I’ve seen a lot of posts lately from other crafters and sewists about trying new things, so when this opportunity came up, I decided to go for it! I’m joining Pattern Revolution for the One Thimble blog tour. I made some hats! They aren’t even remotely close to bags, and this pattern I’m sharing with you today was easy peasy, even for a bag-maker like me.

I’m also really excited to tell you about One Thimble, a Sewing Ezine, loaded with PDF patterns, tips, and articles.  This latest issue includes 12 PDFs for a variety of patterns, including accessories, clothes for kids and a few extras.

I really loved the layout of the pattern, it was very visually appealing, plus Red Hot Tips throughout were helpful. I wasn’t familiar with the interfacing brand mentioned, so I used what I figured were Pellon alternatives based on a couple quick searches with google (Shapeflex, Craft Fuse and Thermolam), and was really pleased with the results. I’m also quite possibly the world’s slowest sewist, but I managed to get each of these sewn up really quickly, so I imagine anyone with a normal pace can get one done in under an hour start to finish.

My youngest preferred to wear his as a bucket hat, which I think makes this pattern that much more versatile, like 2 hats in one. I also had a bit of fun with trying out a couple different coordinates for one hat. I picked up a twill remnant at my local fabric store and it paired so nicely with my designer cottons. The only thing I changed was the way the lines are added on the brim at the final step. I did spiral for my first one (pictured on the left below), but preferred concentric circles of stitching instead.

I couldn’t help but to get an action shot at the beach since these Robert Kaufman ‘Message in a Bottle’ prints are all about the ocean.

Fabrics used
Dinosaur hat: Natural History by Lizzy House for Andover Fabrics fromFabric Spark
Robot/Shoes/Numbers hat: Boy Crazy by My Mind’s Eye for Riley Blake Designs from For the Love of Fabric
Ocean bottles/Whales hat: Message in a Bottle by Suzy Ultman for Robert Kaufman

Hop on the tour to see some of the other great patterns in this issue!

The best part about Sew-alongs is seeing all the different finished bags at the end. There were some really beautiful Super Totes made this time around! I’ve shared a few above, they are made by: (clockwise from top left) Crystal of Cloth Albatross, Jackie of Beauty out of Dust, Kristy ofRock Baby Scissors, Wendy of w.d. Handbags, and Jenny. 

Maxine did a great job on hers too! It’s all ready for a day at the beach! 

Courtney also did an amazing job, using Cotton + Steel from 3 different lines that match beautifully. Courtney also happens to be the random winner for the prize of any two Noodlehead PDF patterns! She chose the Divided Basket and the Caravan Tote + Pouch; great choices Courtney!

Prizes are done, but you can still join in the fun! The Super Tote pattern is still discounted with code STSAL, valid until August 31, 2015.

https://www.noodle-head.com/product/super-tote-pdf-pattern-2

Find the Sew-Along here. 

I really hope you’ve enjoyed this Sew-Along. I have another one coming up soon, but first, expect to see something completely different from me! Hint: it’s NOT a bag! I’m also working on some tutorials to share with you soon. If there’s something you’re looking for, let me know in the comments, or send me a message.

You may remember this bag I made as part of the Bag of the Month Club. It’s the Companion Carpet Bag from Sewing Patterns by Mrs H, and Mrs H has asked me over to her blog for a sew-along!
Whether you ‘ve been waiting for an excuse to make one, or you’ve made it before, we’re happy to have you join us! 
If you still need the pattern, you can save 10% with code CCBAGSAL, and as a bonus, you actually save 10% off everything in your cart, not just the carpet bag, so if you’ve been eyeing up some other Mrs. H patterns, now’s your chance to pick them up. You can get the pattern here.

In case you need some motivation, Samantha (Mrs. H) has rounded up some really great prizes:

• 1st prize is $25 CAD shop credit at  Emmaline Bags and one £10 pattern bundle from Mrs. H 
• 2nd prize £10 shop credit at Bobbin Girl and one £10 pattern bundle from Mrs. H, 

• 3rd prize one £10 pattern bundle from Mrs. H

The Sew-Along will take place over on Mrs H’s blog, and will start August 16, and run each Sunday until the end of August. You’ll have until October 1st to finish your bag and submit a picture to enter for a prize. Over here on my blog, you’ll be able to find tutorials related to making this bag, like making your own handles.

This pattern calls for a metal frame with a specific hinge, which you can find at Emmaline Bags (Canada and US) or Bobbin Girl (UK). I really recommend sticking to this specific frame, because the hinge is closed and finger-friendly. It comes in 2 sizes, and the pattern also offers a small and large bag.

So go pick up your pattern and order your supplies, and I’ll meet you over at Samantha’s place on August 16th. If your frame doesn’t come right away, don’t worry, it’s literally the last step of the bag, so we won’t need it for a while yet. You’ll also need some handles, which you can make, buy, or salvage from another bag (read about that in this post). Again, you won’t need the handles for a bit yet, so don’t fret about them too much for now.

Here’s my pile of supplies waiting to be made into a small Companion Carpet Bag. 

The Noodlehead Campfire Messenger is the last bag I completed for the Bag of the Month Club. I’ve had the Petal and Plume by Bari J from Art Gallery for a while and as soon as I saw this pattern, I knew the flap would be the perfect way to showcase this gorgeous fabric. I coordinated the Peacock Waltz with Rumpled Gentian and some lovely solids from Stay Home Fabrics for the lining and accents.

This bag is loaded with pockets! With pleated outer pockets on the front, another front pocket (zippered) and a back slip pocket, plus a slip pocket inside. It also features an optional recessed zipper closure, and an adjustable cross-body strap.

The bag has room for another focus print on the inside flap too! The pattern originally called for snap tabs on the flap and pleated pockets, but I didn’t have any snaps that would go nicely with these elegant fabrics, so decided to create a different closure type: with 2 D-rings and a strap. I thought I was being really original, but as it turned out, others had done the same thing. They must have great minds! Since being released apart from the Bag of the Month Club, Anna has updated the pattern to include the D-ring closure and also a thumb-lock option.

I used Pellon Flex Foam 77 as my main stabilizer in the bag, plus Pellon Shapeflex 101 throughout and Pellon Craft Fuse 808 for the pleated pockets and back pocket. I was a bit nervous about the pleated pockets, but they were a cinch to do with the pattern instructions. I opted for the recessed zipper to create a more finished and functional bag. I used bulk zipper tape and pulls from Paccana to make my own matching zippers. See my blog post and video here to make your own! The bag is finished with binding along the top to join the the interior and exterior. I think the binding on the pocket tops is nice, but I may sew it without the binding finish next time, and just turn it through a gap next time since binding finishes aren’t my strong suit. I do like how it ties in all the accent pieces though.

For my final touch, I used metal zipper ends from Emmaline Bags. I think they add the perfect amount of bling, and I love them because they save me from fussy fabric zipper ends.

What do you think of the Campfire Messenger? Print out your copy of the PDF and get started on your own! If you weren’t part of the Bag of the Month Club, you can now buy this pattern individually from Noodlehead, here. 

Now that you’ve had a chance to see some of the bags from this year’s Bag of the Month Club, I’m curious if you’ll be joining me next year. Answer this quick poll, or leave me a comment.

Hi everyone! I wanted to point out a new feature on my site: the “Sales” tab. Each week, I will post sales I find in the Sales tab. The sales will be for fabric, pattern, supplies, or anything sewing related. I’ve turned the comments section on for that tab, so if you know of a sale that should be shared, you can let us all know in the comments section. If you have your own shop, feel free to send me a message, and I’ll be happy to post the sale for you.

Head on over to the Sales tab now and see what’s on sale! 

I know a lot of people slow their sewing down in the summer months, but I’m working on some great projects to share with you soon. Stay tuned for some mini-tutorials, round-ups, and some new pattern reviews. I even have a non-sewing craft to share with you too!

Are you joining me for the Super Tote Sew-Along? There’s still time for the discounts and a prize. Check out Day 1 for all the details and to get started.

How To Win until August 5

• Post a picture of your completed Super Tote on Facebook using #HappyOkapiSTSAL, make sure the post is public so I can see it; it can be on your business page or personal page

• Post a picture of your completed Super Tote on Instagram using #HappyOkapiSTSAL, make sure the post is public so I can see it

• Email me a picture of your completed Super Tote

• Post a link of a picture of your completed Super Tote in the comments of the DAY 3 blog post (that’s this one)
• Upload a picture of your completed Super Tote through my Contact form

*This is an affiliate link. I earn a small portion of class and supply purchases made through my link, which I use toward operating costs of this website. Thank you for your support!

How exciting! We’re almost finished, and the best part is that it’s all sewing from here on out! If you still need to catch up, you can find Day 1 here, and Day 2 here. Don’t forget to take advantage of the discounts right now too:
Anna from Noodlehead has generously set up a coupon code for my readers to save 20% off the Super Tote pattern. Use code STSAL, valid until August 31, 2015.

Daryl from Fabric Spark has also generously agreed to extend a discount to my readers, and I think you’ll agree it’s the perfect discount for this pattern: Save 15% off all Linen/Canvas fabrics, with code Happy15 until July 31, 2015

Yesterday we completed all the different pieces, and today we’ll put them together to assemble and complete the bag. 

If you’ve chosen a recessed zipper, you’ll need to add it to the lining. We’ll do that now. If you’ve opted not to have a recessed zipper, skip to the gussets. Take your completed recessed zipper panel and place it right side up on Lining B, which should be right side up, matching folded edge of zipper panel to top raw edge of lining B, then place lining A right side down on top, matching raw edges of lining A and B with folded edge of zipper panel sandwiched between lining pieces. Sew together, open and press seam up toward lining A, then topstitch on lining A. Repeat with remaining lining pieces and other half of recessed zipper panel. 

Place both exterior gusset pieces right sides together. If you have a directional fabric, pay attention to which ends are together. Sew along one short edge, press seam open and topstitch along each seam. Repeat with lining gusset pieces. Next step is marking the pleats on the gussets. Flip over and use the pattern piece to place your marks onto the interfaced sides of the unsewn short edges of the gussets. You will be making marks on each short edge of both the exterior and lining gussets.

Once you’ve placed your marks, fold right sides together, matching the pleat marks and sew along the pleat line, making sure to backstitch several times. Do this for each pleat marking (2 on exterior gusset, and 2 on lining). Press all pleats open (flat).
Now we attach the gussets! This is my favourite part!! Start by finding the centers of your assembled exterior bag front, then pin/clip center of gusset right sides together there and then matchup top of bag front with top of gusset and pin/clip there. You want to take your time with this step to make sure it’s lined up nicely, use lots of pins or clips.

To sew together, start at top of gusset/bag front, then sew down toward the center, then start again at the other side and continue again to the center, completing the line of stitching. Repeat with exterior bag back and other edge of gusset. Then repeat with lining gusset and assembled lining, except leave a 4-5″ turning hole on one side or bottom of one lining/gusset, making sure to backstitch at start and stop of hole. The lining will be a bit tricker, because the zipper panel connects the lining pieces. Just make sure you don’t sew through the zipper panel. I pinned mine out of the way. Open zipper at least half way. Turn exterior bag right side out. If you’re feeling adventurous, press seam allowance toward gusset and topstitch along gusset. This step is optional, but does give an extra nice touch; it’s tricky, my tip is to not be afraid to manhandle the bag.

Place the exterior bag into the lining, right sides together. 

Match up all seams and pin or clip along top of the bag (make sure you tuck you handles in, or even pin them safely inside the bag). Sew along top of bag, using the free arm makes this step a lot easier. Now turn bag right sides out and give it a good once over. If you see any spots that need to be sewn, now’s your chance to fix it before you close it all up. Press the edges of the turning hole in and stitch using a very small seam allowance or hand stitch the hole closed. Push the lining inside the exterior and finger press, then press along top edge. I like to use clips here too. I find sometimes when I don’t clip, this folded edge can roll, and I don’t end up with a nice even topstitch. 

Topstitch along top edge of bag; I usually stitch about 1/8″ away from the edge, but this distance comes down to personal preference. Anna suggests in the pattern, and I agree, that a slightly longer stitch length looks really nice for a final topstitch. If you’re using metal zipper ends, and you haven’t installed them yet, do that now. Now your bag is finished!! Give it a final pressing and go show it off! Don’t forget to use #HappyOkapiSTSAL to be entered to win the prize and share your work. Let me know if I can share your pictures too. 

As a recap, here’s how you can win 2 Noodlehead patterns of your choice.

How To Win until August 5

• Post a picture of your completed Super Tote on Facebook using #HappyOkapiSTSAL, make sure the post is public so I can see it; it can be on your business page or personal page

• Post a picture of your completed Super Tote on Instagram using #HappyOkapiSTSAL, make sure the post is public so I can see it

• Email me a picture of your completed Super Tote

• Post a link of a picture of your completed Super Tote in the comments of the DAY 3 blog post (that’s this one)
• Upload a picture of your completed Super Tote through my Contact form

Welcome back! If you missed Day 1, check it out here.  Yesterday we did all the prep work, and today we’ll do what I call “the fussy work,” leaving the assembly of the bag for tomorrow. A note about this sew-along: the pattern is written wonderfully, so feel free to refer to it as we go along. Let’s get sewing!

The pattern gives directions to make the strap by turning a tube and topstitching, but I prefer a method I learned in a different Noodlehead pattern. I’m going to use the size of the straps already stated in the pattern, but feel free to alter your strap size. I use 2 different fabrics for each strap. I start by placing one set of straps right sides together and sewing along the long edge. Then press seam to one side, and fold and press each long raw edge into center crease, then bring folded edges together. Topstitch along long edge where folds meet, then topstitch along other long edge. Repeat with remaining set of straps. Set aside.

As mentioned in Day 1, I like my pockets to be fully lined. I’ll start by inserting a magnetic snap into the lining of my pocket. I folded my pocket in half to find the center, then marked a dot 2″ from the top raw edge of the pocket lining to mark my snap. I like to use my seam ripper to cut the slots for my magnetic snap; just go slowly when you’re cutting, making sure the hole isn’t too big. I also used a scrap of stabilizer on the wrong side of my pocket lining to help secure my snap and make sure it doesn’t rip through the fabric when being used. I added the male half to the pocket and will add the female half to the front of the bag later. 

If you want to add piping to the pocket, add it now, by matching the raw edges of the piping to the top raw edge on the right side of the pocket front. If you’ve never tried piping before, this is a great time to give it a go! It’s just one straight line, so as far as piping goes, it doesn’t get any easier than this. Place the pocket front and lining pieces right sides together and sew along the top (as close to the piping as you can if you added it). Turn right sides out, press and topstitch.  Set aside.

Since my interior pockets are fully lined, I start by sewing both pieces right sides together, turning, pressing and topstitching. Then I add another row of stitching 1/2″ away from the previous toptstitch, to create a casing for my elastic. Feed the elastic through, secure with zigzag stitch on both ends. Baste bottom of pocket pieces together and gather until the pocket is the same width as the lining pattern piece B. Baste pocket to lining along side and bottom. Sew vertical line in center of pocket as divider. Repeat with remaining pocket pieces and elastic.

This part is optional, but I highly recommend it. I think zippers give bags a much more finished look. Take your recessed zipper panel and fold in all edges 1/4″, wrong sides facing. I use my metal gauge for this step – just make sure you don’t touch it, because the iron heats it up pretty quickly! Once all your sides are folded in, fold the piece in half lengthwise (like a hotdog) and press again. Now open up one crease on a long edge and match the raw edge to  one long edge of the underside of your zipper tape, pin or clip, then sew along crease. Now flip zipper over and fold panel back, then topstitch along short sides and long side closest to zipper, leaving folded edge unstitched. Repeat with remaining panel and other side of zipper. I will be adding metal zipper tabs to my bag as the final step, but if you’re using fabric tabs, add them now as directed in pattern.

Place straps on Exterior B centered and 4.5″ apart, then pin in place. Then place Exterior A right sides together on Exterior B, matching long raw edge of A with top raw edge of B. Sew in place, securing straps as well. Lift Exterior A, press seam allowance down and top stitch along top of Exterior B. See diagram in pattern for stitching placement to further secure straps. Repeat above for remaining Exterior A, B and strap. Baste assembled pocket onto front Exterior A/B assembly along sides and bottom (curve) of pocket. At this point, you can find the perfect placement for the other half the magnetic snap, and install it, again using a piece of scrap stabilizer on the wrong side of the bag front.

That’s plenty for today. Come back tomorrow when we’ll complete the bag!