Red Rainboots Handmade: Sew Together Bag SAL // Week 2: Outer Panel

Good morning and hello Week 2 of our Sew Together Bag SAL. This week is exciting for 2 reasons: we start sewing (!), and I will be doing a givewaway for completed homework! (winner chosen next Monday morning)

To enter the giveaway all you need to do is post a picture of your completed outer panel on IG, along with the #sewtogetherbagSAL hashtag. And if you're wondering what the giveaway is, be sure to check IG on Wednesday - where I'll be sharing that info.

But for today we will be going over Outer Panel - piecing, applique + quilting. And since we have A LOT to cover, I'm gonna get right to it.

PIECING

At this point I think most of you should be fairly self-sufficient in this regard, but if you want help with cutting dimensions, look back at THIS POST for help there!

The ONE THING I did want to metion is this: I usually make my Exterior Panel just a bit larger than the pattern calls for, if I'm going to be quilting it. Sometimes quilting (sewing) through those layers can make it "shrink" just a tad, so I prefer to quilt it first, then trim it to the exact dimensions needed.

(So for example, when I make my patchwork panel, I don't stress that it'll turn out 10.5" wide x 14.5" long.)

APPLIQUE

At long last, the moment so many of you have been waiting for!

[Note: I have both a typed tutorial, for those of you who like to read and skim. And a video tutorial for you, if you learn better by watching! Scroll down to the end for the video.]

Applique is simply the process of cutting out a shape of fabric and stitching it to the face of another fabric.

Often people use a zig-zag stitch or a blanket stitch to secure their shape, and I've done both. These stitches will be more secure for items that might have heavy use (or washed frequently).

However, for these bags I have been enjoying the look of the free-hand method I learned from the book Sew Illustrated.

HOW TO APPLIQUE SIMPLE SHAPES

Step 1 - Find an image, letter or shape.

- Google it! Especially works well for applique. (I often use the key words, "___________ sihlouette". )

- Save the image to your compter (or screen shot the image).

- Adjust the size by changing the "scale" percentage on your "print screen"

(as a general rule of thumb, for Sew Together Bags I try to have my image about 3.5" tall)

- Make a note on your image what size (percent) you ended up printing it at!

Step 2 - Trace your shape onto the paper side of some HeatNBond Lite.

However, remember that your image will be reversed in the end! So you need to trace it opposite to the desired direction! (Your image will have to flip over when you iron onto your fabric, which reverses it's direction.)

Hannah is always by my side and wanting to help me, if I'm sewing or doing something creative.

- Use a Pencil to trace. Don't use an erasable pen, such as a Frixion pen. Your tracing lines will disappear when you iron it! (Ask me how I know!)

- Tape your image behind your HeatNBond Lite, and then to a door or window. This makes it easier to see your tracing lines.

- Do not cut your shape on the traced lines yet! Wait till you've ironed it onto your fabric.

Step 3 - Iron your HeatNBond Lite shape (glue/bumpy side down) onto the WRONG SIDE of your fabric.

Step 4 - Now that your shape is fused to your fabric, use your sharpest pair of scissors (preferably with sharp, pointy tips) cut out your shape (through both the paper and fabric).

Step 5 - Pell off the paper backing, and place on the RIGHT SIDE of your fabric panel. Press.

(Note: for Sew Together Bags I line the BOTTOM of my shape about 4" from the TOP of my fabric panel.)

In this video, I also talk through how to iron your shape onto your fabric.

QUILITNG YOUR EXTERIOR PANEL
If I'm in my sewing room, Ellie will be too.
She volunteered to quilt this panel.

Step 1 - Once your panel is pieced, you will need to baste your interfacing/batting to the back of it, in preparation for quilting.

(My preferred method is to use Pellon SF101 (fusible interfacing) WITH cotton batting, so that's what I will refer to here.)

- iron your SF101 to the back of your panel.

- spray (or pin) baste a scrap of cotton quilt batting to the wrong side of your panel

Step 2 - If desired, mark your quilting lines using a fabric pen, chalk pencil, or Frixion pen.

Step 3 - Using quilting thread (thicker weight), quilt as desired.

2 tips for you:

- If you're doing straight line quilting, you will want to increase your stitch length (3-3.5). It makes your stitching sit "on top" of your fabric a bit more, and gives a more professional, finished look!

- If you're straight-line quilting AROUND an appliqued shape, I decrease my stitch to .7 (for about 5-7 stitches) right before I get to the shape. Then I simply clip my threads. No need for knots!

Step 4 - Trim your Exterior Panel to the specified size on your pattern.

That's it - you're done for this week!

Weekly Homework

- finish your Exterior Panel (piecing through the final trim-to-size)

- post a photo of your completed panel, and include #SewTogetherBagSAL and be sure to tag me @RedRainbootsHandmade... (this will enter you in the giveaway. Just remember your account needs to be public)

- make sure you've got your zipper foot and zippers ready for next week, cause ready or not, here we come!