Following Patterns

Some of you know me from Yahoo Groups--others don't.  Well, those who do know that I like doing my own thing when I make bags.  This week I followed a pattern.  Yes I DID!!!!  It was really hard for me to stay on track with this one because that little voice just kept saying "But!!!!!!  Don't you want to do it this way.  It might be better this way.  Come on, ya know ya want to."  Well that was what I kept hearing.  I did do a few things a little different.  But nothing that would affect the appearance of the original pattern.  Right now I can't get a picture in here, but as soon as I can I will.

This is the Hobo Pattern from jcaroline.

http://www.jcarolin ecreative. com/Merchant2/ merchant. mvc?Store_ Code=JC&Screen= HOBO_BAG

I had the idea for members in the Yahoo Group "sewingtotebagsandpurses" to all work on the same bag so that some could help others with problems, just being funny in the suggestion.  Well of course I had to join in, it was my idea, oh my, not even thinking that far ahead when I mentioned it. But it was fun and I learned something new.  That afterall was the plan.  To learn something.

Now that bag is done I have enough fabric left to make another bag of some sort.  I really haven't figured out where I am going with it yet.  I have about three others that I am working on.  I don't quite have them on paper yet.  They are just floating around.  But the night is young and Bob is at his cousins watching the Super Bowl.  So it's me and the dog.

Boxed Bag Bottom

  This is my first tutorial. We are going to hope I can make this understandable enough.

There are different methods for squaring off bag bottoms. I am going to try to explain my method which may or may not be like anyone else’s.

I am not going to go through the process of getting to this point. Only from this point to make your bag bottom.

You will need:

Your bag with side seams and bottom stitched together

Ruler that is at least 4 to 6 inches X 4 to 6 inches. (mine is 4 X 13)

Pins

Fabric marking tool

Iron

Sewing machine ready to go.

At this point the bag will look very similar to this. Wrong side out and flat. Very flat. Pressed to the point of maximum flatness. The goal here is to be able to see the crease in the bottom.

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The next step is to press the seam open part way to the corner on the bottom. DO NOT trim the seam at the bottom or cut off the corner. This will be used in the squaring process.

Now with a bit of finagling (what a word) that seam is laid flat to the bottom of the bag and matched up with the crease to the seam. This is shown in the picture below The crease is shown with a purple line so it is easier to see. Then grab the point (shown in the last picture)of the seam and pull this point out so that the stitching is the point.

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Now the big decision-----How big do you want the bottom of your bag. I know decisions, decisions, decisions. Well now is the time. For purposes here we are using 4 inches.

The seam is laid to the side at the point and press making sure the crease and seam match (like above) and the stitch point is a point.

Now to make the bottom a bottom. You will need your ruler at this point. Line up a mark with the seam and 2” deep. When this is lined up perfectly it should also measure 2” either side of the seam. This is why it is so important to have the point really pointed. Whew I hope that makes sense.

I then mark this with a fabric marker, pin and stitch opening that seam to eliminate bulk. I usually sew across, pivot and sew back on this line.

Then press and turn right side out. You can trim off the triangle or leave it. Whichever method you prefer. Poke out the corners and press again.

Please give input.  I would really like to know if there is something that is not clear and feel free to contact me with any questions.

2010

It is January 1, 2010.  Another year starting with many hopes for the new year. My first hope is that my husbands job goes from temp to permanant.  My 2nd is that maybe I can go visit my older children in PA and FL.  The rest don't mean much compared to these.

My creative juices will take me where they will.   I have made many friends in the yahoo groups I am in.  I am moderator in one, it is really getting to be a fun group.  But the main thing is that there are like minded people who love doing the same things I do. 

But to all of you I sure do wish you all a wonderful New Year with all the blessings that may come your way.  Enjoy the adventure.  I received a text from a friend today that said this--Today is the first blank page of a 365 page book, write a good one.  I loved that thought and am passing it on to you.  HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

Monday Again

Yes it is.  Monday!!!!  Christmas is 4 days away.  I have a ton of little stuff to wrap and big stuff that is way to weird shaped to wrap.  I did finish 2 bags for gifts and sent them out.  They are really cool.  I went back to my crazy patch which now has another name.

Free Form Crazy Patch.  My friend Barbara gave it that name and I think it fits it well. One of the bags is a tote and the other was made using the pattern for the "Katti Lynn".  I have also figured out that I really need to make more in the style of the original "Katti Lynn" with a few improvements.

Monday Realization

It is Monday.  18 days til Christmas.  ONLY 18 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  OH my, now I feel behind.  I haven't even started my shopping but I do know what I want to get and I know where I will get it. At least that shouldn't be a problem. 

To many projects and to little time.   I guess the first thing I need to do is finish the Glove Reindeer I started a week ago.  They just need their eyes, nose, bows and ears.  And everything is sitting right there ready to go.  I guess I am getting sidetracked by my current purse.  I am really liking it.  I hope I have enough fabric left to make another one.  I can't wait to be able to show it to all of you and see what You think.  I like constructive criticism. That is the only way I am going to improve and being the perfectionist that I tend to be--------------Well all you other perfectionists know what I mean.

I Got Lost

Yup I think I did.  I was working toooooo many hours and had way to many things in the frying pan.  Thanksgiving is done and I ate too much.  Now it is time to get going.

I finally have time to get back to sewing.  Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I have 2 bags in process.  I gave up on the diaper bag for now.  I was just having to much trouble focusing on it.  So I started something new.  It had been nagging at me to get it started anyway.  So I did.

In that creative line.  I woke up one morning (imagine that)  way to early.  Like 4am.  That for me is way to early.  Anyway,  I couldn't sleep.  I had way to many ideas flying around in my head.  I decided that I might just as well get up and put them on paper.  So I did!!!  I spent the next 45 minutes drawing pictures.  Now I just have to get them in fabric or not.  The ideas are there on paper whenever I get ready.

I am trying to get some gifts ready.  Simple ones.  Like cosmetic type bags.  Pot holders.  Reindeer ornaments.  And one not so simple one.  My dear hubby will not use the quilt I made him last year.  He doesn't want to get it dirty.....?????  He did say I could make an afghan with camo yarn.  That must be the hunter in him---camo.  Uh--ok!!!  So I am working on that when he is at work and when the wrists are not hurting.  Usually I have to hurry and put it away because I forget what time it is.  It goes into a large garbage bag--gets tied--and put in the computer room.  Thank goodness he doesn't make a practice of going through things.  Should be done soon.

Life and Retirement

I spent part of the day working on a bag that has been waiting to be finished, only to discover that I have 3 bags, a diaper bag, 2 cosmetic bags, 2 jewelry bags, a pattern or 2 that I want to study for the technique(like a drawstring) and who knows what all.  On top of all that our church is having a Christmas bazaar and want me to have a table.  I have maybe three bags that are finished and maybe a half dozen felted bags from a few years back.  I could maybe dig up a baby afghan or two.  Other than that I got nothin'. Not enough for two days!!!!  So unless I can be super woman and work at this day and night it won't happen.  I really am disappointed too.  I need to be more visible.  I just don't see any way it is going to happen.  To much work and to little play is what is happening.  I enjoy the work and in a few years I will quit.  Hmmmmmm So this is what retirement is like.