Bag of the Week 30

Traveling Bags

Summer is the time for travel, and this week’s featured bag is made just for that.  I originally made this bag and its twin as carrying cases for my sewing machine using (out of print) Simplicity 7087.  I discovered my machine fit into the bag just fine as long as I left the hard cover off but that seemed to defeat the purpose (leaving my machine more vulnerable while traveling) so I decided to use these bags as travel bags instead.  They hold the perfect amount of clothes and toiletries for a weekend away.  The bags measure 16” wide x 9” deep x 12” high.

The fabric came from a G Street Fabrics upholstery remnant table.  I love the aqua/taupe color combination. 

The bags are given extra support with a layer of fusible fleece and a piece of foam core which is inserted between the lining and the outer fabric on the bottom of the bag.  The contrast fabric forms a pocket with three compartments on both long sides of the bag.  I substituted a heavy jacket zipper for the button/loop closure suggested in the pattern.

I’m happy I was able to repurpose these bags when my original idea didn’t work out as I had planned.  In retrospect I have gotten many, many more miles of usage from these soft suitcases than I would have as machine transport bags.

Window Treatments for a Nursery, Part 1

The Cornice Board

I have been working on completing some window treatments for my great-niece’s nursery.  It was a long project and an even longer story.  You see, my sister originally started working on the various aspects of her granddaughter’s nursery and got some of the elements completed.  Then she broke her leg.  Yep, that little accident seriously set her back in the sewing department.  So, I offered to help and finish what I could.  Which is how I came to be working on these window treatments.

The project can be broken down into various elements and, over the next four weeks, I will be sharing each of these parts:  cornice board construction, valance, Roman Shade, installation.

I will begin with the cornice board as that is the foundation I needed before I could create the valance and the shade.  I have written a tutorial about how to create one of these for yourself.   I have used a cornice like this several times in my own home, and I find them attractive and versatile, providing some display space above a window.  It is a fairly easily and straightforward project, and you do not need fine woodworking skills (mine are rudimentary, at best).  The project can be quite crude as it will be covered with lovely textiles and no one will ever see it.

Here is a picture of the completed cornice, ready for hanging on the wall with wall anchors.  I have applied Velcro (the hook side) along the top edge, wrapping around the sides which will be used to hang the valance.  I have also used closet pole brackets and screw eyes which will both come into play when it is time to hang the Roman shade.

Check back next week as I show you how I created the valance.

Bag of the Week 29

Carolyn’s Tote Bag

Another friend asked if I would make her a tote bag and here is the result.  Carolyn’s Tote is made from the much-loved scraps of an upholstery project.  The fabric is a cotton/rayon blend with a small woven floral repeat.  The darker contrast and lining is a cotton twill.  Carolyn provided me with a reusable shopping bag which she likes the size of, and I created a pattern based on the dimensions of that bag.  The bag measures 12 inches wide by 13 inches tall by 8 inches deep.  I decided on a contrast bottom to add some interest but also to aid in hiding dirt.  The two outer pockets with curved edge are designed to hold a water bottle or umbrella.  Piping neatly finishes the top edge of the pocket and the entire bag.

When constructing the bag I first had to decide how to apply the contrast bands along the bottom edge.  I realized that stitching the bands as separate pieces would allow me to apply them on the pockets, thus allowing the pockets to run the full depth of the bag.  The challenge then became to match the four corners of the contrast bands for a professional finish.  I found that basting an inch or two above and below this crucial intersection and checking the match before stitching the entire seam assured a perfect match.

The lining contains two pockets, both on the larger sides of the bag.  One runs the full width and depth of the side.  I found this needed a snap at the center top to keep the pocket from gaping open.  The other pocket runs the entire width of the bag but is only about 6 inches deep.  It is sewn into three separate compartments and designed to hold phone, sunglasses, etc. 

Bag of the Week 28

Golf Shoe Bags

More shoe bags this week, these designed to hold a pair of golf shoes.  I used a heavy weight fabric for these such as denim or duck and added a golf-themed embroidery on the front.  I began with two rectangles of fabric, approximately 18” x 13”, sewed them together and boxed the bottom.  The top edge is turned under and a piece of Velcro is added for the closure.  A carrying handle was added at the top.  These embroidery designs came from Embroidery Library.

Making Aprons

The last few weeks have seen a lot of apron creation going on at my house.  I have been making aprons for my kids for a while now once I discovered that most of their food was ending up in their laps and any bib they had on didn’t help a bit with that problem.  Recently I decided I needed a few more in the rotation so I made another four.  These are so fast and easy to make that I wrote up a tutorial which you can find here so you can make some of your own.

While I was on an apron roll I decided to make one for myself.  I don’t often wear an apron (but if I splash turmeric on my white tee shirt one more time I may just be converted) but Sunday morning is the one day I have time to cook breakfast for everyone and I am usually already dressed for church.  So I thought I would make a cute apron to protect my clothes.  A couple of years ago my friend Karen brought an apron to show and tell that her daughter had made and it was beyond cute.  I immediately went out and bought the pattern and knew this was the one I wanted to make:  Butterick 4945.  I chose View D which has a circular flounce around the bottom hem.

The main fabric is a black and white cherry print seersucker which my mother bought many, many years ago.  She gave me this piece of fabric and I had intended to make a maternity top from it but never got around to it.  Since I won’t be needing one of those again J I decided it would work well for the apron.  The solid black contrast that I used for the flounce and ties is also seersucker and the microdot is cotton quilting weight fabric.  I bound the bottom hem with a bias strip of the microdot and inserted another strip between the flounce and the apron body.  I used the same microdot for the neck facing and turned it to the outside as shown in View C. 

I had tremendous trouble finishing the ends of the ties.  The instructions are to make a narrow hem along all edges, mitering the corners.  After three attempts I decided to face the ends.  I cut a section of fabric the same shape as the end of the ties and about 4-5” long.  I finished one edge and sewed the two pieces together.  When the facing was turned it nicely finished a difficult-to-sew angled edge.

I love how this apron turned out with the flippy little hem and stylish lines.  I haven’t had the nerve to wear it yet though, as I’m afraid I will spill something on it!