The Studio Kat Cosmo Bag Sew Along, The Final Post

Just wanted to let you know that the final post for the Studio Kat Cosmo Bag is up on the Sew News blog and you can find it HERE. 

I cannot wait to start using this bag. I really liked the first one that I made, but I absolutely love this bag! The only thing that I think I am going to add to the bag is a hard bottom. I talked about adding a hard bottom when I did the tutorial for the oversized tote bag HERE. A hard bottom will give the bag a little more structure, which I really like.
Over all, this is a great bag. I think the backpack option will make traveling through an airport so much easier. Then once I don't need the backpack option, I can easily change it back to a shoulder bag or a crossbody bag. 
By the way, I've added all the links to the sew along posts for the Cosmo Bag to the Sew News Sew Along Link Page, so if you think you would like to make the bag at a later date, you can easily refer back to the sew along posts.
Have fun making your own bag....or bags ;)
Rhonda 

The Studio Kat Cosmo Convertible Bag Sew Along Week 3

I apologize!!!! I failed to let you know that the new post is up on the Sew News blog for the Studio Kat Cosmo Convertible bag. So sorry.

This week we are sewing the bag together and inserting the zipper in the top of the bag. 

Developing the bottom of the bag seems just a bit tricky, but it's really quite simple. There are 3 notches on the side of the front and the back that must be marked. 

Notch A is folded up to meet notch B. Then with the 2 notches held together, they are then folded up to meet notch C. A little fidgety, but it works, and that's the most important thing :)

Once the notches have been folded together, they form a pleat across the bottom of the bag. This will make more sense once we attach the tabs for the straps.

The next step is to insert the top zipper. The zipper is added before the side tabs for the straps are attached. Look closely below and you will see that the zipper does not go all the way from one side of the opening to the other.

I did a top stitch around the top of my bag to help hold the lining in place. It really helps to keep the zipper from catching the lining. Nothing worse than needing to get into your bag and then having the zipper get caught in the lining!!!  

I really loved the first bag that I put together, but I think I like this one even more. I think these things are addictive! 
You can find the new post HERE.
Studio Kat has a new bag up on her website that I am eyeing, super cute.

If you are making the Cosmo Convertible Bag, I hope you're enjoying the process. Just remember, if you would like to make the bag at a later date, the posts stay up on the Sew News blog, so you can always refer back to them at a later date. You can find the first 3 weeks HERE.
Happy Sewing!
Rhonda

The Cosmo Convertible Bag Sew Along/It's All About The Pockets

Whether you are making the Studio Kat Cosmo Convertible Bag, or just taking a look at the posts, I think that the pocket tutorial is one that can be applied to many other projects. You can find this week's post HERE on the Sew News blog.
I decided to give the free downloadable flap pattern a try and I had so much fun with it.The pattern is especially great to use with stripes or vertical patterns. 

I of course had to the match the pattern for the pocket, so if I had once again matched the pattern for the flap, it would have been a bit boring.

The pattern calls for an 8" or longer plastic zipper for the back pocket. I had a 7" metal zipper that I really wanted to use. It was the right color and it has a fabulous zipper pull. As it turns out, a 7" zipper will work perfectly, you just need to be a bit careful when sewing the zipper to the pockets. You can see the step by step process in the Sew News post. 

I'm really happy with how the pockets turned out. They are really quite easy to do, so please don't feel intimidated. Just take it a step at a time and you'll have beautiful pockets.

Next week we will be sewing the bag together and attaching the top zipper. We will also attach the tabs that give the bag the convertible options.
Enjoy!
Rhonda

The Studio Kat Cosmo Convertible Bag Sew Along Begins!

The first post for the Studio Kat Cosmo Convertible bag is up on the Sew News blog and you can find it HERE.

I actually made the bag last summer and I wanted to start using it right away, but....I had to send it in to Sew News. Now that I have it back, I am finding all sorts of opportunities to use it. If by chance you, a friend, or a child is pregnant, this would be a great gift as it would work so well as a diaper bag. I especially like the backpack aspect of the bag as it means that arms and hands are free for other things. 

Since it can also be a cross-body bag, it's great for shopping. The bag is large enough for small purchases, but not so large that it is cumbersome. For shopping, I really like the zippered pocket as well as the top zipper, so the bag also offers security.

The bag also makes a great bag for your knitting, as it's the perfect height for knitting needles.  

The front flap pocket offers lots of possibilities for customizing the bag. Check out the post for links to a free pocket pattern that you can download from the Studio Kat website.

As you can see, the bag has quite a bit of hardware. I've provided a list in the blog post. 

If you don't have time during the holidays to make the bag, the posts remain on the Sew News website, so you can always go back and follow along at a later time. 
I'm really looking forward to making my second bag, and I have a feeling there will be more in my future. 

And The Winner Is.....

Wow, can you believe that December is almost here?!!! The last month of 2015, where did this year go???? 

As promised, today is the announcement of the winner of the Studio Kat Cosmo Bag pattern. It's our last give away of the year :( But next year will bring another new host of patterns, so if you didn't win this year, be sure to keep trying.

The winner of the Cosmo Convertible Bag pattern is....

Paula Head(my handwriting is awful!). Congratulations Paula!!!
Email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com with your mailing info so Kat can get your pattern out to you.
As soon as the sew along post is up for the Cosmo Bag, I'll let you know.
Thanks to all of you who showed interest in the bag. I think you will enjoy the sew along. The bag is just enough of a challenge to make it interesting and fun to make.

And The Winner Is....

I just love days when I get to give something away :)
The response to the fabric and Sew News magazine give away was quite a success. Thanks so much to all of you who threw your name into the drawing. 

The winner of the dragon fabric, suede and Sew News Magazine is...

Congratulations Christine!!!!!

Please email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com with your address.

I wish I had enough fabric for all, but, so it goes. Remember that you still have a chance to win the pattern, so be sure to throw your name in on THIS post. The drawing for the pattern will be Monday, December 1, 2016. 

Good Luck!!!

The Cosmo Convertible Bag Free Pattern Give Away!!!

Happy Monday Everyone!!! 
My day started off with some technical difficulties. Computers!!!!!, what a love/hate relationship :) But thanks to my niece, the problem is now resolved. Needless to say, I am behind, time wise. But....I have a lovely surprise for you that I was going to announce tomorrow, but I'll just switch today's post to tomorrow and make the announcement today. Hope that makes sense ;)
Last week I announced the upcoming Sew News Studio Kat Cosmo Convertible Bag sew along that will begin next week, December 1st. Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 24, 2015, I will announce the winner of the fabric and suede that I used for my bag. If you haven't put your name in for the drawing, be sure to do so by midnight tonight, November 23. The winner will also receive a copy of the Dec./Jan. issue of Sew News magazine. 

Now for even more good news! Kat of Studio Kat Designs has graciously agreed to give away a free Cosmo Convertible Bag pattern!
So, as usual, 
1. Leave a message on this post letting me know that you would like to be in the drawing. 
2.You must be a follower of this blog. Let me know how you follow. Sew News likes to see how you are following the blog.

I will announce the winner next Monday, December 1, 2015. 

Now for a few ideas;
The bags pictured below are from the Studio Kat website. I especially like the bag on the bottom right.

The bag pictured below features a pieced pocket. This pattern is not included in the pattern, but you can download it for free HERE.

And a little sneak peek at the fabrics I'll be using for the sew along. I'll use the leaves and swirls for the bag and then accent it with the leather. The bag will be lined with the fabric in the lower right hand corner.

I think this is going to be an especially fun sew along. I am loving my new bag. It's great for just about everything. I even used it to carry my knitting.
Wishing you a fabulous week!
Rhonda 

Your Chance To Make a Cosmo Convertible Bag Just Like Mine!

Have you seen the new issue of Sew News?
The last sew along for this year will be a great bag from Studio Kat Designs. It's called The Cosmo Convertible Bag and it can be worn as a back pack, a shoulder bag, or a cross body bag.
One side features a pocket with a flap,

and the other side features a zippered pocket.

The pocket has magnetic snaps.

The inside is quite roomy and will easily carry lots of stuff and your I-Pad!

The sew along will begin on December 1, 2015, so right on the heels of the Sewn Square One Upline Jacket. The timing is actually perfect as I can imagine that most anyone would love to find this bag under the tree!

So to kick off the sew along, I am giving away enough of the dragon fabric and the red suede so that you can make a bag just like mine! You will need to purchase the zippers, hardware and pattern. The giveaway also includes the new issue of Sew News magazine. 

If you would like a chance to win the fabric and the magazine, just leave a message on this post. I will draw the winning name on Tuesday November 24th.  
In the meantime, you can check out the pattern HERE in the Sew News shop. 
I had a lot of fun making the bag, so I am really looking forward to the sew along.

In case you are wondering, the last post for the Sewn Square One Upline Jacket will be out tomorrow, Wednesday, November 18th. There was a little mix up with my zipper, so I was late getting it. But my jacket is finished and I love it! As soon as the post is up, I will let you know.