U-handblog

Bag making for newbies. Part 2 - Choosing Fabrics & Interfacings

This is another "Lisa tries to answer one your "Bag Making Queries" posts.  I'll keep an eye on that post to check out your queries and try to answer some maybe once or twice a week (depending on how my rabid inbox is looking...).

**Find Part 1 (Sewing Terms) Bag Making for Newbies here**

We are sooo lucky when it comes to fabrics, we're so spoilt for choice it aint true! From funky printed quilt cottons, to cute Japanese linens, from vintage table cloths to second hand jumpers, from home decor weights to delicate silks and so on.  The groovy thing about bag making is that we can use nearly any fabric we like as long as we use the appropriate interfacing (stabiliser - more about that in a minute) and apply a few construction rules and techniques.

What in the blazes is interfacing (stabiliser) and why do I need it?

I admit interfacing isn't much to look at (skeletons aren't either, but where would we be without them?) Interfacing provides structure, without it (most) bags just won't look or work great.  Interfacing gives us the flexibility to use most any fabric we want in our bags. It supports and strengthens fabric and it can even make fabric stand up stiff and straight (great for when we want our bags to stand up by themselves).  You'll soon notice that effective bag making is very dependent on picking the appropriate interfacing for the fabric that you want to use.  I have written a fuller guide to interfacing which I hope you'll think is useful.  Do have a read of it (if only) because it took me an aaaage to write.

Whilst there isn't really a right or wrong choice of fabric for a bag; as a newbie you will certainly make life easier if you stick to a few common sense fabric choices for different types of bags (as you get more experienced you can then hang out with the bad girls and break bag making rules - all in good time!)

 Bag making fabric and interfacing combo suggestions

Here are a few fabric and interfacing suggestions for different types of bags.  As you become more experienced and confident with how to combine fabric with the appropriate interfacing you can go wild and choose a whole gamut of other fabrics besides the ones I have suggested here.  **Disclaimer**: These are just my suggestions and not necessarily what was used in following bags. Also I haven't named the creators of some of the bags in case they wish to remain anonymous:

My design, Basket Style bag - this bag has a Free Tutorial.

Bag Type = Firm structure boxy handbag
Fabric = Quilt weight cotton
Interfacings = Medium Fusible on all bag parts and some stiff Ultra Firm Fusible on the exterior and Heavy Sew-in in between the exterior and the lining fabric, also there is a stiff grid bag bottom on the base.

Amy Butler's Swing Bag, a great choice for newbies.

Bag Type = Soft structure shoulder bag
Fabric = Quilt weight cotton
Interfacings = Medium Fusible on all bag parts and some Heavy Sew-in sewn in between the exterior and lining fabric.

Amy Butler's Birdie Sling, another good choice for newbies.

Bag Type = Soft structure shoulder bag
Fabric = Quilt weight cotton
Interfacings = Medium Fusible on all bag parts and some Heavy Sew-in sewn in between the exterior and lining fabric.

Cute and practical Messenger Bag.  Amy B has a fab pattern for this style bag.

Bag Type = Soft structure shoulder bag
Fabric = Denim, linen, canvas, or upholstery/home dec weight fabric.
Interfacings = Woven fusible on all bag parts and some Compressed Fleece sewn in between the lining and exterior.

Pleated yumminess with yoke

Bag Type = Soft structure body with firm structure top yoke/band
Fabric = Quilt weight cotton
Interfacings = Medium Fusible on all bag parts, some Heavy Sew-in sewn in between the exterior and lining on the bottom part of the bag and some stiff Ultra Firm Fusible ironed onto the top band.

My design, roomy shoulder bag with darts.  I'm working on a PDF pattern for this right now...

Bag Type = Soft structure shoulder bag
Fabric = Quilt weight cotton
Interfacings = Medium Fusible on all bag parts and some Compressed Fleece sewn in between the lining and exterior.

Another one of my designs: Firm Boxy Clutch purse.

Bag Type = Firm structure boxy hand clutch
Fabric = Quilt weight cotton, linen, wool, heavy satin/silk, denim or canvas
Interfacings = Medium Fusible on all bag parts and some stiff Ultra Firm Fusible ironed onto the exterior .

Amy Butler's Weekender Bag (at back) and Sophia Bag

Bag Type = Firm structure hold-all bags
Fabric = Quilt weight cotton, linen, wool, heavy satin/silk, denim or canvas
Interfacings = Woven fusible on all bag parts and some stiff Ultra Firm Fusible ironed onto the exterior and Compressed Fleece sewn in between the lining and exterior.

Delicious Zippered Wristlet.

Bag Type = Soft structure zip purse
Fabric = Quilt weight cotton
Interfacings = Medium Fusible on all bag parts and some Compressed Fleece sewn in between the lining and exterior.

Groovy retro bag with darts

Bag Type = Medium firm structure shoulder bag
Fabric = Upholstery/Home dec weight fabric
Interfacings = Woven fusible on all bag parts and some stiff Ultra Firm Fusible ironed onto the exterior and Compressed Fleece sewn in between the lining and exterior. 

Pretty pleated wristlet with yoke.

Bag Type = Soft structure zippered purse
Fabric = Quilt weight cotton
Interfacings = Medium Fusible on all bag parts, some Heavy Sew-in sewn in between the exterior and lining and 2 layers of Medium Fusible ironed onto the top band.

Right, I think that covers a fair few bag making bases!

**Find Part 1 (Sewing Terms) Bag Making for Newbies here**

Next time: Part 3 of bag making for newbies ...Well how about you tell me what part 3 should be about?  Leave your suggestions in your comments and I'll pick one or two.  If no one has any suggestions I'll think of somethin'

...and the winner of 'Name that purse' is....

Jeepers!  224 entries?!!  Like wow! Thank you so much for your kind feedback about my new kit. We had great fun reading through all of your suggestions this morning.  This makes my job so much easier (except for the having to pick just one), I end with a fab name for my kit and it's much more fun this way.

So in the end it was agreed that this name summed up the new kit...

The kit is now in the shop.  Ta dah! May I introduce the newest addition to the family: The Easy Peasy Purse Kit.  As named by Ivy.

Out of the 200 plus entries I saw that 'Easy Peasy' was suggested a few times so I thought it was only fair to give the prize to the person who suggested it first:

So will Ivy who suggested...

"The Easy Peasy Purse. :-)"

please step forward, send me an email to claim her Easy Peasy Purse.

Thank heaps to everyone who joined in.  Each time I bring out a pattern or a kit I will ask you good folks to name it because it worked so well again. :)

Bag making for newbies. Part 1 - Sewing Terms

This is a "Lisa tries to answer one your "Bag Making Queries" posts.  I'll keep an eye on that post to check out your queries and try to answer some maybe once or twice a week (depending on how my rabid inbox is looking...).

This time I am replying to Lindsey who said:

"Hello from one of those sewing newbies! I am just starting out and would love to try sewing a bag. What are the basic things I should know before/as I get started?"

**Find Part 2 of Bag Making for Newbies (Bag Making Fabrics & Interfacings) here.**

So I thought I would start off with sewing terms because trying to use a pattern that appears to be written in Martian is kind of a drag.  Here are some bag making basics that will hopefully be useful to  newbies (Hi and welcome. Ohh! You're gonna have so much fun...!) and maybe a bit of a refresher for us older hands isn't a bad thing either :)  Please feel free to add more advice or correct me in your comments - don't be shy!

Ohh all of that pretty fabric and a shiny sewing machine just waiting for you to come along and weave your magic!

So what do those funny terms mean?

This list is not exhaustive by any means. These are terms that as a bag maker I regularly come across. I'll add some links to glossaries at the end.

• Right/wrong side out = this simply means the front (or back) side of your fabric or in other words the good (or reverse) side.
• Right/wrong sides together = see above. Bringing layers of fabric together like a sandwich.
• Turn right/wrong side out = turn your item good/inside out.
• Seam allowance = this is the width from the edge of the fabric to which you will sew. So if a pattern states that you sew with a 1cm seam allowance, you sew 1cm in from the edge of the fabric.  On all patterns you need to check to see if the seam allowance has been added to the pattern shapes.
• Top/side/bottom edge = the top/side/bottom edge of the pattern piece/item.
• Top stitching = a decorative line of stitches quite close (3/4mms or so) from the edge of the thing you are sewing.
• Notches = those V shaped things that you sometimes see on pattern outlines.  You don't have to cut out the V shapes themselves, you should just mark them onto your fabric pieces.  Notches are used to help you line up 2 or more pattern pieces together.
• Raw edge = the cut edge of fabric.
• Selvedge = the woven edge of the fabric (usually the margin in which the fabric company name is written).
• Baste in place = using long length easily removable stitches to temporarily hold fabric pieces together.  Basting is handy when pins aren't up to the job of holding things together.
• Press = another word for iron.
• Press seam open = open the seam out with your fingers (like book covers) and iron the 'covers' open.
• Fuse = another word for 'bond'  Often involves using an iron and a substance which is 'fusible' (and heat activated) such as fusible interfacing (more about interfacing in another post) or fusible web.  Fusible web is a fine mesh adhesive used for bonding layers of fabric together.
• Trim = just another word for 'cut'.
• Clip corners = cutting off excess fabric (but not too close to your stitching!) from cornered seams because this reduces bumps at the corner when you turn your item right side out.  Try it and see, it works wonders.
• Pivot = when you need to turn a corner or change angle whilst you are sewing, stop the sewing machine with the needle in the 'down' position (the needle anchors your work to your sewing machine), lift up the machine presser foot and pivot (or on other words change the angle) of your work before lowering the foot and sewing merrily on your way again.

Some helpful sewing glossaries;

• The sewing dictionary and glossary
• Sewing Glossary
• Sewing Machine Glossary

Please feel free to add more advice or correct me in your comments and link to yourself too - don't be shy!

Next time: Part 2 - a chat about bag making fabrics and Interfacings.

Happiest Chinese New Year 2009!

This Year it's the year of the OX!  Yay!  Which is great because I was born in the Year of the OX. This is my year!  Hopefully it will mean that I will:

1. grow a few more inches
2. loose a bit of weight
3. grow me some boobage
4. become rich and
5. famous beyond my wildest dreams
6. marry a handsome and clever man - well, 1 out of 6 aint bad (and no, wedding preparations are still not happening, we are both just too busy.  My Mum has begun rounding up the family troops for June wedding so maybe it's June wedding then?  Erk! He He! - nervous laughter....)

Hey I just thought: as I'm born in the year of the OX it kinda looks like I was born in the year of "hug & kiss".  Aw! I like that.


If you want to see which year you were born on the Chinese zodiac you can check last year's Chinese New Year blog post.

Name the purse; win the purse!

Another one of my purse kits (in the making) hot off the sewing machine! 

This new kit is suitable for anyone who hasn't had a go at making purse frame purses before.  The pattern is easy going and I have pared down the instructions to the bare essentials.  I wanted to make this kit easy for newbies to follow, but I still wanted the purse to be pretty and satisfying to make.  I hope it is mission accomplished!

Front view.  7 2/8" x 5" (18.5cm x 13cm).  Perfect size for the essentials: phone, money and keys.

Side view.

Side and bottom view.  Tidy and flat bottom (wish mine was - heh!)

Open view. How roomy is that?   Easy and clear view access for all of your essentials from a postage stamp to your lip balm.

Contest Details (please read carefully)

I'll send this finished purse to 1 winner.

To enter all you have to do is comment on THIS PARTICULAR POST by:

• Picking a name for this purse kit.  As a couple of pointers I tend NOT to name my items after girls names (such as 'Alice Purse' because IMHO that has little meaning...), instead I tend to lean towards names which in some way describe the item. 
• Also, please DO NOT focus on the colour of the fabric of this purse as I will be bringing this kit out in different fabrics.  Ta!
  

 **SORRY THIS DRAW IS NOW CLOSED**

Contest Official-ness :

1. I'll select the winning name in 5 days time - 27th January and announce the winner the following day-ish.  Good luck! 
2. Sorry I can't notify winners, so please keep an eye for the winner announcement.  This is made easier for you if you subscribe to this blog so you don't have to keep checking back, although it's always great to have you pop-in for a read :0)
3. Prizes which are not claimed within 3 weeks of the winner announcement will be carried forward to the next draw.
4. Sorry I can't reply to contest/draw comments, but I do love reading every single one :)

Coming tomorrow: I'll be tackling one of your bag making queries.  Hope to see you then!

and the winner of Zakka Sewing is...

...Mara! Who wins this copy of Zakka Sewing.

So Mara (who was no. 37) who said:

"I made these:

http://kleiosbelly.wordpress.com/2008/12/07/kims-birthday-present/

for my sister using Laura Foster Nicholson's beautiful "how to knit" ribbon that I purchased years ago. Imagine my delight to find that you can still buy it (and many of her other beautiful ribbons) at:

http://www.lfntextiles.com/servlet/StoreFront

Mara, Please get in touch with me so I can get your prize to you'.

Thanks for your entries and your fabby links; I really enjoyed checking them out (yep I do look at every single one). I'm sorry to all of of you who didn't get lucky this time.  There's another fabulous give away coming next week.

Back home, get the kettle on...

...ah that's sooo much better!  In the door, flowers and a cuddle from my man, cuddle for the dog, a cuppa, bath, fresh clothes, some home food to rid my stomach of airplane food (yeuchhh!) fire up the computer.  It's great to be back.

Thanks to all who said "Hi" whilst I was still in HK (and thanks for your sewing shop recommendations too) I wasn't able to get to a computer again until now.  Though I did manage to stuff my cases with some big fat sewing goodness which I will show and tell when I've done my laundry, gotten through some of my emails, opened my post...and blah.

Feeling very pooped because my luggage was arm stretchingly heavy and one of my 2 suitcases broke (the handle fell off - what joy!) I must have looked hilarious apart for the fact that I was in tears and swearing quite a lot. 

There's heapso work for me to do and a squillion new baggy ideas just waiting to hit the drawing board. So whilst I make a start on that and sort out my laundry out here a few HK pics:

If the aliens are trying to suck out my brains they are going to be pretty disappointed with the results.  Here I am at the bargain hairdressers having a hair softening treatment thing.

Hong Kongers love their pets and at this time of year it can get really nippy.  This gorgeous little fella had a funny (but cosy) little fleece dog suit on.  The other dogs don't laugh at him because they're  all wearing them too. Heh!

Here's some of that Cake porn I promised.  Can you believe that these fruity, chocolatey, creamy...drooool - confections cost only approx £8.00?!

My Mum.  Hi Mum!

Loads of folks say that my Mum and I look very much alike.  I can't really see it myself; what do you think?

Okay must get on with some real work.  I'll be back tomorrow to announce the winner of the Zakka Sewing book.  If you haven't entered the draw yet it's not too late.  Good Luck!

Greetings from the Fragrant Harbour

Happiest Hello Everybody!!

I hope you are all well and that you are having a good week.

For anyone wondering, Fragrant Harbour is a literal translation of 'Hong Kong'.  Yes it can be rather...er fragrant at times (especially in the warmer months), but when it's cooler like it is now the streets smell of yummy cakes (oh the cakes!  I have serious cake porno pictures for you, but I can't upload them on this computer, I'll do it when I get back) and tempting Chinese savoury foods.  You can't be hungry enough and unless you have an iron will you can forget about fitting into your fave pair of jeans (I certainly don't anymore!)

I'm having a lovely time with my Mum and getting to know my parent's village Tai Po.  My mum is having a little 'me-time' away  from home in the UK with some Christian friends (whilst Dad potters around at home - I bet he's eating all of his fave foods away from Mum's watchful eye.  Hiya Dad! X). 

I'm thinking it's good for me to keep in touch the place of my origin.  I was born in the UK and all of my family speak great English so I don't often get to think and feel like a Chinese person.  The folks who live in the village and town of Tai Po are very friendly compared to their busier Kowloon/HK island counterparts.  Everyone Tai Po is quite amused when I try communicate with them in my very sub standard Chinese, but at least they are encouraging.  I think as I grow up I want to connect more with my roots and have a better understanding of my heritage, besides it will be good for when I become a Mum (in a year or two).

That said, I am looking forward to getting back because I am really a home body and can you believe it no one seems be into craft (at least of the sewing variety).  I'm already getting twitchy from (SMW) sewing machine withdrawal.  My sketchbook is filling up nicely and I can't make anything.  Waaaaahh!

Hopefully I'll be able to check-in again very soon.  Take care all.  Big Kiss!

Must dash!

Thanks for your calendar suggestions everyone.  Seems like love for Miffy transcends all ages.

Of course I have only started packing (on the day I am leaving) only to realise that I need to wash some clothes etc etc etc.  Doh!  I do this every single time.  In some ways I'd rather stay in and do some sewing, it's so nice and cosy in my work room (with my bobble hat on).  But I haven't seen my Mum in aaaages and I know I'm just being silly...

So I won't be answering your bag making queries today.  Not to worry though, there's a nice list of questions building up and I might be able to blog and answer some whilst I'm in HK.  I'm not a tourist in HK, (been there, seen that) so the evenings are spent taking it easy.   Providing the internet connection is good I can say hello and write about bags and things from Hong Kong.  I know, I'm such an internet fanatic :)

I hope you all have a lovely crafting week and don't forget to wrap up warm.  I'll be back on the 19th.  Just so you know the shop is open as usual.  I have left U-Handbag in the care of my beautiful assistants.

It's an important decision...

...deciding upon which calendar to get for a communal area of the house.  I mean we all have to look at the thing for a whole year!

I'll be getting this calendar for my work room:

The Whip Up Crafty Calendar.

But which to choose for the kitchen?  Why is me who always has to choose the communal calendar anyway?  I get het-up about this very important decision every year. How about:

this very camp and kitsch pink lawn flamingoes calendar?

we had a sock monkey calendar last year and loved it.  Quite tempted to get another, but a change is always good...

how about some Chinese Propaganda my good comrade?

Miffy Calendar. It's so childish, but so lovely.  I don't think Al would be too keen, but then it serves him right for leaving the family calendar obtaining duties to me :)

Oh I don't know!  We might be well into March before I choose one.