Sewing Project - Bread Bags

I decided to make myself some bread bags to bring home my Country Grain loaves from COBS because the plastic bags are stacking up.

I chose 100% cotton fabric in yellows, greys and white. This was a large piece of fabric that I have used for many projects.

I used the COBS plastic bag as a template - 18.5 inches tall x 11.5 inches W.

I wanted the seams finished on the inside and a generous gusset at the top so the measures were generous.

The first one I did was put together with out too much attention to measures of the beginning piece of fabric.

The second one was too large and had to be reduced to match the first one.  

The measurements of the fabric would be 26.00 wide to be folded in half and 20.00 inches tall with 1.5 inches for the gusset at the top.

I chose cotton twill tape for the string in the gusset.  

I added a buttonhole on the front of the gusset on the front of the back before I sewed down the gusset. 

A large safety pin to pull the twill tape through.

I added a tab of yellow cotton to the ends of the tape to give me purchase to pull the bag closed.

I then boiled them in tea for about 10 minutes to even out  the colors.   Once rinsed they were dried.

I added a "My Bag" tag to these bags and they are included in on my "My Bag Line" page.

I then chose to add some slow stitching to the front of the bags onto the light square.  There are 5 circles in different colors where the top was outline stitch and the bottom was the running stitch.

I don't know what the staff at COBS will think of the idea but we shall see.

For information on the line. 

Sewing Project - ReUsable Bag - Navy and Taupe Squares

This is the last of the 7 inch cotton poly squares in the Navy and Taupe which I received for free.  I paired it with some navy microfiber cloth to have enough fabric to complete the project. I created two 6 square panels then serged all the seam edges. I then sewed the 2 panels together with a French Seam hiding all the raw edges which created the bottom of the bag.

Realizing that it was not tall enough and I needed handles as well I dipped into my good microfiber fabric and chose this navy.  Works well with the pattern in the squares. I cut the navy panel 12 inches wide and ironed it half to 6 inches tall.  I then measured the width of my bag and sewed the strip to be exactly the same width then serged that seam.  Now I sewed the  navy panel to the top of the squares bag with the serger then top stitched fabric to the serged edge from the top on the squares piece.

I then changed my thread to navy for the rest of the project.

I ripped my handles to 3 inches wide and 41" inches long.  I sewed them and turned them inside out.  I fold the raw edges of each end to the inside leaving me a 40" handle.  I pinned the bottom of the handle to the bottom on the first rows of squares 5" inches in from the right and left side.  I created my reinforced squares on the bottom and the spot where the handle meets the top of the bag.  The handle is top stitched on both edges for both handles.

I added a decorative stitch along the top of the bag to keep that fold in place and to add my elastic to the inside of the bag which I can use to roll up if I want it to take less space.

This bag will replace my shopping bag.  This one I made a year ago. It is polyester and is very thin but I just loved the color so I just enjoyed for as long as it was going to last.  

For information on the "My Bag" Line

Slow Stitching - No. 008 - Both Sides - Pojagi

2024 Slow Stitch Challenge - Week 8 - Both Sides - Pojagi.

The idea that all things have two sides which are not good or bad but different.  

Pojagi is a Korean patchwork technique where you sew different pieces together to create one large piece of fabric. Seam allowances are concealed inside the seams, so you have the finished edges front and back. 

I chose a different color scheme this week because of my visit to the ReUse Center. Warm tones in yellows and rust.

I managed to keep all my single stitches to this side except the short one along the top.  That is the way it goes. It is also just a bit bigger than the others at 4.5 inches.

I am so grateful to Kathyrn who is passing on such useful techniques as well as thoughtful insights and life lessons. 

2023 Sewing Machine Cover

I decided to update my sewing machine cover because the other one was just too tight.  It fit for sure but was not comfortable to put on. 

I had 2 pieces of cotton fabric I had picked up at the ReUse Center. I needed a bit more so I found 2 pieces of beige cotton which matched well enough.

With a window just behind the machine which is left open most of the summer for ventilation the machine needs a cover when I am working on a multi day project like the linen coasters I did recently. 

I started making French seams on my microfiber bags but now I just make them as a matter of course. I like the finish it provides a project.

The beige pieces where placed on both ends of the cover.

The fabric is 100% cotton - both patterned and the beige.  The beige was a small leftover. 

I sewed down the triangles of the box corners down to stiffen the ends.  I sewed tiny pleats on the corners as well to help with it standing up. It ended up a bit taller than was needed to at the end with very little thread left I added an additional hem of about 1.5 inches.  So glad I had enough thread.