Rubie by Moments Designs

It's been a while........it's been a long and beautiful summer........sewing came to a halt while I went on holiday but now I'm back.......and here is my first offering of the Autumn.....

Rubie is the new design from Liz at Moments.....Liz claimed in the first instance to be creating a 'simple quick sew'........and so she was in the beginning. Like all good things they evolve. Whilst Rubie is still a pretty quick sew she now has several options, something for every taste, and better still, two ways to wear her.

So lets start with my first offering.

All in faux leather and following the pattern (well more or less)

Rubie is a stylish sassy cross body bag with an unusual cuff at the top that can be worn rolled over, or if you have more to carry you just roll it up and the bag capacity is increased by almost 1/3.......clever idea eh? The pleated front panel add interest to the design.....especially when accented with rivets or decoration of some sort.....

There isn't anywhere obvious to add embroidery on Rubie......but there is a really useful little invisible pocket tucked under the cuff. I couldn't help myself, as soon as I saw that on the pattern I knew I had to use a 'chad'..........CHAD??? yes Chad or as Liz calls him Kilroy..I guess it depends where you are in the world, I call him chad, others call him other things........but he looks fab just peeking out from on top of the pocket.

I love that Liz designs bags that can be turned through the pocket, it's so much neater inside when you don't have to stitch up the gaping hole you turned through.......this way it's all at the bottom of the pocket so nobody can see....I added a large slip pocket to the back of the bag rather than doing pleats front and back.....oh and did I mention the strap hardwear?  don't even get me started.......Liz is using a clever threading system suggested by another of her testers.....you don't use a traditional slider for the adjustable strap.......I can tell you it took me several attempts to get it right.....but once I had it sussed, it seems really easy. A great trick to keep in your tool box for those days when you don't have the slider you need!

For number two I decided to try and change it ip a bit and piece my front panel....black and gold......I love the way she looks, again I added a tall slip pocket to the rear......and changed up the hardwear as this was all I had in gold that suited... 

Number three is a classy little number in cork and indigenous fabric..........keeping it really simple with no additional outer pockets just the beautiful cork. I love this combination.

It all goes a bit 'off piste' at this point. I decided that those pleats could perhaps be zippers...........and I probably should have stopped at that thought, but something kept me going......and I added a long zipper right around the top of the cuff.......without any thought to how practical that would be at all......so if the cuff is up....I can use it.....if its down and I open the zipper I'll be leaving a trail of odds and sods behind me as I go......Hansel and Gretel fashion.......at least ill be able to find my way home!

It was while I was hunting down my long zippers for number four that I stumbled across my prized piece of Alison Glass ExLibris fabric........and suddenly I am inspired. Ok so lets confess here and now....im a hacker.....its what I do. I love following a pattern, but I love not following it better. And it is with this in mind that I decided to make Rubie as 'I' would wear her. I'm not a little bag kind of girl. I carried my Isobel on holiday and I enjoyed the freedom of a smaller bag but for everyday use I really need something bigger. Rubie is a  good size, but for me I really like her with the cuff up........so there seems no point in making a bag where the cuff can roll down.......once ive got this idea inot my head it opens up all sorts of ideas. So here she is, my number 5 Rubie

Yes this is heavily hacked... I missed off the pleats as they would have spoiled the fabric.......and I straightened out the cuff as it doesn't need to roll down for me........and I used some strap hard wear from Emmaline bags.....add a funky welt pocket to the outside of the cuff and a whole load of zippered and slip pockets inside and she's custom built to suit me and my needs......

So there we have it.....Rubie in all her glory and several ideas for additions that aren't on the pattern as if you need more.

The pattern is well written, with all the tips you could ever need for sewing with faux leather, and additional ideas for fabrics.......pictures all the way through for those of us who don't read.........and so many options to customise the design to suit you.......

She is on sale for the first few days........so there really no good reason not to go and buy her now.....

https://www.craftsy.com/…/patte…/rubie-cross-body-bag/459748

bet you cant resist eh???

Happy sewing

Isobel 'Grab and Go' Crossbody Bag by Moments

I think I'm starting to get the hang of the way Liz from moments http://liz-moments.blogspot.co.uk/ writes her patterns, or maybe I've just come to expect the unexpected?

The wonderful new bag pattern,  'Isobel' didn't disappoint.

You can find the pattern for Isobel here http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/accessory/isobel-crossbody-bag/211733#_=_

She's a classy looking bag with a feature curved zipper on the front, a wrap around pocket that also curved and a wonderful asymmetric strap that means she sits comfortably on your hip as a cross body bag.

Several things I've never tackled before in this pattern so I read it through a couple of times to ensure I was clear about what I was doing........

and then went straight into cutting mode!

For some people the fabric picking is the hardest bit.....I rarely have that problem, as soon as I see the bag I know what I'll use.....on this occasion it was even easier as the bag is named for my daughter....so my first bag was for her and the fabrics are her choice. She picked a deep teal faux leather and a pretty white canvas with teal floral design......and white zippers......

My fist bag isn't without fault........ for some reason I suffered a nasty affliction........lets call it 'Notch Blindness'.....a nasty condition that will render the sufferer totally baffled when trying to fit the bottom of the bag or the zipper in the top......in fact it will totally stop you from creating this beautiful bag..........it took me a while to realise what I'd done, what I'd missed.....and how to save her..........but save her I did.......and my daughter is delighted with her version of Isobel.......if you buy this pattern....DO NOT IGNORE THE NOTCHES!

Moving swiftly on I decided to try an all fabric version

This time I was uber careful to observe every notch and mark the pattern tells you to use........and oh how much easier it was. There's a lot to be said for following the pattern rather than trying to filter out the bits you think you'll need. I used 2mm headliner to stabilise her, and SF101 on all fabrics..........she's a little more structured than the faux leather version but I quite like that......she is made using Alison glass fabrics.

This ones mine for the summer!

Number three I figured I'd set myself a challenge......and used upholstery weight glitter vinyl......something I've never made an entire bag from before.......the thickness meant I couldn't do the exterior pocket so I added some free motion stitching to the outside of the bag to give a little interest......and a magnetic snap fastening

I thought I was done but then decided to make just one more........this time in faux leather and Harris Tweed....I missed the front zipper to minimise the bulk at the seam...........and I love the finished bag........

So is it worth you buying the pattern???

Of course........this is a fun bag with a unique design and a really unusual construction......something Liz is starting to become known for.

Her construction methods are not like anything I've done before, so there are always new skills to learn.....The pattern instructions are clear and concise........lots of pictures to help when you need a visual guide........and of course Liz is always available in her Facebook group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/MOMENTS.byLiz/ to offer words of advice and wisdom if anyone has any problems.

Take note of all the notch placements and cutting instructions, some of the pattern pieces are cut with the pattern facing right side down.........caught me out on my first attempt....lol

 I love the way the lining is sewn in.......you never have to worry about removing your purse and the entire lining coming out with it......... you will never have this problem with a Moments bag......the linings are secured in during construction....

Isobel is a a bag that can be made in faux leathers, vinyl, décor weight or quilting weight fabrics.......so the options are really only as limited as your imagination........within the pattern Liz offers a couple of additional options to customise the design and lots of helpful little tips and comments to keep you going.

This is an advanced pattern, but don't let that put you off, if your a novice bag maker you may want to try her in fabric before you tackle faux leather  as I know a lot of people are worried about using faux leather.

I've really enjoyed sewing my sample bags.........and I hope if you choose to buy this pattern you will enjoy it too...

'Eve'...........The new Moments bag design

So I've been sewing away testing a new pattern by Liz at Moments http://liz-moments.blogspot.co.uk

I have to say she's a beauty. I love being a tester for Liz as every pattern she writes I learn something new. Liz has a real talent for creating patterns with unusual construction methods.

The one thing I find restrictive about a lot of patterns is the lack of choice.......not so with Eve, shes a bag with so many options.........flap....no flap.......zipper......no zipper........faux leather.....fabric.......combination of the two.....magnet......twist lock........the options are endless.
You can find the pattern here......http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/accessory/eve-handbag/207154

I started with the flap option and chose to make her in a combination of fabric and faux leather.

I read the pattern........yes you read that right......I read the pattern....not once but twice.......I must be getting soft in my old age.....lol

So here she is, this is totally following the pattern, a fantastic sized bag that can hold a small laptop with ease, unusual flap designs and shorter grab handles......for a little added 'va va voom' she also has a fab silver trim from http://emmalinebags.com.  For me fitting that was the most complicated part of the bag. The bag pattern is aimed at intermediate level sewers, but I believe if your capable of fitting a zipper, the instructions are so well written you should be able to manage this.

The pattern is written with the same touch of humour as all of Liz's patterns...........,she adds notes for sewing with faux leather, and tells you where to stop and check things to make life easier. Sadly I totally disregarded one of those notes and left the lining zipper pocket closed when I put this one together. BIG MISTAKE......HUGE..........the bag is turned through that pocket, needless to say I had to use my seam ripper to get to the zipper to open it. I wish I could say I learned from this first glaring error............out of six bags I've done, I've made the same mistake four times........this is not a reflection on the pattern, but on my lack of reading it!

Eve number two is the zipper version, again an unusual way of fitting the zipper so it sit lower inside the bag, gives a much more professional finish than a zipper sitting on top of the bag. I love the boxy shape of this one. Made from scraps of left over Faux leather from Bag Camp and some Harris tweed scraps that I quilted together to create the front panel. I used webbing instead of leather for the straps and connecting panels as I didn't have enough leather, but I think it works ok.......

Eve number three I decided I could have a little play with, so added a slip pocket to the front panel and a longer cross body strap rather than the short grab handles. made in Essex linen and décor weight fabric this makes a fab summer bag, the additional pocket is ideal for your keys or phone, I used side accent straps to attach the connectors but kept them low on the bag as I think one of the clever features of the bag is the lack of side seams.......if you don't make bags that wont seem that clever to you........but if you do you will understand that this is a totally different way of constructing a bag! worth buying the pattern just to see how that bit works in my opinion....lol

(please note: the slip pocket and long strap are NOT options given on the pattern but additions that I made)

Number four. I went a bit pocket crazy and added them to all the panels, so you have four deep slip pockets on the outside of the bag with pretty accent flaps.........again a long strap and a magnetic fastening rather than the flap or zipper, I think this one has a much more casual look to it than the previous ones. You can see how versatile the design is??? with a little imagination and a small amount of sewing know how you can transform eve into so many different looks........she really is a woman with so many faces..... Made in décor weight cotton canvas by Clarke & Clarke

And finally..........my totally blinged up 'in your face' Eve in all her glittery glory.

I really wanted to use the beautiful green cotton and steel canvas fabric........it's flecked with gold, trying to decide what to put with it took me ages...........I didn't want to over egg the pudding......I wasn't having any joy deciding so I decided in the end to just throw everything at her.........so this is quite a statement bag, gold, gold and even more gold, glitter, bling and all that jazz. The gold zipper was an ebay find......not great quality but sparkly and wonderful.........and I was totally going to use it even if it wasn't great quality. I had enough zipper left to create zipper piping on the front of the bag and an additional zipper pocket to the rear.....combined with glitter vinyl and some beautiful Tula Pink Eden range for lining this bag is a stunner! ..for hard wear I used recycled gold buckles (from a charity shop bag) and some matching oblong connectors........I think you could carry this either way, both sides are different but could easily be the front or the bag........This ones a keeper..........lol
I thought i was all Eve'd out.......but I kept finding myself looking at the photos of the bag Liz made.........in pleated faux leather........after a bit of a search for some to buy in the UK I discovered that I can get it, however I will need to sell vital body organs to pay for it, so decided to try and make some myself..........I know I know.......madness indeed..........so with that in mind I pulled from my stash some very thin and stretchy faux leather and just went to tow to create pleated faux leather......the resulting bag I'm rather pleased with but ill let be the judge of that....lol

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So that's my EVE collection all done. I've had a great time testing this one, adding my own spin on an already very good pattern.......

The pattern is available here http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/accessory/eve-handbag/207154

and Moments also has a Facebook group 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/MOMENTS.byLiz

where you can ask any questions you have directly to Liz or any of her testers who I'm sure will be happy to help.

A great bag, with lots of options, pattern is well written with loads of photos (I use those more than the words) lots of new techniques to learn and take away to use on other patterns.

Go get yours now!

The Fine and Dandy pouch........The Ultimate pouch to own and make

I can't tell you how exciting it is to be a pattern tester..........I know a lot of ladies that test for several designers.........I have just one...........

So here I am with my second test pattern for Liz at Moments.....

The Fine and Dandy pouch can be found on Craftsy http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/accessory/fine--dandy-pouch/193508?_ct=fhezusj-tujqyb-fqjjuhd-ydifyhqjyed&_ctp=193508

 

So lets talk Pouches.......lots of different patterns out there, so many to pick from, I've never been a massive fan of any of them if I'm honest but the Fine and Dandy is different. First you have two sizes, second you have detailed instructions for both faux

leather and fabric, third there are pockets.......and I mean pockets.........lots of pockets

 

 

The pattern doesn't have loads of pattern pieces to cut out, but it does give detailed measurements for each part you will need, and diagrams which I found really helpful.

there aren't too many pieces to cut so it doesn't feel like a chore not having pattern pieces.

 

I decided to make my first pouch from Faux leather as I like a bit of a challenge, but I've also made a fabric one and it was just as satisfying to create.

 

So many new skills to learn in this pouch, when you look at the photos you will see what looks like piping, but its faux piping........try googling it.....you wont find a single thing about it, I know I tried, get the pattern and learn how its done.......lol

 

 

Unlike a lot of bags the main outside of the pouch isn't the main attraction when it come to sewing, the lining is the star, that's where we find slip pockets and pleated pockets galore. I cant say I'm a massive fan of pleated pockets, I like the way they look but oh the time they take to do....lol...

These are worth the effort as they give a lovely deep pocket that's actually useful, you can fit several lipsticks in one pocket, or two spools of thread......

all the measurement's for folding and sewing the pockets are given in the pattern, stick with the pattern and its worth it.

Then we come to the putting together phase.......and this doesn't go together the way I was expecting, liz has a clever way of sewing the boxed corners that keeps the lining taught and ensures it fits really well and stays put...

 

As with all bags there is an epic battle to turn the bag once you have it all together, if you haven't ever made a bag, you may not understand, but a lot of people refer to it as birthing........and its not far wrong. The Fine and Dandy was a birth that needed patience and strong wrists........but slowly slowly and it does come right.

I made the larger pouch, and its a great size......ideal for make up, toiletries, sewing notions, small toys anything you want that you need stored safely and in an organised fashion.

 



Another great pattern from Liz at Moments, well worth a try. I would suggest if your unfamiliar with faux leather or don't feel confident, then make a fabric one first to get a feel for how it comes together, but do try it in Faux leather, its a great fun sew.

 

So........after all my waffle...........the pattern is well written, with Liz's usual touch of humour thrown in, lots of helpful tips and hints for embroidery placement and working with faux leather. Clear instructions and great diagrams ( I used these more than the written measurements as that's easier for me) lots of photos to help you through the instructions.

 

 You wont be disappointed with this one!

 

For more information about sewing with Faux leather pop over to the Moments blog at http://liz-moments.blogspot.co.uk/

 

 

 

 

 



The Reversible Hobo by Mrs H

 

I decided it was time to retire the bag I've been carrying since the summer last year and make myself something new. I've been hoarding some fabric for a while by a designer called Alison Glass, as far as I'm aware its not available here in the UK. I got my panel from the USA some months ago and had not seen the 'right project' to show of its beauty. http://www.andoverfabrics.com/SingleDesignerNew.php?Designer=Alison

 

Now the time had come!

 

The pattern I choose to use is by Mrs H www.mrs-h.co.uk .........a British bag designer. I've made only two of her bags before but found her patterns to be well written with lots of detailed instructions. This pattern didn't disappoint. Mrs H......or Samantha , has a Facebook page so if you need help with a pattern either she or one of the other makers on her page can usually help.  She has followers world wide so it wont mater what time zone your in, someone will usually be there to give advice https://www.facebook.com/groups/1682705708624802/

 

I'm usually not a fan of bags that don't use foam stabiliser, I like my bags structured, but this one uses fusible fleece, its a hobo bag, so designed to be slouchy. I toyed with the idea of using foam instead For my first effort eventually used the instructions as they where. 

As the song goes.......'the first cut is the deepest'...........and it was..........anyone who sews will have fabrics they just want to own, you want it to look at, to stroke, to just say you own it........I was the same with my beautiful Alison Glass Ex Libris panel

 

 

 

The picture doesn't do it justice, its rich in colour and the pattern just draws you in, every time I look at it I see something different, this is my kind of fabric........colourful, abstract and beautiful.

 

Choosing a pattern to show off the fabric is important, but when you only have a small panel it makes it hard to find something that doesn't have hundreds of bits to cut. I knew I was on the right track when I saw another bag maker make a bag using the same pattern from another fabric from this range.........so the decision was made for me.

 

 

The bag is designed to be reversible, but I just knew I would never turn this fabric to the inside so I left out the straps inside that would allow you to use the bag both ways, and teamed my fabric with plain black.

 

Don't be alarmed by the lack of pattern pieces, this bag is made mostly with rectangles of different sizes, so there are only two pattern pieces to print out, the rest is done with a ruler and scissors or rotary cutter.........

 

What a fab quick sew, I know I sew quickly anyway, but even for me this was a quick one. From cutting the pattern to completion, about 3 hours. For a first attempt at any bag that's fast. I added a couple of bits inside to use up the last few scraps of fabric.........a double welt zippered pocket.

yes that's a 'double welt'.............not something I would usually do inside a bag as its really not seen, but I couldn't waste those last scraps. More fiddly to do than a standard zipped pocket but the look is so smart it was worth it. I used this tutorial to show me how to do it the first time.......... https://playfulstitching.wordpress.com/2013/10/04/double-welt-zipper-pocket/

 

Once you've done it once, you wont find it so challenging.

 

The bag went together beautifully, the instructions are clear and concise, there are lots of diagrams to use if your a visual learner. The bag you end up with is HUGE! I love the short strap, it sits just perfectly on the shoulder and allows you to keep the bag cradled under your arm, I wasn't totally convinced by that to start with but having tried it,,,,,, it works. The bag is perfect for those that carry a lot of stuff about, like me........

 

So the bag is done, what do you do then??? Yeap, you got it, make another...

 

So buoyed by the success of my first hobo, I went searching for another panel of fabric that I brought some time ago, another piece that I had to have but really had no idea what id make with it. and without too much trouble a second hobo was born. again not reversible.

 

 

This one went together even more quickly, I'm blessed with a good memory, so once I've followed the pattern once I can usually do a second one without looking too much at the instructions... This one will be my holiday bag, The fabric just screams 'take me somewhere sunny'......and its big enough to get all those holiday essential's into with ease.

 

Try the pattern, you wont be disappointed by the results, or if you would like a bespoke bag made from this pattern contact me through my page at

 

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