After making the Piebald #2 and Piebald #3, I decided to try a project that had been on my mind for awhile. Some time ago, my SIL#4 asked me to make her a bag she could use to take her knitting along. I designed and made the Knitting Box, but it wasn’t quite right and I wasn’t happy with it. We had made a trade and I wanted to keep up my end of the bargain.
Cal Piebald start
Years go by and I made the two Piebalds, which gave me an idea for the Knitting Box replacement: a Piebald with a double zip. I showed her one of the pink Piebalds and she thought it would work. Her birthday is coming, so I am trying the project again. I have only made a small start, but I have high hopes.
I was so pleased with that zipper even though it was way too long. It is the perfect color to go with the Cal fabric.
How do you like my fussy cutting? I am pretty pleased with it.
I finished this Lavender Dot Bluestem several days ago, but am super busy and haven’t had time to post about it. This was actually the second one I cut out; I just sewed the Chrysanthemum Bluestem together first.
The foam really makes this small pouch. There is something fun about this small very stiff pouch.
Bluestem with moon pull
Bluestem with star pull
In this version I used some of the new zipper pulls I received and they are really great. They are not a set. I combined them myself.
Lavender Dot Bluestem – open
The inside is a lighter version of the outside, I think. It is another cool fabric that I have been hoarding.
I remembered to put my label on. I did it before the piece was completely sewn together. I should make a note in the pattern as to when to add it.
I had to use dark purple doublefold elastic as the colors of that supply are limited.
I am super pleased with this pouch and will probably make others.
I am keeping up with the Sew Sweetness Sew-a-long for the Sweetbay (that’s a lot of Ss and Ws!!) crossbody bag. This bag has a lot of prep and it started with week 1 and continued to this week.
Some of this week’s work was adding interfacing to all of the pieces that were not interfaced last week.
Sweetbay credit card sleeve
I also had to make the credit card sleeve, which didn’t turn out quite as expected. The written directions were a little confusing, but I walked away and came back and was able to figure out what to do.
Sweetbay credit card pieces
In order to make the compartments, we were supposed to use a template made from the pattern pieces on the back. I was super pleased that I figured out how to make slots that I could mark through. I know this seems really dumb, but it felt very convenient and like an excellent solution.
This pattern does not have a acrylic templates and I am not sure why. I think the credit card sleeve would have been a good candidate for templates.
Using the hot ruler
I also made good use of the hot ruler from Cyndi for this project. This was a Christmas gift I received and the more I use it the more useful I find it. It makes the folds a little thick, so if I need precise measurements, I need to be very careful. Other than that, I am finding it to be very useful.
Sweetbay back zipper pocket
I added to the prep work by adding a vertical pocket in the back flap. Vertical pockets look really cool. I also thought that back flap was the perfect location for additional storage, so I created an internal zipper pocket.
I had to remember how to do it, so I looked it up in a couple of books. First was Lisa Lam’s The Bag Making Bible**, which got me started, but left out (or I couldn’t find) some crucial information, so I switched to The Complete Bagmaking Masterclass** and got the info I needed.
Sweetbay zipper pocket in progress
One problem I had, which wasn’t critical was that I didn’t leave enough fabric on the short ends of the zipper pocket. See how there is barely half an inch on each small end? It worked, but it isn’t really enough and I had to be super careful to make sure the foam and exterior fabric got caught in the seam when I sewed the zipper in. It worked, but I sweated! Hopefully, I’ll remember next time.
Once I had all that done I was kind of exhausted. I am very pleased that I am making progress and keeping up with the Sew-a-long.
**N. B. : Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon 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 finished the third Piebald in time to give it to my friend. This one looks quite fat and squat. I didn’t even plump it up for the photo. Isn’t it funny?
I was able to fussy cut the flap and front panel again, which makes the flap look good. I was able to get the fussy cutting the right way up on the front panel this time as well.
Piebald #3 flap & zipper
I am also really pleased with the zipper. I found some #3 rainbow zipper tape and some smaller zipper pulls. I used them to try adding a double zipper, which worked perfectly. I thought the white tape would look a little weird, but I think it looks fine. I just love those rainbow zipper teeth.
Piebald #3 lining
This time I understood the directions for completely attaching the lining. There is a part you have to glue the lining to the foam on the inside, which I did, but it didn’t work even though I let it dry as described in the video. Fourth time is the charm? We’ll see.
I hand stitched the lining to the front panel, which worked fine.
I didn’t have very much of the lining fabric, but I was able to cut all the pieces I needed with no problem. I also still have some left. I think I had most of a fat quarter or slightly over the FQ size from an original half yard. I don’t remember how much I originally bought.
Piebald #3 lining
I changed the way I assembled the lining as well. The directions say to start out with a quarter inch seam allowance then veer to 3/8s and then veer back to a quarter. I didn’t like the way that worked on Piebald #2, so I used a 3/8 inch seam allowance for the lining of this pouch. I think it fits much better.
As you can see from the various photos, the strap is much smaller. I measured exactly this time (21.5 inches) and added it as directed. When I make the Cal version I’ll make it somewhere in between the lengths I used on Piebald #2 and Piebald #3.
Piebald #3 full back
Piebald #3 back
Measuring correctly made a difference in the way the various stitching lines lined up on the back. I don’t know why there is so much stitching on the back. Is it for strength or does it just look cool? I’ll measure the wristlet one so the stitching lines line up when the loop is longer.
Piebald #2 and Piebald #3
Both Piebald #2 and #3 came out better than I expected. I wish I could do each bag perfectly the first time, but each pattern really takes more than one try to get it – or get it acceptable.
Perhaps I should make these for everyone I know! I think I will move on to another pattern! 😉
I started another Piebald as a gift for a friend I am seeing on Wednesday.
Aside from the fact that you need to cut exterior, lining, Shapeflex** and Soft & Stable**, this pouch can be cut out very quickly.
I felt like I needed to work on the front again, so I made another one. There is one more I want to make, but I haven’t found where I put the fabric, so it will have to wait.
N. B. : Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon 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 making a Sweetbay Crossbody Bag for the Pink Project. The Sweetbay is one of the patterns that Sara released in February. One of the reasons I am making it is because Sara is having a Sew-a-long and I thought that was a good reason to use one of the new patterns. I also wanted to try a smaller crossbody bag. The Daytrip Wallet is still on my to do list, so this will get me closer to that project.
Except for one piece of interfacing, I was able to cut out the whole project, so I am on time with the sew-a-long. Next up is sewing!
This looks like one of the Minikins, but is a separate pattern from the Minikins.
This Pink Piebald went really quickly and I am pleased. There are a couple of techniques I need to practice and some other things I want to do differently to make this pattern more to my liking.
I am super pleased with the fussy cutting on the front. The flap is big enough for a whole spray of flowers, which I think adds a nice look to the pouch.
The front panel has less space, but I was able to center flowers on the whole piece.
Finished: Pink Piebald – back with strap
The back requires a much larger piece of fabric and I didn’t really fussy cut it. I didn’t think it needed the extra care since the back is partially covered by the strap. I did try to center one of the motifs, though the strap means you can’t really see it.
As mentioned, the strap is longer than the pattern shows. I tested it out as a wristlet and I think it will work. SIL#4 knits and I thought it might be a good project-on-the-go bag. I am going to ask her. The audience for this bag won’t really care or notice, I don’t think. I think they will be pleased they can use the pouch as a small purse.
Finished: Pink Piebald – lining
I ended up making the inside (lining) from the fabric I originally planned to use for the exterior. It is a little darker than I usually use, but I didn’t want to waste the pieces I had already cut. I think next time, I will see about fussy cutting a surprise onto the flap lining.
As a reminder, this pattern is from Sew Sweetness and is from Minikins Season 3.
If you ever watch the TV show Ghosts, you will know Flower. I watched the beginning episode of the season and decided that some Tula owl fabric would be good for this latest I Spy.
Flowl I Spy with Vervain templates
I know I always say that I don’t want animals looking at me from my quilts, but these I Spy pouches seem to be immune. Anyway, the owls will most be covered by the Vervain templates that now live in this pouch.
I know I have said this before, but these pouches make me really happy.
I started out with the fabric you see as the exterior. I wasn’t super happy with it, but couldn’t think what else to use. I didn’t want to use the pink dots again as I didn’t want to feel like I had to use them in every project. I am super happy I thought of the Flea Market Fancy from Denyse Schmidt for the exterior. It is working very well, especially because I wanted to fussy cut the flap and the front panel.
Pink Piebald pouch (medium) in process – exterior
I am also happy that Sara uses the same size pieces for the lining and the exterior. I just switched the exterior fabric to the lining with no problem.
The sewing is going much better than I expected. Quickly I had the exterior standing up and ready for the lining.
One thing that was confusing was the handle. I think I measured correctly, but it came out much longer than the picture shows. I decided to keep it and call the extra length a wristlet.
This is the Bluestem pouch pattern from Sew Sweetness. As mentioned when I made the pink one recently, it is part of Minikins Season 4.
I plan to use this pouch for my pens, post-its and other bits an pieces that I take to guild meetings and Sew Day.
Chrysanthemum Bluestem – end
I decided on the fabrics as part of the latest President’s Challenge at the guild. I have had some of the Chrysanthemum fabric for awhile, but I got another piece for my birthday. The goal of the President’s 2024 Challenge is to get people to ‘use the good stuff’. I have been trying to do that, but it is difficult. When I started this pouch, the day had come to do it.
Chrysanthemum Bluestem – open
I am taking the President’s 2024 Challenge a bit farther in that I am also using the fun zippers I have been buying. I really like those rainbow zippers. The new zipper pulls also look great.
I used the orange stitch fabric, because I like it. I have used some of it, but also tend to hoard that particular print. I decided I could enjoy looking at it as I used the pouch just as well as when I came across it in my fabric closet.
Chrysanthemum Bluestem – label
I remembered to put a label on the lining before I sewed the lining together, which makes me smile.
I am struggling a little with covering the inside raw edges. Still practice makes perfect, right?
I had to go to the office twice last week. That sound so weird to say after years of going 4-5 days per week. Anyway, I always sit near a friend so we can chat if either of us can get a break.
Enigma #4 in the Wild
She had her Enigma with her and was using if for all the computer bits and bobs we have to haul around.
Am I on fire? I don’t know. I just keep cutting out bags and sewing them together.
I am doing a series of pink bags and pouches for a project that I will tell you about later.
This one is the Piebald pouch. I made one for my friend before and have been wanting to make another. As I was combing through my I Spy pouches full of templates, I came across the Piebald templates and thought it was a sign.
I cut out most of the pieces at lunch one day this week, including some Denyse Schmidt Flea Market Fancy in pink. DH was out on Wednesday night so I started sewing. The more Sew Sweetness bags I make, the easier the new ones are.
I finished the first Bluestem. It is a small (pens would fit well), firm pouch with the opportunity to use fun zippers and zipper pulls.
Pink dot Bluestem – side view
I have the idea to make a group of pink bags for a fundraiser or raffle gift and this is the first of the possibilities.
This pouch doesn’t take very long to make. The main pattern piece is an odd shape and I couldn’t imagine how the bag would be put together. I had to watch the video and that helped a lot.
I have to say that, unlike other Sew Sweetness Squad members, I don’t watch the whole video before I make a bag. I just get started, then watch the parts that I need to watch when I am confused by the directions. Sometimes I feel bad about that, but it works for me.
Pink dot Bluestem – inside view
The construction made me worry about raw edges at first, but Sara uses some doublefold (foldover) elastic** to cover the inside raw edges. I am not great at that part of the process, but I am getting better!
You can see the foldover elastic peeking out at the top of the photo, left.
I am pleased with that pale pink solid. It’s from Art Gallery and just looks perfect.
Pink dot Bluestem -end
I am also pleased with how the zipper and the foldover elastic came out together. I admit that I hand stitched one side of the elastic. I just wasn’t confident to stitch both sides at once on the machine. I plan to make more of these, so I’ll get there.
Pink dot Bluestem -label
I also remembered to add a label!
**N. B. : Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon 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 got some new templates this week, which means I needed a new I Spy pouch in which to store them.
I cut this pouch out after work on Monday and sewed it up during Craft Night. I only had to whip stitch the bottom closed and I could fill up the bag with my templates.
Big Poppy I Spy
I made an effort to make the window (lining) fabric look good and used some fabric I received for Christmas. Normally, the fabric isn’t seen, but I wanted to make this super pretty.
I am planning to make another pouch for the other set of templates. I could have made two at a time, but I thought I would have to adjust the size and I didn’t want to worry about that on Monday. I just wanted to sew.
