For full schedule of guest post pattern reviews and prizes, click here!
Kerry of verykerryberry is the co-author of 500 Quilt Blocks, which was just released on October 1st. I saw some of the sneak peaks on Kerry’s blog, and the book looks amazing (and I can’t believe how many items the girls sewed for this one!). It appears to be the ultimate reference on quilt blocks!
I loved Purse Palooza the first time round: reviews of some of the most popular bag and purse patterns around and an introduction to some new ones, so I leapt at the chance when Sara got in touch with details of Purse Palooza 2. I took part in a The Sewing Room Swap a few months back and The Social Tote made it on to a huge number of inspiration mosiacs, including mine, so I got myself on to Etsy, tracked the pattern down (it can be tricky to find) and got to work.
This pattern uses Soft and Stable to create the structure of the tote. It is a caddy style project so it needs form. Soft and Stable is just becoming available in UK and it is pricey but it does give great shaping as I found when I madeSara’sAeroplane Bag. I bought enough to make 2 maybe 3 from here and here and you can read more about it as a product here. There are no pattern pieces with this pattern, instead there are detailed cutting instructions and diagrams. The pattern is all about precision as a lot of the seams are sewn from dot to dot to create the 3D structure so you would need some sewing experience to produce a decent tote. In all honesty, I would have preferred this pattern as a PDF download. For those of us outside USA, buying patterns is costly with high postage charges and this pattern is hard to find at the moment wherever you are. I bought it from this Etsy seller.
The cutting instructions are very detailed and it is best cut and labelled all in one go so you don’t lose track of which part is which- there are a lot of pieces. I starched the linen before I cut it to make it easier to handle. Labelling is essential, trust me, don’t skip it! I made two Social Totes simultaneously so I had one to swap and one to keep. The pattern is very systematic and I followed the same approach working through the instructions and doing everything twice to make both totes. I tried to time the project so each time I worked on it I could finish a complete step without a break. The pattern is black and white with labelled diagrams plus a web link to additional online photos which help you through the inner section construction process. It is very clever and there is an ‘aha!’ moment when the different parts fit together but I did have to look at the diagrams and photos a lot of times to get my head round it. Persist, it is worth it!
I used the Horizon 7700 accufeed foot (which is a walking foot) throughout. As with any bag, there are lots of layers to deal with the the accufeed is wonderful on projects like this. Lee has a very helpful post on this foot and related feet here. I had a breakthrough moment when quilting the outer side panel sections and realised I could chain quilt. This saved a lot of time and gave me more consistent quilting than I usually produce!
For the handles, I used a little basting glue to hold the layers together before top stitching I changed the width slightly to fit in the fabric prints.
The outer pocket is shaped and this is the only pattern piece that you need to reproduce from the instructions so I traced it on to freezer paper so I could iron it on and sew round it.
The hardest part of the project for me for me was attaching the binding. Fitting the large Horizon foot into and around the internal sections was too hard but my Featherweight and its narrow foot fitted in perfectly.
The finished tote needed a few hand stitches to secure the lining and pockets to the outer panels and make it look neat and tidy.
Another option at this stage is to either add a line of top stitching at the pockets or pinch the corners together with a few stitches.
This is the version I did for my swap partner, complete with a pincushion that fits snuggly in one of the pockets (instructions for this included with the pattern).
It is a great tote, really useful. I have this version below which I use to keep my most used items to hand and another version that I received in the same swap from Sil and use as my hand sewing basket and carry round the house.
It is the sort of pattern that I am grateful for someone else designing as there is a lot to think about just following the instructions, never mind working out all the dimensions, and the finished result did make me punch the air.
Enjoy the rest of Purse Palooza 2013, it is a great resource when you want to try a new pattern but want an idea of what you are getting yourself into. Thank you to Sara for organizing and for inviting me to be a part of it, check out Tiffany’s blog for the Palooza giveaways and thank you to the sponsors for their generous prizes. Happy sewing for those of you linking up!
This post is part of Purse Palooza 2015. For schedule and contest details, check here.
Today's post is by Heidi of Fabric Mutt.
I'm the sort of person who likes to make a pattern once and then move on to the next project. I don't know if it's a short attention span or just a love for trying new things,...
I can hardly believe that this is the 4th year of Purse Palooza! This is my most favorite event on my blog, and anywhere I go, people seem to be asking about it, so your wait is over! It's Purse Palooza time! Here are the details, whether you're new here or to refresh your memory from last year!
Every weekday...
This post is part of Dress Up Party. For contest rules, full details, and schedule, please click here!
Today’s post is from Melissa.
When it comes to sewing garments, I gravitate toward dress and tops patterns. Sewing a cute dress or top is fun, but I don't find myself reaching to wear those items daily. Now underwear... That is something that I...
Today's garment finish is the Jennifer Lauren Felicity Dress. This post is part of my garment sewing project (you can see past posts here). There's a sew along going on, on Jennifer's blog, and it just started. I think it's great that indie pattern designers are doing sew alongs for their patterns; it is a bit of hand holding...
Before you get all curious wondering how I made so much clothing in the past week, relax, as I made these pants a few weeks ago, ha! Because of having to shoot photos of myself looking presentable as opposed to my usual pajamas or jeans and hair not done, sometimes it takes me a little longer to take photos...
Hello and welcome to my blog if you are visiting from Selfish Sewing Week! Check out all of the fun over on Imagine Gnats this week and whip up your own selfish project! This project is also part of my study on garment sewing, in which you can read about past garments here!
Today I'm happy to share my pattern...
Today's finished garment sew is the Pauline Alice Eliana Dress. I ordered this beautifully-assembled paper pattern straight from the designer in Europe. Instructions come in English, Spanish, and French (all in the same booklet, but divided by language). I was eager to make this pattern, as Pauline Alice has several other beautiful patterns. This one looked great for everyday...
I made something comfy and cozy to wear, and it was a really quick sew! Continuing along on my garment making journey (you can see a list of past finishes here), I made the Grainline Linden Sweatshirt. This is a beginner level pattern. I wanted to add to my everyday wardrobe, and this looked like something comfortable I could make;...
I am reallyreallyreallyreallyreallyreally excited to show you this dress!! I worked really hard on it. I knew it would be a challenging dress to fit, with the bra cups in the bodice and all, but I did it, and it fits great! Woohoo!
This is the Butterick 6019 pattern by Gertie of Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing. At the...
This post is part of Purse Palooza. For contest rules, full details, and schedule, please click here! Today's post is from Veronica of sewVery.
Hi! I'm Veronica from sewVery. I've been sewing bags and purses along with clothing for my daughter and occasionally myself for at least 3 years now. When I first started my blog, I focused primarily on...
This post is part of Purse Palooza. For contest rules, full details, and schedule, please click here! Today's post is from Lisa of Six Munchkin Stitching and Donna of Eat. Sleep.Create.
I chose to make the Sadie Reversible Tote by Clover and Violet. I pattern tested this bag and I loved it so much that I made another one. The...
This post is part of Purse Palooza. For contest rules, full details, and schedule, please click here! Today's post is from Bree of My Crafty Crap.
Hey there! Bree here from My Crafty Crap, which unfortunately has been very quiet for a while now, but you can find me over on Instagram these days.
Today I'm sharing the Sidekick Sling Bag...
I love this tote; it’s just darling. I’m getting ready to make one, and I know there’s some discussion about the large divider side length: whether it should be 21 or 20 or 20.5. Do you have any advice on that, as to which you used and whether you thought it was the right length, whether you’d do it differently next time? thanks!!
I did it as the pattern and had no length discrepancies. I had read that others had problems with this but it worked out ok for me. The dividers are tricky when fitting the inner sections together and I did need to reference the extra web link photos a lot!
I love this. You did a great job. I am going to add this pattern to my list of needed pattern.
Thankyou Brenda!
You’re so organized…LOL.
Great fabric choices.
Love it !!!
Cute tote and so great for going to bee, or any place you need a nbit of stitching on hand. Make a great gift too.
It is really handy and the shape flex gives it such stability too
Thankyou!
Really love your Social Tote – it is definitely on my to-do list!
Your tote is adorable! I really need to stop and make this!
I love both of your versions. I think this is probably something I’d love to receive but not want to make myself!
I love this tote; it’s just darling. I’m getting ready to make one, and I know there’s some discussion about the large divider side length: whether it should be 21 or 20 or 20.5. Do you have any advice on that, as to which you used and whether you thought it was the right length, whether you’d do it differently next time? thanks!!
I did it as the pattern and had no length discrepancies. I had read that others had problems with this but it worked out ok for me. The dividers are tricky when fitting the inner sections together and I did need to reference the extra web link photos a lot!