I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I hadn't heard of a blog "Sew Along" before, but this morning as I was "blog browsing", I came across a sew along that is just starting over at Craft Buds.  Lindsay, the host of the sew along, is providing the free pattern download for an awesome pleated pillow, and if that isn't enough right there - there will also be 5 awesome prizes drawn to random participants.  All you have to do is sew... along.

While I know this is a bag-making blog, I'm not just a bag lady!  I just can't help but get drawn in immediately when hearing the beautiful words: patch, pattern, and prize.  After imagining the completed project made with lovely scraps from my Amy Butler fabrics, I was hooked and reeled in.  Instant download, here we come.

As Lindsay from Craft Buds says, "The sew along lasts just over three weeks. With an estimated 2.5 to 3 hours of total sewing time, you can whip up a cheery throw pillow to brighten up your living room, guest bed or any place that needs a little sunshine!"

I hope you sew along too!  Click on the picture to see the details.

Thank you for looking,
Janelle

The Emmaline Bag with 1" handbag straps.

Click on the pic to zoom!

Last week I started a facebook contest, and the prize was a copy of my new PDF Sewing Pattern, The Teardrop Bag.  The winners were "carefully chosen" by a panel of judges, (me and my dog, Toohey) using strict criteria.  In order to win the amazing prize, you first had to enter the contest, and then you had to... WIN.  Yes, everyone who entered won!  Trust me, it felt really good anouncing that all eleven entries were winners, and the positive, grateful, responses were enough to make me want to do it again some day very soon!

Christy's Cute REG size Teardrop Bag

First, out of the gate to whip up a Teardrop Bag was Christy from Pink Stitches in Fresno, California.  Christy made the Regular size, she loved the pattern and can't wait to make another very soon.  She also added her own flare by making her bag reversible.  You can see all of the pictures of her scrumptious pink bag in our Flickr group (please add yours too!).  Christy Packard  has found a new addiction in bag making and you can find several in her facebook shop, which she is adding to daily.  Her passion for colour shines through and shows up in all of her bags, totes and clutches.  Check out what Christy is doing HERE. 

Do you want fabulous labels for your craft or sewing products, but are totally discouraged by the price, wait time, and selection?  Make your own like it did.  It's too easy and they look so professional!


I sourced a lot of label companies, and yes there are a lot of choices.  There are woven and printed, satin and twill etc., but not only are commercial labels quite costly, but there is usually a minimum order quantity.  I don't know about you, but I'm not willing to fork out a large amount of my well earned crafting cash to order 500 labels that I may not like or use later on down the road.  The truth is, when I printed my own labels, it was mostly because I was too impatient to wait for a label order and needed a bunch for a market right quick, so I made my own and was very happy with the results.  If you are making something in a very large quantity, it still could be easier and cheaper (per label) to order them.  There are a lot of websites out there that handle woven labels, so do your homework and get a few prices.  But if you want to print your own, I can show you how.

 
How about trying another way to do an internal zipper pocket.  If you have already tried Sew an Easy Zipper Pocket - Method 1, you might want to now expand your fabulous zipper skills and try one slightly different.  

This still a very easy pocket, but it does have a couple more steps than the other.  It's done a little differently so that the zipper edges are hidden on the inside.  The bag pocket itself, provides a facing.  You can't tell the difference from the outside of the pocket, the big secret is how it looks from the inside.  See the photo!  

If you are feeling adventurous and really want to look like a zipper pocket pro, try Method 2.

So you are making a handbag; welcome to your new addiction!  Does your handbag pattern tell you to put in a magnetic snap, but it doesn't tell you how?  It's funny how those magnetic snap sellers just assume that everyone knows the tricks, so they don't enclose instructions.  Frustrating!  I hope this little tutorial is the help you need.  No more velcro please!  You are banned from velcro, these magnetic snaps look so professional and are way too easy to put in.

** Update: You can now buy magnetic snaps in my shop HERE!

If you would rather watch a video, I've added this one for you:



Let's get started:

1.  You should ALWAYS put on some type of interfacing on any fabric surface no matter how thick the fabric is.  Magnets get pulled at and treated roughly and you need to reduce fraying, stretching and ripping as much as possible.  The iron-on adhesive helps keep the fibers together too.
Cut a 1.5" square of Heavy weight fusible interfacing. Center the square exactly where your pattern tells you to place the magnet.  I like to draw a line on each fabric piece and line the upper edge of my square on this, this ensure that both fabric pieces have their own half of the magnetic closure in the exact same place.  In this tutorial, I am going to fold my bag lining in half to find the center, and on this center line I am going to draw a line exactly 1" down from the top.

How about a slip pocket in that bag you are making?  Try one of these super easy slip pockets. They are so handy for your mobile phone, your keys, your cards or even your favourite lipstick.  They are quick to make and look fab!  You can't create a bag without pockets!

TIP #1:  Always leave your needle down (in the fabric) when turning corners or when you turn your pocket inside right, you will have puckering.

TIP #2:  Before turning right side out, press the seam allowance on the 3” in opening open. Do this by first pressing one side back, then flipping over and pressing back the other. 

Sew many options!

If you have found this tutorial helpful in the slightest way, please follow my blog by either GFC, Blog-lovin, Email or signing up for my Newsletter on the right side bar.   And... please share your finished bags with me in the Emmaline Sewing Patterns Group.  I love to see your finished Emmaline inspired projects!