Sew Along - The Piping Hot hobo

Week 1 tasks for the piping hot hobo sew along was to gather the materials needed to make the bag. 
Here's a list of items needed to make this bag:
Materials
1. Exterior fabric: 50x112cm (medium weight)
2. Lining fabric: 50x112cm
3. Woven fusible interface 50cm
4. Fleece 50cm
5. Piping cord 2.5m - matches the exterior
6. Bias fabric 45x3cm - for the flap trim band 
Hardware
7. Bag strap 125x1.5cm
8. Magnetic snap button 18mm
9. 2 D-rings
10. 2 Popper snaps 1.5cm 
11. Tassel 2.5cm wide

 

I have narrowed it down to 3 choices but haven't really decided from these fabrics for my exterior, I also got a ready made piping cord (yeay!!) 

Main task of Week 2 is to cut the fabrics (exterior and lining), interface and fleece. The good news is there are only 4 pattern pieces and the best news is you repeat to cut each pattern 4 times (ones for each material type; exterior and lining fabrics, interface and fleece). 

Preparation List

Pattern 1/4 - Body front 

Pattern 2/4 - Body back

Pattern 3/4 - Gusset 

Pattern 4/4 - Flap    

Also cut

From lining fabric - 25x16cm (inner slip pocket) 

From exterior fabric - 14x5cm (handle loops) 

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Next sew along project

It has been way too long since our last sew along. 

So, I decided we should have one.. 

I am thinking of the piping-hot hobo pattern from Lisa Lam's The Bag Making Bible. 

 

 

The last bag I made from this book (which was also a sew along I put together) was a Reversible Bucket Bag (FREE pdf). We had so much fun and learn a lot along the way. 

What do you think? Any of you interested to join in the fun?

You can follow us here and on IG 

Here's the tentative plan: 

The piping-hot Hobo (by Lisa Lam)

Level: Advance

Special features: Round shape, piping, collapsible gusset

Time length: 23rd MAY - 30th JUNE 2016

Time Plan:

Week 1 (23/5 - 31/5)

1. Study Pattern and instructions

(pages 148 - 154)

2. Copy and cut out pattern pieces

(4 pattern pieces only. yippee!!!)

3. Collect Materials/Fabrics

(Edited: What you need list)

4. Decide on fabric combo

5. Showcase fabric combo

Week 2 (1/6 - 8/6)

1. Cut fabrics, interfacing and fleece

(Edited: Preparation list)

2. Make the piping

(how to on pages 144-145)

 

3. Iron interfacing and fleece

4. Showcase progress

Week 3 (8/6 - 15/6)

• Central gusset seam
• Attaching piping to bag exterior
•  Attaching gusset to bag exterior

Week 4 (15/6 - 22/6)

• Bag lining
• Bag flap 

Week 5 (22/6 - 29/6)

• Assembling the bag

   Showcase Final Product : 30/6 

stay tuned for more updates soon!!

 

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Teardrop Bag - sewing stage and pattern review

I assure you I'm still alive and kicking...

Continuing with the main agenda...

(You can read about Week 1 and Week 2 and see the whole time plan if you've missed them)

I found the sewing stage to be smooth mainly because I got a lot of help and guidance from the other members. We shared tips and tried to help each other out along the way. Thus making deciphering the long essay-like instructions in the book bearable.

I mainly enjoy making the hip - I have never made a bag with a hip before and I thought it clever and gave the bag a smart look. It was a bit tricky to attach the hip to the side of the bag the first time (luckily no unpicking of the seam), you have to measure the centre point and pin the hip to the bag and slowly edge stitch around the hip - the trick was the keep the balance from the edge and manage around the bag opening.  

I didn't like the partition pocket style suggested by the original pattern, so for the second bag I added zip to the partition and wallah!! - a partition with a function *grin* 

The bag is surprisingly spacious, it can fit in all my usual stuff that I take along when I go out: 

1. Long wallet given by my dear friend Nadia

2. Make up pouch - almost the same size (only fatter) as the long wallet

3. Note book and pen

4. Coin case

5. Pocket tissue and handkerchief (too embarrassing to have it in the pic, but it is always there in my purse)  

*Can you see the non-functional partition pocket?* 

The handle strap is perfect in length and width - it is comfortable and stays put on the shoulder all day long (if it has to)

*my second teardrop bag*

A fun bag to make, will definitely make more in the future. 

 Do drop by my FB page for more pictures and details

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Week 2 - Teardrop Bag progress

JOM AMY BUTLER SEW ALONG!!

Week 2 (8/5 - 14/5)

1. Cut fabric and interfacing

2. Iron interfacing

3. Showcase progress

Managed to get all the fabric pieces cut out. The pattern inlet contains 3 full size pattern pieces except for the band. For the band, you either measure and cut the fabric (4pcs) or draw a template (size: 12" x 2 3/4").   

For best result, I'm using woven fusible interfacing. I like the smooth feel of the material after it has been ironed on.       

1. Read the full details and plan of the sew along

2. Read week 1 progress

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Week 1 Teardrop bag progress

JOM AMY BUTLER SEW ALONG!!
Week 1 (1/5 - 7/5)

1. Study Pattern and instructions

2. Collect Materials/Fabrics

3. Showcase fabric combo

I am planning to use the fabrics already in my stash. There are 3 pattern pieces all together that you can cut out from the pattern inlet, but I decided to copy the pattern and leave the original pattern intact. I haven't read the tutorial thoroughly though, managed to only skim through it very quickly.  

If you are interested to join the sew along check out the details in my earlier post here. 

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Another sew along...

I got Amy Butler's Style Stitches a while back after successfully completing my first Cosmo Bag (a sew along we had in our sewing group on FB). 

It was definitely motivating to sew together (virtually of course), exchanging ideas and concerns we had - believe me we had quite a number of concerns about piecing the pattern together. 

And since then the book has been sitting on the shelf looking all pretty.. *sigh*

So, I have decided to organise another sew along -

JOM AMY BUTLER SEW ALONG. 

The sew along will be conducted simultaneously here at the blog and in 1H1P group on FB. It is open to anyone and everyone with Amy Butler's style stitches book. The plan is to try and produce a pattern a month, and for our first project, we are going to make TEARDROP BAG (project 06 in the book). 

Here's the plan: 

Project 1: TEARDROP BAG

Level: Beginner

Time length: 1st MAY - 31st MAY 2012

Plan:

Week 1 (1/5 - 7/5)

1. Study Pattern and instructions

2. Collect Materials/Fabrics

3. Showcase fabric combo

Week 2 (8/5 - 14/5)

1. Cut fabric and interfacing

2. Iron interfacing

3. Showcase progress

Week 3 (15/5 - 21/5)

1. Sewing

Week 4 (22/5 - 28/5)

1. Sewing

Showcase Final Product : 29/5 - 31/5

The plan is pretty relaxed and flexible and the project is quite straightforward.

Hope to see many of you join in.. the more the merrier!!

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Oil Cloth vs. Laminated Cotton

It is a new craze of late to sew using laminated cotton. It comes in all your favourite designer prints and the best part is it's waterproof and easy to clean. There's also oil-cloth that has been around like almost forever and it's also water proof and easy to clean. So what's the difference between oil-cloth and laminated cotton.. Aren't they the same??? 

Oil Cloth	Laminated Cotton
Vinyl that is bonded and supported with a coven cotton mesh.	-Regular quilting cotton weight cloth on one side. -The right side of the fabric is laminated with a polyurethane coating which does not contain Phthalates and they are not made with vinyl or PVC
-The surface can be wiped clean　using a warm, soapy sponge then dry it off with a soft cloth. -Machine washing is not suggested. -Store folded or rolled. -Any creases from folding will smooth out over time, faster in a warm environment. If you want to speed the process up you could use the steam setting on an iron with a pressing cloth between the iron and the oilcloth (DO NOT TOUCH THE IRON TO THE OILCLOTH). (Mendel's)	-The surface can be wiped clean　using a warm, soapy sponge then dry it off with a soft cloth. -Can be machine washed with no shrinking or damage (pink chalk studio)  -Ironed faced down, covered with a pressing cloth. (Do not touch the iron directly to the laminated fabric)　 (pink chalk studio)
Use to make table covering, lunch bags, high-chair mat, book cover, beach bag, shelf liner, apron, wallet (what ever you would like to be pretty and waterproof!	Any projects plus kids’ projects as well as it does not contain vinyl or PVC.
-The raw edges will not unravel or fray. -Teflon foot to sew (also manageable with the walking foot. -Leaves hole if pins are used (pin in the seam allowance) -Use normal sewing needle and thread to sew	-The raw edges will not unravel or fray. -Teflon foot to sew (also manageable with the walking foot. -Leaves hole if pins are used (pin in the seam allowance) -Use normal sewing needle and thread to sew
Cost about USD7.50/yard (47” wide) (RM22.85)	Cost about USD15.98/yard ~ (56” wide) (RM48.70~)

From my observation, they have similar characteristics (cleaning, sewing) except that laminated cotton is fancier and costs lots more.

I have acquired 2 half meters worth of vinyl coated fabric at the beginning of the year (lucky bag/ fukubukuro) and last week decided to put them to use. I made 2 non-reversible bucket bags. They draped well, smooth cutting and were easy to sew. They were not slippery or stiff. I used pins in the seam allowance and used my walking foot.  

I used designer cotton (Lecien and Moda for the lining and added a zippered pocket inside and used strap webbing for the sides and handles.

Features:

- padded

- not reversible

- magnetic snap button for closure

- one zippered pocket inside

- Outside - oil cloth - waterproof and stain resistant 

- Lining - Designer cotton

Bag Size: 38cm (in the middle) x 33cm (in the middle)

Base size: 24cm x 10cm

Handle size: 50cm (l)

All in all, a great experience, but I do not plan to stock up on either laminated cotton or oil-cloth in the near future. 

Have you worked with either? Do you have any tips to share?

MyBotanG 2nd Anniversary Sale is still going on in the shoppe and on FB page.  

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Fabric Find and Bag set

MyBotanG bag set comes with 3 types of bags.

1. Multipurpose bag
2. Bento with zip
3. Bento with drawstring

For more information on sizes and price, visit MyBotanG Shoppe and MyBotanG FB page. 

The above set was made using this cute fabric I've had in my stash for over a year now. Original plan was to use the fabric in quilt making, but so far I've only used it to make bags and pouches.

The main problem with panel fabric is aligning the pattern when cutting. You tend to waste the fabric more as you try to get the main print into your pattern.

How do you work around panels..? Any tips?Pin It

Final stage of the Sew along

Our last task for the sew along was to do the binding for the top edge, side top edge and handles (7 - 14 March). Upon completion, your reversible bucket bag will be ready, and all that's left to do after that will be to get a good spot for a photo shoot *grin*  

I was very skeptical about the flimsy bias tape handles and left the binding till the very last minute to complete while at the same time checking out the sew along Flickr group for the completed bags. My main concern is because I have never worked with bias tapes for binding bags or use them as handles before. But judging from Kak Dee, Anic, Bea and Nadiah's post on the project, I gathered my wits and went ahead with it.

Here's how I did it: 

1. Mark the centre line and sew the button loop making sure the triangle tip is facing down. 

2. Attach the top edge first - unfold your bias tape, stitch the narrow bit on one side of the fabric, fold it over to the other side (smooth it out nice and neat) and stitch it again on the top catching the wider bias tape at the back as you go along OR to avoid heartache and hair pulling slip stitch the folded bias tape and top stitch the whole thing later *grin*

3. Attach the side edge and handles - The same technique as above, but you need to adjust the bias tape to fold in half at the handles, you may need to press the line again. I couldn't find the measurement for the handles anywhere in the pattern, so I adjusted as I went along.

4.Top-stitching (not in the pattern) - Nadiah of color me pretty did this and I thought it looked neat and did the same for my bag. I used my edge stitch foot for this purpose for a neat finish. While you edge stitch, remember to fold your button loop upward and stitch that as well.  

The flower brooch was inspired by Anic, and you can get the different style how to here, here and here.  

Here's the sizes for my reversible bucket bag:

Bag Size: 38cm (in the middle) x 33cm (in the middle)
Base size: 24cm x 10cm
Handle size: 57cm (l) x 2.5cm (w)

All in all a great pattern and I'm very glad I made it. Thank you to everybody that joined our sew along and others who supported and cheered us along the way. To those who are not yet there, take your time and be inspired by many who already have completed their project. Join our Flickr group and upload your pictures and leave a comment or two. 

http://www.flickr.com/groups/mybotang-sewalong/

Attaching bias tape by Amy Karoll
How to do a Slip stitchPin It

New Tote and fabric find

I made this tote last week. I think I took more time deciding on the fabrics than making the bag itself. It is a straight forward and simple pattern for those familiar with bag making and easy enough for a beginner.

I mainly decided to try this pattern because of the handles. I have always wanted to try such handle's pattern but never got around to it. The steps to making this type of handles are similar to the normal flat ones (see tutorial) but instead of top stitching the sides, fold it in half and sew, leaving a couple of cm at the end to attach to the bag later. 

Carrie-Me Tote
Size: 31cm (at the widest) x 17.5cm
Base width: 6.5cm
Handle length: 36cm
1 inside pocket
magnetic snap for closure

Another reason that got me excited about making this tote was the fabric. I got the pink polka dot with rose fabric on my last visit to Tokyo but haven't yet found the right project to cut into the fabric. So, I thought the new tote pattern would go nicely with my new sweet fabric. 

The fabric is by Sevenberry and it is made in Japan. I have been told by some friends that the fabric is available in the Nagoya fabric shops in Malaysia in various colours and is available for RM8 per/m. However, there's nothing written on the selvedge and the quality might be different from Sevenberry fabrics. 

Reversible Bucket Bag sew-along update
1. Cut out pieces stage 15Feb - 21Feb
2. Join us on Flickr:  http://www.flickr.com/groups/mybotang-sewalong/Pin It

The Reversible Bucket Bag Sew Along - time line

   As previously mentioned, I'm organising a sew along for the reversible bucket bag. You can get pattern and the step by step instructions here. 

Grab a button and spread the word.. the more the merrier!!

Here's the sew along time line:

Gather fabrics and other supplies 1 - 14 Feb (2 week)

Cut out pieces 15 - 21 Feb (1 week)

Preparing the binding, button loop, self cover button and interfacing (steps 1-4 on the instruction page) 22 - 28 Feb (1 week)  

Bag exterior and lining (steps 5-8 on the instruction page) 1 - 7 March (1 week)

Binding - top edge, side top edge and handles (steps 9 - 14 on the instruction page) 8 - 14 March (1 week)

Updated x 3
So far 4 people 13 crafty ladies 18 21 super cool gals have shown interest to join in the sew along, they are:

1. Mila@Rimbun

2. Rosh

3. Sharifah

4. MyBotanG
5. Liza
6. Mel
7. DiahRothman
8. Sheila Wahid
9. Zila
10. Sha
11. Nadia
12. Cik Kema
13. Zura
14. Zara
15. Nai
16. Wanz
17. Marie
18. Ayda
19. kak a.niza
20. Nizah
21. Nurul

It is never too late to join in the fun.. Do leave a comment if you are interested to join in the sew along.

Mila@Rimbun has completed her version of the bag.. Hop over to see her reversible bucket bag.

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What you can get for FREE!!!

Are you looking for some crafting ideas? Something to try over the weekend, or something to make as a gift? You can get quite a number of free patterns from bags to quilts available on the net. Did I mention FREE!! 

Reversible Bucket Bag PDF from Sew,Mama,Sew. 

Would anybody be interested to make this together..? Like a sew along..? 

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Multipurpose anyone??

I am always drawn to 2-in-1 (or more) type of things. It feels like a bargain to buy one thing and end up with an extra or two *grin*. I am certain many of you out there feel the same. 

Well, recently I've discovered a 2-way function to my old multipurpose bag design. 

By adding prong snap buttons on the sides (as pictured above), the bag shape changes from 

this to this 

I am pretty sure I'm the only one getting so hyped up over something so simple, but it is fun and very simple to make that next I tried with a quilted version. 

The outcome was even better, that I decided to make four more *grin*

Here's the size and features of the bags: 

Quilted - sturdier shape
1 pocket inside
magnetic snap button closure
2 prong snap buttons on the sides

bag size: 47cm x 33cm
handles length: 54cm

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