Friday, July 17, 2015

The Pineapple Drawstring Bag- A Tutorial

Clearly, unless you've been under a rock, the pineapple is all the rave! A freaking fruit- it cracks me up! I put together this cute little bag cause I LOVE making these knitting/project bags. They're so easy and fun to put together.



So, here we go!

Materials
Background print- 6.5x4.5 inches, 2.5 inch squares (2), 1.5 inch squares (2)
Yellow for pineapple- 6.5 x. 7.5 inches
Green leafs:
Leaf 1- 3.5x5 inches
Leaf 2- 2.5x3.5 inches
Leaf 3- 2.5x3.5 inches
Bag side strips- 11.5x3 (2)
Bag top- 2.5x21
Drawstring- 2.5x36
Lining- Approximately 22.25x11 inches
Backing- Approximately 11.5x11.5 inches
Heat & Bond
Chalk/soluble pen
Scissors
Green thread
Black acrylic paint
Fine paint brush



Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on all 4 background squares.
6.5 is the width and 7.5 is the length of the yellow pineapple print.
2.5 squares go on the top of your pineapple and 1.5 squares go on the bottom as shown in the photo. Sew on the line to your pineapple print. Cut a .25 from the sewn line and press seams.



Place your your 6.5x4.5 inch background print above and align with your pineapple print. Take your Leaf 1 (3.5x5) print on top of the background print and align the bottom edges. From here we want to mark the quarter inch marks that are needed to sew our first leaf print down. Ensure you mark the green leaf print .25 inches from the yellow pineapple print on the bottom on each side. Mark the green print and the pineapple block.


Cut your Heat & Bond pieces as listed below
Leaf 1- 3.5x4.75 inches
Leaf 2- 2.5x3.5 inches
Leaf 3- 2.5x3.5 inches

Adhere each H&B to the leaf prints. Note Leaf 1 is a quarter inch shy (see photo)


Now its time to sketch out our leaves. Just wing it- I did.


Then cut them out and peel the backing.


Heat press the leaves as pictured below. Make sure the bottom of your large green print has the quarter inch without the H&B. Note those quarter inch marks on the pineapple block we made earlier! That is where you are going to line up your main green print. Top stitch with green thread.


Sew your leaf top to your pineapple! Your leaves should line up to the pineapple top perfectly.


Break out that acrylic paint and paint on the fabric with little "V" as desired. My original pineapple had diagonal lines painted on it and boy was it a HOT MESS! But do what you love. I used a paper towel on the backside before painting to protect my work surface.


After that is dried up, attach the two side panels and trim excess if needed.


Now, I hate measuring and my sewing mantra is really to wing it and do your best. So, lay your pineapple block on top of your backing print and trim to size.

Sew them together with right sides together. If you lay each piece down, ensure your backing is on the left and the pineapple is on the right. This is important for the drawstring.

Sew along the seam.

In other words, place the backing piece on top of the pineapple piece (right sides together) and sew on the left side.

Open and press.

Now, Lay your lining print with the right side up and put the pineapple piece on top (right sides together). Trim any excess lining.


Put that aside and lets make the top piece of our bag where the drawstring will be in.

Take your 2.5x21 inch bag top print and fold in a quarter inch on the end, then again. Press and sew on both sides.


Fold this piece in half and press.
Lay your lining piece up, then the folded bag top with an inch or so away from each side, and your pineapple piece on top (right sides together). Ensure the folded part is facing downwards. Stitch along the top completely.


Open and press towards the lining.


Now take your bag and fold it over to line up the side edges as pictured below. Sew the left side of the bag. Then sew the bottom (the bottom of the pineapple block). Now sew the lining together and leave a wee bit so you can flip the bag inside out.


Close up the bag after your flip it! Place the lining inside the bag and press in place.
My lighting starts to suck from here... sorry, it was getting late.


We're so close to being done!! Time for the drawstring!

Press the drawstring piece in half. Open and take each raw edge to your center and press again. Fold and sew with at an eighth of an inch from the edge.




Put a safety pin on that edge and pull through the top of the drawstring bag. Tie together and clip the edges on the diagonal.

BOOM- we've got a bag!


 I really hope that was not complicated, please email me or leave a comment below with any questions.

Enjoy!
Jess

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

The Meadow Quilt

I'm so excited it's finished!!

Isn't it a looker??


I was thrilled when I heard Lizzy House was coming to Portland, OR to teach the meadow quilt at my LQS. It was a weekend of great classes and visits from so many great and talented woman- plus I got to sew and hang all weekend with my sweet sidekick Robin!

It took me awhile to finish it, but here it is!!
I used low volume prints, kona bubblegum and some cotton and steel basics for the flower centers.I bound it in kona lawn, which is sooooooooo fantastic- I love how it brings everything all together.


I'm not much into overly elaborate quilting (though amazing and gorgeous), it's just not me. So I asked Sarah to do something floral and simple. I'm SO pleased with it!


This was such a lovely pattern to put together, I'm glad I had the opportunity to take the class and can now check this off my quilty to-do list!


Of course I used some of my precious Lizzy House prints (Lizzy Dish, 1001 Peeps, Castle Peeps, Constellations and the new Natural History) :-)


Saturday, April 25, 2015

Shop update

So... I've been making these drawstring knitting/project bags and just LOVE doing so!
I've made a few more and hope you'll swing by my shop to take a peek and, take one home :)












Thursday, March 26, 2015

The Betsy Travel Bag- Blog Hop & Pre-Order!

EEEPPPPPP!! I'm so giddy about this awesome new pattern created by Kristi of Schnitzel & Boo for Rebel Craft Media! Its soooooooooo big, roomy, chock 'full of pockets galore.


I had so much fun putting this beast together! I must admit, I had a little trouble with some cutting due to not reading all instructions. I kinda scanned and winged it- be sure to ready every detail before starting- it will totally be worth the extra trouble- or extra fabric needed on the inside pocket... :)



I  kept my fabric choices fun and whimsical, which is totally my go-to scrappy style anyway- I love these cute novelty prints! I opted not to include a back side pocket since these fabrics were just too adorable, and ain't nobody got time for that!






I also skipped the canvas and went gun-hoe with Peltex Pellon interfacing- this baby is stiffer than stiff, hard as a rock! I figured I'd use only items I had on hand, with the exception of the hardware. Again, read all instructions. :/ 

Things I'd do differently:

  • Cut properly, less winging it and more accuracy
  • Cut the Peltex 1/2 inch shorter than fabric for seam allowance (I broke 2 needles)!
  • Do not add batting to the pockets on the side panels, instead use lightweight interfacing (that was probably in the directions somewhere...)
  • Steer clear of the denim for the hook tabs, it was so bulky

Overall, this pattern rocks! I made this bag in two and a half days with multiple cooking, cleaning, and errand breaks. My favorite part is that darn perfect Lizzy House Castle Peeps print pockets- makes my heart sing!





So- GO GO GO pre-order your pattern here and join the sew-a-long next week!! I have my fabric ready to make another one just for me! This particular bag will be donated to Crafters for Courage auction to raise money to build homes for minor girls rescued from sex trafficking. 

Sew-Along starts April 2nd- be sure to post and share your pics via social media with hashtags #thebetsytravelbag #redelcraftmedia #schnitzelandboo



And follow along with the rest of the blog tour..



The  Betsy  Travel  Bag  Blog  Hop  Schedule 
March  17
pattern available for pre-­sale  through  RCM  shop




Blog  Hop  Day  1  posts




March  19
Blog  Hop  Day  2  posts



March  21

Blog  Hop  Day  3  posts




March  23
Blog  Hop  Day  4  posts



March  25

Blog  Hop  Day  5  posts



March  27

Blog  Hop  Day  6  post
ME!!



March  29

Blog  Hop  Day  7  post


March  31

Blog  Hop  Day  8  post