The pouch saga

Remember that pouch I was making up? I know there's patterns for these but no, I had to make it up, how hard can it be?

Well, it's  had a complete makeover that required some serious tools, like the unpicker. Here it is all finished. Casing removed, slit for drawstring with a small piece of  fused matching fabric over the channel and  the slit stitched with a hand buttonhole.

Next time, I'll do a machine buttonhole in the outer fabric first.

I discovered that it's quicker to use a lint roller to get those pesky thread bits out so I learnt more than a couple of things.

I had to replace the circle for the center, it was too small but I really could have made it bigger again, like 1/2" below the casing. I also sewed a circle in the bottom of the pouch and put a piece of batting inside it. That could have been bigger too.

Thank you for all the suggestions, it made things easier and now that the prototype is done, I may just make myself some notes for next time.

I entered a giveaway earlier this month on Mary's blog and wasn't lucky so I ordered the pattern for the Snap Happy bag by Stitchin Sisters. At the same time, I ordered their pattern for the Snap Happy bag and Tote. It's called Snap Happier.

The neat thing about these patterns is that you use cut pieces of metal Carpenters' tape for the top and by pulling on the praire points, the bag snaps open. I loved making this. It's destined for my daughter. These all co-ordinate with that needlecase I made her. I know, I just don't know when to quit, I was on a  mission.

I think I've done enough small projects to get it out of my system for now and I'm dying to get back to my applique.

I've prepped pieces for the next Mary Mannakee block and needed to join two pieces of bias stem. Have you had that problem where you put it through the bias maker and the part where the seam is goes all weird on you?

I decided to glue stick the seams of the join down so it would feed through better and it worked a treat. This glue stick is great, it completely washes out and is not as hard as basting glue and is great for a temporary hold.

See, no bumpy bits or twisted seam.

Now to sew it all down, the best part!

Have a great weekend and I hope you find some stitching time for yourself.