WIP

Had an incredible 2 weeks...very busy at work and even busier at home. On top of that one of our cats needed surgery and needed more looking after than usual.

Finally I got back to some sewing...inspected the blocks I had done and  was not impressed. Accuracy was sadly missing. Started to doubt my piecing skills somewhat because no matter what I did they just did not end up the square measurement that they should have been. After much deliberation, I finally worked out how to press the seams for the flattest look and also re-cut my dark strips. This time I re-cut the strips on the lengthwise grain....that did the trick. This way they did not distort that much and I was able to get the blocks nice and square. Part of the problem also was that I did cut all the beige squares with the Accuquilt GO Cutter which gave me very accurate squares. However, I also must have placed a batch of the squares the wrong way around on the cutter which gave me a good 1/16 to 1/8" less on one side.

Anyway, spent some time today undoing some of the blocks I had done and putting it all back together. I am now back on track with half the blocks finished. This will be a small quilt...lap size, I reckon.

Linking up to Let's Bee Social over at Lorna's blog Sew Fresh Quilts

Karin

Another Finished Bag

And here it is...the second bag from the Victoria Tote Bag pattern by RebeccaMaedesigns found on Craftsy.

Love this fabric for a bag

Made it a bit bigger and stabilised the bottom a bit more as this is for my daughter who was in urgent need of a carry-all bag for uni. I made this super strong, reinforcing the handles, stabilising the bottom and double stitching some the seams. This baby should hold.

Not finished with my temporary bag obsession...will make another one. Learned a lot with this one as well, i.e. by accident I used Extra Loft Fusible Fleece which I did not actually realise until it was finished, all the while wondering why this appeared somewhat more bulky to sew together...while still ok it did make it a touch more lofty obviously.

I did a lot of researching on Interfacings while making these bags. found several very good posts at YouSewGirl!
Combining Interfacings for bag-making 
Comparing Vilene and Pellon Interfacings/Interlinings

and at Sew Sweetness: All About Bag Interfacing 

Karin

More Bags

My sewing room is a mess...there is interfacing and batting, various quilts in certain stages of construction. For some reason I am completely immersed into bag-making at the moment.

Took the pattern for the Victoria Tote by Rebeccamaedesign that I found on Craftsy and played with the dimensions...needed it a little big bigger to make another bag for my daughter. Also changed the  stabilization a bit for the bottom, given its bigger size.

Exterior done and handles ready to go

It looks great! Bit worried about the size though. Here is a comparison to the first bag that I made

I am really impressed with this pattern and the way it described every step. Learned so much from it and as you can see was able to make some adjustments to fit what I needed. For the inside of the new bag I made a pocket instead of a zipper as this might be more useful for my daughter. Still attached the D-rings on the interior as well as the exterior as this looks quite cute and on the inside of the bag this is quite useful for attaching keys etc.
Will make another one after this as I still got heaps of fabric left from the first bag. So enjoyable!

Linking up to the Creative Goodness Linky Party over at Quiltshopgal

Karin

Victoria Tote Bag Finished!

Finished my tote bag 'Victoria Tote' by RebeccaMaeDesigns. Found the pattern on Craftsy.

I had been looking for bags for a while. I find bags quite hard to look for as they are very individual. I was looking for something that was not too floppy with some structure in it. Also needed to be not too big but also not too small...just right. I liked the pattern by RebeccaMae Designs as it used coordinating fabrics with additional outline quilting...again adding to the stability of the bag. In looking at bags I am somewhat limited, so the bag needed to have some hardware, but not too much, otherwise it would be too difficult for me. So this one had a zipper pocket inside, a magnetic closure and some D rings...this sounded do-able. A little bit of challenge, but not too difficult. In purchasing this pattern I also checked out what the designer was using for stabilization...in this case it was fusible fleece and interfacing. Having completed some boxy bags with fusible fleece, I quite liked working with it. Also the bag pattern had additional options...a patchwork option and another bag with additional hardware (swivel clips for the handles).

Making it was thoroughly enjoyable. The pattern was easy to follow with a photo for every step, so off I went...

Exterior Panels done

Exterior completed

The structure of the bag is just right for me...firm but not stiff and as you can see it nicely holds its shape.

Have no pictures of making the lining as I got totally immersed in doing it. Here was the zipper pocket and I must say I was somewhat nervous about this. The pattern said 'You can do this!'...cutting a slit into my panel filled me with horror, however followed the pictures and managed to insert the zipper on the second attempt and it is looking pretty good. Similarly with those magnetic closures...no trouble at all! Also like the fitting of the lining...fitted like a glove.

Inside of bag

The completed bag looks fantastic

11.5"H x 11"W x 4"D

The length of the handles is just the way I like it

Beautiful tote...I still got fabric left over for a second tote...bonus!

Made some hilarious mistakes during this bag-making exercise. Somehow, inexplicably, fused a dark thread into one of the panels. As I had taken my time with the fusing, there was no way I could remove this to retrieve the thread...had to prey the thread out from the front without causing a disaster. Could not believe it!
Second issue occurred during the final stages late at night. Had turned the bag through the lining and had spent some time, neatly sewing the lining close...then discovered a pin on the inside of the upper section...WHAT??...had to undo some of my lining and retrieve the pin. Anyway, all worked out, but did have some anxious moments with this.

Until next time

Karin