Fabric Shopping Bag Part 2

 

Let’s gather the pieces and head to the sewing machine !

 

1. Take one main fabric  and one lining fabric  right sides together. Sew the center "U" and two curve sides.	2. When stitching the side curve, stop and secure 1 1/2” from the top.
3. Repeat steps 1-2 for the second main fabric. Turn inside out and press. You now have two pieces.	4. With right sides together, pin the main fabric making sure it matches at the seams.
5. While keeping the lining away, start sewing across the main fabric. Keep sewing until the end of the lining fabric . Be patient…needs a little maneuvering :)	6. Pull the handle  to straighten the fabric. You will get this ! The handle neatly lined with an opening at the side. If you intend to top stitch, leave the opening for now. Or slip stitch to close the opening. Press.
7.With right sides together, place the main pieces together and lining pieces together matching at the side curve. Sew the two side seams.	8. Turn out the bag.  Top stitch the center ‘U’ and side curve to close the opening.Match the side seams and press.
9. Fold the handle into half and ‘stitch in the ditch’ across the top of the handle. Do the same for the other handle.	10. To make the gusset, fold the sides with the seams inside. Making sure it’s parallel with the handles.
11. Pin and sew across the bottom.	12. Turn inside out and sew across the bottom again, encasing the seam allowance.
13. Follow the steps above to fold the bag.(Click pic for larger view.)	14. Make a strap long enough to wrap the folded bag. Note the placement of Velcro and yo-yo flower.
15. Stitch the strap in center of the ‘U’.	16. Now you can secure the folded bag with a strap! Isn’t that a cute little parcel?

 

 

 

Here’s the front…

 

 

 

…and here’s the back with a cute yo-yo flower!

 

My daughter loves the bag!

It’s for her

 

 

If you missed Part I, go here.

Fabric Shopping Bag Part I

 

I made this bag way back in 2009. It’s a shopping bag a.k.a. Green Bag. What I liked about this bag is it’s fast to make. And I used a regular plastic bag as the pattern! I got the inspiration here.

 

Wanna make one too?  Here we go !

 

1	2
3	4

 

 

1. Choose a regular plastic bag that is just the right size for you. Lay the plastic bag flat.

2. Cut the top of the handle and the bottom of the bag just at the seams.

3. Open out the gusset at the sides .

4. Fold the bag into half. Your bag pattern is ready !

 

1	2
3	4

 

1. Select your favourite design for the front of the bag . Of  course I used Daisy’s owl applique. I added strips around until I’ve got it big enough.

2. Fold the fabric into half and place the pattern on the fold.

3. Cut following the pattern as a guide. Trim where necessary.

4 Cut two main fabric ( I’m using a different fabric for the other side of the bag) and two lining fabric.

 

Come back tomorrow for Part II !

The Owl Design Belongs To….

 

Daisy Valentine @ triciarennea.blogspot.com .

 

 

Phew ! I Googled and searched and managed to find where this owl flew from.

And as it turned out, it was a coloring page !

Daisy has lots of coloring pages to share. Thanks Daisy !

Hoot does this belong to ?

 

My daughter has a thing for owls. So I decided to make this cutie

The problem now is, I cannot remember who and which blog I got this pattern from. Can someone help me?

 

 

Update: Find the answer here

Faire la Bise

 

I took days to decide what to do my my Faire la Bise block. I wanted something fast and practical.

 

 

I quilted around the hearts….

 

 

…added some strips and quilted both sides with this lovely stitch …..

 

 

…added broader strips and quilted straight lines….

..and I made another table runner!!!

Very soon, all the tables and counter tops in my house will be covered !

Disappearing ‘Flowers’ Placemats

 

Finally completed the matching placemats for my Disappearing ‘Flowers’ Table Runner. This time the nine patch is looking more ‘disappearing’. I placed the dark fabric where I’d be cutting into, so it ended up with smaller squares, hence the dark fabric is less overbearing. Looks much better .

 

---

 

 

Remember I won this ?

 

 

Well,  I made this!

It’s block #116 Faire la Bise by Helen Stubbings of  Hugs ‘N Kisses.

There are so many more gorgeous block to make!  I’m just into applique right now!

 

 

Applique and stitchery… I love it!

How to Sharpen Your Rotary Cutter Blade

 

 

These are my faithful rotary cutters… the 28mm and 45mm. Sadly, they are as blunt as a hammer !

 

 

Everyone has this in their kitchen, right?  And what has the aluminium foil to do with sharpening rotary cutter blade, you ask ?

 

 

 

Well, you simply fold a piece of  foil a few times and just slice away with your blunt dull rotary cutter…pausing a few times to test it out on your fabric scraps …till it starts slicing away your fabric too!

 

 

 

You will end up with this and an almost new rotary cutter!

Oh yeah!!!

 

 

 

I found this little trick while hopping and surfing in blogland .

The only catch is how long the blade will keep sharp. Still, it beats throwing it into the trash.

I read that it works too for sharpening scissors.

 

Disclaimer : I will not be held responsible for any mishap or misfortune in the process of sharpening your rotary cutter blade. Please take caution.

 

 

P.S. Let me know if it works for you too

Snow Hearts

If you have been checking out my BOMs list,

Claudia just released the third Snow Hearts…

and I all of them!

January

February

March

I’m making a table runner…again…and matching placemats, of course .

And yes, I’m still doing the disappearing nine patch .

The previous blocks are still there if you want to catch them!

Thanks Claudia !