t slide out.
I really like the shape and the way the bag snaps together. I highly recommend the pattern by Tinberry/Zaudal Creates.
I finally got over the hump of the elastic on my Knitting Needle Case and started to make progress. It has been over a month since I started working on this bag and I thought it would go more quickly.
The problem was that I couldn’t believe I was reading the pattern correctly. The first instruction after cutting is to apply elastic to the right side of the fabric. I couldn’t believe that was right, so I procrastinated, then I DMed the creator and then I found her videos. There are two videos. I skipped through a lot of the first one, though when I found the section I needed it was really helpful.
Lining Up Elastic
Neither of the videos have talking. The sound is all musical (I turned the sound off), but there are some titles. It doesn’t matter, the visuals are helpful. The part about the elastic also gives a helpful tip for lining up the elastic as holders for needles.
After getting over the elastic hump and learning to add snaps, I was able to make good progress in a few hours. The last step I have is to sew on the binding.
Yes, I made Julie a UCAB. This wasn’t planned for her, but she admired mine at Super Sew Day so much that I showed her the outside of the Brocade Peony UCAB and we made a deal. I would finish it for her and she would forget our conversation and be surprised.
I didn’t wait until the last minute to get the project done. About a week after Super Sew Day, I started on the pockets and just powered through. This is my third UCAB and I don’t find it any easier than the first two. Well, maybe a little easier.
Anyway, I sent it off the day before Thanksgiving and I am sure she got it. I can’t wait to hear if it is useful or her.
The Percheron (part of Minikins Season 3) by Sew Sweetness is classified as a pouch, but it is definitely larger than what I would consider to be a pouch. Remember I made one of these before? I wanted to make it again since I struggled with Mom’s. As mentioned, it was going very well and I think I mastered the hinge, which was one of the steps that caused me a headache.
Percheron assembling
It isn’t going as well as it was before. I am not quite sure what went sideways, but I have been really, really struggling with putting the whole thing together.
I know the picture of the whole thing makes it look very sad. I think I was in a rush. I don’t have to throw it out, don’t worry.
Percheron #2 lining
I just really fought and fought with the lining and the assembly. It looks really ugly in this picture. The saving grace is that I haven’t finished the last seam by hand, so there is hope that I can save it. I really don’t want to unpick it.
I can also give the thing a good press (this is where my small Oliso comes in very handy) and I am sure that will help, too.
Percheron #2 lining (bottom)
Is there always a point in my bag making where I despair completely?
Now I need to remember to sew a Wunderlabel in it.
I am ridiculously pleased with how this Percheron Pouch (part of Minikins Season 3) is turning out.
The photo, left doesn’t show much to you, but the top has nicely fussy cut fabric and is pleasingly stiff. Granted, there is a lot of interfacing in the top. Still, I am super happy when it all works out.
I started working on this just to get a break from the Tarts. I didn’t expect much progress. When I made this pattern before, I just remember struggling. Still, I couldn’t get the pattern out of my mind and decided to make another one as a gift. Since I needed to rest my body from quilting, I thought it would be a good time to make a start. I had cut out all the pieces previously, so was ready to go.
Percheron Pouch: top is 3D
I worked along slowly, listening to my book and alternately ironing fabric for Stay Tuned. Suddenly, the top was made!
I am so pleased with how it came out. It is really 3D! The fussy cutting looks great and even the (IMO) ugly zipper fits really well with the fabric.
Remember when I went to the sock knitting class? One thing I realized is that my knitting needles were disorganized. I have two needle holder bags, but somehow they don’t fit my needles. It is sad because they are really pretty bags, made from silk. Perhaps I don’t know how to use them?
Zaudal Creates Knitting Needles Case
One day, I went on a rampage to find a great knitting bag. What I found was a Knitting Needle Case pattern from Zaudal Creates. It has been sitting in my “must make ASAP” pile for a few months. I took it to Sew Day to cut out. Fortunately, I had already gathered the pattern and supplies, so I was able to cut out most of the pieces.
N.B. If you are careful in your shopping, you can get two bag patterns for only slightly more money from her shop.
One of the things I like about this pattern is the snap that keeps circular needles in place. I don’t know if this bag will hold all of my needles, but I can always make a second one, if it doesn’t. Maybe one for circular needles and one for double pointed needles?
Zaudal is located in Norway, so she had references to Vilene interfacing. I was able to find a chart created by Sara at Sew Sweetness. This chart told me that Vilene H250’s US equivalent is Pellon Decor Bond (809). I didn’t have this at Sew Day, so it was the only part I didn’t cut out.
I asked some questions about what I could use instead. I was being cheap and lazy, but eventually I went to Joann and got some Decor Bond. It is not too stiff, but it does add some stiffness to the fabrics. I cut it out and fused it to the interior and exterior of the fabrics shown above at Gerre’s house .
As a result, I am pretty much ready to sew this bag together. It is waiting its turn, which will be after I finish PP4.
