Friday, December 18, 2009

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.

26 comments:

Amelia said...

Oh Mum how lucky am I! Thank-you for thinking of me. Thank-you for sticking with it. Thank-you for being so cleaver. I appreciate it all so much! Love ya Mum xox

antique quilter said...

well you deserve an award for sticking with it and remaking it.
Me it would have gone in the scrap basket!
Amelia will love it.
great tip for the stems bulk, I will have to look for sewline markers like that, haven't seen them before..
ah yes today is prep a MM block still trying to decide which one!
Kathie

Abby and Stephanie said...

I love your heather bailey fabric choices. Very cute bags. Lint rollers are awesome. I keep one at my cutting table!

Carol said...

Those little projects are just darling...you are way more patient than I am...the pouch would have gone in the scrap basket...I'm terrible like that. Thanks for the bias bulk tip...that's great...I'll have to get one of those Sewline glue sticks.

Betsy said...

Janet I love the bags. Yur color selection is always beautiful.

Mary Ann said...

Love all of your little projects!!
That one with the carpenter's metal tape sounds intriguing!!!!
Good tip about the glue stick..I'll remember that next time I make bias tape! Enjoy your weekend, too!

Kaaren said...

Janet, your perserverance and tenacity never ceases to amaze me. I would have chucked the lot long ago and either started again or better still, gone out and bought something. (wink)

I must remember your tip for joining the bias stems. The joined seam looks great! I knew there would have to be a sewing room use for the lint roller. Must pick up another one now.

luv2quilt2 said...

I love your projects, and I can't wait to see more of your applique.

Barb said...

Your purse turned out real cute.....and love seeing your applique even it if is in the prepping stage.

Lori said...

Wonderful bag and a few tricks! I have problems with my seams in bias stems too. I hope I can find the sewline glue stick.
It's so fun to make a few little projects, but I'lll be happy to see your applique again.

Mary said...

Beautiful bags. You have a way with color. Thanks for the bias tape tip.

Crispy said...

Thank you for the great tip!! Now I need to find that pen. Hooray for conquering the bag, it came out wonderful.

Crispy

alobsiger said...

Oh, the pouch turned out great! Looks beautiful (it should after all that work eh?)! LOVE your tip about a little glue on those seams. I could see that would be useful on some other things (gluing down the seams when putting a cord through a casing, comes to mind for some reason...). That Snap Happy case is so clever!

Darlene said...

Wow, you definitely deserve an award for sticking with that adorable pouch - it was worth it.

Great tips for the seam bulk - I'll have to try that next time I'm making bias stems.

Your applique prep looks inviting -enjoy.

YankeeQuilter said...

Sometimes even the small projects can become big projects! Good for you for sticking with it...

SewCalGal said...

Beautiful projects. Inspirational! Thanks for sharing!

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Rosa said...

Beautiful projects.
Amelia is a lucky girl.

Happy Holidays!!

Thimbleanna said...

Well, you'd never know you had problems with the pouch - it's darling and turned out great! Thanks for the glue tip too -- I always forget to use glue with fabric!

Janet said...

Im glad you got your delightful little drawstring bag finished. I'm looking forward to seeing your applique block - the stitching part is the best!

Miriam said...

Have fun sewing your MM block.

Congratulations on persevering with the pouch, it turned out beautifully!

Thanks for the tip about the glue. I will try that.

Carrie P. said...

Your perseverance paid off. It turned out fabulous. The snappy bag is so cute too.
Have fun doing your applique. I am feeling the same way you are. Wanting to get back to it.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Your Snap Happy bag is so cute Janet!
And you sure have the MM applique ready to go for the next block! I'll be watching for it.

Nat Palaskas said...

I learned it the hard way too about button hole. It turned out great though and I wouldn't know that you have to remaking it. I made a few of them in the past for present as sewing caddies. Thanks for the glue tip - Hugs Nat

wishes, true and kind said...

Cute projects! I admire your creativity and perseverance :)

Joan

Beth Karese said...

Thanks for the tip about gluing pieces for the bias maker. I spy another item to add to my tools... the Sewline glue stick. You triumphed over the pouch! Turned out so cute. Using carpenter's tape for the needlecase... very cool.

Robin said...

The pouch turned out so great! Good for you for sticking with it. :) And thank you for the great tips about the lint roller and glue pen. I'll definitely have to check them out. (Woo hoo, gadgets!)