Christmas Sewing (Pillowcases)- Part 2

When sewing seams...

...the fabric is usually oriented with its 'right sides' together.

                                                With French seams, however...

                              ...they are first sewn with the 'wrong sides' together...

                                             ...and the seam is then trimmed...

                                        ...leaving a very small seam allowance...

                                         ...before the project is turned inside-out.

                                            The same seams are then re-sewn...

                                             ...with the raw edges tucked inside!

                                The resulting seams are quite neat and 'fray-proof'! 

                                           Next time: the finished pillowcases...

                                                     ...all fifteen of them!! :)

Christmas Sewing (Pillowcases)- Part 1

Using an internet pillowcase tutorial...

...like this one...

                                            ...for the 'burrito' sewing method...

                                         ...I pin three fabric pieces together...

               ...(a top section, narrow decorative piece and main body portion)...

                                               ...and roll up the largest piece...

                                    ...pinning it within the folded-over top section...

                                              ...to form a festive cotton burrito! :)

                                             The layers are stitched together...

                                       ...and the core is pulled out and unfurled...

                     ...resulting in an assemblage that requires only two more seams...

                                           ...to turn it into a finished pillowcase! :)

                                     Next time: I sew French seams. Oooh la la! ;)

Double Gauze and Linen Zippered Bag Tutorial- Part 1

Stitching a cloth tab onto each end of the zipper...

                                       ...and attaching a fabric 'tube' to each side.

                           Making fabric 'envelopes' from double gauze and linen...

                       ...and squaring off their corners by sewing across the ends...

                                           ...and trimming off the excess fabric.

                      Tucking one envelope inside the other (with right sides together)...

                 ...and stitching around the top edge...leaving an opening for turning.

                                   Pushing the lining fabric to the inside of the bag...

                                         ...and top-stitching for a tidy appearance.

                                                  Next time: the finished bag.

Equestrian Print Fabric Bag With Zipper

From whimsical novelty fabric...

...featuring riding wear...

                                             ...two fabric tubes are fashioned...

                                           ...and stitched to the sides of a zipper.

                                              The exterior and lining fabrics...

                                 ...are fashioned into identically-sized 'envelopes'...

                                  ...and the bottom corners of each are squared-off.

                                            The 'envelopes' are sewn together...

                                       ...and the mouth of the bag is top-stitched.

 
                                    The zipper is pinned and then sewn into place.

                                                           The finished bag...

                                              ...with its contrasting colourway...

                                        ...is just the right size for charging cords...

                                                       ...or small travel items.

Zipper Travel Purse- Part 2 of 2

After sewing across each of the bottom corners...

                                       ...of both the exterior and the lining fabric...

                                               ...'boxed corners' are created.

                                              The bag is turned right-side out...

                ...by pulling the exterior fabric through the partially opened zipper...

                       ...and then through the narrow opening left in the lining fabric.

                                        A bit of silk-screened linen is stitched on...

                                                    ...to form a hanging loop.

                                                   The completed travel purse...

                                            ...with its vibrant and colorful prints...

                                             ...is now ready for it's first outing!! :)

Embroidered 'Bumpy' Bag- Part 5

Punching small cutouts near the ends of each strap...

...to ease their movement around the felt hanging loops.

                                           Fashioning a leather buttonhole flap.

                                                         A couple of views...

                                                        ...of the bag's texture.

                                  The finished purse with leather strap and closure...

                                     ...and a close-up of its polka dot button.

                 To enliven some of the 'less interesting' areas of the finished bag...

                                           ...I embellish them with French knots... 

                                                      ...and running stitches...

                                                 ...in colorful embroidery thread.

Embroidered 'Bumpy' Bag- Part 4

Turning the bag right-side out...

                                             ...and continuing the felting process.

  
                                      Because I made the slightly risky decision...

                            ...to trim the silk to exactly the size of the resist...

                                                         ...during my layout...

                        ...I was 'rewarded' with a colorful stripe along the bag sides.

                                                        The finished purse...

                                                    ...drying en plein air! ;)

                                             The bag interior sports two pockets...

                        ...and the bag exterior boasts varying amounts of texture...

                                      ...from the trapped and layered inclusions.

                                             There's an aurora borealis pocket...

                                       ...and a 'World War I Flying Ace' pocket! ;)

                                                    Next time: I add a strap...

                                                      ...and finish the bag.