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Friday, January 5, 2018

I’m In Sewing Mode Again

Yep - back to sewing for a bit.  I’ve been working on a bag this week - no surprise, I know!  This is a more complicated bag than I’ve made before, so it’s also keeping me in “learning” mode.  I am making a duffel bag for my hubby for those weekend trips hunting or fishing, and he knows it’s all practice and won’t be perfect.  Fortunately, I had some non-floral fabric, ha ha!

I’ve been looking at Craftsy classes, and have purchased a few now - I am a very visual learner, so even though I might have a pattern, it helps to SEE how it goes.  This particular class is for making 2 sizes of the “Weekend Duffel”.  The content is well worth the cost.

As in everything, the prep and clean up seems to take the longest.  (Makes me practice patience!) I’m not crazy about cutting everything out all at once, but it’s a necessary evil to keep all the pieces straight.  Definitely helpful to be able to grab pieces that are ready for construction, too.  I use a drying rack to store the pieces until I need them.


I’ve always been intimidated by the internal zipper pockets, so this was a great way to learn how to do it.  And realize it’s really quite simple!  Too bad my stitching was all crooked.  Oops.  It’s on the inside anyway.



I have also learned how easy it really is to add hardware like twist and magnetic closures, as well as metal rings to attach straps to.  I guess I didn’t think it could be that difficult, I had just never attempted to do it for fear of ruining a project.  Never thought about the difference between a “pleated” pocket and a “bellows” pocket either - both are easy to construct, and as I like lots of pockets, this will be helpful for future bags.




It’s coming together nicely - I should be able to finish this weekend.  It’s beginning to look like a duffel bag!



9 comments:

  1. Good for you! I’ve seen patterns for such bags and thought them rather daunting. But it’s good to stretch yourself and learn something. I like your drying rack, my pieces get draped over the furniture!

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    1. Video instruction helps soooo much for those daunting patterns!

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  2. I have the itch to sew, too! I think it's because my sewing machines are in for a good cleaning. I have lots of ideas and fabric. I see quilted soup bowl cozies and hot pods in my not-too-distant future!

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    1. Funny how the itch to sew strikes harder when you “can’t”! I plan on making those soup bowl cozies too - they look so handy. And who can’t use more hot pads?

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  3. Very nice bag! Lots of skills learned. I also like the idea of the drying rack!

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  4. You are so talented! Wow! The drying rack is so sensible, thank you for another brilliant idea!

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  5. Aren't you a smarty pants (particularly with the hanging items up on drying rack) 😄 every is done well and you are very talented.😍

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  6. What a genius move -- to use the drying rack for pieces! I'm racking my brain to recall where mine is ... it's somewhere, right?!

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  7. Thanks, all! Mom gets the credit for the drying rack - I get my genius genes from her!

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Thanks for your thoughts - I read and appreciate every one!