One sunny afternoon at home and this is what happens in my house!!
Everything got pulled out as my 12 year old & myself decided to get creative. I have started to collect fabric now whenever I see something a bit different. I never know what I’m going to make but I always think a half yard of sale fabric will never go astray.
Having seen a sewing post about making a tote bag, with a twist, I thought that would be a great project. I had enough fabric…didn’t I??? Unfortunately, I had really cool pop art fabric but not enough to make the bag I had in mind but perfect to practice the new end of bag (or bottom) that I had seen.
Now if that wasn’t enough of a challenge for me for one afternoon, I also needed to finish the dress I had been working on. My mind was made up…time to take out the my big purple tool box….it was time to go to work.
First up, the tote bag…more make up bag really!!
I had, up to this point, just sewn a straight line across the inside to close up the end of any bag I made This new method required a small bit more measurement but resulted in a very steady flat bottom to the bag. A very simple method & very effective!!
This effect is achieved by the following:
- Measure the fabric to the desired size. In order to make a large bag this would be approximately 17″ x 34″.
- Fold the fabric right side facing to make a 17″ square.
- With the fold closest to you, measure 4″ up from fold on both sides right & left & mark with chalk
- Mark the fold with chalk aswell.
- Making a ‘Roman Blind’ effect with the markings, bring the mark you made at the fold up to the marks 4” away from the fold to make a pleat. Repeat on the other side too.
- Stitch up both sides top to fold.
The end result should look like this on the inside. It;s like a pocket.
- Turn your bag the correct way around.
- Iron down one inch from the top & repeat, then stitch.
- Press the ends in place & even though it’s a bit awkward, stitch around the outside as in picture
The end result is quite a stable bag. In my case as it is a small one, it will be used for cotton wool & toiletries but depending on the size it could be a shoulder tote once straps attached.
As you can see I didn’t bother with straps but I will make a bigger one next time as a handy shopper.
It was worth the exercise to achieve this bag end and I must say I was quite chuffed with myself 🙂
Next to finish the dress!!!
All that remained at this stage was to do the hem so I just ironed it up to the length required. Cut off the excess fabric & folded it up another inch. thereby hiding the raw ends and a final row of machine stitching & the “famous” dress was completed.
I hung it up in my daughters bedroom, where it remained for a few days…until today 🙂
The sun came out, the dress was put on and I have never felt more proud of myself!!!!!
The reason for this journey all along was to learn how to sew. I never expected to feel so good about it along the way.
Thank you all for reading this & onwards I go to my next sewing project.
Til next time.
Mairéad
xxx
