The Ultimate Travel Bag - Six Sewing Tips

As promised, sewing friends, here's a follow-up post on The Ultimate Travel Bag

Don't get me wrong, the instructions included with the pattern are top notch

they are very thorough and very easy to follow

I just have a few additional tips if you are interested:

TIP #1

byAnnie includes a sheet of cut apart labels for use when cutting all the components of this bag

for your sanity, it's pretty much a necessity to use those labels!

I scanned the sheet of labels and printed it on sticker paper

that made life so easy

all I had to do was cut each label as I cut the fabric,

then peel and stick to my fabric

remember to use your paper-cutting scissors for this step, not your fabric shears

-you're welcome-

TIP #2

if you, like me, can't find 1 1/2" strapping,

just use the wider strapping

use a clear 24" quilting ruler (or any other ruler you have handy),

mark the line where the strapping would measure 1 1/2 "

then take it to the serger and trim and finish that edge all in one

*an alternate method if you don't own a serger*

mark your strapping the same as above

cut it using your rotary cutter or sewing shears

run an overcasting stitch or a zig zag stitch along the edge

TIP #3

if you choose to straight-line quilt, rather than free-motion quilt

your lining, main fabric, and foam

use a walking foot with seam guide

I placed my seam guide at 1"

TIP #4

use binder clips instead of pins

where it is practical

it is much easier to hold those mesh and binding

layers together with a clip instead of pins

TIP #5

after attaching the binding to one side of the inner pockets,

flip the binding to the back side leaving about 1/8" hanging down longer than the front

the beauty of the mesh is that you can see through it while you are stitching the back down

stitch from the top side, using your edge stitch foot (Bernina foot #10)

let the guide of that foot ride snug up against the front fold

use a straight stitch

and you will get a beautifully stitched back side of that binding

TIP #6

Instead of buttons, use extra large snaps for the 'feet' on the bottom of the bag

they are metal

they won't break like some buttons

and they are very secure

I used the button sew on stitch on my sewing machine

I moved the needle to the far left position

and changed the stitch width to 5.9mm

the clear quilting foot (Bernina foot #29)

was the perfect choice for this step

I could see through it to line up my snap hole

and by moving the needle to the far left position,

that foot was the perfect width to hold down the edge of the snap

and stitch it on at the same time

it made quick work of all those snap holes

and trust me, those snaps are not going anywhere!

That's it, sewists

Go ahead

Get busy on your Ultimate Travel Bag

Then go somewhere fun

You deserve it!!!

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane . . .

Fabric is Welcome Home Collection One by Jennifer Bosworth for Maywood Studio

Yes, sewing friends,

it's time to head back East to do some sight seeing,

visit family, and attend some professional training

This beauty will be accompanying me

It's the Ultimate Travel Bag pattern by byAnnie

Can I just say, Wow!

I am over-the-top pleased with this one

It's roomy, has lots of pockets, is sturdy, and meets airline carry on size restrictions

Looking down inside the bag, you can see the inner pockets are made of mesh

Love that because I can see at a glance what is in those pockets

No fumbling around in dark pockets

On one side there is a large zippered pocket

And the other side hosts two pleated pockets and a middle slip pocket

See the bottom of the inside?

That sleeve houses an acrylic base

No wimpy bag droop here!

The outside of the bag also has a host of practical storage compartments and features

There's a slip pocket on the back

and above that . . .

There's a hook and loop backed strap to slip over the frame of your roller luggage so you don't lose your new handmade beauty whilst rolling through the airport or the hotel or the train station . . .

When you're not using that handy strap, you can push it onto itself and that hook and loop tape keeps it neat and out of the way

In addition to carrying handles,

there is an adjustable shoulder strap

with a nicely padded sleeve that slips over the hardware to protect your shoulder

The shoulder strap is also removable

It is attached to each side of the bag with swivel hooks

The front pocket is a two-fer -

a slip pocket and a zipper pocket

all in one

my Basset was stalking me as I photographed

the inside of the bag on my back deck

can you find him in this photo?

LOL

Have you delved into the world of bag making?

If so, please share

It is such a gratifying endeavor

I love useful items!

If you plan to make the Ultimate Travel bag,

check back here for some upcoming posts

where I will share a few tips and tricks

that will hopefully make your experience

even more gratifying

And of course, if you have any questions or comments

please post them here or send me an email

I welcome feedback and I love to chat

Celebrate and Save!

September 2016

Let's celebrate sewing this month!

My gift to you is free shipping on sewing supplies in my shop

Just use the code SEWINGMONTH2016

Fine print:

Free shipping ends at Noon on September 30, 2016

Offer good on all sewing supplies such as hardware, zippers, patterns, etc.

Good only on in-stock items

Does not include handmade items
U.S. Shipping only

Happy Sewing!!!

Monogram Accent Pillow

Happy September, sewing friends!

Today I'm sharing this quick little accent pillow that adds a personal touch to your home décor

I used a built-in font on my Baby Lock Alliance to add an embroidered initial

If you don't have an embroidery machine,

an applique letter or hand embroidered letter would be lovely

The steps to completing this little 12" x 12" home dec beauty are:

1.  Center & stitch out your monogram on a 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" cut of fabric

2.  Make or purchase piping at least 56" long

3.  Attach piping to all edges of the monogrammed fabric

4.  Sew one side of an invisible zipper to the bottom edge right along the piping
     (this is a smoother process if you use a zipper that is longer than your finished size)

5.  Cut the backing fabric 12 1/2" x 12 1/2"

6.  Sew the other half of the invisible zipper to the bottom of the backing fabric

7.  *IMPORTANT*  open zipper at least half way

8.  Close the zipper and layer bottom fabric right side to monogrammed fabric right side,
     matching all edges

9.  Cut ends of zipper (remember, it was longer than your finished pillow size) to match fabric

10. Stitch 1/2" seam around remaining three sides of pillow form (remember, the bottom edge has
      your zipper stitched in it, so no need to sew a seam)

11. Press seams to set stitches and turn pillow form through open zipper

12. Insert 12" pillow form and enjoy your new custom pillow
                                              - OR -
      I'd be glad to hand make your custom pillow, just click on the Etsy link

Back of pillow

Invisible zipper inserted at bottom of pillow

Okay, time to get started on the fall decorating!

Thank you so much for taking time to visit with me today

I love to read your comments, so don't be shy

If you sew one of these pillows (or anything else for that matter), please share photos