Using Fancy Fabric

Most of my purses and bags are made with high-quality woven cotton fabric - designer quilter's cottons are the best!  I also like using batiks, which are a tightly-woven cotton.  I find them easy to use, they'll take the high heat I'm used to (being a quilter), and I love the novelty prints.

There is no reason, however, you can't use "fancy" fabrics with my patterns!  I made this Journey Purse from upcycled fabrics supplied by my sister-in-law.  

Just remember these tips to keep your fabric and sewing machine 'safe' and your purse results outstanding!

Luggage Tags Are EASY!

We're always trying to distinguish our black suitcase from all the other black suitcases on the luggage ramp!  I've had some cute plastic ones which the baggage handlers have ripped off (accidentally or literally stolen).  This tag was developed to open easily to insert your information but once it's on your suitcase it is secure.

It's easy to make and only takes a little fabric!

You can even use patchwork scraps or a contrasting fabric for the Back!!

Where's the Lip Balm? Case

The question my daughters have always asked me is "Where's the Lip Balm?"  This easy case will solve the problem!  Make it with a keyring to attach your keys or a swivel snap to clip onto a bookbag, purse, wallet, or to easily clip and remove from your keyring!

The little case is perfectly sized for a lip balm, lipstick, or even a usb drive!

It's so easy to make and they make great stocking stuffers or birthday gifts.  If you're giving cash, roll a couple of dollars around a lip balm to make the cutest gift!  It only uses scraps of fabric so all you need is a zipper and a keychain or hook.

Easy Placemats for a Round Table Free Pattern

I have a 54" round table in my breakfast room that fits the four of us perfectly!  When my sister and my dad come to visit, we like to sit at the table but rectangular placemats won't work when there are six!  So I make placemats that fit 6 perfectly at a round table.

Two different fabrics make them reversible - if you get a small spot at lunch, flip them over for dinner!  I like to use cotton batting instead of polyester fleece or batting because you can then use them for hot plates (polyester may melt from the heat),

Patch your Bag!

I like colorful and I like variety!  So my latest purse is a favorite!

I used the pre-cut squares from a quilt kit to make a Sheila Purse.  Whether you buy a Charm Pack or use your scraps, here's a quick tutorial on how to use patches to make a purse.

I Wish That Purse Was Just A Little Bigger...

My purse and bag patterns are all made with rectangles - rotary cutting makes them easier.  The best thing about this fact is that the finished size is easily adjusted!

What makes the Perfect Wallet?

When I set out to design a wallet, I began with what I wanted and needed.  I also got input from fans on my Facebook page, friends, and a look at the patterns that were available at the time.

The result was the Hold It All Shopper.

This all-purpose wallet has more than 2 dozen pockets - 20 card pockets and 5 large pockets. It also has a clear identification pocket and a zipper pocket with divider for bills and coins. Use the large pockets for  receipts or coupons! There’s also a checkbook cover than can slip into its own pocket or carry separately.

 

Clean Your Machine!

Your machine should NOT have a felt pad underneath the stitch plate!!

I have a confession to make: I am not the best housekeeper. There just seems to be a lot more interesting things to do than scrub the floor. But I do keep my sewing machine clean!

If your sewing machine is skipping stitches or breaking needles, it may need a cleaning.  Cleaning your machine regularly will also keep your sewing machine out of the shop!

Your sewing machine is a big box of moving parts, probably with a couple of circuit boards included. Your fabric and thread are pierced and pushed which sends fine lint flying into all those moving parts! That’s why it’s so important to keep your sewing machine clean.

Strip Your Purse!

Ever wanted to use a luscious jellyroll (collections of 2.5" strips) to make a bag?  Have scraps you'd love to use to  make a purse?  Can't choose between bolts of a fabric collection?  Use strips to make a purse. 

    

Secret Weapon #4 - Use a Thimble!

When I hand sew, whether it is gathering, sewing a binding, or even embroidering, I always use a thimble.

Not only does a thimble protect your finger from pokes, it is a useful tool to push the needle.  This prevents having to grip the needle too tightly with the thumb and forefinger, which reduces fatigue and makes neater stitches.

The thimble I like to use has a flat top with a small edge to hold the needle in place when pushing through thicker fabrics or layers of a quilt.  It has circular indentations on the tip and also has indentations on the side.  You can also push with the side of the thimble.  I wear the thimble on my middle finger.

Don't Fear the Zipper Foot!

 

Every sewing machine has a zipper foot (sometimes called the Zip Foot). Either the foot stays in place and the needle is moved or the foot can snap to one side or the other of the presser foot arm.

I like to use a zipper foot with an adjustable guide.  Normally, when you use the zipper foot to sew a zipper, you use the guide at the edge of the fabric.

But, you can feel where the zipper teeth are and use that to guide where your seam is sewn!  I find the “finger” on the end of the adjustable guide will glide right along the zipper teeth to keep your seam in the right place.

Label the Parts!

Saving yourself extra minutes and hassles!

  

Some of my purse patterns - and especially the Hold It All Shopper, the Lizzie Bag, or the Journey Purse - have lots of pieces which are not easily identified.  They're all rectangles!  The solution to keeping yourself straight is to label the pieces.

A New Look at the Jeans Purse

Upcycle Your Jeans into a Modern Bag!

We’ve all been recycling jeans into shoulder bags since I was a girl.  When I started designing bags, I challenged myself to use jeans to make classy, creative bags that are a cut above what I made in the 70s!

Any upcycling project will require “working with what you have”.  Read all instructions first, then adapt my steps to your jeans and fabric.  By repeatedly laying out and trial-fitting your pattern, you will insure having a creative, good-looking purse!

It's a Snap!

 

Ever since I first started making baby clothes, I have dreaded "hammer-on" snaps.  But now that I'm making Snap Card Cases, I found the best (and easiest) way to attach them!

What is a PDF pattern?

A couple of years ago, I had no idea what a PDF pattern was either!  I've designed sewing and cross-stitch patterns for years but they were booklets with line-drawing illustrations.  Not a whole lot of color photos, as the cost to print was prohibitive.

Enter the wonderful world of computers and Adobe!  Now pattern publishers can email their customers the patterns right away. And you can download my patterns right after you pay for them in my Etsy Shop! You get the file and open with Adobe's free software.  Then you can zoom in, translate to another language, or print out at your leisure.

Features of My Patterns

Want a Firm Bottom? (in your purse!)

Sometimes, especially if you stuff your purse like I do, its bottom tends to be droopy and/or it loses its shape.  A firm bottom can solve this.

This type of bottom is ideal for the Zippy Hobo, Jamie Purse, Tailored Tote, and Charmer Tote.

I like to make a firm bottom out of very stiff cardboard, covered in fabric.  You can cover in the same fabric you use for the lining or use a coordinating fabric.

Remember this is a removable bottom.  Remove before washing bag!!

Add Trim to Your Purse!

You know you really would like some ball fringe or fringe on that new purse!  Here's how to add it easily.

These instructions are specifically for my Zippy Crop Tote pattern, but also translate easily to my Reversible Bookbag Tote or Zippy Tote.  You can also adapt them to lots of other patterns out there!

Secret Weapon #3 - Clothespins!

Clothespins help the glue set.

Did you know you can use clothespins for other uses (other than holding clothes on the line and keeping potato chip bags closed)? They are indispensable in my sewing room.

Cheap, wooden (or plastic) clothespins are ideal for holding glued fabric together while it sets (5 minutes). For the bottom corners of purses, I simple pinch the entire bottom corner (from the inside) and clamp with the clothespins. Don’t leave them longer than 5 minutes or you may glue a clothespin to the purse!!

Oh No! Iron Mishaps

Help!  The fabric is scrunching!!  Eek, my iron changed the color!  Aargh - I've ironed interfacing to the board!!

We've all had those "oh no" experiences when sewing and ironing.  Here's a few tips for correcting them:

How to Make a Fabric Basket

Just in time for Easter!

Make these cute Reversible Fabric Baskets out of Jellyroll strips!

I made mine out of some jellyroll strips (I got in my "scrap bag" at Island Quilters) - it only takes 11 strips to make 2 baskets.  These are perfect for your desk to hold the mail, for your dresser to hold hairbrushes or makeup, or for your kid's small toys!  

You can even make it out of fat quarters (18" x 22") - just cut the pieces 9" wide (instead of 10").  You'll get 2 baskets out of 2 fat quarters.  Of course we've all seen sets of these - adjust the cut sizes smaller or bigger to make a set!