Tag: Sew Sweetness

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.

Rose Cosquilla Finished

Rose Cosquilla finished - front
Rose Cosquilla finished – front

I finished the new Cosquilla last week and it is in use. I made this so I would have something other than disintegrating plastic bags in which to store my handbag zippers.

It is kind of weird to call this the Rose Cosquilla, because of the charcoal background.  I fussy cut a big rose to show off the vinyl so the name is appropriate, but still feels strange.

Rose Cosquilla filled
Rose Cosquilla filled

I need to make another one! I have quite a few handbag zippers. 😉

I don’t have any more of the Anna Maria fabric so can’t make a matching set. I bought some Philip Jacobs fabric (Voluptuous, I think)

I am pretty pleased with the binding. It wasn’t easy and isn’t perfect, but I did it slowly by machine using my HP2 foot. This foot totally  TOTALLY makes the purchase of the new machine worth the money. If you have a Janome or an Elna and this foot and needle plate are compatible with your machine, you need this. I didn’t buy the machine because of this combo, but it was a factor. I use this foot and needle plate so much now.

Rose Cosquilla vinyl side
Rose Cosquilla vinyl side

The cool part about this bag the vinyl side. Not only does it allow me to see inside my bag, but it also provides information on how to add this type of side to other bags. 

 

New Cosquilla

Rose Cosquilla before assembly - pockets
Rose Cosquilla before assembly – pockets

I went for a Sew Day at Tim’s house on Monday (yes, lots of connections this week). I started sewing the Cosquilla that I cut out a week or so ago. For a change, I am making this pouch for myself! I will use it for my handbag zippers, which are currently housed in two disintegrating zipper bags. 🙁 The fabric is an Anna Maria fabric of which I had a small piece.

I had a lot of fun talking with Tim, but I missed my new machine when putting this pouch together. I also need to replenish my supply of DST** in my “Go Bag”, because the zippers would have been a lot easier with it.

Still the bag is coming out ok. The picture above is what I did in a few hours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Finished: Fish Hackney

Fish Hackney - front
Fish Hackney – front

I was pleased to finish the Fish Hackney in time for DH’s birthday. It has been awhile since I started this project. I am not sure when, but I bought this fabric in October of 2024. I didn’t make a note of cutting out the pieces, but it was sometime after that. I am glad to cross it off the list as it has been on my mind. I am also happy that DH seemed pleased with it. He was planning how he would use it, however, and thinking it would be good for storing reels, because the thickness of the pouch would protect them.

Fish Hackney top with handle
Fish Hackney top with handle

He did notice the issues that I had such as the weird handle placement. 

I also had some trouble with the placement of the turning hole. I had forgotten that I needed to turn the lid as well as the bottom separately.

Fish Hackney - mesh pocket
Fish Hackney – mesh pocket

I went with the standard mesh pocket this time as I wanted to just get it done and not think about different options.

I made a note on the pattern to match the zipper tabs to the zipper and the foldover elastic/binding rather than the lining fabric. I think my zipper tabs look fine. They would have been less noticeable if I had used grey fabric. 

Fish Hackney - interior bottom
Fish Hackney – interior bottom

I didn’t have quite enough of the lining fabric for the lining gusset. The stripe looks cheerful. 

This is the one pattern I can think of that includes information about anchoring the lining. I did that on the front and back. The lining is still a little saggy baggy, but ok.

Fish Hackney - smooth top
Fish Hackney – smooth top

I also used the Frankenfoam I made at Sew Day a few weeks ago. I covered it with ProFuse and I couldn’t see the seams in the foam.

Of course, now I have used up some big pieces of the Frankenfoam, I am going to have to sew more small pieces together again. 

I like this pattern a lot and am sad it has been such a long time since I made one. So many patterns! So little time!

More Metro Double Zip Fun and Games

Metro Double Zip #2 with wave pockets
Metro Double Zip #2 with wave pockets

After my adventures with waves the other day, I tried again and this version is great. I still wouldn’t put a driver’s license or credit card in the wave pockets, but some receipts or a photo would be ok.

I think the non-pocket side of this pouch is a little boring, though I guess it wouldn’t be if I fussy cut some cool fabric for that side. I think extra pockets is better, though.

Metro Double Zip #2 with wave pockets - back
Metro Double Zip #2 with wave pockets – back

I made the vertical measurement of the pouch a half inch taller as well, because I thought everything at the top was a little squished. I am pleased with the way this version came out. I plan to make a few more of these. I had one special request for it, so I’ll see what I can do.

BTW, the way Sara told me to make the strap is genius! I didn’t understand the directions at first, but when I got it, it was one of those AHA moments I wish I had known years ago.

Chickadee Started

Chickadee cut out
Chickadee cut out

I posted about my progress on the guild UFO challenge. What I forgot to mention is that I started cutting out the Chickadee Backpack as well. I didn’t cut it all out, but I did start cutting from the large piece of quilted foam I had Colleen longarm for me months (years?) ago.

This month’s UFO project hasn’t been chosen yet, but making a little progress will be helpful when the Chickadee is chosen.

MaryC's Chickadee
MaryC’s Chickadee

I was also inspired by MaryC churning one out for a baby gift. She is amazing.

I was also pleased that she tried out a Sew Sweetness pattern! Many of my bag making friends don’t try Sew Sweetness patterns, despite my best efforts. Maybe she will try some of the others.

Metro Double Zip Fun and Games

I saw a picture of a pattern on IG. I couldn’t get the wave design out of my head. I didn’t want to buy the pattern as I don’t need a coin purse, or a pattern in Chinese. Also, I wanted to try it larger and thought I probably had several patterns I could use. I decided to play around with the Metro Double Zip pouch. This is a Sew Sweetness pattern from Minikins Season 2 that I thought would work in this context. 

Minikins Season 2 is the one season from which I haven’t made many of the patterns.  I am not a wallet or a clutch person. I mean I use a wallet and clutches occasionally, but not made from quiltmaking cotton. I also have grocery bags and am not into Essential Oils. As I have said before, I bought this season for the Day Trip Wallet. This also means that I am very excited when I have a reason to make one of the bags or pouches from this season.

The Metro Double Zip pouch is an unanticipated gem. I made two of them, each of which took me about 2 hours, aside from figuring out the wave. It was fun to figure out the wave pockets.

I have seen a number of curved pockets lately and I want to learn more about them so I can add them to bags as I want. My experience with the EPPic has made me positively bold!

Metro Double Zip #1 with wave pockets
Metro Double Zip #1 with wave pockets

The first one is totally usable, but MVP and not quite as usable as the second. I didn’t get the wave pockets right. They are a little small and floppy.

Still, I was fairly excited about actually making a change to a bag that wasn’t terrible. All of the stitching and turning of the pockets made them a bit thick, so I’ll change that along with making them taller.

Metro Double Zip #1 with wave pockets - back
Metro Double Zip #1 with wave pockets – back

I decided to try again. Stay tuned.

Finished: Sue’s Tadpole

SueG's Tadpole
SueG’s Tadpole

I made Sue a Tadpole. I think I made it at the same time I made Gerre’s and Carrie’Sus, but I can’t really remember.

The Tadpole is a double pouch that is designed to hold your scissors and rotary cutter. I am not sure how one could prevent the various cutters from cutting the fabric, even with the included scissor sheath pattern, but it is still a cool and interesting pouch.

I just gifted it to her last week. She had to supply photos since, apparently, I forgot to take any.

Sue's Tadpole - top
Sue’s Tadpole – top

I shortchanged Sue by not making the Scissor Sheath, which I didn’t like making and thought wasn’t that useful since making it out of fabric wouldn’t protect anything. I still want to try making a scissor sheath from the Diamond vinyl I bought from Sewfisticated. That is on the “I’ll try that someday list.”

Sue's Tadpole - open compartment
Sue’s Tadpole – open compartment

The pouch has a similar shape to the Hackney pouch, but is a little different as it has independent sections that you open from the top and the bottom.

One of the compartments has an interior zipper pocket. More pockets are better, but I am not sure how I would use this one. It is very compact, which is nice. 

Sue gave me good feedback on this pouch, so I am happy.