Tag: Sew Sweetness

Pearce Complete

Pearce Sling Backpack
Pearce Sling Backpack

WOW! The Pearce is done. What a journey!

My Mom has been using it for a few days and she loves it. I am so relieved. I won’t tell her about the trials and tribulations.

It is a good thing I didn’t add that mesh pocket I discussed in the progress post! This was a challenging bag to put together. The final seam, as mentioned, was more than a bear. 

Pearce back
Pearce back

I like the features that Sara added, such as the vertical pocket in the back.

I was able to use a leftover piece of zipper that I had laying around, thus the odd red zipper. Hopefully, it will add a visual cue to where my mom puts stuff. She uses that pocket for her glasses as it is too small for her phone.

Pearce large pocket
Pearce large pocket

I am running out of the Paint Tube fabric, so I had to find some other fabric that would coordinate. The dots are leftovers from a dress I had made for Politcal Wifery. It worked pretty well, I think. No complaints anyway.

The bag has two pockets. I added vertical credit card slots to both. I am glad I did and I would do it again. She uses the large pocket for her phone as well as various cards.

Pearce small front pocket
Pearce small front pocket

The small pocket is accessible, too. I think she uses this for her insurance card, driver’s license, etc.

I am pleased that she likes it. I feel like I should make another one, but am reluctant to take on that bear of a curve again. 

 

Pearce Problems

Pearce side panel
Pearce side panel

The Pearce is not going well. This curve is nearly impossible to sew on the machine. I have tried at least 4 times and ripped it out that many.  Right now it is on timeout while I finish the Multi-Pocket Organizer. 

Pearce in Progress
Pearce in Progress

The bad part is that this was going SOOO well. I got to the point where there was one seam left to sew (photo left) really easily. I mean the pattern has been a bit of a challenge, but nothing like I am experiencing with that last curve.

I am afraid I should have sewed the curve first. If I make this again, I will do that. For now, I will think about what to do and get back to it in a few days.

Progress on the Pearce

Pearce in Progress
Pearce in Progress

I am making good progress on the Pearce. I have the whole piece together and only need to assemble the final parts.

What you are looking at is the entire inside before the lining is flipped right sides together and sewn around the outside. 

You can see that I added some binding, which will have to be sewn down as well.

Pearce credit card slots
Pearce credit card slots

The pattern didn’t include any pockets in the lining, which I didn’t realize. I added some credit card pockets using the template from the Sweetbay Crossbody. I would have preferred horizontal credit card slots, but I didn’t have time to figure out all the math.

I lined the panel for the credit card pocket so that the top portion is open and pens can be attached behind.

I need to get this done for my mom. I might add a mesh pocket as well, but we will see.

Pearce Sling Sewing Started

Pearce Sling front pocket
Pearce Sling front pocket

I made some good and positive progress on the Pearce Sling. Cyndi and I got together for a Sew Day at her house. It was really nice to hang out with her and I was able to focus and get quite a bit done on this piece.

Cutting it out the other day didn’t exhaust me. The pattern doesn’t have a ton of pieces, which is nice.

It takes quite a few steps to get to this point, but I didn’t feel annoyed about it. I felt like I was making good progress. Part of it was probably that I had someone with whom to consult and chat to.

I could have made more progress, but I decided to put a credit card pocket in the lining and I didn’t have a pattern piece with me. I switched to working on the Sleeping Bag Pouch, which was fun, too.

When I got home I pulled the credit card pattern piece out of the Sweetbay Crossbody project file and used it. It is a more vertical credit card pocket, so I might need to add another one, so Mom has enough for all of her cards. I was expecting the pocket to be horizontal. I am not as familiar with making these types of pockets, so I got what I got.

Awesome zipper finish - Pearce pocket
Awesome zipper finish – Pearce pocket

I will say that I LOVE the zipper end technique that Sara showed in Bag Lab at the beginning of the month. I know it is ridiculous, but I am so excited about how my zipper end looks. 

I am also excited about nailing down that skill. I had a little trouble with it on the Dogwood pouches I made, but after watching the Bag Lab tutorial, I understood the concept much better and was able to do it relatively easily. One key was to use thin pins to hold everything in place until you sew. I am not a big fan of thin pins, but they are key in this technique.

Pearce Sling front pocket
Pearce Sling front pocket

After doing all these steps, my Sling is well on its way.

Started a Pearce Sling

Pearce Sling cut out
Pearce Sling cut out

Clearly I found my Sewjo again, because once again I am starting projects right and left. The latest is the Pearce Sling. I started it for my mom.

A few months ago, I made her a Day Trip Wallet. I made it so she wouldn’t carry a 40 lb. purse around after her surgery. She uses it all the time, but when she came over she had the Day Trip looped over her shoulder (cross body) and her hands full of stuff. Not great for someone with balance issues.

The Pearce sprang to mind. I bought it with the recent 4 pack release of patterns from Sew Sweetness. This isn’t one of the patterns I thought I would make from the 4 pack, but I am kind of glad I am making it. It is slightly larger than the Day Trip, so I thought it might work for my Mom to keep her more hands-free. 

I haven’t made a backpack before, but I think I can do it. Perhaps this will set me up to tackle the Pandora Charisma.

Zeppelin Finished

Finished: Zeppelin pouch
Finished: Zeppelin pouch

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
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
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
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. 

Hopefully, Lil Sissy likes it.

Zeppelin Start

Zeppelin cut out
Zeppelin cut out

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
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.

Rose Petrillo Returns

Rose Petrillo pieces cut out
Rose Petrillo pieces cut out

Well, the Rose Petrillo sort of returned. I found the project bag in which I put all the pieces.

There are a couple of pieces missing like the strap. I’ll have to find some good fabric for that.

The fabric pieces are all interfaced with SF101, but no foam is cut out. It could be that I didn’t have foam at the time I cut out the pieces. I really don’t remember.

 

Finished: Vervain

Vervain front
Vervain front

I finished the Vervain belt bag the other day. This is definitely a bag I need to make again to improve my skills.

I did find that the bag went together more smoothly than I anticipated. It made me happy and it made me confident enough to try the Allium bag soon.

This bag is really making me consider buying a rivet press. I got the magnetic snaps in with no problem, but it was a bit of a struggle. What is stopping me from buying a press is space. Where would I keep such a huge piece of equipment? Not sure, so I need to clear some things out to make space.

Vervain: front pocket open
Vervain: front pocket open

So this bag has a flat front pocket. The snaps are on the front and don’t meet when the bag is as it is shown in the first photo above. The snaps are uneven so the pocket can fit something with more dimension.

I was able to fit my phone in that pocket, but not very well. I wouldn’t store it there on a regular basis. I would use that pocket for lip balm, wet wipes and other flat items.

Vervain: back
Vervain: back

The back has no pockets, though I could have included a vertical zipper pocket. I might if I make this again.

I also used a really nice parachute clip for this since it is for my aunt. The clip is a little heavy and that is a concern, but we will see. I hope it doesn’t prevent her from using it.

Vervain: interior
Vervain: interior

Inside is where I would put my phone, if I were using this bag.

It has a zipper that closes the bag completely and also an interior zip pocket for more security.

Vervain Progress

I think I might have had a little dip in my Sew-jo and didn’t really know what was going on. I had a great sewing session over the weekend and I think I bag to my normal enthusiasm and energy.

Vervain in progress
Vervain in progress

I really made good progress on the Vervain belt bag for my aunt. You might think this doesn’t look like much, but the sewn bits are the result of about 20 steps!

I was concerned about making a belt bag (fanny pack). I am not sure why, but it seemed harder than normal bags. I think I was just feeling down.

I have a few more steps to go – maybe another 15? I am excited about this project and how it is evolving. I’ll probably be done by next week. We’ll see.

Butterfly Sent Off

Butterfly Superbloom and Dogwood pouches set
Butterfly Superbloom and Dogwood pouches set

I sent off the Butterfly set to its new home. One of my fabulous readers made a very generous donation to an organization of women helping women. I sent the check straight to them. This happened after I mentioned the organization for whom I originally made the set declined to include it in their auction. Their loss.

I don’t normally make bags to sell. The organization to whom I gave the money is very dear to my heart. They help women with scholarships for academic degrees. I received a scholarship for my undergraduate and graduate degrees from them. The organization made a huge difference in my life. I hope that this small effort on my part makes a difference in another woman’s life.

More Dogwood Pouches

Dogwood Pouches F & J
Dogwood Pouches F & J

I finished the latest two Dogwood pouches the other evening. I really like the way they came out.

I was much more careful this time about fussy cutting, so the butterflies are whole. I did a good job on the Hindsight Dogwoods, but the print was much larger, so it was harder to select a part of the print.

Dogwood Pouches F & J - open
Dogwood Pouches F & J – open

The lining is the same as the Butterfly Superbloom, which makes these part of a set.

I like the way the zipper is handled in this pouch. I might have to talk about that in the future.

These are the same sizes I made before. I wanted to make them again to cement the process in my mind. My printer is also acting like a jerk, so printing is iffy at best.

When I make pouches I always think about how I would use them. Pouch F is the larger one and would be great for chargers and other small electronics. I have several pouches in my work bag so I can keep things organized and think I would use this pouch for cords and chargers.

Pouch J is the small pouch and would be great for hand sanitizer and lip balm. I didn’t make these with vinyl on the inside so I have to think about keeping them clean. However, the pouches are washable, so that is a bonus.

 

I wash the pouch and bags I make in a lingerie bag to keep the handles and other pieces from getting into the workings of the washer. I have already washed all the fabric in hot water, so any temperature is ok. I recommend cold, but you can also wash them in hot.

Finished: Butterfly Superbloom

Finished: SMAP Superbloom
Finished: SMAP Superbloom

I finally finished the Butterfly Superbloom, but it is bittersweet. The organization to whom I planned to donate it has decided they have something similar and don’t want it, or the Dogwood Pouches, for their auction. 🙁

I have to figure out to whom to gift it or whether I can do my own raffle and send the money to the scholarship fund. Let me know if you want to buy a bag for a good cause!

I am happy with the way this came out. I like the positioning of the butterfly on the side.

Superbloom: Side pockets exterior
Superbloom: Side pockets exterior

Of course, I love the side pockets. They are so fun!

 

I think I am done with the Superbloom pattern for awhile. I think the white of the zipper tape stands out a bit, however the rainbow teeth go well with the fabric. The side seams stands out a bit in the photo, but it isn’t as noticeable in real life.

 

Superbloom: Side pockets interior
Superbloom: Side pockets interior

I accidentally put a treat inside one of the side pockets. I hope whoever ends up using this bag will appreciate the various places where the butterflies are located.

Butterfly Superbloom: Interior
Butterfly Superbloom: Interior

 

 

The lining and interior is similar to the Hindsight Superbloom.

I think I am done with the Superbloom pattern for awhile. It’s a good pattern!

More Dogwood Pouches

Dogwood - F & J
Dogwood – F & J

I cut out some more Dogwood pouches the other day. I am using the same sizes (F & J), mostly because I didn’t want to take the time to print more templates. The organization to whom I wanted to donate the set is having their luncheon soon and I wanted to make as many bags as possible. I have only the Superbloom and the Cotton Candy so far.

I need to get busy sewing.