renske’s minimalist tote bag
A talented seamstress with a mission, Renske Solkesz decided to create her own wardrobe after finding herself frustrated with high fashion prices. When we saw her chic and modern wardrobe creations, we asked if she’d be willing to create and share a fun accessory tutorial with us. I’m super excited about what she’s come up with: an amazing self-closing utilitarian tote! I’m a huge fan of the graphic contrast and the leather and rivet details. CLICK HERE for the full how-to after the jump! When I designed this bag, I wanted to integrate the grip/straps in a more functional way with the rest of the bag. A friend of mine called it a “yin yang bag,” which is pretty accurate, I think. Materials Tools HammerSewing machineScissorsPinsChalkMeasuring tapeIronPattern template Instructions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Finished!
Wallet-to-Tote On the Go ~ Tutorial
Lorraine from ikat bag is a favorite around here… She has tons of fun tutorials on her blog and she’s joined us before with this wonderful Back to School Pencil Case tutorial. Today Lorraine shares a tutorial for a new summer essential, the On the Go Wallet-to-Tote! Construction includes three main parts: Assembling the Wallet, Assembling the Outer Bag and Making the Lining. From Lorraine: Hello, Everyone. These little bags have been around for as long as I can remember, and I thought they’d be a useful addition to the arsenal of summer gear I stash in my car and/or purse. I have three little girls, aged 3,4 and 6, and we’ve found that summer always takes us on adventures we hadn’t planned for– detours to farmer’s markets, dancing in the rain or treasure hunting en route to the park. We always appreciate an extra bag or two for our loot (and wet clothes)! Part One: Assemble the Wallet:You will need: Note: Please see Part Two & Part Three for a full list of supplies. The bag is completed!
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Neck Tie School Bag
Got lots of neck ties lying around? Use them to make this unique bag! What you need Okay, you'll need a bunch of ties. Instructions Let’s start with the gusset/handle: you’ll need four ties: (Figure 1) Lay them out like this. Join each pair side by side with a super-wide triple zigzag stitch. (Figure 2) Just feed the ties through side by side, no “right sides together” or pinning or anything. Stitch each pair together side by side halfway up. (Figure3 ) Now you have have two pairs of ties sewn together. Just do another triple zigzag over the center of each tie following the center seam on the wrong side. (Figure 4) Now place the fat ends of the ties right sides together and stitch across with a regular straight stitch. Your gusset/strap piece is now complete! Now we are going to make the pattern for the front and back of the bag. (Figure 5) Now mark a dot at the inside points between the ties. Remove the ties and connect the dots. (Figure 6) Cut this pattern out. (Figure 7) Unfold paper – Voila!
Tutorial: Fabric Bucket/Basket | The Stitchin' Chicken
It’s been a long week! I meant to post this sooner, but other things kept getting in the way. Better late than never? This bucket/basket (I will refer to it as a bucket as we go through) is approximately 8″ wide x 6″ deep x 6″tall. Materials: Approx. 1/2 yd each – fabric for outside and fabric for liner Batting – 1/2 yd in length (please see notes at the end) Matching thread for assembly (you can use a contrasting thread for final top stitching if you choose) graph paper (or your choice of material to draw a pattern out on – see notes at the end) ruler pencil pins walking foot for machine (not required, but it makes it a lot easier to sew with the batting) First I am going to show you how to draw out a pattern. Pattern Drawn Out I start out drawing out what will be the base of the bucket first. Side Ends You need to do the same for the front panels of the bucket: Side Measurement for Front and Back Here is a larger view to help you see the entire pattern. Batting, lining & outside Assembly: Press:
Making Your Own Pattern: a tutorial
Patterns aren't cheap. Seriously, I was browsing through through the look books at Hobby Lobby the other day and some of them were as much as $20. Tack that on to the price of fabric and other supplies and suddenly sewing your own clothing becomes very expensive. Thankfully, you can make your own patterns using your own clothing that you know to fit well. I used Scotch Postal Wrapping Paper as my pattern paper. I used paper because I like to lay my pattern piece down and trace the shape directly onto my fabric. Muslin fabric is another great material that would allow you to pin the pattern piece to your fabric. Lay your garment down on the paper and determine the middle of the top. Mark right above the collar and right below the hem. Draw a rough outline of one half of the top. When you get to the sleeve, do your best to fold it back so that you just see the armhole. This first pattern piece I'm working on will serve as the back of the pattern. Now for the sleeves. *Update*
Free Sewing Patterns to Sew Your Own Purse, Pocketbook and Hand Bags
Not many people can have a handbag to match every outfit. Sewing your own pocketbooks and purses with these free patterns, allows you to have more handbags than you could every purchase at designer prices... and they will all be in the fabric and colors of your choosing! 1. Free Directions to Sew Your Own Pocketbook Debbie Colgrove, Licensed to About.com This is a very useful pocketbook that can meet your needs for almost every possible use. 3. This bag is a great place to explore mixing and matching different fabrics to create a handbag. 4. Everyone has old jeans they don't want to part with. 5. Find a single woven placemat and transform it into this simple to sew pocketbook. 7. Grab a couple of round placemats the next time you go shopping and then transform them in to this usable handbag. 8. This oval shaped bag features zipped pockets on the front and back, a flat bottom, self fabric handles and gathered sides. 9. 10. Sometimes you have to have a smaller purse.
make your own 6-pocket mini pocketbook and stay organized — insatiable need
I’m sure that many of you, like me, are on an eternal quest for organization. I know I’m not alone in finding the Container Store’s promise of a perfect, organized life utterly seductive. But here’s the thing…I don’t really like purging, I love my stuff. Therefore I also love pretty things in which to stash my stuff, so I get to enjoy my fantasy of being organized and contained. This tutorial is about helping you stay organized, in a quick, easy, and super-cute way. It is a distilled version of the Holland Cox pocketbook, and is a breeze to make. the pattern …is only four rectangles. the body is 7.25″ tall.the large pocket is 5.5″ tallthe medium pocket is 4.25″ tallthe small pocket is 3″ tall materials needed I chose a vintage cotton canvas for the body in a bright retro floral, and quilting weight cotton in a matching color for the interior. You’ll also need a button and a bit of elastic for the closure, and a bit of ribbon for the pen. start with the pockets 1. 2. the closure 3. 4. 6.
