Accessories: March 2012 Archives
I fell in
love with this pattern at first sight but felt overwhelmed by the amount of
cutting and interfacing called for so I put it off- for a good long while. But
when Spring Break came around I knew it was time to stop procrastinating and
get to sewing up what is the perfect bag for a week-long break of school, work
or life in general. I'm glad I did. The
Sophia Carry-All is not small but not quite medium; it falls into the happy
Goldilocks category of "Just Right". I am not a big lining pocket person
because the pockets are typically not integrated well but in this bag they are simple and
again just right. I can see what is in there but they are just stiff enough to
keep it all in. The inside is ROOMY. Much more than the outside lets on. It is
the perfect size for toiletries plus hair care tools plus jewelry or knitting
or it makes a great Grandma's weekend bag for the kids.
Here are my
modifications since I just can't help it.
1)
I
did not add the fleece but upgraded the stiffness of the interfacing. It is not
all full-on Peltex
but I used the
heavy weight sew in just like the Sophia's sister bag, The Weekender. I wanted the bag to really look like the
weekender and didn't care for the puffy, pillow-like look on the pattern front.
2)
I
eliminated the piping. The main reason I did this is because I thought the
piping used in the pattern pictures looks too big for the bag and I didn't have
any smaller piping. I really like the clean look that came out. Does this
pattern really need the competition?!
3)
I
constructed the lining, especially the top panels, just like I did the
exterior. This means that when I sewed the top panels together, I sewed to the
marks and then lengthened my stitch, basted to the next mark, shortened my
stitch and then stitched to the end (I backed stitch at the beginning, end and
at the marks). This really helped shave some time and make for a clean look. It
was easier to sew in the lining and I knew my seam was straight all the way.
4)
I
used a regular one
tab zipper instead of the 2 tab called for. I did this because I don't
think I will be using this bag much for travel. I don't travel as much as I
used to (My toddler is not a fan) and I have really been eyeing this as my
diaper bag to real purse transition bag. It can fit all my essentials (phone,
keys, headphones, wallet) plus any just potty trained paraphernalia (i.e.
panties, pants, socks) plus snack and sippy with room left over for my brochure
collecting habit.
5)
I
used the recommended interfacing on the lining pieces to make it easier to sew
in later. Granted the main panels are not interfaced in the lining but the
others were and sewing so many thick layers was a beast with the exterior.
Overall I am
as pleased as I expected with an Amy Butler Pattern. They are superbly written
and well illustrated. The Sophia bag actually went together in less time than I
had budgeted and the outcome is beautiful.
Fabric:
Exterior Waverly
Panama Wave Desert Flower
Lining: Heather
Bailey Quilting Cotton
Whether you
prefer to trek to the zoo/aquarium/museum with a tiny digital camera or have your
smart phone handy, a cute way to tote your precious pictures is a must. I hate
to be burdened with a huge purse (a slave to style has its drawbacks) while
enjoying a day of culture so if this camera tote can carry my entrance ticket,
some cash and a few cards all the better. I created this easy wristlet style
bag to serve all of the above. The diminutive gussets allow you to easily access
your camera and other goodies inside without creating a bulky heavy weight on
your wrist. Let's get started!
Materials:
1 fat
quarter of quilting cotton for exterior
1 fat
quarter of quilting cotton for lining
1 spool of
coordinating thread
Instructions:
Measure the length and width of your camera or smart phone and add 1 in to both
measurements (i.e. smart phone measures 5'' by ½'' than your cutting
measurements are 6'' by 1.5'')
Using these
measurements cut 2 from your exterior and 2 from your lining. Use Holly's
Instructions here
to insert your zipper centering it on the fabric if your fabric is smaller than
7 in.
Cut out a
10in. by 4 in. piece for the wristlet strap.
Prepare the
strap but folding it in half lengthwise and pressing a crease. Fold raw edges toward
the center crease and press. Fold in half again, leaving the raw edges tucked
inside and press a final time. Pin and edge stitch down the strap lengthwise
along each edge. Set aside.
After topstitching,
fold the exterior pieces together, RS facing and pin together. Do the same with
the lining. Pin the strap to the exterior
on one short side edge, matching raw edges, ½ in. down from the zipper. I
prefer to have my strap on the same side as the zipper when it is closed. Stitch
around the exterior pieces using a ¼ in. seam allowance. On the lining, start
stitching down one side, pivoting at the corner and stitching the long side for
1- 2, Leave a gap of 2-3 in. for turning and take up 1-2 in. from the second
corner and continue back to the zipper. Add a 1 in. gusset at each corner using
Holly's instructions here.
Turn the wristlet right side out and press lightly. Slip stitch the turning gap
closed. Enjoy your Go Camera Wristlet. It will free up your hands for hand
holding, child catching or just to rest at your sides as your enjoy you day!
