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.

Size Matters

Was designing purses and bags a self-preservation method because of my addiction?

I have a huge collection of bags.  Even though I don't change the purse I carry daily (I tend to haul it around until it's filthy), I love to have a new bag to switch to for a trip or event.  I tend to have multiple bags of "stuff" when I travel and have often been called the Bag Lady.

As a designer, I'm always looking to make the 'perfect' bag.  What I've found is that different bags serve different purposes, so you have to have a collection.  Great use of logic, right?

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!

The Mess of Designing

Right now I'm in the midst of designing a new purse pattern - photos are done!

I've had some questions about my design process and although the steps are pretty structured for me, the actual process is messy!

My inspiration for new designs come from seeing an interesting pocket or closure or ideas from customers on styles they want.  Sometimes in the middle of designing one purse, I'll think of another! A new purse is sometimes born out of a complaint or question - this is a tad too small or why doesn't this one have a zipper?

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