Fun in the sun and Sewing Chaos.........Bag Camp 2016

As the saying goes.......that was the weekend that was!

The first SEW BRIT Bag Camp has been and gone........and what fun we had.

My last blog was vague, I had no idea what to expect, so I couldn't really be very clear about what Bag Camp was really like, I have never done a retreat like this before.

So lets start at the top........

LOCATION

Set in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside, Somersal Cottages was a beautiful place to spend our weekend. The Village itself is tiny, no more than a handful of cottages and a farm or two. Sat Nav instructions will get you to the village but not to the cottages. But that had been covered by the organisers and we had detailed instructions of how to find the cottages. The venue was perfect, two cottages next door to each other. well equipped with tables and comfortable for lounging in the evenings if you didn't want to sew.

I had a bedroom on my own with a rather unusual bath in the room set up, but since I wasn't sharing that was fine...lol.

INSTRUCTORS

Samantha from http://handmadebymrsh.blogspot.co.uk/.......... a little bundle of fun.......and maybe a few nerves.......when you have planned and planned and its finally happening I think that's normal. Samantha made every effort to make sure we where all happy with out rooms, and with what was happening, she also did her share of the catering. Of course I've seen her photo on Facebook, so I knew what she looked like.........all I can add to that is...........tiny............shes tiny......lol........

Liz from http://liz-moments.blogspot.co.uk , as a tester for Liz I've spent a lot of time chatting on Facebook with her, so I thought I knew what to expect........but I hadn't expected the boundless energy, of the wonderful gravelly voice......

Katy from http://www.the-littlest-thistle.com.......katy was a little more of an enigma, as her picture on Facebook is a teddy bear.......so I didn't recognise her when I met her.......since she isn't blue and red and fluffy at all........although red hair helped.......and her Scottish accent and peppering of the word 'wee' in every comment gave her away. Katy designed the pattern we used for our camp bag

CLASSES

Mainstream and advanced classes, we where split almost evenly......mainstream class did a slightly less complicated version of the same bag.
So.........the pattern...........what does camp bag look like?
A huge bag, designed as a carry on for travelling.........when I say huge I mean huge.......hard to get a feel for the size in any of the photos I've seen of completed bags.......but these are the airport dimensions, and turned on its side the bag just fits........HUGE!
the advanced pattern had a shorted main body for the bag, but an added zippered pouch at the bottom to hold perhaps shoes or toiletries.


SHOPPING
Oh yeah baby..........we had a shop too, in fact several.........Hardwear to make you go weak at the knees from
http://emmalinebags.com/
Fabrics from Lisa at http://www.simplysolids.co.uk/about.html.......I tried so hard to resist......I waited until Sunday to buy.........impressed???

DAY 1

Meeting the other campers..........we where welcomed by Samantha and Liz and shown to our rooms......all rooms had been given a little bunch of Daffodils.........lovely touch! Camp treat bags, filled with some lush bits and bobs where handed out, Camp had some very generous sponsors, so we each left with some expensive threads, fabrics and hard wear as well as discount codes for fabric suppliers!
Then as more campers arrived, we spent a few hours unpacking cars and getting to know each other. Really nice to put faces to names and chat in person rather than via Facebook. Also wonderful to meet people who have come to camp but who are NOT on Facebook......I know, imagine that??? I thought the whole world was on FB!

Dinner was a fairly casual affair, no tiaras and long dresses, cottage pie and veg, tasty, warm and welcome. Then back to our cottages for free sewing time, wine and more chat. Several ladies spent the evening making a little faux leather needle pouch, an ideal introduction to faux leather for the newer sewers..... At about 1am the final bell tolled and those of us who where too excited to sleep finally went to bed.

DAY 2

Breakfast was planned for 8-9am but we all got up at different times from 6 so it became more of a 'serve yourself' grab a bowl of cereal and a banana when you want it affair. There was bacon and egg available to those who wanted it.  I think for me that was better than being told I had to wait until 8 to eat. I was up at 6 and sewing by 6:30........
Lesson 1 (advanced group)........flaps and straps........I know, that sounds rude, have a chuckle now!
so we made the long adjustable strap for our bags and the flap. I changed the design of my flap from the one on the pattern a little but it went together easily. Liz came to our cottage and gave a talk about leather straps and how best to make them, by golly that woman knows a lot of stuff
Lunch..........lush soup..........of non specific title........sort of veg and minestrone with tomato......with fresh bread rolls
LESSON 2 Onto the bottom of the bag for the afternoon session.
This was my most feared part of the pattern. I had spent three weeks trying to work out how that would come together, but with a little guidance from Katy it all became clear in the end.
Dinner was a pasta bake and salad,.......again warm and tasty!

DAY 3
Again a free for all breakfast, which suited me fine then onto our bag........
LESSON 3 .this time working on the main bag lining panels.....
baked potato's with beans and cheese for lunch then onto the final push for the completed bag Samantha gave a talk about hard wear, rivets, Chicago
screws and all sorts of fancy things..........and made applying them look easy.........
LESSON 4 The afternoon session was completing the bag.........probably the quickest part of the process......so much prep work that isn't seen in the finished bag, but that takes a lot of time before the event.
Our final meal was a really tasty risotto.......something I wouldn't normally like, but I thought was the best meal I had there....personal preference.....

I sew quickly, and I managed to get my bag completed, its not without issues, I puckered my zipper putting it in, but other than that I'm please with the result. I learned some new skills.
I added some go faster strips to mine and changed the flap shape so it didn't have a point as the pattern did, but other than that she is as she should be!






I might add that we also had special guest appearances by a couple of  'BAG CELEB'S'    Ellen and Janelle........ladies who live in Canada and Australia who would have loved to have come but distance was an issue, if you make bags you will know who they are..............so we had them with us in spirit

So.....pro and cons.....

Pros.......I met some amazing people, and got to spend a weekend doing something I love.
I got to learn new skills and pick up tips from other ladies who where more than generous with ideas to make things easier.....I will be adding plastic clothes pegs to my equipment in my sewing room as soon as I can.......
I could sew until the wee small hours without anyone telling me not too.
I didn't have to cook or wash up and no snoring to wake me up.

Cons.......hard to pick anything really........for me it was a long trip but I live in Suffolk so everywhere is a long trip........the need for a larger car to carry more stuff? Birds nesting outside my bedroom window chirping at 5am?  (a personal con) I struggled with the pattern pieces a little, that's possibly because I chose to do a bag above my skill level, and maybe because I'm not familiar with the way Katy writes her patterns as this was my first bag from her.........but although I got a bit flustered by it.......it got done.......so it was worth the occasional swear word!

As a 'first time' bag camp I think it went well, we didn't stick entirely to the time table.......but nobody was really bothered, putting machines away so we could eat, a little irritating but actually possibly a good thing or some of us may not have not actually stopped to eat at all.

MY SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT TIME

Get someone else to cater...........everyone ran round ragged getting us fed..........
design a smaller bag......after all that work we have a bag that wont be used often......and that seems a shame!

For the organisers I'm sure there are things they will tweek, but nothing that was a disaster
I for one will be signing up for the next one.........

What this doesn't tell you, is how much I've laughed, and for me that was worth every mile to travel, every penny I've spent and every hour pondering over the fabrics and pattern pieces. My sides hurt from laughing as I packed my car to leave on Monday, laughing is the best tonic for a stressful life. We did swaps, shared silly stories and generally had an amazing time..........the rule we all agreed to to was 'what happens at camp stays at camp' and I'm not giving anything away...........
want to find out??? Come to BAG CAMP 2 when its organised, you wont regret it at all!

Sew Brit Bag Camp

Its almost here, the event of my year. To say I'm excited is an understatement. BAG CAMP fever has struck my world and I'm all of a dither trying to get myself organised.

 So.........for those of you who are reading this and scratching your head wondering what on earth I'm on about....... Bag Camp............in simple terms its a bunch of ladies who like sewing bags, or who would like to learn more about sewing bags, gathering together to do exactly that! sounds boring? I imagine it might to someone who doesn't sew bags........for me???.........its like Christmas has come in March, without the need to buy hundreds of gifts for people I don't necessarily want to be bothered with.  Two and a bit days of uninterrupted sewing, with people who understand........ it doesn't get better than that! Bag camp is being held in Derbyshire.....3.5 hours away from me, but do I care....oh no......im going to enjoy the journey, singing at the top of my lungs no doubt.....this is where ill be heading too...

http://www.somersalcottages.co.uk/coach-house.asp

So let me give you the run down, what I know thus far of bag camp..........we will be given a goody bag, camp has been sponsored by several different companies......so goodie bags will have a selection of bits and bobs, fabrics, threads and goodness knows what else......until we arrive we wont know but the list of sponsors is impressive.

We have a bag pattern that's been written especially for us, although we know what the bag looks like, we thus far have only have the pattern pieces, allowing us to prep some of the fabrics beforehand........the bag is a biggy........two versions, one for the mainstream group and another a little more complex for the advanced group.

almost four hours of cutting and adding interfacing and I'm not nearly done......

We have three instructors.......Samantha......from https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SewingPatternsbyMrsH

all the way from welsh Wales.......

Liz, our pleather queen from http://liz-moments.blogspot.co.uk/

all the way from Germany (I need to be careful with this one or I'll be sacked as one of her testers.....lol)

and Katy from http://www.the-littlest-thistle.com/

coming from deepest darkest Glasgow.(assuming she isn't snowed in as can sometimes happen north of the border)

Then we have the other campers........ladies who mostly have never met, but many of whom communicate through Facebook about camp, bags, life in general.  We all come from different backgrounds, different areas of the country, we have different skill levels and different likes and dislikes, but we are all drawn together by our love of sewing, a passion for fabric and a wish to learn more........so we know we will have something in common. I'm looking forward to meeting them all, hearing about them, sharing stories.......and yes.....we are an all female camp..........not that camp was exclusively aimed at women...........but not many men sew handbags!

zz

Husbands all over the country are being given lists of things to do with the children, lists of instructions for the washing machine, timetables for kids activities so nobody arrives late for anything. Its only one weekend but by golly it takes some organising when its not just your own stuff you have to get sorted, but everyone else in the house too........lol

Packing has started........not clothes......FABRICS.........much more important than clothes at this point....

Fabrics, pleathers, glitter vinyl and interfacing/stabilisers various......my faithful machine has been cleaned and oiled...........and I'm getting there with all the other bits and bobs.....assisted by the fab trolley my husband unwittingly brought me for mothers day......ooppps, was that your amazon account I signed into dear??? sorry.....lol

sat nav is charged, alcohol brought ......or should I say fermented.......all home made........cakes on the agenda for Thursday...... then I'll pack my clothes........and my new wash bag.....yes I made my own.....a fine and dandy from moments (nothing like sucking up to the teacher eh?)

So I'm almost ready.........well I think I'm as ready as I can be with two days to go........panic packing will start Thursday evening no doubt.

This will be my first sewing retreat, but if I enjoy it, I'm sure it wont be my last........and maybe one day, when I have a little more experience under my belt.......I'll be able to be one of the instructors.......who knows

I will let you know after how it goes!

A little fear goes a long way! The Brandt's Boulevard, aversion Therapy!

I always assumed that if I could sew a bag I could sew a purse......for those of you in the USA a purse in the UK is what you call a wallet......smaller, for your money and cards.......
 

It follows suit that a purse would just be a smaller version of a bag??
 

Not so at all.........most purses or wallets have a lot of pieces in the patterns. They are smaller, more fiddly to sew, and hard to stop them becoming bulky with all the fabric inside......
 

I've had a few disasters so generally avoid making them if I can. My sewing friends.......ladies who I've never met but who I probably talk more with during the day that I do my family.....encouraged me to get involved in a sew along for a wallet style purse......what's a sew along? Well a whole bunch of ladies ........and gents if they are so inclined......sew the same project at more or less the same time, with one person who knows the pattern well sort of coordinating the sew........then everyone can ask for help, add comments that might help, post photos, ask questions etc.......all this happens on a Facebook page.......so it's a cyber sew.......lol
 

Once the challenge has been set, I'm afraid I can't back down..........so I get my pattern out and start hunting down the fabrics I want........I need two fabrics, one for inside, one for outside.......oooooohhhhh and some cork, a thumb lock...........
 

Carnage  reigns in my swing room when I'm looking for something......I know I have thumb locks but where I stashed them is anyone's guess.
 

Needless to say I finally found everything I needed.

The pattern only has one actual pattern piece to cut out, the rest of the pieces are simply rectangles and squares of different sizes, so with the aid of my cutting mat, rotary cutter and ruler, I set about cutting. I'm usually a 'cut my fabric then fuse to the interfacing' kind of girl.......this time I wasn't able to do that because the interfacing had to be smaller than most of the fabric pieces........double the work and double the time cutting that I would usually spend. If I can get this made then the effort will be so worth the extra time.

 

The pattern I'm following is by Chris W designs.........an Australian designer who's bags I have long admired but always been a little intimidated by, they are complicated looking bags, and many are for the advanced sewer........I'd give them a go, but I think I have time to go before I reach that level. Chris recently started a range of patterns called Easy Street.........less complicated designs for the confident beginner, middle range sewing......and that where we are. The  Brandt's Boulevard wallet is a snappy little number with a coin purse, four card slots and an ID pocket......room for your mobile, paper money and an unusual strap and catch to close it. There is also a wrist strap but I didn't make that it as I know I would never use one!

 Find the pattern here
 http://www.chriswdesigns.com/collections/sew-sell/products/brandts-boulevard
 

I want to say I read the pattern and followed it to the letter, but I'd be lying, yes I read it, I had too.........but I decided to add my own twist for my first attempt.....a cork leather closure strap......

 

Once all the cutting and fusing is done, it's fairly plain sailing, I actually followed the instructions and

my first wallet came together fairly quickly. Normally when I'm sewing something for the first time, I can see how something is going to finally come together, in this instance I couldn't second guess it.......

 

 

 

 I was so chuffed I almost burst, so decided to rush straight in and make another. The second one was a lot easier as I now have an idea of how the wallet works. I decided to change up the card pockets , that ID pocket is something ladies in the UK wouldn't use often ........without too much fuss, number two, three and four appeared.

 

So there we are, my fear has been quelled, I CAN do it.........The ladies who encouraged me to try have created a monster! Now to try some different purse/wallet designs.

 

This pattern is  well written, easy to follow with a lot of steps, every part is broken down into smaller steps for you to follow. Chris W Designs also has a Facebook page that you can join where you will be able to ask questions and get inspiration if you need it. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ChrsWDesignsPatternsGroup

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

www.facebook.com/bagsbybags

 

 



Up Up and away in Kraft tex........how i did it!

 

I was lucky enough to be able to test the update for the new pattern by Liz at Moments.........for those of you who haven't seen it yet, I have a previous blog on the original design........go have a look. The update offers a two person version with a pocket for loose change on the other side. I decided I wanted to create one in Kraft Tex alone.

Let me just say here, I'm no expert, this is how I did it, nothing more, nothing less.

I've never written anything like this before, it makes sense as its going from my brain to my fingers, if it become mumbo jumbo from my fingers to this page......im not responsible.....its started fine in my head!

I use a 50 year old Elna Supermatic machine to sew, some  lightweight domestic machines may struggle to sew trough 4 layers of KT, if you are unsure if your machine can handle this, try cutting four strips of KT and sewing through them all at once, if your machine starts to hiss, whistle and bellow smoke, unplug, leave the room for a while, use copious amounts of Fabreeze to remove the singed smell and contact me, ill make you one!

 

 

 

 

I'm not going to give measurements here, other then to tell you about the bits that I did differently from the pattern, if you want measurements, please buy the pattern here

http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/accessory/up-up--away---passport-wallets/184625?rceId=1452296224055~5yss8zym&NAVIGATION_PAGE_CONTEXT_ATTR=PATTERN

 

In my first KT wallet I cut down the pattern pieces by 1/4 inch, thus removing the seam allowance, but found that to be a bit of a chore, so I experimented, and found that if I print the pattern at 93% on my printer, the pieces come out 1/4 of an inch smaller........clever eh??? half a rain forest was probably cut down for me to get to that though........so if a few of  you follow these instructions, I figure I'm in credit....

 

First I need to say I used brown KT, unwashed, straight from the pack........you could wash it , but I was too impatient to use it

 

 I cut two of the main panel pieces ...one for the inside one for outside, I decorated outer panel with a gold sharpie pen, just a random abstract pattern but you can do almost anything to decorate KT......as you can see I have a sort of tuck in fastening,  to make this I cut a strip 1'' wide and two inches longer than the full length of the wallet, and sewed that centrally from one end to the other onto the KT.......I use Topstitch thread on the top of my machine and a plain brown sewing thread on the bobbin, longest stitch on my machine. I added a couple of dots of Fabritac http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fabri-Tac-113-Medium-Bottle-Clear/dp/B00178MNFO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453482899&sr=8-1&keywords=fabri-tac to hold the strap in place as it was sewn. 

 

 

I folded the wallet as it would be folded once complete to work out where the fixing bar needs to be sewn and stitch that on too.

 

For the pockets I used the following pieces from the original 'Up Up and Away' pattern file, also printed at 93%

 I cut one of each of the following-

 

POCKET PIECE 1

POCKET PIECE 1 LINING

RECTANGLE PIECE FROM THE BOTTOM OF POCKET PEICE 2 (from the line that says fold line 2)

 

These three pieces form the pockets to the side of the wallet

lay the smaller panel on top of the larger panel then add the rectangle on top of that.

 

 

 I lined them up then added a tiny spot of Fabritac to the edges to stop them sliding about when I sew, I positioned the pockets 1/2 inch from the edge of the lining panel,  then did a double row of stitching approx. 1/8'' apart around the edge.
 

From this point on I didn't follow the pattern pieces. For the pocket I cut a rectangle of KT as wide as the wallet and 10.5 inches long........at this point we leave nice photos and enter into the world of odd doodles......... you will have to excuse my drawings they really are for guidance only and to help me explain what I want to say......

So you have your rectangle of KT.......

Your going to make some folds in your KT, those dotted lines are to show you where to fold........good eh?

 

 

Two folds, one 1/2'' from the end then another 5'' from the other end. If you fold the longer end over first, then the shorter side this will be your pocket...........I know I know,,,,,we need a zip

 

Unfolding your folds again, you will need to mark a rectangle  centrally on the KT (see diagram)
 7'' long by 5/8'' wide, (if you are using a shorter zip than 8'' you will need to make this rectangle shorter)  I made mine at 3/4''  from the central fold but you can put it where you feel you want it........there isn't a right or wrong position, if you want it nearer to the top of the pocket......go for it...... I use a craft knife to cut out the rectangle I'm not tidy enough with scissors.  This slot becomes the 'welt' for you zipper. The side of the KT you are looking at, with the folded ends pointing towards you, is the inside of your pocket, I tend to position my zippers from the inside......so the zip goes face down onto the slot........but you can do it from the other side with the zip behind the KT is its easier for you.......im sure you don't need me to tell you, make sure its central . I use Fabritac to keep the zipper in place and help me to position it..... once your happy with the position, sew very close to the edge of the slot, I use a zipper foot most of the time, but if I'm in a hurry and cant find it.........happens all the time........I just move my needle as far to the left as I can and sew. Be careful of the zipper pull, your foot may catch on it if you don't use a zipper foot and will cause your stitching to go badly off line. In most other situations that would be annoying but salvageable with a seam ripper......not so with KT, you get holes that will  not heal. One chance to get it right only!

 

 

Now you need to refold those folds, remember to fold the longer side in first then the shorter one. I use the side of a ruler to press those folds in and make them sharp. I top stitch along the top fold nearest to the zipper.

To position the pocket I fold the lining panel in the way it will fold when its closed, this gives you an idea where the pocket needs to sit I place the pocket 1/3'' from the fold in the lining panel (you can see that on the photo above)  line up the outer edges of the pocket with the edges if the lining panel,  clip it into place so it doesn't move.  a line of stitching right across the bottom of the pocket will secure it to the lining panel it also closes the bottom of the pocket.

 

Your lining is now done, all that remains to do is join both panels, inside and outside together.  this is the easy bit......just place the two panels together WST (wrong sides together) I put a few spots of Fabritac to stop them slipping about and I clip heavily too with wonder clips. once your happy that the two parts are totally lined up with each other...........top stitch around the entire outside of the wallet. Your top stitching will close in the ends of your pocket so its now totally enclosed.

Last but not least, I trim off the corners on the long strip we sewed to the outside panel. I worry ill cut it too short if I cut it before this point so I leave that until last....lol

I used Mink Oil on mine to seal it, but I've used bee's wax before and found that to work well too.......but sealing it not necessary.
 

Eh Voila!........one wallet.......

 

 



Peace of mind for those that need it!

Today I want to show you another of my makes.

It started with a discussion on one of the Facebook Special Needs pages, a parent was really worried what might happen in the event of an accident if they where unable to talk for their child with additional needs. Would the rescue services be able to manage the child's care, understand what limitations they had?, how would they know what medication was safe to give?

It's a good question, heaven forbid it happens , but if the driver of the car wasn't able to talk for the child how would anyone know?

People mentioned the SOS bracelets you can buy, and arm bands, but for very young children they aren't really an option. They needed some visible, and obvious to rescue services. It got me to thinking........

I went to our local fire station and asked them what they thought might help (any excuse to mingle with fireman ) The general view was a strap pad with basic information on , something visible......perhaps with more information inside. I was cautious about putting too much information on the outside as if passers by saw them on a car seat or seat belt that could make an already vulnerable child even more so, so no names.......after all this was meant to help the child not endanger them.  I started with a basic proto type.

This was the first one made, it fits over the seatbelt, and has a pocket inside to add information, you can add as much as you want too, contact details, medications, list of conditions etc.......

I posted this picture on the site.............and  was inundated with questions about what amount of writing could be on there, could I add more, could the colour be changed.... and the answer was yes, everything could be changed, customised to suit..................and so it began...........I've made these in every colour I can imagine, and with varying amounts of information on the outside according to parents wishes. I've done them for adults too.

Sometimes its the simplest ideas that make the biggest impact. I also started doing tags to hang on buggies/strollers..........some parents find using a special needs buggy/stroller causes a lot of questions........why is that child not walking, are you a lazy parent. So many disabilities aren't visible and people are quick to judge others. Having a strap pad or a tag helps. It's a personal thing, I also have customers who say they don't want their child to be labelled, I get that too.........

I know these wont appeal to everyone, and I understand why, but what price peace of mind? If I could buy something to help in the event of an emergency I would...........would you???

For enquiries about these or any other of my products contact me at www.facebook.com/christined265