We're Finishing Up The Stella Weekender Bag!

The final post for the Stella Weekender Bag is up on the Sew News blog and you can find it HERE.

What a fun journey it has been! My first bag was made from barkcloth. Love how it turned out. It will be going on to it's new home with my niece tomorrow.

The bag I did for the sew along. The fabric is so bright and fun. I always like to try something a little different. The pattern calls for the zipper to be a dress weight zipper. Look closely and you'll see that I used a heavy weight plastic zipper in my front pocket. Worked out great. And thanks to Bunny of La Sewista, I added the extra stitching reinforcement to my handles. Barely noticeable, but a nice touch regardless.   

This week's post is all about finishing up the bag. We insert the center zipper. I also used a heavy weight zipper here.

We sew up the lining, and I show you how to sew the lining into the bag so that it doesn't sag. I also customized my interior pockets. 

I've enjoyed sharing Bunny's progress on the weekender that she is making as a diaper bag. Here's her finished bag.

The stitching detail on her handles is a little more prominent. What a wonderful gift this will be!

A few notes from Bunny;

1. If you look closely at the front of her bag, you'll see that she piped around the cargo pocket. She does not recommend doing this.

2. Keep in mind that it is a softer bag, so not overly structured. The purpose of the bag is to be able to stuff a lot into it, so the softness of the bag works well.

3. And finally, she said that she will be making the bag again. I think that's a great endorsement!

Once again, if you take a close look at the front of her bag, you'll see a wonderful tag that says, Handcrafted In America. This was purchased from the Emmaline Bags website. They have lots of hardware and it's a great resource. You can find all the hardware and the tags HERE.

I also shared that there is a great group on Facebook called Swoon Patterns Group. Here's a LINK. You will have to ask to join the group, but they are a friendly bunch, so I know you'll be welcomed with open arms :)

Bunny has not posted her final weekender bag, but she did make the most wonderful bags for her grandson's using an Emmaline pattern. You can check out her post HERE. Just a reminder...Christmas is coming!!!!!

Be sure to pop over to the Swoon Patterns website and check out all of the wonderful bag patterns. Once you make one, there will be another!

Hope you've enjoyed the sew along!
Just a reminder, if you are just beginning, or think that you would like to do the bag at a later date, the posts remain on the Sew News blog, so you can go back at anytime.

I'm off for my yearly mammogram. Wish me luck!

Stella Has A Secret

And the secret is...

I finished up my Stella Bag for the sew along last week. WooHoo!!! You're getting the first sneak peek! I think she is so pretty! Next week I'll include pictures of me carrying the bag to give you a better idea of the size. In the mean time, pop over to Swoon Patterns. If you like the Stella Weekender Bag, I bet you'll like lots of the other patterns too. 

This week's post is up on the Sew News blog and you can find it HERE. We are diving head long into all the pockets.

There's a front zippered pocket. In the post I talk about reinforcing the bag prior to inserting the zipper. PLEASE do not skip this step. 

We also attach the cargo pockets. This is one of those projects where you may initially feel a little intimidated, but once they are attached...nothing but pride :) 

We also attach the handles as the handles should be attached prior to putting the bag all together. I did not use the stiff interfacing in my handles that the pattern calls for. I don't like anything in my hand that feels too hard. Just a quirk. So I used the fusible cotton interfacing on both sides of my handles and I feel that the handles have plenty of stability.

I took Bunny of La Sewista's direction on reinforcing the handles. Not only does it help to secure the handles, I think the "x" design looks rather pretty as well. Thanks Bunny! You can take a glimpse of Bunny's Weekender Bag HERE, HERE, and HERE.    

When I was asked to put together a year of sew alongs for Sew News, I knew that they would like a bag included in the line up, so I began to search for something that I thought was special. For the life of me, I don't remember how I found Swoon Patterns, but I'm glad I did. The patterns are well thought out and the results are amazing!
If you are making a weekender bag, I hope you too are enjoying the process. 

Stel-la!!!

I just couldn't resist the subtle reference to Marlon Brando yelling for Stella in the movie, a Street Car Named Desire :) This Stella has a much brighter, and happier story, the Stella Weekender Bag from Swoon Patterns. The bag I made for the magazine will soon have a new home. My niece was over this past weekend, loved the bag, so of course nothing will make me happier than to send it home with her. She loves anything vintage, and since this bag is made out of barkcloth, it has a bit of a vintage vibe. 

The next post is up on the Sew News blog, and you can find it HERE. Bunny of La Sewista has been working on a Stella bag that she is giving as a diaper bag to a new mom. Here's a glimpse of her lovely work,

Look closely at the stitching she did on the handle. I really like the added reinforcement that she did. 

When Bunny told me that she was working on the bag, I asked her if she would share some of her thoughts. You know, two heads are always better than one ;) One point that she brought up is that while the Stella bag is perfect for the addition of piping, no instructions are given in the pattern. So in this week's post, I tried to walk you step by step through the process of how to make piping and how to add it to the bag, as well as how much piping you will need.  

Bunny also found a wonderful group on Facebook called, Swoon Patterns Group. It's a closed group, but all you have to do is ask to join and you'll be accepted. There's a lot of great info on the page about all the wonderful bag patterns from Swoon. In fact, the devotees call themselves "Swooners." What fun! 

I added a little info on a cutting aide that Bunny shared and you can find directions on how to find it on the post I did for Sew News.

I'm excited about my new bag. I had just enough fabric. This one is going to be really bright and fun.

 If you've never made piping, I encourage you to give it a try. It's fun to make, and it really adds such a nice touch to bags and clothing alike.

If you are making a bag, let me know and send a picture, I would love to see and post your work!

Happy Sewing!

Rhonda

A Bag To Swoon Over

I thought I would preempt our usual Monday Morning Inspiration post and let you know that the first week of the Swoon Patterns Stella Weekender Bag Sew Along is up on the Sew News blog. 

In this week's post, I've tried to show you every aspect of the bag, all the pockets(and there are many), the handles as well as the shoulder strap.

You also find info on a few aspects about the pattern that might be confusing. A couple of the pattern pieces have to be folded down in order to obtain other pattern pieces. There are also a few pieces that you will have to draw out. Don't let that scare you. The pieces are just simple rectangles, so super easy.

I've also given you a list of all the supplies that you will need. So a good running start even if you don't have the pattern yet.

Bunny of La Sewista is making the Stella as a diaper bag for a new mom. Be sure to pop over to her blog as you'll be able to see the beginnings of her bag. During the sew along, I'll be sharing pictures of her bag as well as some of her insights on construction. She mentioned that nothing is said in the instructions about piping. Piping is not necessary for the bag, but if you look at my bag, you'll see that I did add piping. In next week's post, we will go over piping. We'll talk about how to make piping and where you might like to pipe this bag.

In case you are wondering about the fabric that I used for my bag, it's a barkcloth fabric. I LOVE barkcloth and I have a few pieces of true vintage barkcloth. You may remember the fabric that I used for the Amy Butler Beautiful Belle Bag that I did for my very first sew along for Sew News. It's a piece from my collection of vintage barkcloth. I love this bag!

The fabric I used for the Stella Weekender Bag came from a fun little store here in Chicago called Oak Fabrics. The fabric is sadly not upon their website, but I will do my best to stop over this week and see if I can get a link to the fabric. Both were in stock the last time I was in the store.

If you think you might like to join along, you can find a PDF version of the pattern HERE on the Swoon Patterns website, and for those of you who prefer paper, you can find a paper version HERE at Shop Sew It All.  

The bag is a little challenging, lots of pockets and zippers, but I think that I will be able to walk you through the process and you'll end up with a fabulous bag. After all Swoon Patterns are fabulous :) There's even a group of devoted fans who call themselves Swooners! What fun :)

Have a wonderful week!
Rhonda

The Winner of the Stella Weekender Bag Pattern

Once this weekend is over, I will be able to resume my regularly scheduled life, and I am truly looking forward to getting back to normal, at least normal for me :) 

Next week I will be doing a little video post on attaching the Inspired Lighting sewing machine light kit to my machine. Just in case you missed it, Inspired Lighting has given me the awesome opportunity to give away 5!!!, yes, 5 light kits, so be sure to pop over to THIS post and get your comment in for a chance to win. The drawing will be September 1, 2016. Can you believe that September is right around the corner?

Now for the Swoon Patterns Stella Weekender Bag. 

I added a couple of pictures to the collage below that show how the front pockets actually sit away from the bag. Fabulous feature. If you do decide to make the bag, don't worry, the pockets are easier to make than you might think. The handle is featured in the bottom right picture. I know that the small curves may seem intimidating, but again, easier than you may think. All in all, a super fun bag to make!

Now for the winner...

Sue@A Colorful Canvas

Congratulations Sue!!!  
Please email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com  so I can get your pattern off to you.

Thanks so much  to all of you for stopping by. The sew along will begin the first week of September and I think that you are truly going to enjoy putting this project together.

If you have not purchased a pattern, You can find it HERE on the Swoon Patterns website, or HERE on the Shop Sew It All website.

Win The Stella Weekender Bag Pattern From Swoon Patterns

It's Sunday, and I do have a great recipe to share, my homemade tomato sauce. It's delicious by the way :), but since my blogging has been a little lacking, and I don't want everyone to think that this has turned into a cooking blog, I thought that I would share a sewing item today, and save the sauce for later. 

My Swoon Patterns Stella Weekender Bag sew along will be starting the first week of September on the Sew News blog, so it's time for a give away!!!

This is such a great bag with lots and lots of pockets. The front of the bag features 2 pockets with flaps and a big zippered pocket.

The back has 2 pockets, each big enough to hold an I-Pad.  

There are pockets on either end of the bag.

And, as if there weren't enough pockets on the exterior of the bag, there are more pockets on the interior. The only issue you may have is which pocket holds what!

Here are the pattern specs;

Product Description

SIZING / FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:

• 18” wide
• 11” tall
• 8” deep

MATERIALS:

• Exterior: 2 yards 44” home decor weight
• Lining: 1.5 yards quilting weight, 44”
• 3 yards lightweight fusible interfacing
• 2 yards fusible fleece (i.e. Pellon Thermolam TP971F)
• 1 yard stiff fusible stabilizer (i.e. Pellon Peltex 71F)
• Two 1” D-rings or strap loops and two 1.5” swivel clips
• One 24” all-purpose zipper
• One 14” all-purpose zipper
• Two magnetic snaps

The pattern is a PDF pattern. I like to call PDF patterns instant gratification patterns since there's no getting in the car to go shopping and you can print it out anytime, even in the middle of the night :)    

If you think you might like to win a pattern, just leave a message here on this post. I'll announce the winner on  Friday, August 26, 2016.

Good Luck!!!

Rhonda