some bag making tips . . .

A request for a book bag from a birthday girl produced this tote last week.  Below are some tips that I've learned over the years that have helped my bag-making to go quicker and look more professional.

I wanted this bag to have lots of structure, so a fusible interfacing was used for the outer fabric, and a fusible fleece for the lining.  I prefer this method, because it gives the outer fabric more structure, but the overall bag is still soft.

For the straps, I like to cut them four times the width of the finished strap.  Then I iron them in half, and iron both halves again to center (for this bag, 6" wide straps were cut, producing a 1.5" finished width).  I don't like to interface my straps, and find this thickness is great; but the real trick is to do lots of stitch lines to make it feel nice and strong.  I first sew close to each long edge, and then sew about every 1/4" after that, just using guides on my presser foot to line up the rows of stitches.

After the bag has been turned right-side out, I press the top edge first.  Then, for top-stitching I use my walking foot, a longer stitch length (3.0 on my machine), move my needle to the right a bit, and then line up the groove of the presser foot against the edge of the bag to keep in a straight line, while also keeping close to the edge of the bag.

This is a very basic bag, but I hoped it showed the finished look of some of the tips I listed above.  Bag-making is something I really enjoy, and I haven't carried a store-bought purse in years.  There is so much inspiration and patterns available online, that it's always fun to pick which one to make next.  Plus it's a great way to tote around some favorite fabrics!

If you have any other tips to share, please post them in the comments below!

sewing for the week . . .

Another birthday girl invitation came home, and another bag was made . . .

Most of the cutting was done for a baby quilt.  I just need to find a good alphabet template to cut out the letters for her name . . .

Other than that, I've been spending my craft time quilting a double duvet cover for a friend. Hoping to get that one done soon!

fabric show and tell . . .

A bunch of fabric packages arrived this week . . .

a bundle of Maritime that I won from the Quiltstory blog, sponsored by SkyeReve Fabrics.  Feel free to throw me some baby quilt pattern ideas to use for these (they're half yard cuts) . . .

some boy prints for my stash.  Thinking of making some ties for my little guy with these . . .

some girly prints for my stash (I'm always running out of purple) . . .

a lovely bundle from Fresh-Squeezed Fabrics.  These will probably get used for some throw pillows or decor for our room . . .

some gorgeous Belle of the South prints from Fabri-Quilt.  These will be used for my next design-ring tutorial, just need to finalize my design . . . 

Now that my house is feeling a little more Spring cleaned and organized, I'm hoping to spend some quality time in my craft room.  I have lots of projects that I'm itching to start . . .

finished Orbit quilt . . .

It has been Spring cleaning and organizing mode in our house lately, and so while I've been accomplishing a lot, I don't have much to show for it.  My Orbit quilt did get finished this past weekend though, complete with a machine quilted label (something I don't do near often enough).

The fabric is a mix of blue and yellow fat quarters that I had accumulated.  The backing fabric is from Wholeport.com (they have a bunch of 60" wide cottons, perfect for quilt backings!).

This quilt is being given to my Mom, simply because I've never made her one yet.  Looking forward to surprising her at my parents' office today with it.  And while I'm there I'll be wishing my Dad a happy 60th birthday :)

honeybun braided . . .

A honeybun was decorating my craft shelf for way too long, and I've been wanting to try a braided quilt design, so this table runner was created.

Linking up with Fabric Tuesday.

WIP Wednesday . . .

My Orbit quilt is pin-basted, but waiting to be quilted.  After a busy and fun 2-week Spring break with the kiddos, I got hit with a nasty case of strep throat.  I'm on meds and getting better, but my bed has been calling me more than my craft room.  Really hoping to get some energy for this soon!