Sewing Project - Every Day Carry Bag

I worked on bags today. I was looking for something I could add slow stitching to which I could sell.

Of course, I love Every Day Carry Bags. I have made a couple. Mine and one for a show.

I started with a piece of blue striped cotton fabric. It was cut to 8.75" W x 11.125" T.  

The flannel was cut just inside the seam allowances so it would not bulk up the seams.  It was quilted to the cotton with the curvy decorative stitch in vertical lines matching the lines in the pattern.  I used ivory thread.

The lining is good weight polyester fabric in medium grey.

It was cut the same size as the outer fabric.  I sewed the side and bottom seams on both outer and lining then boxed the corners to 2 inches wide.  I pressed the pieces then put the outer into the lining and sewed the top seam leaving a gap to turn it right side out. 

The zipper insert was assembled separately with 2 tabs on either side measuring 1.5" finished. I sewed the bottom tab to the zipper then top stitched the top tab on top on both sides. Now, I had to finish the ends. I trimmed the ends of the zipper insert to the width of the top of the bag which is 7.5" wide. I added a binding to both ends in the same fabric. With all the edges finished I sewed it to the top of the bag with the curvy decorative stitch. 

Note: My planning was not good because I could have added the pocket to the front panel before sewing that up but I had to do it after. Same with the handles - They should have been attached to the front and back panels before assembly.

A quick access pocket on the outside is always nice.

The top zipper provides full access to the bag.  I embroidered it with a paisley design in the blue and emerald.

A zipper pull is helpful because the zipper tab is small and it is pretty incorporating the emerald as an accent color.

It is fully lined which leaves no raw edges exposed.

The Clip Strip is handy for things you don't necessarily what to dig for in the bag. Keys, cart token, measuring tape, and who knows what else. Maybe even a pen could live there.

The boxed corners helps to give the bag body and space for larger items. Maybe a small book, post in notes, and whatever else.

The straps measure 12" long which gives enough room to sit on your wrist.

Finished size is 10" tall and 8" wide at the top with 5" wide at the boxed bottom.

Sewing Project - Fabric Vase Wrap -The Blues

On this vase wrap I used blue printed fabric scraps.  For a change I sewed them on the diagonal to my flannel foundation fabric using the Quilt As You Go method.  This takes more fabric so I had to find longer strips of fabric. 

I trimmed the piece to 8.5" T x 11"W to allow more of a flap extending from the body of the wrap.  I added a teal cotton poly fabric as the lining which is visible behind the lace.  I sewed the collage piece and the lining right sides together leaving an opening, trimmed the corners and turned it right side out. I then used a curvy decorative stitch to top stitch all around the edge closing the opening at the same time.

Then, it was time to consider how to embellish this piece. I stitched a piece of lace on the lining edge folding the ends top and bottom and used the same curvy decorative stitch.  I then place the wrap around the bottle vase, pinned it and then stitched it closed.

Sewing Project - Fold Over Wallets

 

I had a piece of RFID fabric to make 3 more wallets so I just used the scrappy fabric I made this morning and cut it up into 3 pieces.

I am happy to have gotten 3 different colored wallets.

I found some bright green cotton polyester broadcloth for the lining for the 2 on the right hand side.  The blue one on the left got a white and blue polyester fabric lining.

All of them got blue elastic.

These will be available in the Christmas Store at the Spruce Grove Art Gallery at Heavy Metal Place in December 2025.

Sewing Project - Fold Over Wallets

Another set of Fold Over Card Wallets with RFID Protection.

I dipped into the pink bag of fabric scraps because I had bright pink elastic I wanted to use.

A gorgeous floral print with the perfect pink to match the elastic.

Again, the fabric is cut to 5.25 x 11 inches for the outer fabric and the lining fabric.  The RFID fabric measures 5x5.5 inches and is placed in the center of the panel based on the center fold. 

The elastic is place 3.25 inches from the bottom edge. Then a seam is put all around the edge with reinforcement where the elastic sits. Leaving a small slit to turn the sandwich right side out. 

Press the center fold again and by placing the fabric to the light you can see where the opaque RFID fabric starts and that is where the fold is placed and ironed. Repeat on the other end.  Iron the slit well so the edges are well aligned. Top stitch down both flaps with a seam that goes all along the right hand edge making sure you do not trap the elastic. Repeat on the left hand side.  Done!

I wanted to make a couple that were more masculine in color and pattern so I chose this navy and white bold plaid.

A white lining and a navy blue elastic completes this wallet.

Another wallet with the other half of the pink elastic.

This is a striped cotton fabric.  I gave it an ivory lining fabric.

What cards do you put in these wallets: All kinds - credit cards, transit cards, library cards, loyalty cards, business cards (yours or those you need to access regularly) and a few I am sure I have not thought of.

Sewing Project - Wine Bottle Bag - Celery and Red

I cleaned up this morning after this frenzy of sewing.

I found this celery textured fabric that I had set aside a while back and forgot about.  It had all its elements so I just decided to make it up. 

I will be keeping a few of these for the Christmas Market and the others will go to Grandma Africa merchandise sale in June.

I found this scrap of red patterned fabric which worked well.  There was just enough for 2 stripes so I just crossed them.

This fabric is not cotton and a bit tricksy.  It is heavier than the cotton I have been using so I skipped the flannel but added a thin layer of poly cotton to stabilize it and keep it square. 

The lining is a pale yellow polycotton fabric. The thread was a pretty good match to the celery color.

I did add a small square of flannel in the very bottom which I sewed between the layers and sewed to the lining bottom.  Just some cushion for a glass bottle as it is placed on a hard surface.

The button was a great match.  I am very grateful for things to be falling into place for all of these sewing projects.

For information on the "My Bag" Line

Sewing Project - Wine Bottle Bag - Updated

When I visited my sister a while back we worked on a wine bottle bag design.

I brought the pieces to make one as we ran out of time to finish one for me.

We had decided to add some height to the bag so we could have 1.5 inches in the top band where we were top stitching. This would add strength and a bit of stifness.

The one on the left was the one I brought home so I cut the outer fabric and added the 1.5 inch blue strip.  That meant I had to add some to the lining as well.  We decided to leave the flannel so it would only reach the top of the bag with out being folded over in the seam.

Learning is challenging. I did add the pieces I needed but failed to remember to put the flannel in and to make the top seam 1.25 inches so there would be extra fabric in the top edge. You can see that it is higher than the other one. Made on Sunday.

The one on the left is the one I made on today which incorporated all the things we planned.  A cotton outer fabric, a flannel layer shorter than the cotton, and a poly-cotton lining the same size as the outer fabric.  The fabric measures 15.5" tall by 12.5" wide. Flannel is 14" T x 12.5" wide.

I quilted the flannel to the diagonal patterned fabric along those lines in black thread. Then I made the box corners on the outer and lining fabrics.  Then made the strap.  Pinned the strap first to ensure it was right with the same side facing the outer, that they were on the sides with the seam at the back, and that they were aligned with the edge of the fabric. I then added the lining ensuring that the box corners were sitting opposite the ones on the outer fabric.  I sewed the seam 1.25 inches wide along the top leaving a opening to turn everything inside out. 

Once the lining is pushed into the bag and aligned, then pressing the top edge flat I sewed the 2 top stitching seams. One really close to the edge to close the opening.  The other to capture the handles a second time to ensure strength.

Note: Maybe a bit of trimming of the flannel in the box corners would help balance out the bottom. They stand on their own without a bottle inside.

Updated:  I redid the one on the right to include flannel, the 1.5 inch top stitched edge and an accent on the blue strip.

I have added the accent for number 2 so this set is finally completed.

Binder Cover with Journaling Bookmark

I had a visit with my sister before the snow came down again.

We discussed a lot of creative ideas and I realized that I don't have a central place to document these.  

They may or may not become full fledged completed projects but it was great to have a creative discussion.  It is important, to document the details we discussed so that they are not lost when the idea becomes a possibility.  It may be a spring board to another idea. Who knows.  

That is when I decided I needed a creative ideas journal.  She had returned to me a small binder that I had passed to her a couple of years ago that she had not used yet.  I am glad she kept it.

She sent fabric as well that is headed to the ReUse Center but I thought I should see if there was something there that would work for this project.  The big yellow flower on this fabric spoke to me.  I decided that I would use this.  I chose some beige fabric from the box which was given to me for the lining.  I cut the pieces 22" long and 10" inches tall.  The binder is 9 1/8 tall but I need some room.  I chose a 3/8 inch seam to attach these two layers which was too generous.  I did not have any fabric sticking out to create the top stitch to keep the flaps in place which would slide over the sides of the binder.  I chose to hand stitch the flaps in place with thread.  

I had an extra set of dividers which I bought at the second hand store a while back.  It may be hard to categorize the ideas but I will see how it goes.

She had created a Journaling Bookmark which I just winged the construction of.  I did have to try twice to get at least something that worked.  This means I will always have a pencil to jot notes.

Sewing Project - Book Sleeve - Blue Mottled

 
I made another book sleeve but with a different process - where we make the outer layer and the lining layer and then insert one into the other. I chose light grey thread for this project.

I cut my blue outer fabric, the flannel padding then the grey lining fabric all the same size - 12 inches wide and 19 inches tall. 

I quilted the padding to the wrong side of the outer blue fabric with a pretty stitch.  This one though is too thread intensive and very slow. 

I prepare my handles which measured 12 inches long and 3 inches wide and I folded in the edges then ironed it in half and sewed both edges.

I then sewed the side seams on the outer blue fabric. I decided to add a tiny pocket on the inside for a pen so I prepared that piece then pinned it into the seam and sewed the side seams of the lining fabric. I made sure that it stood the right side up this time.

I then tacked my handles in place on the outer fabric along with the small elastic just to give me a last chance to make sure they are not twisted. 

I inserted one into the other with right sides together and pinned it very well. I sewed them together leaving a small opening to turn them inside out. I then turned them right side out, ironed them, and pushed the lining into the bag. I top stitched the edge very close to the edge all the way around closing the gap in the same process.

I chose a button which matched very well.  This process is working well. It fits my large paper back book which is my guide.

For information on the "My Bag" Line

Sewing Project - Zippered Tote - EDC

I made myself a zippered multi pocket tote today.  I have been thinking about this project for several months.  It will replace this one.

I wanted to make some improvements mainly a zipper at the top to ensure the contents stay inside. I wanted more outside pockets. Having a pen handy is always nice.  I have purchased a small binder to use which would not have a space for a pen so the bag needed one.

I did watch several videos as refresher on assembling a tote and in particular for the zipper. 

The fabric I used is from a fall jacket that the zipper has been a problem.  I have replaced the jacket.  Since I have been wearing the jacket for at least 7 years and the fabric seems indestructible,  why not use it for a bag that will get a lot of use.  I used one sleeve from the jacket, the dark green outer fabric and the navy lining.  I used the inside of the green as my good side of the bag.

The exterior piece of the tote measures 9.25 T and 20.5" W.  I used grey thread since I did not have any dark green thread.  Would have been better on the strap top stitching if it had been dark.

The pocket panels I created from batik cotton in wonderful colors on one side and a cherry colored cotton on the other side.  I only had 2 small pieces of the batik so I wanted to make best use of it. Those are 4.5" W and 9.25 T same as the main piece. I top stitched just below the cherry on the top before I sewed the panels to the dark green exterior along the other edge. I placed the panels 2.25" apart based on the center of the exterior panel at 10.25 inches.  I am planning a 2" box bottom.

The straps pieces were cut 1.5 inches wide and over 35 inches long.  I used the bias seam approach from my quilts to connect 2 pieces to create my straps. I sewed the side then turned them inside out.

Finished they were .5 " wide and 33" inches long.   I wanted the straps to run the full length of the tote.

I created 2 bags with the lining one just a smidge smaller than the exterior one.  I sewed the 2 side seams, boxed the corners on both at 2" then tacked them down to the bottom with a triangle of stitching.  This was done on the green and the navy one.  I added a narrow channel of green fabric on the one side.

I placed the exterior inside the lining and sewed the top edge leaving an open space to turn them inside out.  Once right side out and the lining in the tote and put a line of decorative stitching along the top to close the opening and add a bit of stiffness to the top edge.

The straps were added once the tote was assembled because I wanted them to hold the lining in place as well as create the pockets on the outside.  I placed them 2.25" from the side seam. I started on the bottom, pinned everything very well and tacked the strap 2 inches from the top edge.  Putting on the straps was quite challenging because there not much room to maneuver.

Just being patient and pinning very closely it worked out well.  I have 6 outside pockets in this tote.  The center pockets are larger and the side ones are smaller.  Just what I wanted.  I added some batik fabric at the very top of the handles where they will get the most wear.

Then it was the zipper.  I had prepared the zipper ahead of time and wanted to insert it inside for a recessed one.  But of course, the batik fabric panels on each side were too long now that I had box corners.  Plan B.  I just sewed the panels to the outside of the tote where I had reinforced the edge with decorative stitch earlier.   I added extra reinforcement X a little higher on the strap now that I had cotton behind it which will give it more strength and it is still not too close to the zipper.

I added pull tabs at each end of the zipper to help with opening and closing it.  I left extra zipper so that the bag can be opened the full width of the bag. Makes getting things in and out easy.







The channel on the one side is designed to hold a pen.  I am still a notebook and pen person.  I carry a note book every time I got out which contains listings of the day's list as well anything I am on the hunt for.  I track size, color, and other details so I am prepared when the right thing comes along.

That is why I always carry my measuring tape. In the past it lived in a pouch but this will do nicely.

Considering the old is 3 years old and barely shows wear this one should last a long time.   I love the batik fabric and it works so well with the dark green fabric of the tote.

It took most of the day but really happy with this project.

Apron - Cross Back Daisy

Another apron today.  I tried a new design for those who do not want ties on their aprons.

I started with this warm rust floral fabric and chose a light yellow cotton for the lining.

I used my own pattern from earlier aprons and adjusted how the straps worked.

I cut two pieces of the pattern one patterned and the other solid.  I cut them at the same time so they would be a perfect match. 

I cut the patch pockets from the remnant created where the arm hole was cut. I added an accent strip to the slanted open edge of the pockets cut from the lining fabric.

The pockets were then top stitched onto the front patterned piece.

The front and the lining were sewn together, turned inside out, and top stitched to close the gap used to turn inside out. I also placed a line of stitching from the top of bib to the bottom of the apron just left of center to secure the 2 pieces together.

The straps were cut 2.5 inches wide and about 27 inches long just to make sure I had enough.  I sewed a seam with right sides together then struggled to turn the strap inside out. I like that the seam can be placed in the back center of the strap.

I securely attached the straps to the top corners of the bib.  I decided that 22 inches between the top of bib to the edge of the back worked so I cut the strap 24 with a 1 inch overlap at each connection point.  I ensured that the straps were "crossed" then securely attached the bottom end of the strap to the back edge of the apron.

I may have to do something different for turning the straps inside out.  I think I would also like to have the apron wider so there the back edges come closer together when it is one a person.