Black Stripe Binding

I'm rather obsessed with the fresh look that a black stripe binding adds to so many of the different quilts (here and here) and SewTogetherBags I've made recently.  It's my go-to binding for most projects. 

I've had been asked quite often about which stripe I use and where I buy it.
The answer is: I used 2 different stripes, and I usually buy them from fabric.com or Hobby Lobby.

small stripe

large stripe

The smaller stripe I use is by Timeless Treasures, and you can find it numerous places online.  I usually get it (here) from Fabric.com, but I also noticed Hobby Lobby carries it, too!  I buy it multiple yards at a time.   =)  It adds a bit softer contrast, while still being fresh, classic, and unexpected.

The larger stripe is Michael Miller Clown Stripe, and gives a more dramatic contrast and flare.   (Also bought here at fabric.com)

So there you go.  Now if you've been looking for some of the "famous" black stripe binding fabric, now you can get what you're looking for.



First-Aid Pouch - Pattern Now Available!

Wow!!  I had no idea there would be such an astounding response to the Travel First Aid pouches I posted last week!  As a result, I decided to write up the pattern, so you can make them too. 

Pattern now available in my Etsy Shop and at Craftsy.com as an instant PDF download!

 

Etsy Shop (click here for pattern)

Craftsy (click here for pattern) 

I think they would make such cute Mother's Day gifts, don't you?!

Travel First-Aid Pouches {and Giveaway!}

You know those projects you've wanted to get around to doing for a long time, but never do?  A first-aid bag (for my purse) was one of those things for me.  With 5 little kids, everywhere we go someone is getting hurt, a splinter, a scratch, or simply in need of a little TLC.  =)

A dear friend of mine is having a birthday next week, which pushed me to make one for her... then one for me... a few for my Etsy shop (you know - while I'm at it!), and one over on my Instagram for a fun GIVEAWAY! (see bottom of this post)
(And then...as I'm making 6 pouches, I wonder to myself: how does a person make just ONE of anything?  hmmm...beats me.)

I made up my pattern as I went along - which was frustrating while I was doing it.  But the multiple styles/sizes ended up being fun!  Sometimes when I sew I have to remind myself that "learning while doing" is a part of things, and to not let it frustrate me.  Of course, I learned a few valuable things along the way, and LOVED them once they were done. =)

These 2 styles (below) are available in my Etsy Shop (while supplies last).

But this little guy is for ONE LUCKY WINNER!   (Don't you just adore the blue lining with the little dogs?!)

 

- Giveaway Now Closed -
(pattern now for sale - click here)

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
Head on over to my Instagram account (click here to enter!) 

1- be sure you're following me,

2- tag as many friends as you want! 

One lucky winner will be picked this Sunday (3/15/15) at 6pm Mountain Time.

 

Good luck!

 

Busy Bags

A friend of mine on Instagram (Bonnie - @greenletterday) released her new Tessa Basket Pattern, which is darling and easy!

I've been wanting to make each of my girls a Busy Bag - a bag for those times when little ones need to be able to sit quietly (church or Bible study), and have a few things to do.  Using the Tessa Basket Pattern, I added in a bunch of pockets to organize markers and hold crayons, little pads of paper, snacks, small toys, or whatever!  The bag dimensions are perfect for holding a large coloring book, as well as a water bottle and even a few other things, with the added magnetic snap at the top to keep everything snug.

I wrote up an free add-on pattern for the things I added (pockets & magnetic snap), so you can make some too! I also changed the way you finish the bag, making the lining smooth vs. the seam line in the bottom.

 

Tessa Basket Pattern: (PDF pattern available here).

Busy Bag (add-on) Pattern: (PDF pattern available here)
 

These are such fun bags to make, and they're pretty darn cut, too.

I don't think they're excited to start using them, do you?

And if you make some yourself, be sure to tag Bonnie (@greenletterday) and me (@redrainbootshandmade) on Instagram!

Weekender Bag Making

{A little preface - This is an huge amount of info for one bag, but I wanted to record it for future reference.  And in sharing things that did or did not work well for me, it will hopefully make your Weekending a little easier.}

This past October, I experienced my first ever "Girls Sewing Weekend" with some of my sisters/mom and a few friends.  My friend Morgan and I both made Amy Butler's Weekender Bag, and working on them together was so fun!

You can check out her super-cute Etsy Shop HERE.

Our bag styles were very different - and yet I loved them both!

And now that they are done, I'm excited to share with you a few things we learned and did along the way that helped simplify the process.

{what follows is just my opinions and advice... written a bit skattered... but hopefully helpful if you're just starting out...I've highlighted the main points for easy skimming. 

And If you want the particulars of my bag, but not the process, skip to the bottom of this post.}

If you already know exactly what you want your bag to look like, go for it!  But if you are undecided, here's what I'd suggest:

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Selecting Fabrics

Do you like scrappy and quilted?  Large, bold florals?  Simple, minimalistic geometric? 

Here’s the first thing you should do: Make a folder on Pinterest just for Weekender Bag Ideas and pin the bags that catch your eye.  (Flikr and Instagram have a bunch). 

Go back and re-look at all your pins.  You will begin to notice a common thread between them. 

This advice my friend gave me was exactly what I needed to hear.

"Don't stress about trying to pick a fabric that you think other people will like... or that you think is probably trendy.  Just pick what YOU like.  Don’t worry about anything else." 

 

Advice and Add-Ons

There are a ton of blogs that have helpful ideas, share personal experience or changes they made, or have tutorials for extra add-ons to this bag.  You can learn a lot from them.  So much information can also be confusing. Trust the pattern!  If it's your first time making this bag, make it as written, unless you have previous experience with bag making.

The ONE THING I Would Do Differently

Use a "beefier" zipper for the outside of the bag - with bigger teeth and tab.  I used a standard zipper (one I had on hand), and now it seems a little wimpy.  When I go to unzip my bag, it is a bit hard to grab hold of the small tab.

SUPPLIES and COST

Use coupons and buy during sales.

Even with buying during sales, and using hefty coupons, the overall cost of the bag ran about $100.  Granted, I splurged and bought nice leather handles which added $20 to this total.

 

PREP WORK

Cut out all your fabric and interfacings in one fell swoop - an evening, or a few hours in the afternoon – it takes a chunk of time. 

MAKING YOUR BAG 

1 - If you are adding in any extras, make yourself notes (ahead of time)at those points in the pattern, so you don’t forget to add them, and then have to leave them out (speaking from personal experience here!).

2 - Go Slow.

3 - Don’t stress over broken needles.  If it makes you feel any better, I broke 4.  Three of them were because I kept forgetting to switch my needle position back, when rotating between my zipper foot and regular foot.  The other one was when I tried to sew too fast through really thick layers.

 4 - I opted to sew my bag lining in with my machine (rather by hand).  It looks like top-stitching, isn't going to pull or rip out easily.

MY BAG INFO

(all items purchased at JoAnn Fabrics unless otherwise noted)

- Pattern: Amy Butler's Weekender Bag
- Exterior Fabric: Home Décor fabric

- Lining Fabric: DS quilting cotton

(*note: because it was a thinner fabric than called for, I used Pellon SF101 on all my lining pieces, to give it extra stability)

EXTRAS I ADDED

4 bag feet (or 6, and place 2 in the middle to prevent sagging)

2 magnetic snaps for the large outside pockets

Inside pocket (I used a 9” zipper and extra lining fabric)

Leather handles (from Etsy)

 Stitch Witchery ¼” – for making your cording (using your zipper foot works too.)

Clover Binding Clips (so you don't bend all your pins)

 

TUTORIALS I FOLLOWED

Making your cording - (Jen and Franz)

Adding an Inside Pocket - (U-Handbag)

Attaching Leather Handles - (At Home With Mrs. H)

 

Hope this helps you have a little more fun Weekending!

 

 

Paper-Piecing for a friend

Have you ever tried paper piecing?  I just recently tried it - and surprisingly - it's so fun!  (I don't know why I thought it wouldn't be.)

I might have enjoyed it even more, due to how good it felt to sit down at my machine, since I was able to finally put down my paintbrush.  =)

I watched a few how-to videos, but when I tried it, I would get so confused with which direction the fabric would be facing, and how to figure out (from the back) if the paper was over the correct spot, and if it would cover the desired area once it was flipped backwards!  But then I watched a tutorial  (here) from Ellison Lane, it made perfect sense to me!  Loved her method!  And it made me fall in love with paper piecing.  Well - that, and this fabulous "70's Geese" pattern by Diane at From Blank Pages (available here on Craftsy).

 

I made it specifically for this friend I've gotten to know on Instagram.  She's the kind of person who is always doing thoughtful, giving things for others.  And yet sometimes I wonder how much is given back to her?  You know the type - devoted wife and mother, and faithful friend who's always there for you - always making and doing for others.  Ashley just moved into a new house which has a room just for her sewing stuff - and it has lots of bare walls.  I figured she needed to know how much she is appreciated (couldn't we all use more of that?).  And...she needed some help filling up all those fabulous bare walls.  =)



This pattern comes in several sizes.  I used the 18" pattern for this - and made it up into a mini-quilt. 

However, I'm thinking this would make a fabulous throw pillow, as well. 

I may or may not be making another one sometime soon.  You take a guess.  =)