I am in love with my reverse applique technique (see some patterns here) so I thought to use it for bags too, not only for quilts. It works wonderfully with vinyl/faux leather, as it does not fray. These are my first tries - more designs are in the works. I copied the design on fusible web and then I fuse it to the back of the faux leather - YES, you can do that!  Just don't use the … [Read more...]

I love my new boxy pouch pattern; you can make pouches in any size and shape you want. You can make these pouches with cotton fabric and interfacing, but my favorites ones are the one made with faux leather: it's the easiest and quickest version but I love even more that you can easily shape the pouch as you want. But I wanted even more from this pattern. I wanted to turn pouches into … [Read more...]

One of the variations of my new box pouch pattern is for a quick and easy to sew storage bag.  If you use waterproof fabric you can use it as a shoe bag or for storing any stuff that can benefit from the features of the waterproof fabric: resistant to dirt, water, easy to clean and wash. I think there are lots of types of waterproof fabrics; this one below is polyester covered  with a PVC … [Read more...]

The interfacing is something that "helps" you love or hate a project! It could be the best interfacing in the world, if you don't use it correctly, it will give you only headaches! The problem is that each project is unique, there are lots of types of interfacing so many problems may occur! One problem that affects many projects is created by bulky seam allowances. For some projects it is … [Read more...]

If you want to try something else than plastic snaps on your projects, here is a short tutorial on how to install metal snaps. Pattern for this pouch here. These are Prym Anorak snaps and are easy to install with just a few tools. The tools come in the package with the snaps (you need a hammer also) but if you are serious about snaps (if you make lots of pouches, bags, garments), a … [Read more...]

Let's add one more skill to the ever-growing fabric fun we all experience. Plastic snaps! If you see projects that involve plastic snaps and you are sad that you can't do it, because it seems complicated and you don't have what you need (I was there, I know the feeling!), I will show you how easy it is to install these pretty accents. I started using Kam plastic snaps a few months ago; I had … [Read more...]

Another boring step that delays the finishing of a bag is preparing the straps. Cutting strips of fabric, inserting batting/interfacing...  I am not a fan of it! But I found a way to simplify and speed up the process! And it has a name: webbing! I will show you how quickly I finished my latest bags: But to make the process really quick and easy, you need one more thing: double … [Read more...]

For my bags usually I buy two fabrics from a collection, one for the front panel and the other for the rest. But do you know that you can use "border" type fabric, like the one below? This is the design that runs on the entire width of the fabric.  If there is enough contrast in color/motif/scale, you can easily cut pieces for a bag. Here is my bag!I bought the fabric for a quilt but now I … [Read more...]