Sew Easy Laptop Sleeve with Pockets and a Free Camera Case Pattern

Hi! I want to show you a couple of easy projects and point you to another fun website, too.

I recently wanted to make a laptop sleeve, but all the patterns I found were missing a feature I wanted, which was large pockets.  I looked around at a lot of cool free patterns available online, and you can find some great ideas by doing this, too.


But there are very nice instructions in the One-Yard Wonders book for a quilted laptop sleeve, and I decided to use these for the measurements of the sleeve portion.  Their project example is made from a darling patchwork print and has the pattern for an adorable doggie applique.  But I wanted to make this project quickly.  So I did not follow their instructions of quilting this, and instead just basted the bag, padding, and lining pieces together around all four sides.  I did this with the serger.  You could also use spray adhesive to attach the three layers together.

To make the pocket, I simply made another 3 layered piece with the same dimensions around, and just a couple of inches shorter than the bag piece.  I simply hemmed the top edge of this piece and then layered the pocket piece on top of the bag before I sewed it together.  Now there is a roomy pocket on both the front and the back of this laptop sleeve that can easily hold a power cable and a jump drive, even an ipod and cable, or whatever you need.  Here it is, with a power cord and battery stuffed in the back pocket:

There is bias binding at the top (opening) edge, and I also used bias tape strips a couple of inches long, sewed closed and attached as loops to the top corners.  Then I added key ring loops.  I was thinking this would be for a strap, but with these dimensions that is awkward.  What would work better if you wanted to make this bag with straps would be to attach them at the top and bottom corners (when you sew the sleeve together), to make it a backpack.  Anyway, the key loops on the edge are handy, after all, for pulling the sleeve in and out of a larger bag or from beneath the couch or something.

Free Camera Case Pattern

I used the scraps from this project to make a bag for my camera.   I found a great free pattern (along with a lot more, too) at AllPeopleQuilt; here is the link.  I did quilt this one.  I also noticed that their case was going to be a good bit big for my camera, and so I modified the measurements accordingly.

You can see a strip of bias binding along the bottom in the back; that's because I decided to make this with a pocket, too, for holding the usb cable and a spare pair of batteries.

I should have used velcro on this pocket, though, as my batteries fell out in my purse when I carried my camera along!  The USB wire fits snugly in here though, so you could skip the velcro, too, but also make smaller battery pockets on the inside or outside of the side panels.  This doesn't need a strap, as you will use the camera strap for carrying it. 

I would love to know if you try one of these projects.  And I will love to make another post soon.

Happy Sewing!

Easy Sew Diaper Bag Alternative with Bonus: Upcycle / Repurpose Outgrown Baby Clothes

When you have a baby, besides carrying the baby, you also must carry baby things.  Some women ditch their purses and carry their things in a diaper bag instead.  But some of us prefer our purses.  And I, for one, really dislike having my things mixed in a jumble with the baby's things in an oversized bag.

So I came up with this simple idea, years ago, and it has always been a big hit.
My big baby never got to wear this little suit I found at the thrift store.  I just love corduroy, so I made it into his bag.

This one is a good bit bigger:

But if you turn the baby's bag toward you when you carry it, your purse shows:

(This is an old purse; but it was my favorite for years).

This works great for so many reasons.  I still get to carry my purse, without having baby things mixed with my own, and without lugging two separate bags.  It is an ideal solution to having to unpack and repack bags, too.  Say you are out and about and you drop your child off to stay with a grandmother or babysitter...you just unbutton baby's bag and leave it with baby and take yours with you.  Or if you run out to the store and leave baby with Daddy, you just disattach baby's bag and leave it at home.  The size is perfect for carrying a few disposable diapers and wipes, a burp rag, pacifier, bottle, toys, snacks, or whatever items you really need to carry for your baby.

And the bonus is great, because it is always sad when baby outgrows a favorite garment.  Now you can continue to enjoy a favorite bubble suit, jon-jon, overalls, or dress long after baby has outgrown it!  You will even use such a bag long after you need to carry it on your purse for your baby, too.  I use one to hold clothespins, one for keeping lady things corralled and accessible in the bathroom, and I have one made from a larger baby suit that I use as my knitting bag.  I sometimes strap this to my purse, and sometimes I just carry this one as a bag itself.

These couldn't be simpler to sew.  Just take any baby clothes item that has shoulder straps that button, snap or velcro.  Turn the garment inside out and sew the bottom closed with a short straight stitch.  That is it, you are done!  You can stitch the seam again for security, bt otherwise, turn it right side out, strap it on your bag, and go.  You may be surprised, as I was, to hear nearly every person who sees this exclaim at how clever and cute it is.   But more importantly, it is practical and convenient and works well.

Happy Sewing!

Tutorial: How to Sew a Reversible Tote Bag with pockets

I recently figured out how to sew a reversible tote and now I am making a tutorial so you all can make this easy project, too.

Here is what I started with:

You can make your bag any size.  I like 14" wide by 15" tall, as this is plenty roomy to hold notebooks and lots of stuff.

So, I cut two pieces 14"x15" of each fabric.  I lined my selvedges up and cut from the selvedge sides, and used what was left of the fold to make pockets for both sides of my bag.  I had more fabric left over of this purple print, so I am going to make the pockets 2 different ways.  You can see my folded piece of the purple print laid out at the bottom of one bag piece. and the orange print pocket, at top in photo, is a bit smaller.

 I took that smaller orange rectangle, folded it in half with the right sides together and sewed all of 2 sides (one side is the fold), and then part of the 4th side, leaving room to turn.   Turn it right side out and press.

I used pellon 808 craft weight fusible interfacing on the back of the orange bag pieces, but you do not have to use interfacing at all if you want to skip it. Or you could use fusible fleece. The interfacing makes it a little sturdier and able to stand up a little better.  I made the next bag without any interfacing, and it seems plenty sturdy enough.

Pin the patch pocket you made to the center of one of the orange bag panels, and sew along the bottom and sides.

Then take both orange bag pieces and put them right sides together (RST).  Sew along three sides, making sure the pocket opening points towards the open side of your bag.  Turn it right side out, set aside.

Then take one of your other bag pieces and attach the pocket.  I lined the pocket on the side across the bottom of the bag, and sewed a seam along the middle, to make 2 pockets.  Then put these two pieces RST and stitch along three sides, again aligning the pocket and bag opening. Turn.

Next, stand each bag upright on a table, and push the corners of the bag back towards the inside and pinch to determine where to sew the corners in order to make a flat bottom for your bag.

Above you can see this step from the inside and the outside.

Next, you will sew across these corner tucks.  Here you can see the corner as it looked just before I sewed it, just to be clear.  You want to make a note of exactly how great the distance between the corner point and your seam, so that you can sew all four corners (two for each bag piece) evenly.  For this bag, I lined the corner tip with the edge of the throat plate on my machine.

Now you will sew together your other bag fabrics.  If you are using interfacing, you will only want to do one bag piece with that, and we have already sewn the interfaced piece.  So we will be making another bag exactly the same as the first, except for the interfacing.  And in my case, the pockets are also different on this side.

First, I pinned the pocket piece, folded edge up, raw edges aligned with the bottom of one bag panel.  I stitched one row of topstitching down right in the middle of this panel, making two pockets.  Then I placed both pieces rst and sewed them together.  Then repeat the corner pinching and sewing.

After this, you will need to prepare your handle pieces.  I happened to have many yards of a wide black satin ribbon, and so I am folding and sewing this to make easy straps for this bag.

If you don't have suitable ribbon, or want to do it a different way, there are many ways you could make straps.  Before I remembered this ribbon, I planned to use the same fabrics, one on each side of each strap.  You could just sew these rst down the long side and turn.  What I had planned to do was put them wrong sides together and sew them together using some very narrow bias binding I had to match.  This would have worked and been pretty I am sure.

So then, put the two bags together, one inside the other, with RST.  Pin the side seams to line up.  Then you will place your handles down between the two (right side facing) layers.  Pull the raw edges of your straps out and pin all four, being careful to line them up evenly spaced from the side seams and lining up on both sides.  Also make sure they have even lengths extending into the seam you will be sewing.  In other words, be careful that everything lines up evenly and pin carefully.  After I pin my straps, I also pin the section between them on each side.  Here is a picture of it all pinned up and ready to sew.

Now you will sew along this top edge, securing all four straps, but leaving an opening between the last strap and the first you already sewed, so that you will be able to turn your bag.  Remove pins and turn.  Then you will topstitch all around the top of your bag to close the opening and secure the straps.

Here is this bag, both views.

For some reason, I took these pictures before I sewed closed and topstitched.  whoops.  I did topstitch this and I used orange thread with the orange fabric on the top and purple thread in the bottom for the other side.

Then a made a smaller one, for my toddler nephew, using some white grosgrain ribbon for the straps- which is an even easier way to make straps, as you can just use it as is, and don't have to sew the straps at all, other than attaching them to the bag when you sew it together.  I made his with this same purple halloween fabric on one side, and this Christmas print on the other.

It has pockets, too, although you can barely see it in this photo.

I have cut out another bag and am going back in there now; I would like to make a stock of a few of these bags for sale.  I need to get my etsy store opened and start sewing for cash.

I was inspired by Aunt Pitty Pat to applique, and have cut out a snowman and pocket for another bag.  I have even started knitting a tiny black scarf (it will actually be 2 pieces, since he will only have the front of a neck, and sew it will have to be sewn on).  The snowman will be too sweet to have halloween fabric on the reverse, maybe it could turn to a plain or embroidered black side.  But that will (hopefully) be for another post!

I hope to be back to post again soon.  Ya'll have a great day and be blessed and well and you come back to this blog, too!  Peace to everyone.     

Quick Gift Idea: Glasses Cases

Hi Ya'll.

Here is a super quick, super easy gift to sew.  I made one tonight to enclose within the folklore bag I made for a friend.  The One Yard Wonders book called for the yard to be used as the lining too, and by using another fabric to line the bag, I was able to save a nice bit of the bag fabric for more than one project like this.

I used the serger to finish the outside of the flap.  This was the tightest curve I have serged, and I had to go over it again....so it is not as neat as I wished it was, but it looks nice and pretty.

Glasses cases are the kind of simple project that you can whip up quickly and you don't need a pattern or tutorial.  The ones I have made in the past have been as simple as a rectangle...you really don't need a flap.

Here is mine, which I made from the leftover fabric from my sewing machine and serger covers.  My great great grandmother bought this polyester prequilted patchwork print fabric and my mother gave it to me, so it is a special fabric for me.

And then here is Mr. Green's.  I have made a total of 4 gifts (he got this - and other things-  for father's day) from this guitar print shirt that fit no one here!

I learned from this one that it is probably better not to use the serger on small projects you are going to turn!

I don't need to make more of these for gifts now, though, and that is why I showed you ours, too.  I do plan to make another glasses case for a Christmas gift, to go in another purse I plan to make, but those will be done on the Knifty Knitter looms.  I will show them after I make them.

I think a handmade glasses case would make a nice teacher gift, or for an uncle or aunt or grandpa... just about anyone could use a soft quilted holder for their glasses or sunglasses.  And you can make these up in a flash, so it is definitely an easy gift to sew to keep in mind!

I promise to be back really soon with another project.

Handmade Gift Ideas Will Continue All Year

Hi!  I have more than 2 full pages, front and back, of gift ideas to make and to show you.  Some are tutorials I need to make, some are for projects from other creative folks that I want to make.  I have only scratched off a small portion of these gift ideas and July is nearing its end.

Re-use-Full Gift Wrap!

I have been storing a lot of Christmas fabrics for several years, that were passed to me by someone else.  This morning I decided to go ahead and get started on wrapping my presents and made small gift bags, as well as that holiday stocking gift bag, which has a drawstring flap inside it to prevent anything from spilling out.

So our holiday ideas in July continues, but will be extended throughout the rest of the year.  Gift ideas to make will be a constant theme on this blog.  You will also see here DIY fashions and clothing to make for everyone, as well as gardening and recipes.  Whatever inspiration brings up and I make, I will show you.

The next post will be up soon, and it is a holiday idea.

I made this one for me and cut out three more for gifts.  I will post this project as soon as they are done.

I have also been busy with DIY summer fashions and I want to work on new dresses soon and so I am just letting ya'll know that my muse is demanding not to be restricted!  So every post for the rest of July will not be limited to holiday ideas.  Gift idea posts will continue, however, for the rest of the year.  I have lots of cool ideas for easy gifts to make to show you.  I hope no one will mind some fashion inspiration and other DIY interspersed as well.

I will be back soon.  I hope everyone has a great day today!

Santa Stuff Sack and Creative Gift Wrap

I have been sewing more DIY summer fashion over the last few days than Christmas gifts, sorry!  I would like to have a fashion show here, lol, but I have promised to make gifts and share holiday and gift ideas to sew throughout this month.

I did sew another zip bag and made patchwork for sewing and needle books, and knit 2 more dish scrubbers, and that toppled the pile of presents on my sewing table.  I needed to stash them away in my chest, but I needed to contain them first.  When I opened the chest, I saw my box of Christmas fabrics.  I inherited most of that stash from a grandma, and haven't really used much of it.  So I was delighted to see some Santa fabric peeking out, and I used it to sew a Santa Sack to hold my gifts.  I could also see making one of these as a gift, for someone who likes to play Santa, or even to wrap a quilt or some other large gift.

Here it is, half full already, before I put it away:

The ribbon is strong and you can hold on to the bow loops and sling it over your shoulder just like the real Santa does.  I sewed it like a pillowcase, but with a casing for the ribbon.   I started to do another, with patchwork and an applique, but this works for now.  I made a lovely skirt and wanted to sew a blouse to go with it to wear to a birthday party tomorrow.  So the Santa sack is the Holiday idea to sew for today.

I will also show you the presents I am taking to the birthday party tomorrow, as a suggestion to not use disposable wrapping paper but to make something useful instead.  Both children are getting colored pencils in a roll, but I wrapped them each with another gift:

these are birthday, not holiday presents;

use your imagination to think of ways to make holiday gift wrappings

simple drawstring bags sewn from holiday fabrics can hold candy or coins...

we will visit this topic again later this month....

The birthday girl gets a pretty apron, I made from a vintage sheet.  And for the birthday boy, that's just a simple drawstring bag that I am sure he can use to hold baseball cards or marbles or candy or whatever he likes.

So I hope that will get you thinking about creative wrapping for the holidays; I definitely am now.  In fact, I just got a good idea; we will see it later...
I am off to work on that blouse now, but I will be back soon to share more holiday gift ideas.  Have a great day!

Gifts to Make: Zip Bags for Everyone

Small zippered bags are really easy to make.  I have made lots of these for ladies, as cosmetic bags.  I made one today to save as a Christmas gift for a friend:

I have been thinking lately that these do not have to be for ladies only, and that anyone could use one.  So I made another gift, this one for a man.  I made it slightly larger so he can use it to hold toiletries, etc. for travelling.  This fabric was originally a shirt that no one here would wear, but the guitars are cool:

Then I made one, slightly smaller, for a nephew, for transporting his Legos:

You can buy bags already made by a beautiful mama for Legos on Etsy, at heartsongfarms.

I make these kind of bags by cutting rectangles from fabric, batting, and lining fabric, which I quilt together.  Then I attach the zipper.  After sewing the zipper in place, I sew it down neatly.  Then, I sew up the side seams.  Before I had a serger, I used to make binding for covering the seams and making it to look nice and neat inside.  Now I just use the serger.  Then I pinch the corners on the inside and sew them down, to make the bag flat on the bottom.  This is nice as it allows the bag to stand upright.  There must be a million different uses for these, and you can make one in about 15 minutes.  I think they make a great gift for anyone.

Before I leave, I will show you this other little bag I made.  I cut the pieces for this little bag by following the shapes of the folklore bag, but significantly smaller.  It took a bit longer than my simpler zip bags above, and I was not entirely pleased with my execution of this, but since I mentioned it before, I will show you; maybe it will give you an idea...

So now it's your turn.  Take an hour and make up several fast and cute bags now to stash away for holiday gifts.  It feels great to be crossing names of the gift list already.  Have fun!  I will be back soon.

Gift Idea: The Folklore Bag

Hi, Ya'll.  I am sorry; this is not the new tutorial from me.  I have been dealing with Mr.Green and a little boy not feeling well, which has kept me quite busy, and now I think the sickness is in me.   When I was finally able to make it into my sewing room last night, I realized that I was behind on my gift making.  So I used the time to cross more gifts off my list, instead of making the tutorial for my way of making baby blocks.  I have already made blocks for all the babies on my list, and so I made bags for my sister in laws first.  I promise I will get that tutorial up soon.

Here are the bags I made last night:

 

While I have made lots of bags before, this is the first time I have followed a pattern for a purse.  The pattern is the Folklore Bag, designed by Lauren Booth, which is one of several cute bag patterns that comes with One Yard Wonders.  I have mentioned this book here before, and now I am mentioning it again, because it is pretty awesome.  There are 101 patterns in this book, and believe me, you can find a lot of ideas for gifts (and using up your fabric stash) in this book.  If you haven't ordered this book yet, just click on over to Amazon and order it now; you will be glad you did.  Here is the link:  

I am just out of medium weight interfacing, but instead of making a trip to the store, I made those bags by quilting the outer fabric to pieces of a sturdy canvas curtain I thrifted.  I also used velcro in lieu of magnetic purse closures.  I bet the magnetic closures are much nicer than velcro, but I am all about using what I have.

I think I will make one more of these.  I just made a smaller version pattern based on this design, and am about to go in there and try to do a zippered pouch in this shape....if it works, I will show that off, too.  I plan to work on bags for the rest of this day, as I can do different types of bags for several folks on my Christmas list.  I kinda liked doing it with a pattern, maybe I will look around for something cute in a free tutorial.  Do you have a favorite bag pattern?  I would love to know what you like, do tell us!

I will be back soon.  In the meantime, have a great day, and happy sewing!

Chic and Simple Sewing (Book Review) and my little black dress

My sweetie ordered books for me for my mother's day gift, and I got some really great stuff.

Chic and Simple Sewing, by Christine Hayes is an amazing resource for your sewing room.  This book has at least 20 full size patterns for every season of the year.  There are dresses, tops, skirts, even jackets and a cape, none of which need zippers or buttons or any other daunting construction details.  These garments are stylish but all are really easy to make.  This book will be useful for anyone, from an experienced home sewist, to an absolute beginner.  There is an ample section at the beginning of the book that explains the basics you need to know, from equipment to laying out and cutting  patterns.  So this is the perfect book for you if you want to update your wardrobe, even if you have never made a garment before.  I love how the pattern pieces are included in an envelope in the front cover of the book, and while the book is hardcover, the pages are mounted on a spiral binder so it will lay flat on your sewing table.  I highly suggest heading over to Amazon now and ordering this for your sewing library.

While I have made a few garments before, I had never made a dress (except for this, made for a baby).  With the help of this book, I have made MY first dress, and I absolutely love it.  

I made this from the "Retro shift dress" pattern in the book.  However, instead of yardage, I was using an oversized, ugly long black linen dress from the back of my closet, and there was not enough fabric to cut it as wide as the original pattern pieces.  So I made adjustments and this dress is more fitted than the shift in the book.  I had purchased silver metallic thread to embroider on the dress, but I loved it so much as is that I decided to skip the embroidery on the dress and made a simple purse to go with it, instead.

So I am thrilled that my first dress turned out as well as it did, and I can't wait to make more of the patterns in this book.  Again, I encourage you to order your copy of this great book today.