(sew)everyday notions

Here's two bags I sewed up for gifts recently! When sewing garments as gifts often sizing/fitting can be an issue, so sewing bags is a great alternative!! The first is Taylor Tailor's Desmond Rolltop Backpack for my Brother.  I used a thick grey cotton in from my stash, almost a denim? The hardware is mostly repurposed from old bags. I would have loved to buy one of Taylor's hardware kits but shipping to Australia made it a bit prohibitive for this make (and I was sewing to a rather close deadline!) It was an pretty easy sew, just taking it step-by-step with the instructions.  Between the instructions & the great sewalong I definitely learnt a few new tricks for sewing bags. I really liked the specific notes and guidance for the reinforcing stitches - when and how to do it, to make for a strong & useable bag. I would highly recommend this pattern!  The result is great! It's definitely a pretty hipster looking bag, but so functi...

a perfect little clutch. take it by itself, with a wrist strap, or across body. fabric outter: chevron cotton duck, black upholstery canvas, scrap  leather lining: quilting cotton Shoes & bags. Yep they're my thing. But I can't make shoes, so bags it is! I love to carry around a big hold-it-all tote, but find my purse/keys/phone invariably get lost. This is the perfect sized clutch for those necessities. Take it by itself or throw in in the tote & you're good to go. I winged the construction, it's just a lined zippered bag (and there are about a thousand tutorials on the interwebs if you're looking for one. I saw a free patter n on Craftsy by Pattern Runway that looked good). A few notes: I sewed the chevron & black canvas pieces together first & top stitched either side of the seam. I then interfaced it as one piece (basting stitches around the edge) , and did a stich-in-the-ditch through the interfacing & canvas t...

pattern: portside duffle bag, Grainline Patterns fabric outer: upholstery weight black cotton canvas, chevron cotton duckcloth, leather zipper pull.  strap: cotton twill tape (double layer, sewed together). fabric lining: cotton linen, (upcycled pillowcases!) notions: metal zip, thread, interfacing. This duffle has just spent a week beach-side with me, so I can definitely say it's the perfect travel bag. I am such a sucker for bags & luggage & knew this pattern would join my stash when it was released. This duffle is a great size, its bigger than I thought it would be, big enough for a week away. (I am such a bad packer, this really does fit all my junk in).  I took a while finding the right outer fabric. When I saw this chevron I knew it was a winner. I wanted a black base & handles to hide the dirt. (I've seen some lovely white handled bags but I just know I'll get it too dirty).  I also wanted a light-coloured lining so I could find thi...