Craft Fair Sewing

Hi again. This is a photo heavy post so if you plan on sticking around you might want to grab a cuppa before you start.

Here is my latest collection for the craft fair. It took just under a couple of weeks to put together. It wore me out but it's so nice to see them all together now. I want to keep the lot.

I made these using the Open Wide Zippered Pouch tutorial by Noodlehead which you can find HERE. The tutorial gives three different sizes. I used the medium size and it's pretty big. I sure don't have enough makeup to use this size, the smaller one would suit my needs and the large one must be huge, I guess you could use it to hold brushes and hair products when going away. It would be great to have all three sizes for different needs.

After making the five above and taking the final photos at the top I finished off another two.

I love the pink and grey.

Next up was 28 key holders using the tutorial by Dog Under My Desk HERE.

In between sewing for the craft fair I also had a custom order to complete for The Happy Bag by Imaz Zaman which you can find HERE. 
This is the second one I've made. The first one didn't have a zipper closure and the lady that saw it asked if I could make one exactly the same but with a zipper. 
I love this bag. It's very easy to make, great for a beginner.

This kind of recessed zipper is so easy to add to any bag pattern.

Inside there are two slip pockets. You could add another two to the other side or even a zipper pocket.

Custom order out of the way it was time to get back to the craft fair sewing.
I love making these. Another easy and quick make. These are made using the Reversible Lunchtime Pouch by Projects by Jane. You can find the pattern on CRAFTSY or ETSY.

This is the reversible side.

 
Last of all but by no means least are these Sanitary Towel Holders which sell really well here.
These are designed by Yasemin who blogs over at Nachnuch. Yasemin very kindly gave me the measurements for these and sewing them up was easy. You can also see Yasemin's lovely creations on her FB page HERE.

Here's 29 of them. There is one left to make. I have to unpick the end of it becasue I forgot to add the elastic closure. Some of you will be laughing saying 'ahah she made a mistake' LOL, I'm allowed one mistake out of all of these surely.

 

Next on my list is a custom order for a Necessary Clutch Wallet and another Reversible Lunchtime Pouch like the ones above but this one has to be in a black fabric for and evening bag. 

See you soon and thanks for making it to the end of this post.

~ Maria ~

The Maya Clutch Bag

I was so happy to be testing this clutch bag for Kylie of Little Moo Designs for the second time. Her bags are easy but stylish and her patterns are well written with clear photos of the steps to making the bag. You can also check out the other testers bags HERE on the Facebook Group.

The pattern includes two versions. A bag or a clutch bag. I chose the clutch becasue I wasn't sure this would be large enough for me to use as a bag but after making it saw it would be perfect for taking the essentials with me, money, a cell phone, keys, ID card, medical insurance booklet, even some makeup.

I love the curved edge along the top of the closed flap and don't know if you can make them out becasue of my very floral fabric but there are pleats on the flap. I used quilting cotton thickness fabric for the lining and flap and for the body of the bag I used upholstery fabric.

The clutch has a removable wristlet strap. Although you can't see it on my bag the other version is for a shoulder strap or across the body strap which clips onto the sides and is also removable.
Inside has a slip pocket on one side of the bag which is perfect for holding a cell phone.

The thing I love about this pattern is it's so versatile. You can get a completely different look just by choosing different fabrics, it would look great as an evening bag.
As usual with most of my bags lately I did some zig zag quilting on the body of the bag.

I've been really busy making stuff for the craft fair lately otherwise I would have made a few more of these.

Kylie is also selling the hardware for the bag and the clutch if you want to make one and if you don't have the time or don't sew and still want one you can by one ready made HERE.

I've been sewing like crazy lately and have loads to show you in my next post.

Thanks for stopping by.

~ Maria ~

FREE BAG PATTERN GIVEAWAY

This is a fantastic offer you shouldn't miss if you like making bags.
Delinda Boutique is giving away a pattern of your choice and all you have to do is become a fan of her FB page.

Here are three bags I tested for her. You don't have to choose these if you prefer something else, I just wanted to give you an idea of what Maria's bags are like. The patterns are excellent with well written instructions and loads of photos so don't miss out. The offer is open until Sunday 22nd February.

This is the link HERE.

Thanks for stopping by

~ Maria ~

Amelia Hobo Bag

I love everything about this bag I tested for Maria At Belinda Boutique. It's simple and really quick to make. Perfect for a beginner as you can choose to add a magnetic button closure instead of a zipper closure. Amelia can be made with different variations explained in the pattern.
The one I made has no interfacing or fusible fleece which makes it even easier and quicker but there is the option to use fleece in the pattern.

Here's mine in my favourite colour.
There is the option to add a slip pocket on the outside of the bag but this fabric has a large print so wanted to keep it plain to show it off.

I love the shape of the bottom of the bag. The pattern suggested using Vegan leather for the bottom and the strap top but I used the same fabric I used for the lining.

This is the handle which may look tricky but is actually really simple to do.

Inside there is a zipper pocket.

and a large slip pocket which you can have as one large one or sew down the middle to make two like mine.

I chose to use a zipper closure for my bag but there is the option of a magnetic button closure.

This is the side view and if you're wondering what that strange looking thing is next to it, it's a pouch I made out of the top cut out of the bag.

See, I didn't alter the shape of the piece that was cut out from the top of the bag I just used it as it was to make the pouch.

This fabric was too nice to waste the top piece.

Really easy to make the pouch, I like to add fabric zipper tabs to both ends to give it a nice finish when turned to the right side.

This bag was a pleasure to sew. The pattern is well written with loads of photos of each step and flows really well. The bag measures approx. 18" W x 21" H x 4" D and you can choose from three variations.

Delinda Boutique is offering a 40% discount off ALL Delinda Boutique sewing patterns by entering the discount code 40OFFPATTERN HERE. The coupon code is valid on any purchase of AT LEAST 2 sewing patterns and expires on Feb 14, 2015.

If you're too late for the discount you can still buy the pattern HERE on Etsy and HERE on Craftsy.

Thanks for stopping by.

~ Maria ~

Sugar & Spice Sew Along Bag

This is my version of the Sugar & Spice Bag by ChrisW Designs. We had a sew along for this bag on Christine's FB Group that has just finished and it was fun to take part in.

This is my third one so didn't expect any problems as the first two came together beautifully but then I didn't use this fabric for those. I started cutting the pieces out and ironed on my interfacing then noticed something wasn't quite right. I placed the paper pattern pieces back on top of my fabric pieces that had been ironed an to my horror found that I had lost an inch off the bottom and half an inch off the sides. If it wasn't for the fact that I love this fabric and couldn't get hold of any more I would have slung the whole lot in the bin and started again.

I was now left with the problem of how to salvage this bag.

Because of the shrinkage I had to position my pockets slightly different to the pattern and ended up having to chop an inch off the bottom of those. Then I could have carried on and used the fitted bottom pattern piece only that was now too wide and becasue my bag was an inch shorter it would have been too small for my needs so I decided to make a pleather piece that I cut out about four inches high, added it to the bottom of the bag and then just boxed the corners.
The front and back are exactly the same with two slip pockets on each side.

Despite the alterations I'm really happy with the way it turned out and it just goes to show how versatile this pattern is.

Inside there are 2 pen pockets and 4 additional slip pockets all kept secure with a main recessed zipper.

The measurements of the Sugar & Spice bag in the pattern are approx. 36cm (14”) W X 20cm (8”) H X 7.5cm (3”) D

 

Another sew along is being planned for one of Christine's designs so if you'd like to take part then join the FB group HERE.

Happy Sewing and make sure you iron your fabrics before cutting LOL.

~ Maria ~

Gemini Pouch

Back in November, I tested the Gemini Pouch for Christine at ChrisW Designs Website and Blog. When Christine said she was going to do a pouch I knew it wouldn't be an ordinary one and it sure wasn't.

This cute pouch measures approx.   11" W X 7 1/2" H X 1/2” D

And features two zippered storage pockets.

This is the back view. I absolutely adore this fabric. You could also add some magnetic buttons to the back so if you fold it in half it will stay in place giving you a different look.

It's great as a pencil case, sewing things or anything else.

Best of all is that this is a FREEBIE, Yayyyyyy, and if you want to get hold of the pattern all you have to do is join ChrisW Designs Pattern Group on FB HERE. Once you've joined up you'll find the pattern in the group files. This is the only place you can get hold of it so join up, it's a great friendly group with loads of talented members. We've just been doing a sew along for the Sugar & Spice bag which finishes in a few days time. There is talk of another sew along taking place soon so that will be something fun to take part in. During this sew along there have been prizes too. I'll be showing you my Sugar & Spice Bag that I made for the sew along in my next post.

If you should have any problems joining the group just let me know, I'm one of the admin so will try to help you out. Hope to see you there. Oh I just remembered Christine has a Brag Bag Tuesday Linking Party every week where you can link your bags, any bag from any designer, it doesn't have to be one of Chris's designs so make sure you check that out too.

~ Maria ~