New Bag and Wallet

Thanks for the hints on the feeds list, it didn't take too long for the light bulb to switch on. I finally figured out how to fix it, so now I have regular updates.

Yesterday and Tuesday I spent most of the day in the sewing room playing with the wallet pattern. Being that I can't just follow a pattern, (there's always a better way of doing it) I fiddled around with it and came up with what I thought was a better finish, (after I had followed the directions). I'm real fussy when it comes to finished edges and seams, and they just seemed far too bulky and not neat looking at all. So after everything was in place and stitched down, time to stand back and have a look, hmm not at all happy with the finished look, so out comes the trusty seam ripper and to work we both go. The pattern called for layers of quilted fabric to be turned under and stitched. Yeah right, three layers of quilted fabric looks just wonderful turned under, wrong. So I decided to bind the edges and ditch stitch the panels in place, a much neater finish.

Once I got my head around the very disjointed instructions it was a piece of cake to put together. The other change I made was with the closure, the pattern calls for folding into thirds, tried that and it looked like a mini bag, far too big, so I moved the position of the closure and folded it into quarters, which gave it a much neater, compact look. Now you can't just have a new wallet, you just have to have a new bag to go with it. So out came the new Sara Louise bag pattern and I had to have a play with that.

Put the two together and this is what you come up with .

Now that I've figured out the wallet pattern I can see a couple of these being made for Christmas and birthday gifts. There's pockets for coins, notes, credit cards and an extra just for good measure.

Once I got these finished I decided to tackle the slipper pattern. That Jiffy Grip is not the easiest product to stitch through, I think a layer of tissue paper next to the jiffy grip next time will solve a lot of problems. Managed to get them all put together and then realised that I didn't have any bias binding or the right shade of fabric to make my own, so those will have to wait until the weekend. But if your interested in making these yourself, they only take about an hour to stitch up, very quick and easy, very beginner friendly and another easy idea for Christmas gift giving.

Well it's time to head into the sewing room and pin out "In My Father's Garden" and make a start on the quilting. Wish me luck as I feel either a horrible cold or the flu coming on and not able to take anything for it, allergic to everything.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and leaving a comment, I love to read what you have to say, and make sure you come back tomorrow to see who's birthday will be celebrated.

Happy Stitching.