The dates for the two workshops where I will be tutoring the making of this bag are getting closer. Today I  made another sample for New Threads at Weyhill Fairground. I used a lovely Nautical-themed cotton print (bought from New Threads) for the exterior of the bag and plain White polyester cotton for the lining. For the exterior zip pocket I used a Red zip and for the interior a White zip. I have tidied the sewing room sufficiently to be able to switch on the linen press and that made fusing the interfacing and wadding so much more efficient that this bag was the quickest in construction.  I used nickel hardware for the bag – a twist lock, 2 x D rings, a strap adjuster and 2 x swivel clip hooks.

So that’s about it for bag-making for a little while. Next project is a dress!

This project was to be one that used fabric from my stash and the embossed, faux quilted jersey looked like a prime candidate. I decided that it would be ideal as a padded bag for an e-reader. In a little over 2 hours the bag was completed. I used plain natural-coloured cotton for the lining and a green zip for the back pocket. The bag measures approximately  8.5″ wide x 10.5″ deep so will also accommodate a small  i-pad or tablet. 

The zip being shorter than required was extended with tabs in the lining fabric. Despite cutting away some of the wadding the closure strap was very thick meaning that I could not make a button and buttonhole fastening. I have still not located my stash of velcro, so instead I used a nickel-finished tuck lock which co-ordinates with the “silver” gromit of the flap.

I  have a long length of this unusual fabric left – it will be appearing on the blog again soon!

I woke up really early this morning and rather than snooze or surf the internet I decided to go into my sewing room and prepare for the next multi-purpose tech tablet bag. This time I would make it slightly smaller and without a strap simply to be used as a bag for my e-reader.

I used some more of the Blue & White dog print cotton from New Threads and co-ordinated with some recycled stripe cotton from one of my husband’s old pyjama jackets! I unpicked the Red piping and used it around the bag flap to co-ordinate with the red zip, button and topstitching.

In a little over 2 ½ hours I had not only prepared the fabrics but completed the entire project! By speeding through the construction I noticed that the fusible wadding was not thoroughly fused in all places. Next time I make this bag I will either use some pre-quilted fabric or will quilt the pattern pieces prior to construction.

After our weekly sewing group meeting I visited New Threads and left this bag together with examples of the Cross Body Bag so that Ladies who sign up for the Workshop to be held in October will be able to see exactly what they will be making.

Next on the list – prepare another Cross Body bag to take on holiday plus a Multi-purpose bag for my Sister’s birthday. The latter will have to feature chicken print somewhere in the construction!

I have recently been approached to tutor workshops for making this great bag. Deby Coles has made me an affiliate for her patterns and I am now booked to tutor at least two workshops in the Autumn Term.

The first is to be held in September at Franklins, Salisbury, Wiltshire and the second at New Threads, Weyhill Fairground, Andover, Hampshire.

As I have been asked to supply some examples of the bag so that prospective students can see exactly what they are going to make, I have been busy stitching yet another bag – this time using a great camouflage printed stretch cotton fabric that I bought at New Threads.

The hardware for the bag is all brass. I have used two D rings in fabric loops, then 2 swivel hook clips at each end of the strap which also has an adjuster slider. To complete the bag there is a twist lock on the flap to ensure all the goodies stay safe inside the bag.

I think that because of the camouflage print this bag could be used by either a male or female. That makes it even more versatile. Next step is to make a multi-purpose tech or tablet bag using the same fabric which I believe will be an ideal Christmas gift for the male of the species.

It is only in the past month that I have discovered Deby’s sewing projects on the Craftsy  website and I admit that I am a great fan. This is yet another pattern that comes with a video tutorial showing you step-by-step exactly how to achieve a professional result.

In the introduction to the pattern Deby says:

“Do you own an iPad, tablet, reader, Kindle, small laptop or other mobile computer?  Then you’ll probably want to take it out and about with you and this bag has been especially designed with that in mind.  But even if you don’t have a techie item to carry, its a useful bag with some great pockets and features that you’ll love.”

“The padded tech bag is designed for your tablet or reader, and carries it in safety along with a zipper pocket in the back for your charger, phone, wallet and more.  It’s roomy enough to carry a tablet but smart enough to use as a purse.  Tablet or tech is optional – it’s a great bag without it!”

I feel as though I have learned another technique to add to my  skills – this time it was inserting the large round gromit which I found really easy. So why have I always put off using them for curtains? There was also a different way for inserting the zip which takes advantage of highlighting a contrasting zip and tape. For my tech bag I could not find any velcro fastening so used a button and buttonhole instead. I used a contrasting button in Rust Red against the Blue and White Dog printed cotton that I bought from Meg of New Threads, Weyhill Fairground, Hampshire. I also used a  Rust-coloured zip for the pocket on the reverse of the bag. As I have a stock of bag hardware I decided to add an adjustable strap which is attached to the bag with nickel rectangles and fabric loops. The finished size of the bag is approximately 9 inches wide x 11.5 inches tall plus the adjustable strap 40 inches maximum.

I am once again delighted with the project and plan to make another, this time with contrasting fabrics as shown in Deby’s  demonstration bag but without the strap to use for storage of my kindle e-reader.