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 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 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. 

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.  

The I Think Sew Emily Bag Sew Along. The Final Week

The final post for the I Think Sew Sew Emily Bag is up on the Sew News blog. You can find it here.
This week I talk about a few customizing details, like adding a hard bottom, always a plus in my book, and adding feet to the bag. The addition of the purse feet give the bag a lovely high end look, a look that we all strive for in everything that we make.




If you do make the Emily Bag, be sure to upload your photos to the Flickr page. I would really enjoy showcasing your bags here on the blog. So, get busy ;)

Be sure to check out the I Think Sew website for other interesting patterns. You'll also find supplies for other handbag projects on their website.

I hope you've enjoyed the sew along! The next sew along will be coming up shortly and it's a coat!! Details will follow soon!

For those of you who are following along on the Me Made Monday posts, I will be doing the post, it'll just be a day late this week.
Hope your week is off to a great start!
Rhonda

The I Think Sew Emily Bag Week 3 and The Winner Announcement

Well, huge apologies are in order. I said last week that I would announce the winner of my extra copy of Sew News last Friday and it completely slipped my mind!!! I think it's called having too much fun while being away ;), and just not paying attention. Hopefully late is better than never. So the winner is.....

Congratulations Kathy!!! Please email your address to me so I can get the magazine out to you, sewbussted@yahoo.com. Kathy has a lovely blog, http://runningwithrocket.blogspot.com/. She's a very gifted quilter. I actually had the pleasure of meeting her at the Puyallup Sewing Expo 2 years ago. Check out her blog, I think you'll enjoy it!

So...the new video is up for the IThinkSew Emily Bag. It's a longer video this week as I show you how to insert a zipper in the bag. Here's the video if you would like to take a look.



The blog post can be found here on the Sew News blog.
A little note on crazy me. As I watched the video, I thought, "oh no, you didn't say that!!!" Near the end of the video, I mark the seam allowance of the pocket with a pen, yes an ink pen and I do say that I'm using an ink pen. Then I add, "who cares." Oh my goodness!!!! Yes, it's inside the bag, but I really do care and I can't believe I said that. Live and learn I guess :) Anyway....all I had with me was a marking pencil and that would not show up, so I used the pen. Please don't think that I really don't care, as I really do. There are a number of good marking pens on the market that won't bleed through your fabric. And in all honesty, the pen marking won't bleed through my bag, not with the interfacing on the back side of the lining.
If you would like to take a look at my finished vegetable bag, I've posted it on the Flickr page and you can see it here.

A quick note on the pant drafting post. I am working on my project and I will be posting it tomorrow afternoon. So check back if you would like to follow along.
In the meantime...
Have a Wonderful Day!!!
Rhonda

The Emily Bag Sew Along/Week 2

Me Made Monday is going to be postponed until tomorrow, Tuesday morning, as it's raining like crazy and I didn't get my pictures taken earlier in the week. So hold tight and I will have the Me Made Monday post up first thing tomorrow morning.
Rather than wait, I thought I would go ahead and let you know that the post for week 2 of the Emily Bag sew along is up on the Sew News blog. You can find it here.
I have actually gone and made another bag!!! I really do like this pattern, obviously :)  Look closely and you will get a glimpse of my VERY messy studio!!

I decided to try something a little different with this bag and interface it with a fusible fleece. I really like the end result. In the video I show you the fabrics that I used and I talk about stitching the handle.



The blog post contains a list of all the fabrics and notions that you will need to duplicate the bag that I made. So over the next week you can gather all of your supplies and download the pattern if you have not done so already.
Be sure to join the Flickr group and upload your pictures. It's always fun to see what everyone is doing.
Before the sew along is over, I plan to make 1 more bag. The first 2 that I made have been spoken for and I have a feeling that the third will not be in my possession for long. So when you are thinking about your fabrics for the bag, you may want to think in mulitples!!!

The Emily Bag Sew Along Begins and Magazine Winners

I had promised to post the winners of the Sew News magazines yesterday.Sadly, there was a bit of a technical issue on the Sew News blog, so the post didn't get up as soon as they would have liked. But it's up now and here's a link, http://www.sewnews.com/blogs/sewing/2014/10/06/sew-the-emily-bag-form-ithinksew-join-the-first-week-of-the-sew-along-today/

So without further delay....
The winners of the Sew News magazines are
Anne Wambui!!!!

 And Nanc who is listed as Buck Orser!!!

Congratulations ladies!!! Please email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com with your address so I can get the magazines out to you.

I have decided to make 2 new bags during the sew along. I would like to have a really nice shopping bag for my groceries, so I'm going to use these fun prints along with the leather for the handle.

 The second bag will be made with this print and the faux leather.

If you would like to take a look at the video, here it is,


And if you are joining the sew along, be sure to check out the Flickr page, you can find it here, https://www.flickr.com/groups/sn_sewalong5/ We would love to see your fabric choices as well as your progress. I think you are really going to enjoy the sew along and especially the bag!
Happy Sewing!!

The Emily Bag From I Think Sew

Wow, the new sew along on the Sew News blog caught me by surprise as it's coming right on the heels of the Colette Clover Pant Sew Along. Although it's close, I think you are REALLY going to enjoy this one....A LOT!!!! It's the Emily Bag from I Think Sew. I've made 2 and I'm geared up to crank out my third!

Just to prove that I've made 2 ;) Take note that the handle is a little longer on my second bag. I will talk about lengthening the handle in the sew along. The first is great, but I felt that the handle dimensions were just a little too short for sitting comfortably on my shoulder. This is an easy fix.

The bag is quite roomy. I took both with me to the expo last weekend. I used one as my tote for one of my classes and the other, well as you can see, it held more shoes than anyone really needs for 4 days away from home :)

 Just to show you how many shoes were really in the bag. I think I have a problem!!!!

 The first bag was lined with a faux leather and I topstitched all of my seams..

The bag has a great zippered pocket. If you've never inserted a zippered pocket, I encourage you to give it a try as it really isn't that difficult to do and it's a nice addition to the bag.

The second bag was lined with a cotton print.

The bag also has an optional patch pocket. I added the zippered pocket as well as the patch pocket to my second bag. I really like having both.

I made a few changes to the pattern by adding feet. These were purchased at Joann's Fabrics, so easy to find.

I also made a hard bottom for my bag as I wanted it to hold its shape rather than sag when I put my things inside,

 The hard bottom is removable.

 You can find the bag in the October/November issue of Sew News.

I have 2, yes 2!!! magazines to give away, so your chances of winning one is a little better!! Just leave a message on this post and let me know that you would like a chance to win. I will announce the winner on Monday, October 6, 2014. If you have won an issue this year, then you are not eligible. I would like to give everyone a chance to win.
You can find the pattern for the Emily Bag here. It's a downloadable PDF, so instant gratification :) Don't let the PDF put you off on the pattern as there is very little taping to be done.
The bag will make great Christmas presents, so this will give you an opportunity to get a jump on your holiday sewing.
I'll give you a link to the sew along as well as the Flickr page on Monday.