How To: Five Easy Steps to Sewing with Patterns By Annie

If you are new to sewing a bag, tote, or organizer

getting started may seem a bit daunting.

Most of the patterns do not include actual pattern pieces.

That's because the components are pretty much rectangles

or squares with rounded corners.

So the getting started instructions may seem extensive and intimidating.

If you look at the By Annie patterns with the following five steps in mind,

the process will come together much easier:

                                                                    1.  Gather

                                                                    2.  Quilt

                                                                    3.  Cut

                                                                    4.  Construct

                                                                    5.  Assemble

1.  Gather all your supplies as indicated on the back of the pattern and read through all the instructions before you start cutting.  Each pattern includes a back page that lists all the supplies you will need.

2.  Quilt your main fabric, Soft and Stable, and lining.  If you do this on your domestic machine, follow the cutting instructions before layering your fabrics and Soft and Stable for quilting.
If you are quilting your layers on a longarm machine, then do not cut the main fabric, Soft and Stable, and lining until after the quilting is completed.  **Instructions for each method are in the pattern**

3.  Cut all your pieces (including your quilted fabrics) as instructed.

4.  Construct all the components for your project.

5.  Assemble your components as instructed.

I have sewn a number of patterns By Annie and all of them have followed these five steps.  When I break down the process by thinking of it in five steps, the project seems less overwhelming.  I like to set my goals according to these steps.  For instance:  Day 1 Gather: Day 2 Quilt: Day 3 Cut: Day 4 (and maybe day 5 if there are lots of components) Construct; and Day 5 (and/or 6) Assemble.

So if you've had your eye on one of those great patterns By Annie (or if you already have one), but have been a bit intimidated at the process, I hope this gives you the confidence to get started on your own bag, tote, or organizer.

I'll be back in a few days with my completed Running with Scissors organizer.

Have a terrific weekend.

Round Trip Duffle Bag

If you, or somebody you know, needs a BIG duffle

this is the pattern for you!

It is the Round Trip Duffle pattern from Patterns by Annie.

The finished measurements are 12"H x 19.5"W x 7.5"D

The pattern suggests quilting your main fabric, Soft and Stable, and lining fabric

together on a long arm (if you have access to one) before you cut your pattern pieces.

I used a groovy board and quilted mine with my Block Rockit.

When you cut your pattern pieces, be certain to use the little labels that are included.

They help keep all your pattern pieces identified

and they will make your sewing life sew much easier!

There is a nice size slip pocket at each end of the duffle.

That's also where you will add a triangle ring or a D-ring and a swivel snap hook

to attach your shoulder strap.

The shoulder strap also features a slider so you can adjust the length according

to your needs.  To protect your shoulder, the metal slider slips into the

comfortable, padded cover that is part of your shoulder strap.

You also have the option of using the handy carry straps that are attached to each

side of the duffle using rectangle rings.

And when you need to be hands and shoulder free,

you can secure your duffle to your rolling luggage with the handy trolley sleeve

that is sewn to one side of the duffle.

There is a large mesh zipper pocket on one side of the interior,

and handy slip pockets on the opposite side of the interior.

The bottom of the bag is supported by a piece of acrylic, cut to size, that is covered

with a sleeve (an acrylic support pillow case, if you will).

To help keep the bottom exterior of my duffle clean and to help reduce wear,

I added four feet to the underside.

The pattern does not give instructions to do this,

but that is how I prefer to finish a bag this size.

It is easy to add this step, but be certain to do it before

attaching the bottom of the bag to the sides of the bag:

On the exterior of the bag bottom,

mark the desired location of your bag feet (I used four)

If your machine has an eyelet stitch, that's the one to use for this technique.

It looks like the above stitch #62 on my Bernina.

If your sewing machine doesn't have this stitch, that's okay!

Simply draw circles (approx. 1/4" to 3/8" circumference) on the exterior bottom of your bag.

Then use a small zig zag stitch or a triple straight stitch to sew around your marked circles.

Now it's time to clip the circle open.

The easiest way to do this is to fold the bag bottom in half right through the middle of the eyelet,

snip it open with the tip of your scissors - DON'T SNIP THROUGH YOUR STITCHING

Then fold the bag bottom in half the other way and snip so you make an "X" opening.

At this point it is good to add a little seam sealant to the clipped edges.

This is the lining side of my duffle bag bottom.

Insert the prongs of your bag feet so the prongs are on the lining side.

You can add a drop of fabric glue (this one is my favorite)

The prongs will not show on the lining side because your acrylic support will cover them.

Here's a video to give you a closer look at this great pattern:

It's not a quick sew, but I think you will be very pleased with the results

if you give this pattern a try.

Thanks for reading my blog, I appreciate all my readers so very much.

Accent Pillow with Sashiko Stitching

Pillow Front:  Fabric Line is American Jane Hop, Skip, Jump

Good Monday afternoon sewing friends.

I'm so very glad you stopped by today.

Here's a new, little accent pillow that I stitched up for my home.

Pillow Back

I'm swooning over that fabric.

Look close, those are paper doll images!!!

I purchased one of the little, 2 1/2 inch pre cut packs, a half yard of the red daisy print,

and 2 yards of the fabric with the paper doll images.

This 12 inch accent pillow only required a fat quarter of the backing fabric,

but I love the paper doll images so much I was compelled to buy 2 yards.

😉

I pieced 6 of the pre cut squares in each of six rows to make the pillow front.

Then I layered batting to the wrong side of the pieced front,

and used my new Baby Lock Sashiko machine to add hand-look quilting stitches.

The ruffle is made from 3 strips of 4 inch x WOF red daisy print strips

folded in half, wrong sides togher.

Using my Bernina ruffle foot (#86) (set to pull one ruffle every six stitches)

I sewed the ruffle to the right side of the pillow front while simultaneously ruffling the fabric.

Now on to the back side of the pillow.

For the closure, I used a zipper that was longer than I actually needed.

That's how I always choose my pillow zippers - it makes for a super easy zipper install.

I also cut my backing fabric slightly larger than needed - it will be trimmed away later.

After matching the raw edges of the backing fabric with the edge of the zipper,

right sides together, I used my zipper foot to stitch the fabric to the zipper.

Then I opened up the backing fabric and pressed along my stitch line.

Instead of a straight stitch to topstitch the fabric to the zipper tape, I like to use a decorative stitch.

The stitch number is 1359 on my Bernina.

Then I stack all my layers together:

1.  Backing with zipper, right side up (open up the zipper a few inches)

2.  Pieced front and batting with ruffle attached around edge, right side down

3.  Muslin square - this gives me a lining to my pieced front

I basted all the layers together and turned it right side out

to make certain I did not catch the ruffle in the stitching,

which I did and I had to unpick my basting and sew two corners again!!!

Better to catch that now than in the final stitching.

Notice how my backing piece and zipper are larger than the pillow front.

At this point, I flipped it over so I could see the zipper.

I used my serger for the final seam,

so before serging I trimmed the zipper ends to reduce bulk.

That way the cutting blade does not dull so quickly

if it does not have to cut through those zipper teeth.

My serger gives the inside a nice, clean, finished edge

and helps keep the fabric from raveling in the wash.

Thank you for your visit today.

I look forward to hearing from you, so please leave a comment so I know you've been here.

Are you beginning to sew any home dec projects to transition to the new season?

Sewing for Self

Hello sewing friends!

Here it is December 24 - Christmas is fast approaching!!!

Sometimes, I feel selfish sewing for myself when it is a season of giving to others.

But I know that's silly!!!

Have you ever given a gift from the heart to a friend or loved one,

only to find out they never used your gift?

I know from Whom my talent comes (James 1:17),

and to show my appreciation

I decided to do some sewing for self this season:

1.  A spring dress

2.  Pajama pants

3.  A bed runner

1.  Summer Jazz Dress pattern by Snapdragon Studios

I'm sorry for not modeling this one, but baby it's COLD outside!

Most likely March will be the month this one gets to emerge from my closet.

I chose a lovely, hand-dyed batik fabric for this version.

It is soft, lightweight, and flowing.  Love that.

I plan to wear it with navy leggings in the spring,

and I'll wear it with 'naked' legs in the summer along with sandals.

C'mon summer!!!

The pattern is pretty straight forward.

The bodice is a separate pattern piece from the skirt,

and a casing is added to the inside front seam between the bodice and skirt.

Then you insert elastic into that front casing to get the gathering under the bust line.

I used a serger rolled hem to finish off the flutter sleeves.

The fit is nice, I did not make any alterations.

Just stay true to your measurements when choosing your size.

Since the dress is not fitted, a bunch of alterations are not necessary.

The back has a pleat at the empire waist seam line.

I chose to omit the inseam pockets.

Can't wait to wear this one.

2.  I ordered the ultimate pyjamas kit from Sew Over It in the UK.

The kit included the pattern, fabric, elastic, and ribbon.

Shipping was quick.

I received my order in just 2 1/2 weeks.

I was going to purchase the digital pattern and just download it,

but I also wanted the brushed cotton plaid fabric,

so I figured I might as well just order the kit.

I also purchased the same fabric in the navy/green color.

I'll use the green fabric to stitch another pair in January.

Can I just tell you - that fabric is delicious!

So glad I purchased two color ways.

Pajama bottoms are so super simple to sew; and this pattern is no different.

I appreciate the added detail of the ribbon in addition to the elastic waist.

The elastic is inserted as usual for an elastic waistband,

but buttonholes are added to the waistband to accommodate the ribbon.

I left the elastic length a little generous - just enough length that the

pajamas sit at my waist without falling down - but then I snug them up with the ribbon.

Great option.

 3.  The Thyme For Friends bed runner was another kit purchase.  This one was from Shabby Fabrics.

My guest room is decorated in lavender and green colors, so this was the perfect addition.

The log cabin blocks went together very quickly.

I used my Block Rockit to quilt the bed runner.  I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.

Merry Christmas Eve and thank you so much for visiting today.