U-handblog

Bag Making Clinic #1

Thanks for sending in your remedies for the Bag Making Clinic - we'll be answering 5 questions per week, so keep 'em coming in! 

• Daryl asked: 

"Whenever I have tried to make a bag with a zipper that curves around the top of the bag and the zipper is supposed to taper in the seams at the sides, I have trouble with the tapering of the zipper into the seam allowance. I either get the fabric puckering, or the fabric caught, or the zipper ends stick out on the right side after I turn it right-side-out. Can you help to explain how to taper the zipper into the side seams so that I don't have this problem anymore? Thank you!"

Lisa says: The best way to create neat zip ends is to make "tabs" at either end of your zip.
To do this cut two rectangles of fabric 4cm x 3.5cm (this may vary depending on the size of your zip!). Take one of the zip tab fabric pieces RSU and fold under one of the short edges 1cm (3/8"). Place the folded edge of the zip tab onto the RS of one of the ends of the zip and stitch along the folded edge. The raw zip tab edge should meet the zip end edge. Repeat with the other zip tab and the other end of the zip. 
By making these tabs you will ensure a neat and crisp finish on your seams, and it also looks pretty :)

• Alison asked: 

"How to measure exactly how long you need to cut a gusset for a bag with curved corners?"

Lisa says: To gauge the length of your gusset pattern, measure around the outline of your main bag body pattern pieces and add 10cm (4"). This leaves you with a 5cm (2") margin for error on either short end of the gusset. If your gusset is made up of two pieces, don't forget to add seam allowance at the join. 

• Lucy asked: 

"I have used the clutch shells from the shop with great success. I was wondering though, how to attach a fabric 'hinge' to stop it opening fully and everything tipping out. The ones in debenhams have them, but I never want to buy a bag again if I can help it!! Thanks Lucy"

Lisa says: We've been working on a hinge pattern for our hard shell clutches, and think we've got it to a T. Stay tuned for a tutorial very soon! :)

 

• Ciara asked: 

"oh this is great :) so how am i supposed to handle bulk where the seams meet? especially if i put a strap into the gusset, i hope you know what i mean? if i grade them will that impact on the strength/durability of the bag? there seems to be so much bulk in certain places that it make the finished product look very amateurish! i am sure i will have more questions :) thank you Lisa :)"

Lisa says: A walking foot makes working with layers so much easier and I wouldn't be without mine! When you're approaching bulky seams always go slow and take your time - turning the wheel by hand if necessary. Once the seams are sewn, you can also trim the interfacing seam allowance (being careful not to snip too close to the stitching) to reduce bulk. 

 

• Patricia asked: 

"What is the best glue to use when attaching a metal frame?"

Lisa says: I always use Gutermann Textile Glue (HT2) and you can buy it in the shop here. I wouldn't use anything else - it's super strong and easy to work with.

 

An edited version of myself

It's that editing time again!  The time that lets all craft authors know that the end is in sight (and you can go and party again, or on my case, watch telly in the evenings without feeling at all guilty).

 

Have: builder's tea, choccy macadamia cookie, highlighter pen, post-it tabs will proof-read.

Having written a craft book or two I have to say I have the utmost respect for all photo instruction book authors.  Creating these books is incredibly labour intensive for everyone involved (and there needs to be many people involved).  I think authors do it for the love (and seeing our name in lights/local book shop is very awesome too).  We deffo don't do it for the money, because if you add up the all hours needed the sums don't make sense, but then (for many of us) that's a bit like what craft is; it's not for the money, it's for the fun of it and for the love of it.   I'm not whining, I'm as happy and daft as ever, I would just say that authors have feelings and we'd always prefer to make you happy!  :)

I hope the above hasn't put you off writing your book or publishing a pattern or tutorial. If you have them on the drawing board, get them out there!  Go for it!  One of the main reason that the crafting community is such a tour de force is the community's desire to share!  

 

Do you have a book/pattern/tutorial idea that you're burning to share?  Are you going to go for it?

Bag Making Clinic

Welcome to the Bag Making Clinic!

We're officially open to help and answer any bag making questions you may have - so send them our way! 

Please try and keep the questions clear and simple, and we'll be back next week with our first installment of remedies :)

Bag yourself a Carpet Bag

One of our enduring customer faves is our Cavernous Carpet Bag (and we can see why you love it so much!)  During a rare quiet office moment Skye whipped-up this pretty Lady!  We think this design is so striking and we absolutely love the way it snaps open - no hassle, no nonsense :)

Ingredients List:

• PDF Pattern - The Cavernous Carpet Bag
• Leather Handles - Leather Piped Black
• Fabric outer - French Sewing Magazine linen fabric
• or the bag kit (no fabric included) - Blank Cavernous Carpet Bag Kit
• Lining - from Lisa's stash

 

If you haven't made one yet, give her a try.  She's not hard to make and she looks great.  Also, she's very satisfying to put together and to use. 

Lisa's current fave Clothes Sewing Fiend gadgets

Hi guys, it's Skye here! Lisa is super busy writing again at the moment.  

In case you didn't already know Lisa is designing girl's clothing patterns.  They will be published by the same folks who published her books.  The patterns will be released in late Spring.  We've seen the clothes and they look scrummy!  :)

Here's Mabel strutting out in one of Lisa's design's.  Fabric is by Amy Butler - Hapi.  Lisa's patterns will hit the shops in late Spring.

 

 

So whilst Lisa is furiously designing stuff she asked me to let you know about her current fave clothes sewing fiend gadgets. 

 

1. Kam Snaps: These brightly coloured snaps are sooo cute and perfect for children's clothes and bag making alike. Look at the colour choice, it's breathtaking!  They are strong and very quick and easy to use.  Debora (a sewing genius) recommended these babies recently and they're fab!

 

2. 28mm Clover rotary Cutter: We're already a huge fan of rotary cutters, but this smaller size is just right for speedy, yet accurate pattern cutting.  Try it!  After practice you will get a steady hand and be able whizz around them pattern curves.

 

 

3. Clover Medium Flower Head Pins: If you're dressmaking with quilt weight fabric (like Lisa currently is), then these are the pins are just great! 

 

 

4. Buttonhole (waist) Elastic: A new find that is proving to be mega-useful with children's clothes and so satisfying to use!  Perfect for accommodating both Skinny Minnies and Yummy Chubbies.

 

 

5. Prym Silicone Iron Rest: If you're short on space (Lisa has to stitch, type and pattern-cut on the same table - arghhh!) this silicone iron rest is a must-have. Move it around to your hearts content with no fear of any nasty burn disasters.

 

 

And if you're looking for further entertainment whilst you sew, check out The Booth at the End on Lovefilm; the dialogue is so razor sharp and thought provoking you don't need to keep your eyes on the screen (it's all based inside a cafe booth) so you can more easily concentrate on your sewing.  Lisa found it so riveting she watched both seasons in 2 days!

We'd love to know what other shows can you recommend that are great to sew to?