U-handblog

Suggest a bag making film and win Signed, 'In Stitches' and Leather Bag Handles!

Looks like I'll have to get myself to the manicure parlour and hairdresser. My amazing publisher is going to film yours truly doing some craft action. Hoo hoo! 

Yeah, as you might already know in May I'm hopping across the pond.   Part of the USA trip involves meeting the craft team of my publisher's parent company AND doing some filming in their filming suite - very cool hey?  I'm crapping myself, but at the same time I can't wait!  They want to film me demonstrating certain bag making techniques.  This is where you come in.  I'm giving you the power to decide what I should be filmed doing - I'm your crafting puppet. Hahaaaaaa!  It makes sense for us to film what you want to watch rather than us filming something in the hope you'll want to watch it. :)

 

Some info about the vids (please bear this in mind when you suggest):

• The vids will be 30-60 mins long.
• They'll be bag making focused.
• They can show anything that I've already blogged or written about or they can be something new that (bag making wise) I've not yet covered. 
• The vids will have a practical element. They will show me demonstrating a technique/making a bag rather than giving a talk or discussing something.

Is there anything that you'd like to see explained in moving picture and spoken word? I can't guarantee that you'll like the sound of my voice, but I've been told I have a clear Queen's English accent :)

Let us know what bag making vids you'd like to see and you could win the stuff below...

Get your mitts on a brand new SIGNED!!! copy of Amy Butler's Style Sitches and...

...your choice of one of any (in stock) leather bag handles from my shop.

 

 

Contest Details (please read carefully)

I will send a signed copy of Style Stitches and the leather bag handle/s to 1 winner.  The draw is open to everyone.  If the winner is overseas I will mark the package as a 'gift' so there will be no customs to pay. 

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

• Letting me know what bag making tecniques or bags you'd like to see me doing/making in a film. Please refer to the Vid Info in this blog post before you suggest.
• Suggest as many times as you like. Thanks for your help!
  

Contest Official-ness :

1. I'll randomly select 1 winner in 3 days time: 2nd March and announce them the following day-ish.  Good luck! 
2. I'll need to ask the winner to make a donation for the postage.
3. 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)
4. Prizes which are not claimed within 3 weeks of the winner announcement will be carried forward to the next draw.
5. Sorry I can't reply to contest/draw comments, but I do love reading every single one :)

 

More advice on Interfacing, anyone?

Thank you, you Lovely Ladies for your kind congrats on my new craft ventures. It makes no difference whether I'm at home blogging in my slippers or quaking in my (not very high) heels giving a talk or a workshop - I'm always grateful that you're out there egging me on :)

So, why am I writing about interfacing again?  Well I asked folks on my FaceSlap what bag making advice they'd like me to write about and the 'inter of the facing' is what cropped up over and over again.

I do understand why this stuff is such a mystery. It doesn't help that the products are called different names here and across the pond, it ain't cheap and new fangled products are coming to market all the time. For those reasons alone I'm sure that interfacing will remain a hot (yet confusing) blog topic forever more.

Here is a general round up of tips and comment on the seemingly unfathomable interfacing!

 

Why spend as much as you can afford on interfacing?

Yes I know that (to look at) interfacing isn't particularly sexy (compared to fabric anyway!) but this stuff is where a lot of the magic starts. Much of bag making is about making cool looking 3D shapes out of a material that given the choice would rather lie flat. Interfacing strengthens fabric and it can give it structural capabilities such as the ability to stand up by itself; be soft and spongy, be firm or even all 3 at once.  Interfacing not only adds 'beefs up' your fabrics it also helps protect it from the rigours of being used and abused!  So it stands to reason that the better the quality of interfacing you use; the better your bag will look and feel and the longer it will last.  It is for this reason that I never ever use non-branded interfacings. You might be saving a bit of cash, but that is because the adhesive and the structure is very likely to be inferior (I've been there) so it won't be long before your beautiful bag will age before it's time.

 

Oh Bubble Off!

I've also written in my book how to apply interfacing sans bubbles. 

Here are some tip-ages:

• Always thoroughly iron your fabric before applying interfacing onto it.
• Pay attention to the manufacturers recommended heat settings. If you are unsure, begin at heat setting 2 before moving on up the dial.
• When applying interfacing to fabric you should use the ironing in pressing motion rather than a sweeping motion. So, press the iron to the interfacing for 8-12 seconds on each part before moving onto the next part and repeat. When moving on to the next part it's a good idea to overlap parts so as to avoid missing areas out - which leads to bubble making!
• I know it's tedious, but for best results you should lay a clean damp cloth over the interfacing when ironing. This will get you some hot steamy action going.  It is the steam combining with the heat that creates a good bond. Iron the interfacing onto you fabric from centre to outside edge. Lay and smooth the interfacing onto your fabric. Place your damp cloth on top and place the iron in the centre, press and move to the next section in a outward direction toward the fabric edges.
• This is a little wasteful, but this tip gets you good crisp well bonded pattern piece edges (and the edges is where interfacing is most likely to begin peeling away). Iron the interfacing to the fabric BEFORE cutting out the pattern pieces. Cut out your fabric a little bit bigger than your pattern pieces, then cut out the interfacing slightly smaller than the fabric you have just cut (so you don't end up ironing interfacing to you ironing board), now iron on the interfacing to your fabric. The beauty of this tip is that you now don't have the bother of having to match up the interfacing pattern pieces to the fabric pieces to iron 'em togther.

Whew! One hot n' steamy sole. Heh!  Heat isn't enough to ensure a good interfacing bond we need to build up a good head of steam too.

 

My fave Interfacing

In my bag making I tend to use 3 different products, often in combination with each other. I'm going to try avoid using product names rather I'll explaining the properties of the product:

• Woven fusible interfacing - What it looks like =  woven cotton muslin with a dotty texture on one side (the dots are the iron-on adhesive). I use this stuff on whatever fabric I'm using. It's great on most anything from silk to canvas. As this is woven it doesn't disturb the drape and movement of the fabric. In other words your fabric will not look crunchy or crease in an unexpected way and it will retain it's flow and drape. It also provides great support without adding bulk. This stuff is more pricey, but that is because it's simply superior to it's non-woven cousins.
• Extra Firm Fusible - What it looks like = this stuff can be thick and a bit spongey or it can be thin and crisp with a dotty texture on one or both sides.  This stuff is extra rigid and it is what you need when making firm clutches or bags that stand up by themselves. Always choose stuff that is flexible as well and being firm. It should iron out well if it gets creased and it should not bend like cardboard (unless you purposefully crease it). When using this stuff I like to apply some woven fusible onto the fabric first before applying extra firm to the woven fusible (because extra firm can feel too hard directly behind fabric).
• Fleece - What it looks like = thickish felt, but not as densely knit as felt.  I like thicker fusible and non fusible fleece for all of my bags. I tend not to use thinner interlining unless I'm using thick fabrics for both my exterior and my lining.  Fleece is adds softly padded 3D support.  Thicker fleece instantly give your bag and purse a nicely padded quality feel, it prolongs the life of your fabric and gives protection for your handbag essentials.

 

Still here? Here's yet more info on Interfacing.

• Interfacing & Interlining De-mystified.
• Choosing Fabrics & Interfacings
• How to Stregthen your Bag & Purses
• U-Handbag Interfacings & Interlinings

 

So what are your fave interfacing products?

New interfacing, new book and new job!!

I was in Birmingham on Sunday & Monday to attend a meeting with my publisher and Coats Crafts UK (more about that in a minute).

The setting was a craft supplier and manufactures trade fair.  I had a great time running amok in the aisles checking what's hot and what's going to go into my shop and/or into the new book. Work shouldn't be this fun!

 

New Job

So, why a meeting with Coats Crafts UK? Weeelll I have some exciting news: I am going to be a Coats gal/expert/designery type person. Which means I will teach/attend Coats hosted workshops/book signings/talks and other such crafty events held in stores, fairs and in their headquarters.  Woo hoo!  This is like a big deal for me. Not so long ago I first met the nice Coats people at one of Amy Butler's Liberty book signings. I had NO IDEA that some time later I will find myself in similar shoes in the very same Liberty store with shaky pen in hand signing copies of my own books. 

Oh, and thanks to Coats; I will have a really lovely 'Lisa Lam' area on The Cotton Patch stand at Festival of Quilts 2011.  Their stand is always aa-mazing!  It'll be nice a roomy so we can all have a good gossip in comfort.  The Festival is simply brilliant, everyone says so!  Please please please say you can come and say Hi!

 

New Book

What else?  My publisher and I talked more about the new book.  I'm soo excited about it! 

All I can divulge is:

• it will be published in 2 parts (the first part this year, the rest in Spring 2012)
• it's full of things that you've asked for
• It's most likely going to be hardback spiral bound with full sized patterns
• the book concept hasn't been done before
• You might at some point see me doing the bag making thing in film...
• and...I'll deffo have this new fabric somewhere in the book. I saw it in the flesh at the fair. It's LUSH! Ty Pennington  I salute you!

 

USA here I come!!

One of my crafty dreams is going to come true - I'm flying across the crafty pond!!!!  I'll be attending Spring Quilt Market in SLC. I'll be giving a talk (YIKES!!) and I'll be goofing around the stands with the crafty rock stars. I'll be sure to take a vid cam and snag you some interviews and previews.

**It's still to be confirmed (but I'll keep you posted). Amy Butler and I are trying to wangle a double book signing in St Mary's Ohio on May 20th. Amy will deffo be there, I am hoping to be there, and it'd be brilliant if you were going to be there too!**

 

New Interfacing

So I was walking around the trade fair with my craft fiend editor (and another lover of interfacing) Jennifer and I spotted a stand that specialized in loads of different weights of interfacing. I squealed very loudly and ran over waving my arms (well, in my head I did). I saw a product that looked a lot like the now defunct Flexi-firm. You have no idea how much I (and a lot of my customers) have yearned for a satisfactory substitute. After having a touchy feely of the stuff I can happily report that the arduous search is finally over. In fact this stuff is better becuase it irons out better than the Flexi-firm did.   I'm just finalizing supplier account stuff so I hope to have it back in stock real soon.  YAYYY!   Yes people, it's perfectly normal to get this excited by interfacing. :)

 

PDF Pattern - The Puffy Pleaty Purse

Thanks very much for your kind feedback about this pleated bag.  Here is the pattern for it (as requested by ooodles of you!)  I hope you dig it  :)

 

• The leather handle adds a 1950's touch of 'Grace Kelly' chic to the bag.
• The purse is easily large enough to store your essentials plus sunglasses & compact camera.
• Whilst the pleats and gathers add loads of volume, the purse is still neat & compact.
• Loads of helpful colourful photos and full sized pattern pieces to help make the making fun!

Finished size: 12in (W) x 8in (H) x 1 6/8in (D). (30 1/2cm x 20cm x 4cm).

 

 

**PURCHASE THE PATTERN HERE**
Instant download. No waiting and no shipping fee - Yay!

To purchase the pattern please:

1. Click on the 'Buy Now' box below.
2. A separate PayPal page will open (you do not need a Paypal account) where you will need to enter your payment details.
3. Within minutes of making payment you will receive an email with a web link to the Pattern Download page.  The download takes less than 5 mins. depending on internet connection speed.
4. PLEASE NOTE: the download link will expire after 72 hours from payment or after 3 attempts, which ever event happens first.  This is to help protect my pattern. I hope you understand :) Once you have downloaded the pattern to your computer the pattern will stay on your computer for as long as you like (or until you delete it).
5. Please remember to SAVE the pattern to your computer - so you can use it again and again!

Thank you and I hope you enjoy!

 

The Puffy Pleaty Purse PDF Pattern = £5.20
Here's a Currency Converter

 

 

Pattern Information (included in the pattern)

You will need:

• 1 fat quarter fabric and matching thread for Lining & Contrast Band 18in x22in (46cm x 56cm).
• 12in of 22in wide ( 30 1/2cm x 56cm) fabric and matching thread for exterior.
• 1 x 8 1/2in x 3 1/2in (20 1/2cm 9cm) Curved purse frame.
• 1/2 yard (50cm) Woven Iron-on fusible interfacing.
• 1/2 yard (50cm) Thermolam Compressed Fleece.
• 1 x Hook & Poppa Leather Bag Strap.
• 27in (68 1/2cm) trim for the contrast band. See Notes.
• Disappearing fabric marker or chalk.
• Strong fabric glue – we LOVE Gutermann CGHT2 glue.
• Pins.

 

Here are more pics (click on them to enlarge)

How professional does this purse look!  The frame, the handle, the contrast band, the puffy pleats and funky-licious trim all combine to make this one knock-out bag!  Just perfect for weddings, holidays or a jaunty trip to town with the girls.   They really aren't going to believe you made this baby yourself!

She's neat and dainty, but no less practical, because she's roomy.  You'll get the usual wallet, keys phone and lipbalm in there, but with this purse you can also carry your compact camera, small bottle of water and sunglasses too!

 

Have fun chopping and changing your fabric and trims. Why not try satins, light velvets, denim, patchwork, feather boa, dangly trim, braid, crochet lace, ribbon...?

Inside view.

 

 

**PURCHASE THE PATTERN HERE**
Instant download. No waiting and no shipping fee - Yay!

To purchase the pattern please:

1. Click on the 'Buy Now' box below.
2. A separate PayPal page will open (you do not need a Paypal account) where you will need to enter your payment details.
3. Within minutes of making payment you will receive an email with a web link to the Pattern Download page.  The download takes less than 5 mins. depending on internet connection speed.
4. PLEASE NOTE: the download link will expire after 72 hours from payment or after 3 attempts, which ever event happens first.  This is to help protect my pattern. I hope you understand :) Once you have downloaded the pattern to your computer the pattern will stay on your computer for as long as you like (or until you delete it).
5. Please remember to SAVE the pattern to your computer - so you can use it again and again!

Thank you and I hope you enjoy!

 

The Puffy Pleaty Purse PDF Pattern = £5.20
Here's a Currency Converter

 

©2011 U-Handbag Patterns. Copyright Notes:
You are welcome to hand make items from our patterns for commercial and non-commercial use. We are happy for you to sell items made from our designs on Etsy or market stalls etc. However, permissions for commercial use do not include factory manufacture for mass production and selling. We respectfully ask you to not pass off our pattern designs as your own design and to not reproduce any part of this pattern anywhere. Thanks for your understanding :)

 

...and the winner of the Happy Go Luck fabric is...

...number 109!!!  Congrats to Karyn Liza who said:

"Hi, my fav designer is Rosalie Quinlan, love her fabric range. Also Amy Butler and Kate Spain and Anna Maria Horner. So many to choose from and so little time!!"

Karyn Liza has won this fabric!  Woo!

 

Congrats Karyn Liza, will you please get in touch with me (my email is at top right corner of this blog) so we can arrange getting the good stuff sent to you.

Thanks for all of your entries everyone. It was great finding out about your fabric designer heroes and learning about some new ones too :)

Nimble fingers runs in the family

I live 2hrs away from my folks, so I don't get to see them as much as I would like.  But when I do pop over we have a great time and I leave feeling nourished - in my big belly and in my soul.  Isn't it funny how when you're young (and ungrateful) your parents exist solely to drive you bananas, and then (hopefully) we mellow out and come to the conclusion that family is actually very cool.

So I went to my folks last weekend.  I thought I'd share some pics of the visit because this time it wasn't just the usual yakking and eating.  This time it was yakking eating and quilting - my kinda afternoon!  My mum really liked the quilt I made for my sister, so much so she wanted to make one just like it.  I'm only a newbie quilter myself (and Mum had never made one), but as this quilt is super easy I knew we'd be able to at least finish the best part of a quilt top in a few hours.  Gran also popped around too, she's a seasoned quilter.  She'd bought with her an amazing candlewicking quilt that she had made - to give to me (result!!). Pics are at the bottom.

For her birthday I had already bought mum some swish sewing gear including: her first cutting mat, quilt ruler and rotary cutter.  She hadn't used any of these items before, but it wasn't long before Mum was happily slicing through 6 layers of fabric - Sweeny Todd style.  I think most everyone has same epiphany moment when they use a rotary cutter for the first time :)  So after Mum got the boring fabric cutting  over with we set to work on making her first quilt top...

Click on pics to enlarge:

Mum having fun learning about the mysterious art of placing pattern and colour together. Sooo glad that Gran (who is a hardened quilter) was there.  Mum had loads of questions that I couldn't answer...  :)

In-yer-face-floral-tastic! 

 

And soon enough Mum was whizzing the pieces through her machine, ironing the seams open and everything.  I tell you, she was unstoppable!   Her 1/4in seams are preeee-cise. 

 

Here's me holding up my Mum's handiwork.  You can't see, but behind me Mum is fixing up a delish Chinese dinner - the prefect reward for a rewarding day's sewing!

My gran hand stitched this Candlewicking quilt over 20 years ago. And now it's mine, all mine! The quilt is made of individual panels that have all been edged with crochet lace and then sewn together to form the quilt top.

Yep all hand stitched.  It must've taken an aaaaaage!

 

 Do you do the craft thing with your family?  What do you get up to craft-wise?

Entire 'Happy Go Lucky' Fabric Collection up for grabs!

Yep this whole collection of fabrics could be all yourssss, preciousss.

It's all new fabric and I'm giving it away simply because you might have more time (than I do) to make it into pretty things.  For me, this year is going to be (is already) very busy in new and exciting ways. Sadly in order to follow those new paths one of the things that gets sacrificed first is my 'sewing for fun' time. It's either that or my social media time, but there's no way I'm giving that up because I LOVE to stay in touch with you guys.  Never mind, there's always a whole heap of sewing to do for my design work so I'm never far away from my sewing machine.

These fabrics are actually a new collection designed by Nel Whatmore for Westminster Fibers.  Nel kindly sent me these samples for me so I could select some for use in the new book.  So I've chosen 2 designs and now the whole collection is yours fer the takin'!

 

Click on the pic to enlarge:

Up for grabs is is Nel's entire Happy Go Lucky fabric collection - pictured above.

It consists of: 25 pieces each measuring: 10in x 8in (25 1/2cm x 20 1/2cm). That's a decent stash!

They'd be fab for little pouches, quilting, bunting, corsages, fabric letters, you name it.

 

 

Contest Details (please read carefully):

I will send all the fabric to 1 winner.  The draw is open to everyone.  If winner is overseas I will mark the package as a 'gift' so there will be no customs to pay. 

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

• Telling us: who are your hippity, hot and happening fabric designers and why? 
  

Contest Official-ness :

1. I'll randomly select 1 winner in a weeks time: 11th Feb and announce them the following day-ish.  Good luck! 
2. I'll need to ask the winner to make a donation for the postage.
3. 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)
4. Prizes which are not claimed within 3 weeks of the winner announcement will be carried forward to the next draw.
5. Sorry I can't reply to contest/draw comments, but I do love reading every single one :)