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Castell Day Bag Sew Along Day 3

August 23, 2017 by Reece M.

Welcome back to the Castell Day Bag Sew Along. It’s Day 3 and if you need to catch up, you can check the previous days below.

Here’s the schedule:
Day 1: Getting started – cutting and fusing pieces
Day 2: Starting Exterior of bag
Day 3: Finish Exterior of bag (that’s today!)
Day 4: Make the Lining
Day 5: Finish the bag!

Finishing Outer Shell

Day 2 left us with completed front and back panels and now we are going to join them. Pin or clip along the bottom edges to join and sew together.

Press that bottom seam open and position the assembled exterior wrong side touching the foam stabilizer.

Smooth fabric over foam, pin in place, especially along the long seams that attached the side pieces to center panels. Topstitch on the side piece side of those seams. Staying in the seam allowance mark 1″ away from each of these seams, away from center. Run a basting stitch between the 1″ marks, making sure you move the handles out of the way.

Using a ruler or another long straight edge, mark a diagonal line connecting one end of the previous basting stitch to the closest inside corner. Repeat for all 4 corners.

Make sure the shape that is now marked out looks like the one below and in the pattern and cut away the foam only, leaving inside shape of foam and all fabric intact. If you are adding purse feet, decide where you’d like them and mark where to make your small cuts for the prongs.To place mine, I drew lines connecting the inside corners so I could visualize the base of the bag, then measured in 1.5″ from those lines, and 2″ in from notches at sides. I used my seam ripper to make very small holes for the prongs and push the feet through from the right side of the fabric and anchored them with the washers.

Now fold up the bag right sides together, matching the side edges. Clip or pin and sew together along just the side edges.

To box the corners, we bring the seam from the sides to meet the seam from the bottom. Lay the seams flat and clip together. Sew one line at the regular seam allowance (3/8″) and then another to help reinforce, 1/8″ outside (toward raw edges) the line we just stitched.

Zipper Casing

The zipper casing doesn’t go all the way around the exterior of the bag, so we need to mark the edges, and centers so we can place it correctly. To do this, make a mark 1 1/2″ in from the side seams, on both the front and back of the bag.

Mark centers now too.

To mark the centers of all the zipper casings, you can line them all up and mark 12″ in.

Lining up centers of 2 zipper casings, place right sides together with zipper right side up and zipper pull at right. If you’re using a 24″ zipper, center the zipper teeth with the zipper casings, and if you’re using a longer zipper, it’s ok to have the pull outside of the zipper casing. Sew together with 1/4″ seam allowance and a zipper foot. Pull zipper casings back and match up wrong sides together and press away from zipper, then topstitch. Repeat with other side of the zipper.

Close the end of the zipper casings by sewing over the short ends, be careful sewing over the zipper teeth. Now we need to place the casing on the outer bag. With the bag right side out, and the zipper open all the way, and place the zipper casing right side up laid over top of the bag. Slide the casing over the outer edge of the bag and clip in place, matching center marks on casing and bag.

This is what it should look like once it’s clipped all around between the markings we placed earlier.

Before sewing in place, I like to zip up just to make sure I have the zipper casing on right. Once you’re sure it’s correct, sew in place with a long basting stitch between markings only.

If you’re really keen to get an idea of what the bag will look like when it’s done, you can place the frames in the casing now, but you’ll have to take them out before we attach the lining.

That’s it for now! We will continue with the lining on Friday so you can set the outer bag aside for now. I’d love to see how you’re doing. Share with me on Instagram with #CastellSewAlong or in the Emmaline Sewing Patterns Group on Facebook and don’t forget to tag me @reecemontgomery so I can see. Thanks for joining me and I look forward to seeing you all again for Day 4.

Castell Day Bag Sew Along Day 2

August 21, 2017 by Reece M.

Castell Day Bag Sew Along | Happy Okapi Blog

Welcome back to the Castell Day Bag Sew Along. It’s Day 2 and if you need to catch up, you can check the previous day out here.

Here’s the schedule:
Day 1: Getting started – cutting and fusing pieces
Day 2: Starting Exterior of bag (that’s today!)
Day 3: Finish Exterior of bag
Day 4: Make the Lining
Day 5: Finish the bag!

Getting ready

Today we actually start sewing and before I start a big project, I always like to give my machine a quick clean. I take off the stitch plate cover and take out the bobbin case and use a pipe cleaner to remove all the lint and buildup. The pipe cleaner works well because you can twist and bend it to get into all the nooks and crannies. If it’s really bad, I take out the vacuum. Here’s my before and after.

I also like to change my needle before each project too. I like Microtex needles since they are nice and sharp. Another good idea is to load more than one bobbin of the colour(s) you’ll be using; there’s nothing like stopping to wind a bobbin to interrupt your flow.

Straps etc.

Let’s start with the cross-body strap, handbag straps and strap anchors. For all three, we’re using the same method, so I find it faster to do them together rather than separately. This way my iron stays hot for pressing and I just find it quicker to do similar tasks together. You can choose to use a larger bias tape maker, which does the first set of folding for you.

If you use the bias tape maker, you’ll need to unfold at the ends and fold up 1/4″ at short ends after running through the tool. It’s easy enough to do after and the strip presses back in place.

Or you can do exactly as the pattern instructs, and fold under short ends 1/4″ first, then fold fabric lengthwise towards center.

Now bring the folded ends together and clip or pin in place. Once all the strap/handbag straps/strap anchors are ready to go, bring them over to the machine and stitch around all 4 sides of each.

For the handbag straps, I like to make a mark and fold before applying the ring. Just measure out 1 1/2″ and make a mark with a removable marker or hera marker, and make a crease at that line. Then slip on the ring and fold over at the crease. Clip in place and repeat for remaining end and then repeat on both ends of remaining handbag strap. Then stitch each folded end in place with a box or 2 lines of backstitching.

I put my rivets centred between the 2 lines of stitching. I use my husband’s old rotary punch and a simple setter and anvil for my rivets. I always check a couple sizes of rivets before setting. You don’t want the post to be too long, otherwise the rivet won’t set properly. It’s always a good idea to have a couple sizes on hand. Here’s a really great tutorial to learn more about rivets. They really aren’t that scary, but you should practice on a scrap before you try it out on the bag for the first time.

For the cross-body strap, I do it just like in the pattern, except I clip in place until the whole strap is threaded through everything. Either way will yield the exact same results.

For the strap anchors, simply cut each piece in half so you’ll end up with 4 equal length strap anchors. Put them in a pretty pile with the handbag straps and cross body strap and set them all aside for now.

Exterior panels

Take the Exterior Pocket piece and fold it in half lengthwise to find center; finger press at the top and make a small mark on the wrong side at the top. Do this and the following steps with the other exterior pocket piece. I like to do each step on both pieces (just like with the handles).

Now we’re making a mark 3″ down from the top mark to place the magnetic snap. Fuse a scrap of stabilizer or fleece over the mark and then mark measure again. Use the washer from the magetic snap to make mark for the slits you need to cut for the prongs of the magnet.

Using a seam ripper, carefully cut slits for your prongs, apply fray check. From the right side of the fabric, place the female half of the magnetic snap through the slits. Turn back over to the wrong side and flatten prongs (I like to bend them outward). Then fuse a scrap of interfacing over the back to reduce wear on linings from the metal backing.

Now take you pocket piece with the magnet and lay it right side up on your work surface, then place exterior pocket lining right side down, matching tops – note the lining is shorter.

Stitch along the top, then bring the pieces wrong sides together, matching the bottom, so that some of the exterior pocket is above the lining. Press in place and topstitch. You may choose a decorative stitch or style that you’ll be using throughout the bag for all the topstitching.

Now place the topstitched, assembled pocket fronts on the exterior center panel, lining side down and exterior side up, matching the bottoms and sides of the pockets to the panels, clip and baste in place.

Attach the long side of the side piece to the long side of the assembled center panel. I clip each (all 4) long side at the same time and then sew all at the same time. Press the seams out, toward the side pieces. At this point, it’s really tempting to topstitch along those sides, but don’t just yet.

To make the pocket flaps, you’ll need to add the male half of the magnetic snap to the lining of the flap. Use the mark on the pattern piece to find placement, and follow same steps we did to attach the female ends. Now place lining and exterior pieces of flap right sides together and sew around, leaving a turning gap of about 3″ along the top, straight edge. I almost always forget to stop for the turning gap, so I add a second clip on top of the last clip to remind me to stop. Backstitch at starts and stops.

Turn right side out and smooth edges out. Check to make sure the curves are nice and even before you press everything in place. Tuck turning gap in and seam. If you’re using a metal edge trim, now is a good chance to double check it will fit; just slip it in place to make sure and set the trim back aside for now.

Topstitch around sides and bottom curve, leaving top edge for now.

Snap magnetic halves together with the pocket and flap and straighten flap, measure top edge of flap to top edge of center panel to make sure it’s even, then topstitch in place.

Now for the strap anchors: grab the paper template and position above the flap to note where the anchors should go. You can either make a removable mark on your fabric or just slip the paper out quickly and pin the strap anchors in place. You want to make sure the raw edge is at the bottom, closest to the flap.

Stitch in place 1/4″ above bottom of strap anchor and again 3/4″ from bottom of strap anchor. Make sure this stitching is really reinforced well

Thread the ring from the handbag strap through and fold strap anchor down so that the end hangs down from the raw end about 1 1/2″. Before you stitch in place, make sure both sides are even. Measure up 1/2″ from top of flap and mark a line on the strap anchor, and then mark another line 3/4″ from line you just marked. Those are your stitching lines to secure the handbag straps; check one more time that the lines are even side to side and stitch in place. If you’d like, you can install rivets between theses stitched lines.

If you haven’t already, repeat for remaining exterior pieces. I will add the metal trim and strap keepers to my finished bag on Day 5. If you’d like to add a bag label, now is a good time to do it. Choose your location and follow the steps to insert a magnetic snap.

Well, that should keep you busy for a while, and this post has gotten quite long, so I think I’ll end this here for today. Day 3 will be finishing the exterior, which includes adding the stabilizer and zipper casing. I’d love to see your progress, share a picture with me on Instagram with #CastellSewAlong or in the Emmaline Sewing Patterns Group on Facebook and don’t forget to tag me @reecemontgomery so I can see.

Mix and Match Clutches with Janelle Mackay on Craftsy

Castell Day Bag Sew Along Day 1

August 18, 2017 by Reece M.

Yay! it’s Day 1 of the sew along. I hope you’re as excited as I am to make this beautiful bag together. Before we get started, let’s review what we’ll be doing. Starting today, I’ll be posting steps to make the Emmaline Bags Castell Day Bag. I’ll break it up over several days, to give you plenty of time to sew at a leisurely pace. I will offer tips and different options and take pictures along the way. You can share your progress on Instagram with #CastellSewAlong or in the Emmaline Sewing Patterns Group on Facebook. There are also going to be 3 prizes for participants who complete the bag. To be entered to win an Emmaline store credit ($20, $15, and $10), simply tag me @reecemontgomery and Emmaline Bags @emmalinebags in a picture of your completed Castell Day Bag, and use #CastellSewAlong on Instagram before September 12, 2017. (Profiles must be public so I can see them. If you don’t have/use/like Instagram, you can also upload a picture of your completed bag to be entered to win.)

Here’s the schedule:
Day 1: Getting started – cutting and fusing pieces (that’s today!)
Day 2: Starting Exterior of bag
Day 3: Finish Exterior of bag
Day 4: Make the Lining
Day 5: Finish the bag!

Getting Started

A note about this sew along: I suggest reading through the actual pattern and referring to it while sewing; this sew along is meant to supplement the pattern instructions, not replace it. If you don’t have the pattern yet, you’ll need to purchase it. You can find the discount code and link in the announcement post here. If you haven’t ordered your hardware yet, you’ll want to do that right away too. You don’t need it today, but you will need the frames before finishing up the bag. Visit Emmaline Bags to pick up some bling and your frames!

If you’ve purchased a paper pattern, you’re one step ahead. If you have downloaded the PDF pattern, you’ll need to print it. You may wish to only print out the pattern pieces and refer to a computer or mobile device for the pattern and sew along. Make sure the pattern pieces print out at 100%, or actual size. Once printed, double check by measuring the 1″ test square. Cut out the pattern pieces and tape A1 and A2 together, overlapping the gray area; do the same thing for D1 and D2. I also find the cutting guide on page 4 really handy to print out, so I can check off as a list as I go.

Cutting

Cutting and fusing is often my least favourite part of bag making, and I often have to psych myself up just to get started, but once it’s done, the fun begins…so let’s do this!

If you haven’t chosen your fabric yet, you’ll need to do that. For this bag, I chose one single fabric for my exterior, but it works well to have the centre pockets as an accent fabric too. For my lining, I chose several coordinates and went with a brighter theme than my usual low volume innards. I like to cut my fabric first, before the interfacing, since it’s prettier and more fun, and then when cutting the fabric is done, I tell myself I’m more than half done all my cutting! Gather your supplies. I use shears for the pattern pieces, and rotary blade with rulers for the rectangles. Do yourself a favour and change your rotary blade if you haven’t done it recently. A fresh blade really does make cutting so much nicer, and reduces fatigue. I also like to have a few different marking tools. I like the chaco liner, the clover triangle chalk, and just regular pens.

The direction of the print of fabric should be the same way as the words on the pattern piece, so if you have directional fabric, pay attention to make sure your top isn’t at the bottom.

Let’s start with the exterior fabric. Notice that Pattern Piece A states to cut 2 mirror image sets. Here is an example of how I did one mirror image set. Basically, you trace/cut one piece out of the pattern with writing side up, and another piece with the pattern writing side down.

A time saving tip for some of the rectangles is to do subcutting. For example the zipper casing is 24″ long by 1.5″ wide and we need 4 of them. For this piece, I’ve cut one piece 24″ by 6″, and you can interface the same way, and cut into the smaller sections once you’ve fused the interfacing.

Some of the rectangles we have to cut are probably bigger than the rulers you have available. Use 2 rulers together! In this example, I wanted a piece of fabric 15″ wide, but my large ruler is only 12.5″ wide, so I added 2.5″ from another ruler.

Here’s another way to cut 4 pieces of fabric, when you want to 2 mirror image sets: fold the fabric right sides together, and then fold again, now wrong sides together. Trace around pattern piece, and cut (I pinned my fabric layers together before cutting to prevent shifting). This method is a favourite mine because I only have to trace and cut once for 4 pieces of fabric.

For the lining gathered pocket, we’re cutting on the fold. I also pin before cutting on the fold.

Make sure to check off all the pieces as you go so you can keep track of what you’ve done. I like to write on the back of my pieces with erasable pen, like frixion markers, since they’ll disappear with some heat. I also pin or clip small pieces together so I don’t lose them. Any pieces that correspond with pattern pieces I leave with the paper pattern piece. This pattern doesn’t call for interfacing the lining pieces, but if you choose to do so, you can cut a set of interfacing to match the lining pieces; however, you should consider not interfacing the gathered pockets since they may not gather nicely once interfaced.

To fuse the interfacing to the exterior pieces, make sure the interfacing is centred on each piece and use a hot iron. I find interfacing fuses best when I start at the centre and slowly work my out, with pauses and pressing, rather than a back and forth “ironing” motion. I always find fusible fleece difficult to actually fuse, no matter which brand I use. My best success is when I spray a bit of water before placing the fleece (on the wrong side of my fabric) and then placing the fleece and quickly flipping the pieces over and pressing from the right side of the fabric. I picked up a spray bottle at the dollar store and filled it with water and always keep it near my iron when fusing. If you’re lucky/smart enough to have a steam press, then you’ve probably skimmed over this section since I hear that’s the fastest way to fuse interfacing.

Once you’ve cut and fused everything, you’re ready to move to Day 2! This can take a while, so we’ll start Day 2 on Monday, August 21, giving everyone the weekend to do their prep. If you’re done early, gather the rest of your supplies, like any of the pretty optional hardware, and all your zippers.

I’d love to see your fabric choices; share with me on Instagram with #CastellSewAlong or in the Emmaline Sewing Patterns Group on Facebook and don’t forget to tag me @reecemontgomery so I can see. Thanks for joining me and I look forward to seeing you all again on Monday.

Makers' Black Friday Handmade Holiday | Craftsy lowest prices

August 2017 Sales

August 14, 2017 by Reece M.

Disclosure: Some links in this post are my affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission on purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. All opinions expressed here are my own. Thanks for your support.

Makers' Black Friday sale this weekend only at Craftsy

Coupon code for the Emmaline Bags Castell Day Bag pattern can be found on the announcement post here:

Castell Day Bag Sew Along and coupon code

Sara from Sew Sweetness has a new video bundle, and she’s offering it at a sale price of only $40 for all 4 videos + patterns! I just watched part of the Annex Double-Zip Box Pouch video and it’s great so far! This bundle includes patterns and videos for the Annex, Amethyst Project Bag, Sublime Bag and Emblem Duffle Bag. The bundle won’t last long, so pick it up today!

DEAL OF THE WEEK: First of Infinity: Red/White Stamps by Lecien
ON SALE: CAD $9.99

For a limited time, sign up for the Fat Quarter Club, and you get a $25 gift card with your second month’s delivery. (That’s like getting a free month.. score!)

Click here for more info

One Thimble Issue 16 – Mermaid Tails and Bubble Trails

August 12, 2017 by Reece M.

One Thimble 16 - Pattern Revolution Blog Tour

Have you heard of One Thimble digital sewing magazine? I’ve been a contributor for a couple issues (see here and here) and like this time, I’ve joined in on the Pattern Revolution blog tour. This issue has patterns for women, kids, and additional goodies. One Thimble 16 will have you dreaming of underwater adventure! You’ll have a chance to enter to win a copy, so keep reading to find out how.

I chose the FMA (Free Motion Applique) patterns from Inkling Threads to sew up and they are so sweet! Meet Meg the Mermaid and Murray the Merman!

Meg & Murray Free Motion patterns - One Thimble 16

Just what the heck is Free Motion Applique?! Well, you start with shapes cut out of fabric and draw in the detail with your thread! Here’s Murray in progress (I decided to leave off the mustache at the last minute). At this point, I had already attached my fusible webbing to the wrong side of my fabric. It’s so fun going through my scrap stash to find the perfect “clothes” for these guys.

Murray is a Merman - FMA pattern - One Thimble 16

For the merman, I created a Sand Free Tote for my youngest son, who has a special talent of bringing half the beach home with us. It has a mesh bottom so just the toys and towel, without the sand, comes back into the house.

Murray is a Merman - Sand Free Tote - One Thimble 16

Supplies: Water resistant Cordura and webbing from Paccana, By Annie’s Lightweight Mesh from Emmaline Bags.

Meg the Mermaid was the perfect feature to add to a basket I made for a friend’s baby shower.

Meg is a Mermaid, FMA pattern from One Thimble 16

This is the basket from Anna Graham’s book, Handmade Style. These baskets are perfect for around the home, or in baby’s room. I did have to shrink the mermaid pattern by about 10% to fit it perfectly on the front of the basket. That’s one of the things I love about PDFs- you can make them bigger or smaller depending on the application. I used an old Cotton + Steel print for the tail/body and love the metallic dots to make it look like mermaid scales.

Here’s a closeup so you can see the detail. The crown was a bit nerve-wracking, but I’m pretty impressed with the results. Her sweet little face and flowy hair are exactly how I’d picture a real mermaid. Doesn’t it make you want to put a mermaid on everything? #putamermaidonit

This latest issue is available now! Grab yourself a copy, and cozy up on the couch with your tablet while you plan out your next project. You can also enter to win a copy, just enter through the Rafflecopter below – good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Make sure to follow along on the tour to see all the beautiful projects everyone made.

Blog Tour Kickoff
Pattern Revolution

8/11/2017
Sewing with Sarah
GAAF Machine

8/12/2017
Call Ajaire
Happy Okapi
Idle Sunshine

8/13/2017
Pear Berry Lane
Candice Ayala
Needles to Say

8/14/2017
House of Estrela
That’s-Sew-Kari
Made by Sara

8/15/2017
Little Cumquat
Beri Bee Designs
Once Upon a Sewing Machine

8/16/2017
Sprouting JubeJube
Sew Haute Blog
Lily Shine Creates

8/17/2017
Lulu & Celeste
Adventures with Bubba and Bug
Curtiepie

Sew Along Announcement – The Castell Day Bag

August 3, 2017 by Reece M.

It’s been a while since I’ve had a sew along here, so I figured it’s time for another one. Janelle at Emmaline Bags tells me she thinks a sew along for the Castell Day Bag would encourage some of you to give this pattern a try. It may look a little overwhelming, but I’m hoping by breaking up the pattern into several days and steps, it’ll be easy for everyone to get through, and you’ll have a gorgeous, unique, functional bag when you’re done!

What’s a Sew Along you ask? I’ll be sewing up the Castell and taking pictures and adding my own tips along the way, and explaining some of the steps that can seem tricky. Your job is to sew along with me! Not really, you’ll be at home of course, and I’ll be over here, in your computer. Once the sew along starts, I’ll post a schedule of the all the blog posts so you’ll know what step we’re at and when. If you miss a day or get a little behind the sew along schedule, that’s totally fine, you can always access the blog posts and see which steps I went through that day. You don’t need to sign up for anything to join in, just come back to my blog (right here) and follow along at your own pace.

Even if you don’t really need a different perspective on the pattern (which actually provides awesome instruction on its own), sew alongs are great motivators because it’s so fun to see how everyone else is doing. Feel free to share your progress on Instagram or Facebook so others can see. On Instagram, use #CastellSewAlong and to share on Facebook, join the Emmaline Sewing Patterns Group.

Surprise!

Emmaline Bags is offering a discount for the pattern, and prizes for participants…yay!! Discounts and prizes make me happy! Use code castellsew20 to save 20% on the Castell Day Bag pattern (both PDF and paper patterns are eligible for the discount). There will be 3 prizes of Emmaline store credit ($20, $15, and $10) drawn randomly, and I’ll give more details on how to enter once the sew along starts. The code is valid until August 31, 2017, so don’t wait too long to grab a copy.

Go get ready!

We are going to get started on August 18, so you’ll need to gather all your supplies before then. If you don’t have the pattern yet, you’ll need one of course. Choose either the PDF pattern or the paper pattern. You’ll need to get style C frames for this bag too. Check the pattern listings for the materials list. You can have lots of fun with the optional hardware and look through the tester photos to see how they’ve been used. My version will use the metal edge trim on the pockets, but feel free to use the snappy edge clasp on yours, or skip the optional hardware altogether. I’ll also be using strap ends, purse feet and rivets, so I’ll go over installing all of those.

Picking the fabric will probably take you the longest. You could decide to have a fairly uniform exterior, or choose to make your pockets a main focus. Stuck on fabric sources? Check out my Canadian Sewing Links tab, or the Sales tab for some of my favourite shops and any deals I’ve found.

See you back here on August 18th!

Update: the Sew Along is completed now, so you can skip to any part you need in the schedule below
Day 1: Getting started – cutting and fusing pieces
Day 2: Starting Exterior of bag
Day 3: Finish Exterior of bag
Day 4: Make the Lining
Day 5: Finish the bag!

Mix & Match Clutch Craftsy class with Janelle Mackay

Free Sewing Apps

July 19, 2017 by Reece M.

I use my phone for so many things! My phone changes the way I shop, navigate, discover information, and yes, even how I sew. So today, I thought I’d share some of the apps I use for sewing, and a few I don’t! These apps are all available for iPhones, and I believe many of them are available for Androids as well. All of them are free, but some of them have In-App purchases, so just be sure to check.

Learning Apps

Craftsy

I don’t have a computer in my sewing room, so when I watch my Craftsy classes, it’s often on my phone, or sometimes on my iPad (Craftsy app is available for iPad as well). The app isn’t identical to the website, in that it’s very mobile friendly, and you can even download lessons to watch. I love that feature the most, especially if I’m travelling and know I’ll have long waits somewhere, possibly without reception or wifi. You can also just stream the classes as you like.

Screenshot of Elizabeth Hartman’s Craftsy class, Patchwork Piecing: Woodland Animals.

Craftsy’s mobile app

Creativebug

In case you’re not familiar with Creativebug, you can check it out with a free trial. One monthly fee offers unlimited access to their classes on a huge variety of subjects. Creativebug is where I learned to paper piece, watching Carolyn Friedlander’s class. You can also learn to decorate cookies, make jewellery, crochet, knit, and so much more! From the mobile app, you can access the entire class library, bookmark your favourite classes, and download lessons.

Quilt Tutorials

This app is put out by Missouri Star Quilt Co. and is loaded with free quilting tutorials. From this app, you can watch videos going over many techniques and learn new blocks. There’s also a search function, so if you’re looking for a particular skill, just enter it in.

Tools

Quiltler

You can have a lot of fun with this app! It allows you to easily design your own quilt or quilt block, with squares or triangles and more. You can add multiple colours and create a random assortment and change it any way you like. It’s quite powerful, especially considering it’s free.

QuiltingCalc

This app, offered by Robert Kaufman Fabrics and Quilter’s Paradise is the only calculator you’ll need when making a quilt: never be too short again! Whether you’re trying to find out how much fabric you need for your quilt backing, or how much for your binding, this app does the calculations for you. As an inexperienced quilter, I really appreciate that there’s something I can use to reduce the chance of measuring wrong.

Camera 360

Ok, so this one isn’t really a sewing app, but I use it for many of my sewing pictures. There are a lot of photo editing apps out there, and I’ll admit I haven’t tried too many, but I find this one quite simple to use, and it’s free so I’ve stuck with it. Once you’ve sewn up a project, you want to share it in the best light and sometimes that needs a bit of editing. I almost always use the crop feature, and adding text is really easy. There are several features included in the free version and apparently more with the paid version, although I’ve never found the need to upgrade.

Sheets

This one is also not technically a sewing app, but I use it for the swaps and blog tours I sign up for and can use it to keep me organized. Sheets is an app from Google and it’s a spreadsheet that works with Excel; use it to create and edit spreadsheets and collaborate with others. Maybe you want to keep track of your fabric purchases, or what pattern requirements are: now you can access all your data right from your phone.

Simplicity

I downloaded this app so I could keep track of my fabric. There’s a feature that’s meant to keep track of your fabric, but I found it time consuming and cumbersome, so I’m going back to my old method of just shoving it randomly in my closet and then doing a mad search when I’m looking for something. The app does have basic sewing tips, which might be helpful, and lists all the patterns which you can search for by feature, but honestly, I don’t really find this to be useful for me.

Fabric Stash

This one is another app to help keep track of your fabrics. The premise is that you take a picture of the fabric, then add which colour schemes, designer, or themes are in the fabric and how much of it you have and the type of fabric. Once you’ve added that to your “stash” then you can search the stash by those features and keep a running inventory. In theory this sounds awesome, but I’m just not good at that sort of upkeep, so it doesn’t really work for me.

iBooks

iBooks is the app I use to view my PDF patterns on my phone or iPad. I love that I can create collections to sort by. I have mine set up under pattern designer, but I also have separate collections for clothing and quilting. If storage on the device is a concern, you can always delete each pattern and reload as you need them (as long as you have them stored somewhere else). I also love that when I’m out fabric shopping, I can just pull up the pattern instantly to check for fabric requirements.

Inspiration

Pinterest is really what got me into sewing. So much inspiration, and tons of ideas and tutorials.

Instagram

I confess I spend more time than I should scrolling Instagram, but it’s because the makers out there are just so incredible, and I’m constantly inspired to do more and more! I love discovering new fabric lines, patterns and trends on Instagram.

One more for the day! Here are my @cpeicheff #minislimlinewallet for the #inthebag Canada 150 tour. The #castelldaybag pattern from @emmalinebags opens nice and wide. I made the wallets and bag in @libselliott fabric. Join me and some other great bloggers for our celebration and enter to win some great prizes too. Check link in profile or happyokapi.ca □□ ❤️ . . . . . #emmalinehardware #emmalinepatterns #emmalinebags #bagineer #bagmaker #isewbags #isew #canadianblogger #canadianmade #madeincanada #canada150 #tattooedfabric #truelovefabric #libselliott #handmadewithlove

A post shared by Reece Montgomery (@reecemontgomery) on Jun 8, 2017 at 7:20pm PDT

Do you use your phone for sewing too? What are your favourite sewing apps?

July 2017 Sales

July 10, 2017 by Reece M.

Flare Fabrics has a new deal every week! DEAL OF THE WEEK: Save $10 on Carkai 10 in. Squares by Carolyn Friedlander
Click here to shop.

You can also earn reward points on purchases.

Also at Flare Fabrics this week:
Now through Friday, July 21 Notion Sale!

Spend just $25 and SAVE 20%
Pins, needles, markers, rulers, quilting gloves, tape, machine gloves, D rings, snaps, swivel hooks, glue, Wonder Clips, Aurifil threads, seam rippers, …All sewing notions and bag supplies* are up for grabs.
USE COUPON CODE: NOTION20
**Applies to new orders only. Excludes interfacing and fleece**

Get 50% off select Craftsy classes. Limit one per customer. Cannot be combined with any other coupons. Expires August 13, 2017. Eligible classes include: Startup Library: Knitting, Startup Library: Quilting.

Blue Calla Dandelion Double Zip Handbag – Modified

July 7, 2017 by Reece M.

This bag I’m sharing today has a story that goes back a couple years! I made this Swoon Glenda Convertible Clutch in Tula Pink’s Deer Me fabric, and a friend really loved it and the fabric. She wanted me to make her a bag but was still thinking about what features she was looking for.

She eventually narrowed down her choice to a small handbag, approximately rectangle shaped, with double zippers. So far it was sounding a lot like the Blue Calla Dandelion, except she wanted a zippered divider pocket as well, which led me to do some thinking. My friend wanted the Deer Me fabric, so I wanted a way to eliminate the horizontal stripe that acts as an anchor for the handles on the Dandelion. I figured I would just use the “Edgewena” strap anchors from Emmaline, but since the top of the bag is zippered, I added front pockets to put the anchors on.

To add the divider pocket, I basically just made a zipper pouch the same width as the bag, but shorter so it would sit under the magnetic snap. Then I made the side panels of the bag lining 1″ wider and pinched it around the sides of my zippered pouch. To accommodate for the top the side panel being wider, I tapered my seam allowance to be bigger in the space between the top of the divider pocket (zippered pouch) and the top of the bag.

I used vinyl from Paccana for the handles and bottom of the bag.

The Dandelion ended up being the perfect starting point, and my friend was thrilled with the use of all the cheerful coordinates. If you’d like to try this pattern, don’t forget to use code OKAPI10 to save 10% on Blue Calla patterns.

Canada 150 – Speaking (and Sewing) Canadian

June 8, 2017 by Reece M.

Hi! By now you’ve probably had a chance to learn about this tour I’m participating in, but if not, feel free to follow along with the schedule at the bottom of this post, including the intro post to find out more. Make sure to check out all the makes so far, I love that all the bags are unapologetically Canadian (is that an oxymoron?) Oh! Don’t forget to enter the giveaway too. I also have a separate giveaway, so keep reading to find out the details.

I wanted to combine my love of language and love of Canada in this post and was so happy to find this article (don’t click on it just yet!), highlighting the updates to the Dictionary of Canadianisms on Historical Principles. This is an actual book, which now I simply must obtain! Anyway, I thought it would be fun to pepper some of these terms and other Canadianisms throughout my post, and see if you can pick them out as I talk about the projects I did for the Canada 150 – it’s in the Bag Tour. So grab some Timmies and snuggle up in your housecoat, and let’s go!

For my projects, I wanted to try out a new pattern designer, because I always think it’s great to keep learning and trying new things. I chose Carla of Carla’s Creations. When I first started sewing, I followed Carla for all her amazing fabric combos and sewing inspiration. She’s always come across as very organized and her projects turn out beautifully. The pattern I’m sharing today is the Mini Slimline Wallet, by Carla’s Creations; you could win a copy too, just keep reading to find out how.

Mini Slimline Wallet - Carla's Creations | Happy Okapi Blog

I chose Libs Elliott’s fabric because Libs is Canadian too, but also because her fabric is completely amazing, I want to fill a whole cube van with it and take it home. In fact, I need to take a little detour here and tell you how skookum Libs is. She not only designs fabric (her 3rd collection is due later this year), but she designs quilt patterns using a unique process. I have to share this video showing the collaboration between Libs and Absolut Vodka to celebrate Canada’s 150th.

Is that not the prettiest twenty-sixer you’ve ever seen?

Back to the pattern: I made 3, but I messed up on one, it was a bit hooped, but it still looks nice when it’s closed. The Mini-Slimline has 3 card slots and a small zippered coin section, plus pockets behind. It folds in half and then the flap closes over with a slim magnetic snap. They were pretty quick to sew up, and even though I tend to avoid “production line” sewing, I did with these ones, and they were still quicker than a single larger project, like a bag.

The pattern reads like a tutorial and lists measurements to cut, rather than pattern pieces. My curved flaps were made by using a rounded edge I traced out. I like that the squared flap is a bit more masculine, so it works for a boy too!

Each of my magnets were different finishes: copper, antique brass, and nickel, and were all from Emmaline Bags.

Since the name of this tour includes “In The Bag” I figured I’d better put the wallets in something so I made a bag to match. The Castell Day Bag is the latest pattern from Emmaline Bags and uses the C-frames, also from Emmaline Bags. Look how wide it opens!

Castell Day Bag- Emmaline Bags & Mini Slimline Wallets - Carla's Creations | Happy Okapi Blog

I think of mine as the alldressed version, with its mixed coordinates and tons of bling.

Castell Day Bag - Emmaline Bags | Happy Okapi

I used my very basic backup machine to sew this large, structured bag, while my main machine was getting repaired because it had completely had the biscuit.

The inside pockets are really cool and I’d never done anything like these before, with their gathered bottoms and zippered tops, tons of room!

I have one more bag to share with you. I originally had this one planned for closer to Canada Day, but after seeing all the amazing bags so far on this tour, I felt like a keener and decided to just give’r!

Miss Maggie's Handbag - Emmaline Bags | Happy Okapi

I used the free Emmaline Bags pattern, Miss Maggie’s Handbag as my backdrop for a single red maple leaf.

The Edgewena strap anchors allowed the front of the bag to stay blank other than the leaf. I just love this bold red on white. Of course I added a “Made in Canada” label; I chose the back for this sleek addition.

So how did you do? Did you learn some new words? To enter to win a copy of the Mini-Slimline pattern from Carla’s Creations, leave a comment telling me a favourite Canadianism, or Canadian food. I’ll draw a random winner after June 10, 2017, so make sure to enter your email when you comment, otherwise I won’t be able to contact you. Make sure to also enter our big giveaway through rafflecopter at the bottom of the post. Good luck to everyone, and thanks for stopping by, eh?

Each blog has an exclusive giveaway, so be sure to visit them all.

Tour Discounts

10% off! Tangled Blossoms Design is offering 10% off anything in stock for the duration of the tour. Offer expires June 10, 2017. Use discount code HAPPYBIRTHDAYCANADA

15% off! Bringberry Handbag Hardware and Design is offering 15% off anything in stock for the duration of the tour. Offer expires June 10, 2017. Use discount code LOVECANADA150

Tour Stops

(These links will be active on and after the day they are scheduled.)

June 10

Giveaway ends at midnight EDT (North America)

July 1

CANADA DAY 150

Giveaway Prizes

Grand Prize: 2 PDF patterns from Blue Calla Patterns, $50 voucher from Bringberry Handbag Hardware and Design, $40 voucher from Fabric Please
Second Prize: 2 PDF patterns from Blue Calla Patterns, $35 voucher from Emmaline Bags, $25 voucher from MM Cork Supply
Third Prize: $50 voucher from Blackbird Fabrics
$30 voucher to spend on any in stock fabrics from Tangled Blossoms Design, 1 Pattern from Thread Riding Hood
$25 voucher from Fabric Please, 1 Pattern, plus hardware kit from Emmaline Bags
$25 voucher from Fabric Please, 1 PDF Pattern from Thread Riding Hood
$25 voucher from Fabric Please, 1 PDF Pattern from FABulous Home Sewn
$25 voucher from Fabric Please, 1 PDF Pattern from FABulous Home Sewn
$30 voucher from Sitka Fabrics
$25 voucher from MM Cork Supply
Ooh La La Jewellery* bag pattern & hardware kit from Among Brenda’s Quilts (Includes shipping within Canada & USA.)
A selection of items for bag making from Flare Fabrics (Includes shipping within Canada.)
$25 voucher from Stay Home Fabrics
$25 voucher from Funky Monkey Fabrics
Store credit for 1 yard of custom knit from Crookshanks Custom Textiles
Store credit equal to one meter of custom knit plus one meter of solid from Midnight Mountain Fabrics

Canada 150 — In The Bag Giveaway

Please join us in thanking our tour sponsors by visiting their websites.

* Jewellery is the Canadian spelling.