Don’t worry. I am not going to tell you about every single one of these I make. I am still in the experimental phase so you get to hear about some of my musings.
Like the Snap Trays, I am experimenting a bit with various parts of how to make this. In this version, I used batting as the interfacing instead of SF101. It works well, but the bag feels a bit floopier, which I think is interesting, though maybe not preferable. It works, but SF101 or, maybe, DecorBond might be better. I haven’t tried DecorBond yet.
I am using fabrics similar to those I used for the Snap Trays. I have a bin of Sorbet fabrics I was using for the Block-a-Long a million years ago. There is a lot of fabric in that bin, so even using some for these bags will leave plenty for me to pick up the Block-a-Long project again. They have a Mary Engelbreit-ish look to them.
I spent some time on Sunday playing around with making a bag I saw on Instagram. Kotobukisewing showed how to make a Mini One Handle Tote in a reel <insert eye roll here. and something about it appealed to me.
I succeeded! I had to plow through all the bits that IG glosses over, but despite those things, the bag came out very well. This is a relatively simple bag, but my experience with bag making helped a lot.
I had to watch the video about 355 times, because I don’t know how to stop and start IG videos. I was able to make this bag and it looks similar to the one shown on the video. I had to translate the metric measurements into Imperial/American inches and I am pleased to say the bag still looks balanced. One thing I learned is that there is a metric ruler printed on my new machine’s sewing table. Super helpful!
Yes, I did look at their shop, but didn’t see a pattern. They have a lot of other cute patterns.
I am slowly gearing up to make the Courtside Bag, a ByAnnie pattern. I do not play a racquet sport, but really like the look of the bag, especially the vertical zipper.
The first step was to quilt some fabric. I had Colleen quilt fabric on foam for me. That step is ready to go.
I think the next step is cutting out the pieces. I am not quite there yet. I need to decide if I will add the backpack straps or make this into a crossbody bag only. I don’t have a use for this bag at the moment, but I will think of something.
I finished and sent off this latest Enigma to friend who helped me with a project. It matches the Multi-Pocket Organizer that I gave to her last year.
Nykky’s Rose Enigma-top, open
Like the Green Enigma, I struggled with this Enigma. Many things went wrong and I felt like this project took longer than it should have. Still, I think it turned out well and I am pleased I was able to send it off.
The Tula Pink dots look so great on the inside. This line had some challenging colorways, but the pinky-purple is a favorite of mine.
It also lightens up the inside so it easy to find things.
Nykky’s Rose Enigma-back
I fussy cut various parts a little bit so the roses would be highlighted on the back.
The rose pink of the background looks very cheerful. The shapes and shading of the flowers are nice as well.
Nykky’s Enigma-riveted
This is one of the bags that I riveted. Riveting the handles adds to the strength of the bag.
My friend sent me a picture of her closet, which she recently had redone. In it I can see the bags I have made her on the shelf.
Nykky’s closet
The next Enigmas will be finished on the Elna, so hopefully, I won’t have as many problems.
A few months ago, I was excited to finish my Multi Pocket Organizer. I finally put it in my handbag and organized all the random things into it.
🙁
My MPO in use
It didn’t work for me. I have a large handbag and this MPO is too large even for my giant purse. I knew it was big, but I did try it out when it was in progress. I am even more disappointed.
The part of my handbag shown above the red zipper is where I keep my keys and wallet and glasses. I use that area a lot, so when it is squished as shown, it is hard to access. Also, the magnet snap won’t stay closed.
Never fear! I’ll be able to use this in another bag. I think it will be good for a tote. Stay tuned for that.
I might also consider carrying fewer random items around with me. I found three different kinds of chocolate in that section of my bag and that is even too much for me!
In the meantime, I need to go back to the 37 handbag organizer patterns I have and see which one will work for this purse. The Mustang is smaller, much smaller, so I may try that one first. There’s always more fabric, right?
I finally finished the green Enigma. I shouldn’t say ‘finally’, though it did take longer than expected. I felt like everything that could go wrong did go wrong and I am not sure why. Still, it looks great and I am not embarrassed to give it as a gift.
I still want to rivet the handles, but that requires a little coordination with my “rivet press dealer”. LOL! And I can give it without the rivets if necessary.
Tim’s Enigma – open
I am still planning on making a few more of these this year. I want to get over the drama I felt making this one and the pink rose one that I still need to finish.
The lining fabric is one I have kind of been saving. I had it in a pink/orange colorway, but think I used it for something. I really like the blue/green colorway and was looking for a special project on which to use it. I didn’t really try to match up the squares, but they sort of ended up that way, which was nice.
Tim’s Enigma – back, closed
Sara of Sew Sweetness’ quarterly challenge has just been announced. The challenge is to use some aspect of quiltmaking in your bag or pouch. This bag requires quilting on the bottom, so it qualifies. I may enter it as my entry. I don’t expect to win, but it is fun to participate.
After looking at all of the Enigmas, I decided to make more this year. I have been slowly working on two new Enigmas in between working on other projects. These are gifts, one of which will be sent off soon and the other is for later this year. I am ahead of the game to a certain extent. I think I plan to make 8 total this year, of which these are number 3 and 4.
The sad part is that it only took me about an hour to finish it. The hardest part was turning it right side out as I had used a little too much interfacing.
I reflected on the stumbling block in an effort to avoid that particular problem in the future.
Paris Cell Phone Wallet – open
The issue was that I ran out of the Paris fabric before I could cut all the pieces. As you can see I decided to use an AGF solid, Festival Fuschia for the pieces where I didn’t have enough fabric. I think it looks fine! And DONE is better than perfect, right?
The reason I got back to it, however is the guild’s UFO challenge. I might grumble about it, but it is helping me to get some projects off my To Do list, which is a good thing.
Even though I don’t know what the next number will be I might start working on one of my other UFOs.
When I sewed the Bone Enigma I followed the directions exactly with regard to rivets. The directions say to add rivets before assembly. The rivets can go anywhere, but I wanted to put them on the ends of the handle, just to reinforce it. It is at the stage of assembly shown in the photo where the directions say to add rivets.
Peony Enigma with rivets – full
This is great except for Enigma bags already completed. I decided I wanted rivets on my Enigma bag. The bag is already complete, so I consulted with Mary and we decided it could be done. We had to squish the top a little, but the overall procedure worked and my bag now has rivets on the handle.
Peony Enigma with rivets – detail
I wanted silver, but Mary thought a gunmetal finish would look better. I am pleased not to worry about ripping out the handle.
I finished the Tadpole I made for Gerre’s International Women’s Day celebration. This is another Sew Sweetness pattern I bought and hadn’t yet made. I made this one at the same time I made Carrie’s.
Gerres’ Scissor Sheath
The fabric I used was the same used for another of Gerre’s bags, the Enigma Pouch. I am not a huge fan of this fabric as it looks a little too creepy for me. However, first, I am almost out, and second Gerre said she really likes it. I decided to use it up and then I can get back to the Alexander Henry Dia de los Muertos fabric I also use for her gifts. Yes, I have used a few different fabrics for her gifts. She was the first one, I think, for whom I started making sets of bags. It took me awhile to settle into the process.
This fabric does provide some good fussy cutting opportunities. Since I don’t have much of it left, I am using all the bits.
Gerre’s Tadpole other front
This pouch is more 2 sided than Carries, because of the fussy cutting opportunities. It is interesting how different the two sides are. However, all the figures are skeleton mermaids or mermen. I mostly cut off the tail of them. I suppose I could have turned the fabric 90 degrees and included the tail. Considering the design of the pouch, that might be a better way to orient the fabric. I guess I’ll have to make another one to see. 😉
Gerre’s Tadpole interior
As mentioned, I followed the pattern exactly, which I might not do if I make this again.
I also put an interior zipper pocket on one side of the pouch. I think this pocket could be used for extra rotary cutter blades. They might not be obvious, but a reminder could be using this same side for a rotary cutter.
Gerre’s Tadpole – interior
I am paying closer attention to making sure the linings are not saggy baggy. I am pleased with the way the pockets came out.
Two Tadpoles – front
Two Tadpoles – other front
Both Tadpoles look good, I think. I need some practice to make them better, but this is a useful pouch.
The Tadpole is a pouch that I bought as part of a 4-pack with the Cosquilla pattern last June. I am glad to say that this isn’t the first time I have made a bag from this 4-pack.
Carrie’s Tadpole front
The Tadpole (weird name, I know) is a useful pouch with two pockets that can secure scissors, rotary cutters and other similar types of tools.
Tadpole with interior zipper
One pocket is on the top and the other is on the bottom so you have to kind of flip it around to get at both zippers.
One of the pockets includes a small internal zipper pocket. This pocket could be added to both of the larger zipper pockets. I am not sure what I would put in that interior zipper pocket, but I do think that, generally, the more pockets the better. In this case, that might not be true if I were to put something in there and then lose it or forget about it. I look forward to seeing what Carrie says.
Tadpole open with sheath (Carrie)
The pattern includes a scissor sheath. I bought Carrie a nice pair of scissors to go with the pouch and the sheath can be customized to fit the scissors. I wanted to do that, but I didn’t want to open a new pair of scissors. I am not 100% sure the sheath is very useful with sharp scissors. It is definitely cool to have a matching scissor adornment, but I am concerned that sharp scissors will cut through quilting cotton. I might make the scissor sheath out of cork or pleather scraps in the future. It wouldn’t match, but it might be useful.
I made this first one in the fabric I use for Carrie, the Carrie Bloomston Color Theory fabric. I was able to use some smaller pieces, which was nice.
I finished the Project Bag that has been on my list for a long time. Or what feels like a long time. The last time I posted about project bags was a year ago and I was thinking about making this project bag.
I wanted to make sure that the zipper tape was covered. The ByAnnie patterns don’t always take care about that and it is a particular annoyance of mine. I know it doesn’t really matter, but I like the zipper tapes completely covered, even on the inside.
My extra large project bag-back
MaryC uses a technique where she folds a piece of zipper tab fabric in half and slips the zipper tape in then sews and folds the excess back. I tried that this time and found it worked well. My only problem was that I made the piece too small in width. I had to add an an extra piece on top to close the gap. Still I liked the technique. I just need to figure out a better size for the zipper tabs. I think I might have read the pattern wrong and reading it correctly might help. We’ll see if I make this bag again. I think I have enough project bags for the moment. I don’t want too many as it will encourage UFOs.
This is #9 on the guild UFO challenge. I’ll bring it to Sew Day to show off.
As you know I completed the Pandora Charisma. It was a learning experience mostly because, if I categorize my thoughts, it was a pattern by a new designer.
One of the things I explored was new substrates. I used the Diamond Quilted vinyl, which feels like leather, as mentioned, for the first time. I had some challenges sewing it, but not as many as I expected. I did buy and start using a Teflon** AKA Ultra Glide foot. It wasn’t as magical as I hoped, but it worked better than the tissue paper I normally use with vinyl. The tissue paper went straight into the holes made by the needle and wouldn’t come out. 🙁
There were lots of eighth inch measurements. I thought it might be because the designer is from Singapore and uses metric measurements to start, but in one place there was an eighth measurement and the metric was x.1, so I think it is just the way the pattern turned out.
Sweetbay zipper pocket in progress
I thought the pattern was well written and pretty easy to follow. One of the good things about using a pattern from a new/different designer is that I learn new ways to complete general bagmaking steps, such as sewing the hidden zipper pocket. For an internal/hidden zipper pocket, Jessie (owner of Sewfisticated) only sews along the two long edges rather than all the way around the box. This prevents puckers in the corners, which is something that has always bugged me. The picture of my Sweetbay project shows the box drawn and ready for sewing, so you can see the box. One of the reasons this works is that later in the process the maker top stitches the whole zipper pocket when finishing the zipper pocket.
I was also confused about the internal/hidden zipper pocket directions, mostly how far down from the top the zipper pocket needed to be on one of the steps. I don’t know if I missed or didn’t understand the directions, but I didn’t have quite enough seam allowance at the top. I made it work, but will do the step differently next time.
I loved that the pattern listed the exact pieces I needed for each section. I was able to cut the pieces I needed for just that section as I worked through the pattern. This helped me keep organized and not have a whole bunch of pieces sitting around for a month. I also liked not cutting everything at once, which I find to be the worst part of bagmaking. In general, it broke the pattern down into manageable bites, which helped my brain, but also my hands.
Center markings
Center points are often marked on a pattern piece when you have to assemble a gusset to a side of a bag. In the video I watched, the maker snipped the center marking then could leave the pattern piece in place (pinned or clipped), lift up one side of the pattern and mark the center line. Genius!!!
I learned about stick-on interfacing. I had never heard of this before I found this pattern as part of the Bag of the Month program in which I participated at the beginning of 2025. When I saw the pattern I knew I had to make it and went looking for the supplies, which led me to the Sewfisticated website. The supplies have been sitting in my workroom and I was pleased to have them on hand so I could use them. I didn’t have all the thicknesses, but I made it work and the stick-on interfacing is awesome. I can’t wait to use up my Decovil** and replace it with this product. It is a lot easier to use than Decovil and works with substrates that cannot be ironed. Genius!
Pandora Charisma: label sewing
I like the labels for each, which were included with the pattern, piece as well. This is a good feature and I would love to see it as a standard for all bag patterns.
Jessie also tells you where to put the label, which I really appreciate, if for no other reason than I don’t forget to add one.
There were a couple of places I found confusing, but managed. I didn’t understand the use of some language, including the divider pocket. I couldn’t understand what they were trying to achieve, but then I watched one of the videos available and it all became clearer. They were calling the pocket a divider pocket whereas I am used to calling it a divided pocket.
There were somethings I didn’t like. The pattern has a whole section on interfacing, which I found to be really confusing. This is where cutting and interfacing all the pieces upfront works better. I didn’t know whether to interface a piece or not and the pattern didn’t always say. I plan to make this again and have been making notes about where/when I want interfacing.
They pattern suggested making zipper tabs in a way I don’t like because it doesn’t come out well. I have to find my preferred method and make sure I know how to do it without thinking. There are so many methods for everything. The way that works is the best for the bag maker.
The bag requires a lot of hardware, particularly zipper pulls. It makes me think that I need to find a small bag or container to use for all the hardware I need for one bag. All of my hardware goes into the Quilts Illustrated Tool Tote I made years ago. I have it mostly sorted in that bag. I am talking about a smaller bag where I can sort just the hardware and zippers(?) I need for one project. I’ll have to think about the right bag. Maybe a smaller version Sara’s Nuthatch? It’s part of Minikins Season 4.
All in all, this pattern provided me with a huge learning experience. I enjoyed the learning and I am pleased with the way the bag came out.
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I forgot to post about the lunch bag I made for Friend Julie for Christmas. This was a project from Minikins Season 1. Season 1 includes the I Spy pouch pattern, which is one of my favorites. The Cotton Candy pouch is another of which I have made several. I knew that I had this pattern when I decided to make her a lunch bag.
I noticed that she was carrying her lunch around in a plastic bag. There is nothing wrong with plastic bags, especially with messy food. I thought it was odd. I thought I would try this pattern and hope it was a useful bag.
Morsel Handle
The first thing I did was get some ripstop nylon in order to make the inside sort of water resistant. I was inspired by Lynette using it for her Oxbow. Hers came out flat and beautiful. Mine came out bubbly and lumpy despite using Lynette’s tips. I have a feeling the ripstop I used was lesser quality than what Lynette used.
Morsel lunchbag interior
The pattern had no interior pockets. I guess a person just tosses all their lunch items in and pockets aren’t really needed.I keep thinking of regular bags and pockets are always useful.
I decided, based on my lunch bag, that I needed to include an ice pack. I added a mesh pocket for an ice pack. I thought a mesh pocket would better for something that might sweat. I included an ice pack (not shown) before I wrapped the gift.
Morsel Lunchbag top
The bag is on the small side, so no 5 person picnics.
The top has a recessed zipper, so the contents are out of the way of the handles. It might have been useful to include a shoulder strap, but I didn’t think of it.
In general, I am pretty happy with how this bag came out. Julie has brought it to a couple of Sew Days and that is really nice to see. I am definitely happy that I was able to use another Minikins pattern.
I am into sneak peeks lately! You got one the other day about this finished Pandora Charisma.
Yep!
Finished! Done! Complete!
I powered through a lot of the finishing steps, which were the hardest, on Friday so the bag could be done for the Month 1: UFO challenge reveal.
When I brought it to Sew Day, as mentioned, I wanted to add some additional rivets, but for all intents and purposes, it was done before I did that. I am pretty pleased with it, though I know there are things I could do better and want to do better.
Pandora Charisma – back, finished
I am really pleased with the back. I think it looks awesome and I can’t really believe that I made it using all the weird substrates.
The zippers look good, but I wasn’t happy with the way the teeth were so high up from the zipper tape (the teeth were not flush or flush-ish with the tape). Also, there was something strange about the zipper tape. I am going to use a different brand when I make this bag again, maybe Wawak or ByAnnie continuous zippers next time. Using the continuous zipper was good for small zipper areas like the back zipper shown on the photo, right. The teeth were too high, but I had to secure the zipper with fabric, so the stitches looked ok. In general, though the high teeth kept me from making nice straight stitches. It was good that I had enough continuous zipper yardage to have the same zipper tape on all of the many zippers required for this bag.
Pandora Charisma – large pocket, open
Pandora Charisma – large pocket, open
There are a lot of pockets and places to hold stuff in this bag. The front pocket is like a regular purse area. the main area has a mesh pocket, which will keep things safe but handy and a slip pocket. The leash is very useful for keys, but also for attaching anything you don’t want to lose. That leash could be made of ribbon, tiny webbing or leather.
Pandora Charisma – tablet pocket, open
The back pocket has a small tablet sleeve, which is padded to keep your Kindle, iPad or other type of tablet safe. The pocket opens a lot more narrowly, so you have to use that side for items that can be slipped in and out.
The most challenging part of this bag can be seen in the photo, left, and that is the binding. The final step, which, seriously, almost made me give up, is putting the bag together then binding the edges. It is really hard to shove so many layers under the needle and get it to look ok. I did one side of some of the bindings by hand, which was a big effort, but looked a lot better than my first binding by machine. My binding effort is not stellar, but I was able to finish.
I do want to make another. I plan to borrow my mom’s 1960s Emdeko machine, which is one of those all metal machines that can sew through anything. I also plan to go through the pattern while I have the bag at hand and decide which pockets I can sew in vinyl, which need more interfacing, etc, so I am more prepared next time. I also want to count up all the hardware I used so I have matching hardware when I make the next one.
I am really pleased that I finished it and plan to take some time to relax with some easy projects.
