Tag: Sew Sweetness

Chickadee Backpack – a Little Progress

Chickadee - back with straps
Chickadee – back with straps

I finally was able to really get started sewing the Chickadee Backpack.

As mentioned this has been on my list for a long time. It came up in the guild UFO challenge and I still put off working on it. In fairness, I was busy, out of town, thinking about other things.

The back was really pretty easy. I had used pre-quilted (by Colleen) fabric so I had to 

Chickadee - strap start
Chickadee – strap start

The back of the backpack with the straps looks pretty impressive. However, I followed the pattern and first made the straps. I took a photo, because I thought this would be all I had to show you.

On Thursday and Friday of last week, I made a lot of progress. After starting with a bunch of cut pieces, I was pleased with how much I accomplished even though I didn’t finish.

Of course, I followed the pattern and watched the video as necessary. This pattern is a few years old and I found that Sara improves her patterns each time she releases new ones.

Chickadee - front pocket interior
Chickadee – front pocket interior

Next up was the front pocket. I was pleased I had everything cut.

This is super pink, I think, so it will be great for the Pink Project. The zipper tabs don’t go all the way to the sides of the pocket, so I might cut them larger next time and sew them so they are even with the edge of the pocket. There must be a reason Sara designs zipper tabs this way, but I don’t know what it is.

Chickadee - front pocket
Chickadee – front pocket

The front pocket eventually ended up looking pretty professional, if I do say so myself.

I used some castle zipper pulls on the front to make this cuter.

I also fussy cut a flower so that it was highlighted on the front pocket. I used more of the pink zipper by the yard I bought a Sewlarium awhile ago. I was glad I had it on hand.

I spent a lot of time on the handles. I didn’t want them to stick up all the time, so I added some hardware to make them fold down when not in use. I still had MaryC’s rivet press in my workroom, so I used that to add rives to the handles. It was a little exhausting to re-design and the execute these handles. I know it doesn’t seem like a big deal.

Chickadee exterior with handles
Chickadee exterior with handles

I really, really wanted to finish, but I couldn’t. I made a huge amount of progress and am pleased with that. I still have the lining to assemble and install and the rest of the finishing. It was late on Friday night and I decided pulling an all-nighter didn’t work when I was an undergraduate and wasn’t going to work a few years down the road from those days. The bag looks good and I’ll be able to finish it before the meeting.

I did bring the exterior to show for the UFO challenge.

Amethyst vs Natalma

After finishing the Natalma earlier this month, I couldn’t help comparing it to the Amethyst.

I do not have the Amethyst, so I have to use photos for comparison. Obviously, the inside pockets and features are different. I expect this even when Sara’s bags have a similar construction. 

The big difference, I see is that the Natalma lays flat (is an open wide sort of design) and the lid of the Amethyst opens leaving a space under it. This is not a bag that lays flat. 

I did compare the finished sizes as well:

Amethyst Finished Size: 14” long x 13” high x 3” deep (35.5cm x 33cm x 7.5cm)

Natalma Finished Size: 14” long x 12” tall x 4-1/4” deep (35.6cm x 30.5cm x 10.8cm)

As you can see the sizes are similar. 

As I may have mentioned, I like it when Sara uses similar construction techniques on different bags. It expands my horizons.

Finished: Natalma

Finished: Natalma - closed
Finished: Natalma – closed

I finished the Natalma over the weekend. The finishing felt very different. I felt really happy. Usually, I feel a bit let down. It might be with myself or it might be just a letdown because of finishing.

This time I felt happy. The bag is far from perfect, but it looks good and is very functional. Of course, the design is quite unique and that is all Sara of Sew Sweetness. I am pleased and think the recipient will find it useful.

I plan to install some pages** that can hold a collection of enamel pins. I never knew such pages existed! The YM has a collection of such pins he has been storing on a hat (hats??), which doesn’t sound super comfortable to wear either, and there is no more space. The Natalma is more than he needs, but the use immediately came to mind when I saw Sara’s group of new patterns. I wanted to put the pages I bought in right away, but one of them was broken, so that will have to wait. 

Finished: Natalma - open flat
Finished: Natalma – open flat

As I said before, I really want to make another one of these right away. I am struggling to think of how I could use it. If I went to an ongoing meeting where I had to refer back to previous notes, it would be great. It might also be good if I were taking a class. I am not doing either of those things at the moment, but I could be prepared, right? 😉

Finished: Natalma -left side detail
Finished: Natalma -left side detail

There are very few changes I would make to this bag. 

There is a pocket on the front of this accordion section. I used the pink Freaky Familiars fabric. Next time I would make it with vinyl, so I could see inside of the pocket. That’s just me. I am kind of an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ kind of person.

Sewing and assembling the accordion section was awesome. It went together SOOO well and seems super useful. 

Finished: Natalma -right side detail
Finished: Natalma -right side detail

I am still looking for mesh with smaller holes than the ByAnnie mesh. I like the idea of mesh pockets and I also like the way they go together in the assembly process. I also like how they show the items within. I do not like how all the smaller things get stuck in the holes. I haven’t found a good substitute for the mesh.

The pattern calls for riveting the binder mechanism into the layers of foam and Peltex. I had trouble with the interim steps. I used a double cap rivet to keep the Peltex in place, as indicated in the pattern. With all of the handling, the top cap popped off, which messed up the alignment of the layers that were already sewn into a space I could no longer access. I would use a Chicago Screw in the future. I don’t like them as a permanent part of a bag, but for temporarily holding the Peltex in place, they would work great. 

Finished Natalma Binder mechanism - detail
Finished Natalma Binder mechanism – detail

I am concerned about the size of the rivet I used, which was 12mm. It looks a little big to  me, but Mary didn’t have any 10mm rivets in her kit. I ordered some and may change the 12mm for a 10mm. We’ll see.

I have made the Amethyst Project Bag and I am wondering if the basics – size, exterior construction – are similar? From the pictures in my post, it looks like it could be. I really like it when Sara uses similar construction techniques for new bags. I wouldn’t say you could make this, Natalma, bag if you already had the Amethyst Project Bag pattern, but I think the techniques for the exterior are probably similar.

Finished: Natalma - closed, top
Finished: Natalma – closed, top

The Natalma has a should strap, which means it also has D-rings/triangles on the side. I have seen some bags that place the D-rings/triangles on opposite sides, e.g. the top of the front panel and the back of the front panel. The Take a Stand Bag is structured this way. 

Sara has placed the D-rings/triangles on the same side of the front panel. When I make another one, I may try it on opposite sides.

All in all, this was a good bag to make. I am eager to see if the recipient likes it. I am pleased with the usability of this latest group of Sew Sweetness bags.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses, as I did. However, if you are too busy, don’t have a local shop nearby or can’t find what you need, I use Amazon affiliate links. I 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 don’t link to items I don’t like. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this website.

More Natalma

Natalma Accordion pocket with Velcro
Natalma Accordion pocket with Velcro

The name, Natalma, was on my mind so I looked it up. “Natalma was an American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse best known as the dam of the most important sire, and sire of sires, of the late 20th Century, Northern Dancer. She also established a highly influential female family, which has produced other leading sires Machiavellian and Danehill, plus numerous other stakes winners.” from Wikipedia.

I should have known it was a horse. Sara loves horses!

Natalma Accordion pocket with Velcro tab
Natalma Accordion pocket with Velcro tab

I spent another day last week working on the Natalma. I tried to be very Zen about the process, going through each step and not skipping or putting off steps, like interfacing pieces.

It pays off to do all the prep, because I don’t have to stop to interface or whatever. It is all done. I should learn that this is the best way to work, but my desire to get to the sewing will probably always override that practice. Oh well.

I like making patterns the first time, because I can take notes on what I would change the second time. That pink pocket shown above will be made with vinyl next time. Then I will be able to see what is inside. 

Natalma mesh pocket on main panel
Natalma mesh pocket on main panel

There were some larger pieces done at the beginning, but now I am working on some fiddly bits.

I also have to figure out some riveting.

 

Natalma Start

The Natalma is another Sew Sweetness bag from the most recent release. As with the Urban Sea backpack, there are a lot of rounded corners. This meant I had to cut a lot of pieces out with scissors. Some of them only partially, but the prep work at the beginning of the process still took longer. I forced myself, which wasn’t hard, into my Zen prep zone and was fine with all the cutting. 

Natalma (Panel E) interior zipper pocket
Natalma (Panel E) interior zipper pocket

Finally, late on Saturday, I began to sew the bag together. The pocket in the photo, right, is the interior zipper pocket that is on the left side of the bag. I think next time, I will make the front part of the pocket vinyl. 

I do want to make a second one since the three ring binder mechanisms come in a package of two. I don’t want the second mechanism hanging around my workroom. I have to figure out if I will use the second one or if it will be a gift. 

Time for the Natalma

Natalma supplies gathered
Natalma supplies gathered

I had to put this project on the back burner while I made the Urban Sea backpack, but I am gathering supplies so I can get started.

I laid all of my choices out, so I could see what I had. I realized that I don’t have a long enough zipper. The ByAnnie 40″ is a bit short, so I’ll need to get some continuous zipper tape in a coordinating color. 

The teal cats fabric will go on the outside. I haven’t decided where the other fabrics will be placed, but I want the pink cats to be seen a lot, so they will be in a primary position.

Two Cosquillas

After writing the post the other day, I thought about how using different fabrics makes the pouches look so different.

Beth's Cosquilla: 3/4s view
Beth’s Cosquilla: 3/4s view

These have similarities to the yellow Cosquilla I made first.

One can definitely see the differences on the same pattern, whether quilt or bag, when looking online. I am sure I could make one bag pattern over and over and never make the same kind twice. Of course, I have done that with a few patterns, like the Hackney and the project bags.

Finished: Floral Reef Cosquilla

Cosquilla - finished front
Cosquilla – finished front

Hooray! I finished the newest Cosquilla.

I know I said I was sewing this pouch quickly. I really was and I actually finished it on August 13. However, I had a lot of other stuff to post. I put this pouch straight into use then I didn’t post about it.

I am pleased with the other two Cosquilla pouches, but I think this one is my best so far. I was very calm and not in a hurry when I sewed it. I took my time and I think this is the reward. 

Cosquilla Zipper Pocket
Cosquilla Zipper Pocket

I wanted to highlight the seahorse, but it’s head is hidden by the zipper placket on the pocket. 🙁 I also wanted to cut off the snake, but it’s head is still visible.  Oh well. At least it is a pink and purple snake.

Cosquilla - seahorse surprise
Cosquilla – seahorse surprise

The seahorse is a pleasing surprise when the pocket is opened.

I used two different kinds of vinyl on this pouch. As mentioned, I thought putting the Floral Reef vinyl over the busy Floral Reef print would mean that I couldn’t see either clearly.

Cosquilla #3 - top
Cosquilla #3 – top

I considered different fabrics to use for the binding. Overall, I think the Tula Pink purple (Aster??) Tiny Dots works very well. The purple doesn’t quite match the zipper. They work together well anyway.

 

 

 

 

Cosquilla -Floral Reef side
Cosquilla -Floral Reef side

I had some clear vinyl, so I used that over the pocket and the Floral Reef vinyl for the side main panel. I still think the motifs on the fabric and the motifs on the vinyl interfere a little with each other, but it isn’t too bad. I’ll have to think about that when I consider buying other printed vinyls.

Cosquilla #3 - handle
Cosquilla #3 – handle

I think I probably should have put some SF101/ProFuse on the handle, but the handle won’t get much use, so I think it is ok. 

I am so pleased with the binding. I used the HP2 foot again and sewed slowly. It was a little short, so I added a straight of grain piece, which was a little problematic when sewing. Otherwise, machine sewing the binding worked very well. I am not embarrassed with how it looks.

I think this was a good fabric combination to use for this pouch. I wasn’t sure how I would use the fabric once it arrived. Seeing it in use when I need a handbag zipper will make me smile.

 

Finished: Urban Sea Backpack

Urban Sea Backpack - front
Urban Sea Backpack – front

I finished the Urban Sea Backpack. As mentioned, it is for my Mom. It isn’t perfect, but, in general I am pleased with how it came out.

As is usual, I want to start another one right away. I am slightly daunted by the amount of cutting, which may drive me to figure out the Scan ‘n Cut.

The more I look at this project, the happier I am. There are some parts I would like to do better, but I was pleased to look at them with curiosity and an eye towards figuring how how I could do better. I didn’t look at them with shame or the need to explain. 

Urban Sea backpack - interior right side out
Urban Sea backpack – interior right side out

Before I turned the piece right side out to finish it, I took a photo of the interior.I wanted to get a better view than the one I usually get by photographing down into the bag. This view gives me a better view of the details of the interior.

I am super pleased with the interior. I think it is the fabric. Disco Poms is a GREAT fabric. I may need to get more. I am glad I used it as it is super cheerful.

Urban Sea - front pocket
Urban Sea – front pocket

The front pocket was a bit of a Hail Mary. I am not super fond of the ByAnnie mesh. It is fine and a high quality product. My stuff just gets stuck in the mesh. I really want to find a mesh that has smaller holes like some lingerie bags. I am thinking of buying a lingerie bag, disassembling it and trying the fabric in a bag. The colors are fairly limited, so, for the moment, I am either substituting vinyl like in the Everything But the Machine bag or sticking to mesh and hoping for the best. One good thing about mesh is that you can see what is in your pocket.

Urban Sea - back with straps
Urban Sea – back with straps

People in the Sew Sweetness FB group commented on the straps. I am not sure they are anything special. I did follow the directions and think I would like to add more padding in the future.

My new machine, especially the HP foot really helped me make this bag. I am a lot more relaxed making bags-few tense shoulders and only a little yanking with tweezers, which is better for my body overall. I am much less worried about whether my machine can handle what I want to make.

 

 

Urban Sea Backpack in Progress

Urban Sea Backpack cut out
Urban Sea Backpack cut out

I finally was able to finish cutting out the Urban Sea Backpack. Whew! That was a lot of cutting.

You might notice that none of the pieces are square. I had to cut them all out with scissors except for the couple of pieces that shared a shape with the Chickadee backpack. Other than that the cutting process just took a long time. I had time to make sure the fabrics were oriented in the same direction across pieces and all the interfacings were correct.

If this cutting experience doesn’t drive me to continue learning to use the Scan ‘n Cut, I don’t know what will. 😉

Urban Sea -Side pocket in process
Urban Sea -Side pocket in process

Once all the pieces were cut, it took a few days for me to get to the project again. As is usual, I started sewing smaller pieces into larger. Once of the first sections was the side pocket and I was pretty excited about how it looked. I was amazed at how clever the pieces were. There is one small triangular piece used in this pocket. As I was cutting, I couldn’t figure out where it would go. It fits in this pocket to extend the curved zipper tab. Genius!

It is not a flat pocket, it has some dimension, which will make it more useful.

Urban Sea -front pocket in process, closed
Urban Sea -front pocket in process, closed

Once a number of those sections were complete, I could start focusing on combining the smaller pieces into sections of the backpack. First, I made the front pocket, which required zipper tabs, a zipper and other bits and pieces.

I am pleased with my fussy cutting, too. 

The sideways capital I piece at the top was another piece I couldn’t imagine using, but it was amazingly perfect. I really can’t imagine how Sara figures these bags out. 

I thought it would be hard to add the inside of this pocket to the piece, but, essentially, I sewed the front pocket on top of the inside. Don’t try this at home without the pattern! Again, it worked perfectly.

Urban Sea -Top and front pockets
Urban Sea -Top and front pockets

At the moment, I am adding the top pocket/flap to the piece above.

It’s a new adventure! It’s also an adventure that I am enjoying. I sometimes feel frustrated when making bags, but so far I haven’t felt like that with this bag.

New Backpack Challenge

After writing yesterday, I talked to my mom who was on her way to the ER again (she’s fine!) with a plastic bag to carry her stuff!!! I was horrified, but before I could speak, she said she was going to get a backpack for her stuff. Before I could think, I said I would make her a backpack.

I am not sure if I mentioned when writing about the Chickadee that I have never made a backpack before, at least one with real straps and buckles. The closest is the Flagler Backpack and the Scrap Lab Backpack. Neither of these are as structured or as complicated as the Chickadee. 

Sew Sweetness Urban Sea backpack
Sew Sweetness Urban Sea backpack

I knew the Chickadee was in progress, obviously. That is for the Pink Project and I don’t know when it will be finished, so I decided to make the new backpack pattern from Sew Sweetness called the Urban Sea Backpack. I showed my mom and told her the size (finished Size: 12 inches long x 15 inches tall x 7 inches deep (30.5cm x 38cm x 18cm)) and she said that the Urban Sea would be perfect. So, now I am making another backpack. 😉

The next surprise was the fabric. I have used paint tube fabric for my mom for a long time. She really admired the bubble fabric in blues and pinks that Sara used on her test version. I showed her a picture of the Philip Jacobs Voluptuous fabric as a joke and she loved it! I might as well use it. I don’t have anything else slated for that fabric. I am going to pair it with the Disco Poms from Tula Pink. Same thing. I might as well use it. 

The first step was to tape all of the pattern pieces together. I haven’t found any that are rectangular!!! I love the look of this backpack, so I don’t mind.

Chickadee template for Urban Sea
Chickadee template for Urban Sea

I was thrilled to find that the acrylic template for the Chickadee Backpack strap is the same exact piece as the straps in the the Urban Sea Backpack. Sara doesn’t sell acrylic templates any more, so this was awesome! I can use that template to cut out the several pieces (exterior, lining, foam, etc) I need for this backpack.

I spent about 4 hours on Sunday cutting out pieces for this project. I almost finished all the cutting, but that much standing was tiring after also standing a lot on Saturday. Even though I want to get to sewing, I am trying to be very Zen about the cutting as I found that each part of the process has its benefits.

More Chickadee Work

Chickadee Pieces cut out, ready to sew
Chickadee Pieces cut out, ready to sew

The Chickadee Backpack still has not been chosen as part of the UFO challenge, but I decided to work on it again. I worked on it a little last month so I could get a head start. I kind of wanted it to be chosen for the UFO challenge for August, but no dice. Maybe next month?

All the pieces are cut out and I ready to sew. I haven’t decided if I will start sewing yet. I would like to stick with the letter  of the ‘law’ in the UFO project. I could cut out some of the other projects or continuing cutting them out as the case may be.

 

Quickly Sewing Cosquilla #3

Cosquilla Bottom Panel
Cosquilla Bottom Panel

After I decided on the binding, this piece really started to go together quickly. Sewing the same pattern almost one after another means I can improve. 

On this Floral Reef Cosquilla, I did something a little different with the quilting. The Bottom Panel needs to be quilted. I basted it again using MistyFuse and quilted it with the same stitch. This time, however, I lengthened the stitch even further. I wanted the wave to be longer. I also did more quilting. Last time I quilted only three lines of quilting down the length of the bottom panel. This time I sewed more. I don’t’ think I really needed to, but it was worth a try.

Cosquilla in process - back
Cosquilla in process – back

Then it was on to sewing the whole thing together.

Despite the large expanse of vinyl, I decided to use the HP2 foot again. I LOVE this foot. I am hoping that the machine sewing of the whole binding will look better.

Cosquilla #3- ready to assemble
Cosquilla #3- ready to assemble

I was concerned about the color of the binding, but I think it looks good. The pouch is more purple than expected, but not in an unpleasant way.

Next Cosquilla

I was a little disappointed that the Rose Cosquilla was not large enough for all of my handbag zippers. I probably should have been upset that I had so many handbag zippers!

Floral Reef order
Floral Reef order

A month or so ago, my Floral Reef order came in. i wasn’t sure what to do with it, but after finishing the Rose Cosquilla I decided I would use the fabrics to make another Cosquilla for the rest of the handbag zippers.

Floral Reef vinyl on Floral Reef fabric
Floral Reef vinyl on Floral Reef fabric

The fabrics and vinyl are really cool, but also hard to use, especially since I didn’t buy a lot of any one of them. I think this will be a good use of them, though I may use a clear vinyl for the front pocket since the lining fabric shows through. The motifs on the vinyl, as you can see from the photo, right, interfere with the motifs on the fabric. I can’t really see either if I chose all Floral Reef. 

Another Metro Double Zip

Metro Double Zip Pouch #3
Metro Double Zip Pouch #3

I had it in mind to make another Metro Double Zip as a gift. I did it, but I didn’t give the gift as I wasn’t happy with how it came out. 

It is perfectly serviceable, but I wanted it to look good if I was going to give it as a gift.

Metro Double Zip Pouch #3 - back
Metro Double Zip Pouch #3 – back

I was in a little bit of a rush and did things a little differently than I did on the second Metro Double Zip. That was a mistake, but I didn’t write down the parts that I made larger on the second one. Thus, I didn’t remember I kept some parts the same, which was part of the problem with the first one.

I love the strap technique!!!

As you can see, the back is quite boring  without the waves. I could have fussy cut something, but was at Tim’s and didn’t have a lot of fabric choices. I really want to get this pattern to be more stuck in my brain. I have to make a few more and think of some different embellishments for the front.

3 pouches ~ Metro Double Zip
3 pouches ~ Metro Double Zip

While I was looking for something I found a similar pouch I received as a gift from BAM. I thought it might be an Aneela Hoey pattern, but I didn’t see it on her website or in her book. There are a million pouch patterns out there and it could be modified from a completely different pattern or made up.