Lazy Girl - Claire Bag

The Claire bag from Lazy Girl Designs finished last weekend.  It has two central pockets on the outside and small pockets all around the interior.  Not particularly difficult to make and it looks nice finished.  It's not very "sturdy" and any weight inside distorts the shape.  If I made it again I would use a much heavier weight interfacing.  It's wide open top gives no security for the contents but there is a small optional flap in the pattern which would keep it together in the middle.  It uses a different fabric combination on each side and requires 7 fat quarters, fusible fleece and interfacing.

I think it will be useful for carrying my packed lunch to work - not secure enough to carry anything of value.  Just dropping it on the floor would have things dropping out all over the place.

Interior showing internal pockets

Other side showing alternative colour way.

EuroJapanLinks Bag Kit



Here's a kit I bought at the Quilt Museum and Gallery in York.  It was put together by Euro Japan Links.  There's a bright red cotton lining, waxed cord for the handle and the main bag fabric is a kimono fabric I believe.  There was a natty trick in constructing the lining part which I couldn't figure out from the instructions so I did what I thought best - It's a good job the inside isn't visible and it looks fine from the outside so I'm well pleased with it.  

The finished bag.



Cath Kidston Book and Bag

Here's the bag I made with this book - details here

All the fabric is pre cut ready and included along with the buttons required.  All you need is a sewing machine and thread - or needle if you're a hand sewer.  I bought it from Book Depository for £7.57  Not a bad price for a Cath Kidston bag never mind a large book full of other great ideas for gifts, toys and lots of other bits and pieces.  The fabric, which was cotton duck is lovely to sew with.  If I knew a young or beginning sewer it would make a super gift.

Lazy Girl Runaround Bag

I think I have to say this Lazy Girl Runaround bag is just too lazy for me.  The concept is good - I wanted something which was fairly unobtrusive and could carry valuables such as money, cards, keys and specs around at work without having to take the big bag.  It's just too simple for me, size is perfect but I want more detail, pockets, zips maybe and I'm quite capable of making something more complex. 

If I made it again I'd interface the handle to make it a bit more substantial and I'd probably also lightly interface all the bag pieces too.  All those layers would give the Horizon something to think about !!!

1/4" seam foot and lots of layers have not made a happy marriage on this amazing, wonderful, fabulous new sewing machine of mine. Janome Japan have announced they are making a new 1/4" foot and it will be free to all those who have bought the Horizon and included with the machine in future.

Might not make this one again, but I like the little Maggie bag I made and it could have several uses so a good way to use up leftovers of nice fabric.  I will be adapting it though - sewing on the hook side of the velcro by hand was a bitch and the eye end of the needle went into my poor finger several times.  I will work out a way to stitch it on before the main seam is sewn..............and YES I do have a thimble(s) and NO I couldn't lay my hands on it/them at the time.  I should have known better as I'd already impaled my left forefinger on some extremely small and sharp applique scissors and caught the blood on my white T shirt rather than my sewing project.

Lazy Girl Maggie Bag

Here's my first Lazy Girl bag.  It's a Maggie (large) which is just right to carry a camera or a phone or anything else of similar size.  I liked working with this pattern it was clear and well written and the little bag went together easily.

What I would do differently next time - use thinner batting.  I used some left over Sew Simple cotton which I thought was thin enough but no, it would be better with something finer - a polyester I think and I have some good stuff in that line so it won't be long before the next one is coming off the production line.

New School Bag

Rachelle's Ramones bag has had to have a repair, the strain of school books and files has been too much for it.  Only a seam had come undone so it was easy to put right, but she has decided not to use it any more for school and make herself another.  We bought black canvas and polyester webbing and she has printed a photo of her favourite pop group onto inkjet fabric.  We are awaiting a large consignment of zips to arrive from Ebay and there will be one or two zipped pockets sewn inside the bag.

We've worked together on the design but Rachelle is doing the construction, she had a quick run through the instructions for the Horizon and picked that up easily, she's a very competent machinist.

Christmas is SO last year.............. Talking Threads

I've only just got round to watching the Talking Threads Christmas Specials and what a treat.  Parts one, two and three are available on line.  Poinsettias from organza, needlefelted cards, machine embroidered cards and a twisted, strip pieced bag.  Well worth viewing and I always think January is the time to do your Christmas sewing, or at least get it planned and buy in the supplies.  Leaving it until autumn means dark nights and so much else to do.

Talking Threads Christmas Specials           
Part One                     
Part Two                           
Part Three

Lazy Girl Designs - free pattern

This is a really nice pattern for the Noriko Handbag and it's free from Lazy Girl Design's blog.

Quilting Workshop - Japanese Bag

Here is the Japanese Bag - work in progress. Went to a quilting workshop in Hutton Buschel, N Yorkshire yesterday. When I arrived and saw the sample bag, I realised that the fabrics I bought last week weren't going to be quite the thing - but the ladies running the day had a selection with them so no problem. I've continued working on it today and completed the hand applique. Putting the bag together will have to wait until my next sewing time. Shouldn't take too long now the fiddly bits are done. Will post a photo when it's finished - soon I hope. Next workshop is in March - Convergence quilt

BQL January Bag Challenge

I have recently joined the BQL (British Quilt List) and taken the January Bag Challenge. You request a password for the month's bag pattern and then make the bag and submit a photograph. Providing you meet the deadline with your photograph, the password for the next month's bag is emailed to you. The moderators of this group put in a huge amount of work and I think I will enjoy being a member. The photo shows my submission for the January Bag Challenge - the pattern supplied for this is based on a supermarket carrier bag. Your password opens a very well written .pdf file with instructions and photos. That said, I'm not sure I have the base of the bag as per the instructions, but it is perfectly functional and will fold up small when not in use. I'm very pleased with it and look forward to seeing February's Bag Challenge. If you want to take the challenge you must join BQL Quite rightly, sharing of the pattern is not permitted.

Crazy Pieced Bag (Work in Progress)

Another work in progress, started at a workshop at the quilt show. Sally Holman was the tutor and we completed piecing the back of the bag. The kit contained plenty of fabric and embellishments to continue working on it at home. The scan does not show the colours at their best - the selection in the kit is a lovely combination of creamy, yellowy fabrics. Sally showed us different embroidery stitches which could be used to embellish the seams, embroidery thread is included with the kit. She also showed us how to make a "Suffolk Puff" - a fabric flower which will adorn the front flap of the bag, along with lace and beads. I'm looking forward to working on this - piecing is quite my 'thing' at the moment.

Wild Things Software

Wild Things is a software programme which drafts patterns for bags, hats and other accessories - free for anyone to use - click here for details and download.

I've made the shoulder bag using a dark green cotton needlecord, heavy interfacing and a floral cotton lining. It's an easy make - only tricky part is the seam attaching the two handles, flap and bag body in one pass - at one place there were 12 layers of fabric to sew through, it didn't bother the sewing machine, but keeping layers of needlecord in place took some doing. I used the walking foot which controlled slippage perfectly - without the foot, didn't work at all well. There is plenty of scope for embellishment, both on the bag front and front strap. Being a thick fabric it was hard to turn the strap right sides out after sewing - next time I would do right sides together for the narrow half, then sew the whole strap together at the end.

Still thinking about the fastening - I have some lovely buttons from The Button Lady, so will consider those.

Strawberry Tote Bag

This was to be my June Challenge on UK Sewing, but I didn't have enough time to do it. So here it is in July. I used the directions from Sew Stylish web site "Two Hour Tote" I added a lining, and appliqued on the front pocket to brighten it up. It's a nice fast and easy project and probably one I will repeat as and when I have fabric to use up. It would be great for showing off a bit of embellishment, fancy stitches, patchwork etc.

I may add some strawberry buttons, but I'm not sure it needs them - It's going on holiday with me tomorrow and will likely be used for trips to the showers. The summery theme will match the weather, beautiful now after the awful flooding.

A good work out for my new sewing machine, I am impressed with how straight it maintains the stitching line with minimal guidance and how it tackles sudden changes in thickness of fabric, such as sewing over two layers of webbing as well as two layers of outer fabric and lining - didn't falter.

Decorating Denim - Part 2

After seeing all the lovely textile art at the festival today, I had to turn on the sewing machine. Using the silver Robison Anton I've added some dainty lines between the blue on blue, and then gone a bit bolder with some multi coloured metallic Gutterman satin stitching. I wanted to get on and cut it into a bag, but it's not ready yet - bit of a fabric in development, so I think I'll just keep it by the sewing machine and add to it as and when I feel like it. Some things just don't feel ready to be tackled and this is one of them.

The scan doesn't capture the beauty of the multi coloured metallic or the delicate silver, so that will have to be left to the imagination in cyber world.

Patchings Art, Craft and Design Festival

Had a lovely day out with Paul at Patchings Art, Craft and Design Festival at Calverton in Nottinghamshire. I won a couple of entry tickets in a competition on the Isew consumer club web site. A 170 mile round trip but very enjoyable. There were lots of artists; oil, watercolour, acrylic, ceramic glass, metal and textile and probably more I can't recall. Lots of demonstrations, workshops and every kind of artist's materials and artist's work to buy.

Felt I could have started a dozen new hobbies looking at all the goodies on offer, but limited myself to a spend with "The Button Lady". The buttons are all for embellising the bags I am making. Lots of inspiration at the festival for bags - some very simple designs but made magnificient by the richness of the fabrics and trimmings used to make them. I came away with lots of ideas. Click on the picture for a closer view of these lovely buttons.