Nannycraft4u

Make your handmade dreams a reality - Just ask Nanny!

Home » TUTORIALS » BAGS,POUCHES,ROLLS,WALLETS » Page 2

Let’s Sew Part 11 – Sewing Room Project 4 – Zippered pouch

by 2 Comments

 Today we are going to sew a zipper.  These seem to cause a lot of people grief but really they are not that hard – trust Nanny!  We will use a zip to complete a Sewing Room Pouch which you can use to hold your rotary cutter or any number of sewing items.  I have made this to fit my Kai rotary cutter and a replacement blade.  You might like to vary the length to suit your needs. 
 

Let’s sew!
Today we will be using the following:
 
 
2 x rectangles of outer fabric 9″x 4.5″
1 x rectangle of lining fabric  9″x 4.5″
3 x rectangles of lining fabric 3.5″x 4.5″
1 x square 3″x3″
1 zip x 10″
some small scraps about 2″ square x 4
2 x rectangles of iron on pellon 8.5″x 4″ (you will note in the photos that I left mine the same size as the rectangle ie 9″ x 4.5″ but it will make it easier for you to turn if you trim the 1/4″ off all round)
 
You will notice that my outer fabric rectangles are made up of strips of my fabrics. You can use a whole piece of fabric 9″x 4.5″ or make it up like I did.  I used 1.5″ strips, 9″ long.  Stitch, press.
Place the stripped piece, right side up, on top of the bubbly side of the pellon – you will have 1/4″ space around the edge of the pellon.
 
 
Attach the Stitch in the Ditch Foot and, by aligning the blade with the ‘ditch’ and shifting the needle so that it falls into the ‘ditch,’stitch along the length of each strip. 
(You will hear quilters speak of ‘stitch in the ditch’ and this is what they mean – stitching(quilting) through the layers of the quilt and ‘concealing’ the stitching in the ditch that is formed by pressing a seam to the side.)
 
 
We are going to use a different Foot now  – the Rolled Hem Foot
 
Take the square and along one edge, fold over 1-2mm and press with your fingers, then fold over again just at the end.
 
With the Rolled Hem Foot attached, put the hem under the foot and lower the needle.
 
 
Sew a few stitches and leave your needle inserted in the fabric.  Lift the Pressure Foot and ease the folded hem into the curl on the foot.  Lower the foot and continue sewing while holding the fabric edge to keep it feeding evenly.
 
You will end up with a nice, even hem with a row of stitching down the middle.
 
 
Ok, you can put that foot away now and have a play with it next time you want a very small hem!!
Put your General Purpose Foot or your 1/4″ foot on….
Take the square and place it right side up, onto a 3.5″ lining rectangle and line up the bottom.
 
Place another lining rectangle on top of that and stitch down one side. Press it open.
 
 
Take the final lining rectangle and repeat the process down the other side. Press it open.
 
Take your rule and with your rotary cutter, trim the rectangle so that it is 9’x4.5″ ( you will see that the ‘pocket’ lies between 3″ and 6″ on my rule.  So that the pocket stayed centred, I then trimmed both ends)
 
 
 
Now it’s time for the zip!  Take the zip and trim the ends to the metal markers.
Take 2 pieces of your scrap and with right sides facing, put one piece either side of the zip at each end.  I am adding this to the end of the zip so that the seam formed as we join the pouch  together, doesn’t open directly into the end of the zip. (You have probably had a seam come open at the end of a zip in a skirt…)
 
Notice on the left, that I have pinned each side of the zip to hold it together – I will leave those pins there as I sew. The seams will be 7.5″ apart.  Sew down each side going across the zip.  Do this carefully- I did it twice each end because this seam will take the’ spreading of the zip open’ force as you use the pouch.  Press them open.
 
 
Trim the scrap pieces
 
 
 
The zip is now 9″ long!!  Notice how nicely the zip closes too.  Well done!
Take one of the main fabric rectangles and place it right side up. Place the zip opening from the left, right side down on top of it. Then place the pocket rectangle, right side down on top of that. Notice that the top of the pocket is facing the zip!
With the ends and side edges meeting, pin along the length of the zip.  Just check that it looks like this:
 
 
 
 
and when you flip it open:
 
We now need to attach the Zipper Foot:  
 
 
You will notice that this foot has 2 sides to it and 2 attaching bars – so you decide which side you wish to sew down and attach the foot accordingly.
This is a zipper foot from my very first machine – just to show you a different style!
 
As with attaching any foot, always turn the needle down to check if you need to shift the needle!!
Ok – with your foot attached so that you sew to the left and needle adjusted, stitch the length of the zip.  I ran the edge of the foot along the edge of the fabric .
 
 
Open it out and with your Stitch in the Ditch Foot, your stitch length to about 3 and the seam allowance facing to the main fabric, sew down the length of the zip through the main fabric and seam allowance only. This gives a nice finish and prevents it rolling and jamming the zip.
 
 
  
Now to the other side!  Place the other main rectangle right side up, then the zip with the opening now on the right, and then the other lining rectangle and repeat the process.
 
 
 
 As you are top stitching you will come to the zip slider. If you leave your needle down,  lift the foot and rotate the whole thing, you will be able to move the slider past the needle.
 Rotate the fabric back and continue stitching to the end.
 
 
 
 The outside will now look like this:
 
Before we start the next step OPEN the zip!!
Take the 2 main fabric sides and place them facing each other and this will also mean the other lining sides are facing each other. 
 
 
 Pin and stitch around the outside, remembering to leave an opening to turn the pouch through to the right side.  (I left below the pocket open)
 
 
 
 
Clip the corners and trim away the bulk at the seams and turn through to the right side.  Push the corners out with a blunt instrument, stitch the gap closed using ladder stitch or machine stitch it, tuck the lining into the pouch and TaaDaaa – you’ve done it!!
Pop your spare blade in the pocket and the cutter in the pouch and zip it up!!  
 
Well done!!  I hope you enjoyed the journey!!
Until next time
Nanny xx

Needled!!

by 4 Comments

Hi everyone!

When I go travelling in the Motorhome, I like to take my craft with me.  How to carry my knitting needles?  At home they stand up in a cardboard tube but that wouldn’t work in the confined space so Nanny had to get thinking!!

I had a set of placemats so I took one and with some thought, fashioned a knitting needle roll!

The flap at the top folds over the needles so that they cannot fall out and then it rolls up and ties!
A crafty friend saw said roll and commented “Yes, you can make me one of those please!”
As I am catching up with this friend tomorrow, I thought it time I got busy and that I would share the making with you:
You need:
A placemat
A fat 1/4 of coordinating fabric
Something to act as lining – I used calico because that’s what I could find!!
In between the taking of this photo and the next stage, the fabric changed – not sure how or why, but I guess the universe knew something I didn’t!! lol
So, measure the length of your placemat – mine was 19″ – add 1/2″ and cut a rectangle 191/2″ x 11″.  Cut a piece of calico or lining the same size.  With right sides together, sew around the outside leaving a gap to turn it through.  Snip corners and turn right side out.
Roll seams between your thumbs and fingers and then press.  Then topstitch about 1’4″ from the edge along the long side opposite your opening. This will be the top of the holder, where you insert the needles.

You then position the rectangle on the placemat and using a walking foot (if you have one) sew around the other three sides ie the sides and the bottom.
It now has to be divided up into slots for the needles.  I did 7 at 5/8″, 13 at 9/8″ and then divided the remainder in half to make two larger slots.  I used the walking foot and sewed from the bottom up.
Now take the remainder of the fabric fat 1/4 and cut a strip about 8″ wide (this will be determined by your piece of fabric) and a strip about 1 3/4″ wide for the tie.
Fold the 8″ piece in half with right sides together and press.  Then stitch around edge leaving gap for turning right side out.  Clip corners, turn right side out, roll between thumbs and fingers and press.  Topstitch around the 3 sides as far from the edge as you are comfortable – mine is about1/8″.
Take the tie strip and fold it in half, stitch, clip and turn through.  Close end and stitch (I do this by hand but you can use the machine)
Take the flap piece and fold it in half  and mark with a pin – do the same with the placemat.  Position the flap along the top of the placemat matching the pins and stitch about 1’4″ from the edge.
Take the tie and stitch it to the centre on the placemat side – I didn’t stitch it in the centre but rather about 2/3 of the way along its length. (This will make it easier to tie)
Now all it needs is some knitting needles – roll it up and tie and it is ready to go!
I am really happy with this and I am sure you will be too!!  Maybe you know a knitter – it would make a great gift!!
I hope my friend thinks so anyway!!
Until next time
Nanny xx

Butterfly Art Folder

by 5 Comments


I have made my 2 year old grandson a  ‘Thomas’ playmat/bag and I intended making his twin sister a tea party playmat/bag but I have not been able to buy a suitable teaset.  So back to the drawing board for Nanny!!

I decided on a pretty butterfly bag that opens to reveal crayons and notepad and I know she will  just love it – I hope you do too!!

What you need:
fabric for outer and lining  (multi-print and butterflies)
fabric for pockets (stripe)
bias binding  (I used red and white)
stiffening – (I used shapewell)
plastic (I used plastic bags that my Mum’s curtains came in)
buttons – 4
rick rack – large (about 1.5cms )
snaps (or velcro)
6 crayons
A5 drawing pad  – 21cm x 15cm

I drew a butterfly shape that incorporates an A5 size rectangle (21cm x 15 cm) You can get a copy here

Let’s make it!

I decided to use plastic to cover the fabric for the crayons – I didn’t fancy having my hard work immediately marked by crayons!!  If you choose to omit the plastic you can skip that section.

Preparation:

From the Main fabric, cut:

2 butterfly shapes with 1/4″ seam allowance added

From the Lining Fabric, cut:

2 butterfly shapes with 1/4″ seam allowance added

From the stripe, cut:

a rectangle 17cm x 21cm     (for the crayon pocket)
2 x rectangles 21cm x 15cm  plus seam allowance
2 x rectangles7cm x 25cm (for the handles)

From the plastic, cut:

a rectangle 17cm x 21cm
a rectangle  15cm x 21cm


Construction

1.  Using a dry iron (no steam) iron the stiffening to the wrong side of each of the 4 butterfly shapes.


 2.  From the striped pieces, take the large rectangle and the handles and fold right sides together long ways and stitch around, leaving an opening for turning.  Clip corners and turn to the right side. Roll between fingers and thumb and press.

(If you are not using the plastic, you will do this with the other rectangle as well)


3.  Take one of the butterfly lining shapes and align your large rectangle. (I used a quilting rule to do this). Starting at the top, sew along the long side, across the short end and then up the other side. Don’t forget to use a reverse overstitch to start and finish.

4.  Take the smaller rectangle and fold in half lengthways – press.



   Place it onto the plastic the same size and fold the plastic over so all ends are together along the long side.  Pin .


5.  You will now have to sew the lines to divide the crayons – about 3.5 – 4cm apart.
( I chose to put strips of tape where I wanted to sew – it just peels away when you are done.)  

 6.  Place the crayon holder onto the other sheet of plastic, with all edges meeting along the bottom.
(This is the time to check that it fits in the prescribed place on the butterfly – trim if needed )

Take the bias binding and press it in half and then pin it down the sides.   Stitch and trim.
Do the same along the top and bottom folding the ends in to finish.  Stitch and trim. Don’t worry if this doesn’t look perfect – that’s what the buttons are for!!









(This photo shows how the finished pocket fits into the butterfly with allowance all round  – this is only for demonstration!)



7.  Take your rule and align the pocket onto the right side of the butterfly fabric






8.  Starting at the top, sew down a short side, along the bottom and up the other side – starting and finishing with reverse overstitching.  This forms a pocket behind the crayons.




9.  Using a strong thread (I used embroidery thread) sew the buttons over the corners.


That’s all the pieces made so let’s put them together!


10.  Take one of the handles and one of the outside butterfly shapes.  Measuring from the centre top of your butterfly shape, pin the handle so its outer edge is 3.5″ from the centre – pin and do the same on the other side taking care not to twist your handle. (Sorry for the change in tape – 9cm)



11.  Put the outer and inner shape right sides together and pin. Repeat for the other outer, inner and handle.




12.  Sew and trim around the outside of the shape, leaving all of the bottom of the butterfly open,  Trim and clip the curves. (if you need a reminder you can see how to clip the curves here)





Turn to the right side





13.  Take bias binding, fold in half and press, then pin and sew around the central curve at the bottom of the butterfly.  Do this on both sides.





14.  Take bias strip and pin the edges of the shapes, butted together.  Fold the bias over to cover the inside as well, fold to finish ends.  Stitch.  Repeat on the other wing.



 Once again, I am not too concerned with the finish as it will be covered by the rick rack.

15. This is a little fiddly but worth the effort!  Take the rick rack and tack to hold on both sides and then stitch.  By tacking, you will ensure that it is attached on both the outside and inside with the one row of stitching.



16.  Open the bag out and pin the rick rack all round the outside taking care to fold the ends to finish off.   Stitch.  

(I stitched on the inside of the bag, with just the peaks of the rick rack showing.  This enabled me to overstitch the inside of the bag while attaching the rick rack to the outside.  )


17.  Attach snaps  (or velcro)  to the top of the wings.









Time to add the crayons and pad!!  My pad is not quite A5 size but it was all Poppy could find when he went shopping….. 

 I hope you enjoy this as much as I have – I love the way it turned out!!  Could I just ask that if you make one, that you post a photo for us to see?  (There is now a button up on the right Care2Share – if you click on that it will take you to Flickr where you will be able to upload your photo – thanks heaps)


Until next time
Nanny xx

Nanny Adventure! Little Girls bag

by 26 Comments

OK Who would like to come along on a Nanny creative tour?
I had to make something for the TSL Birthday Showcase  – if you remember I came up with the idea to make a little girl’s bag using the red ‘party’ fabric for the bag and the zigzag fabric as the handle and top band.

But I didn’t have a pattern!!!!!  

I’ve seen so many new sewers on-line worry about patterns – remember they are just another tool!!

So, I thought I would invite you to come along with me and I will show you how I went about making the bag – without a pattern.

Take a piece of A4 paper (cut out a piece of newspaper or junk mail catalogue if you have to!!)  Fold it in half long ways and then short ways :/

Cut along the long crease and taking one of those pieces ,a breakfast bowl and a pencil, curve the end.  
Fold along the crease and cut both corners and you now have the basic shape of our bag!  
Choose your fabric , press it.

Now is your fabric ‘directional’ – does it have a design that has a right way up?  If so, you need to take care that you have the design the right way up on the bag!!  Mine wasn’t – just a tangle of balloons and streamers.

It was at this stage that I thought “Let’s make it reversible”  so back to the stash and find another piece that will ‘go with’ the handle fabric – I chose the butterflies.  
So now we have to cut 2 of the butterfly fabric.  
Once again take care with the direction – on mine I tried to have as many butterflies flying up as I could – I don’t know why, cause they obviously fly down as well but I like it that way….

Now we are ready to sew!!
Taking the 2 outside fabrics (the streamers) , right side to right side, start at the top and sew down around the curve, along the bottom and up the other side .  
Don’t forget to do a couple of backstitches at the start and finish (use the reverse button)
Now do the same with the inside fabric (butterflies)

Now we need to trim our curves!!  (and no exercise or diet required!!!)

When you sew a curved seam you need to do one of the following to ensure that your seam ‘sits right’.


For an outer curve like we have just done, you need to snip little triangles from the seam allowance .  I have done it on the paper so you can see what I mean. Be careful not to snip through the stitching but don’t worry if you do – just go and sew again in a little more.

If, on the other hand, you sew an inner curve, you snip into the stitching as I have shown on the paper. 

OK lesson over – lets clip our curves!!

Turn the outer bag to the right side and ‘roll’ the seam between your fingers and thumbs to get the nice round shape.

Oh my goodness!!  where is the moisturiser??????  :/

I then pressed the seams ‘open’ (just to make it easier to join)

Then we simply slide the inner bag (wrong side out) into the outer bag (right side out)

Then, taking care to match the side seams, pin the two together

 

Put that aside now while we cut the top border and the handle.

Take the other half of the A4 sheet of paper and fold it in half lengthways so you have a long strip. Cut along the crease.  Take one piece and fold it in half, then in half again, and again.  Open it up and you have 8 segments. Cut it off at 5 – so you have a piece 5 long and one 3 long. Screw the 3 one up and trash it!  Keep the other long piece till later.

With the 5 piece you are going to use it to cut 2 pieces for the band. Fold your fabric so that the short end of the paper is on the fold and cut – do this 2 times.  If you only have a short piece of fabric, of course you can cut 4 pieces – just remember to leave a seam allowance on both ends.  See how understanding and forgiving this sewing stuff is!!!!

Take a strip and, with right sides together, stitch to join so that it now forms a circle.  Now do the same with the other strip.  Press the seams open.

(If you have 4 pieces you are going to join 2, right sides together at both ends!!)

Using the seam as one side seam, press your band to crease the other end. Now put the crease and the seam together and press both ends to crease.  You have now divided it into 4. You can mark the edge of the creases with a pencil or cut a small slit to mark it.

 Do the same with your bag.  

We do this so that when we gather the bag to fit the band, we will have an even spread of gathers!

So let’s keep working…..

Take your bag that you have pinned together and use a gathering stitch (the largest stitch), sew around the bag – be careful of the pins (you can sew right over them if you pin them like I have – just go carefully till you see how it goes) and stop short of where you started – don’t oversew.   Don’t start or end with a double stitch and don’t cut the threads off short.

Now do another row the same about 3mm away from the first (no-one’s watching so you don’t have to measure!!).

Take a thread from each row at the starting point and tie them together – you don’t need to remember your Girl Guide knots – just so they are secured.

From the end of both rows,take a thread  (make sure you get both top threads OR both bobbin threads or they will lock) and pull them while sliding the fabric to form gathers with your other hand – carefully!
(If you don’t know your own strength and happen to break a thread, don’t panic!  Just pull it out – it’s easy with such a big stitch. Then resew and tie off)

Take one of your border pieces and starting with matching the side seams, right side to right side, pin at each side and at the halfway slits/marks.  Now ease the gathers to fit.

Sew around the top – careful with the pins ( but now you know to just sew on over them 😉  Press the border up away from the bag.

Looking good!!!!

Now with your last piece of paper, cut a piece of fabric at about 3 times that length (no-one is watching so it doesn’t matter if its a bit shorter or longer!!)- if you have to join, take care to match the design, especially if you have used stripes!!

Take a piece of string/cord and lay it along the strip on the right side.  Fold the strip in half , and with the cord in the middle, stitch along the short end and then down the long end, making sure that you catch the cord in the short end.

Now pull the string through to turn the strip right side out.  Snip the cord off.  Roll between your fingers and press.

   
Cut a piece of plastic tubing the length of your strip of paper.  Thread it into the tube and gather it on.  Stitch across each end to secure it to the plastic – do this carefully!!!!

 Now pin the handle to each of the side seams and take the other border piece and pin, matching the slits/marks and seams.  Sew carefully over the plastic and right around the bag.

Turn the border to the inside, roll seam between your fingers and press.  Pin the edge and top stitch around.(top stitch is where we stitch fairly close to the edge about 2 or 3 mm)

Turn the bag inside out so we now see the inner fabric (butterflies) and  turn the edge and pin.  You might like to tack (sew big stitch by hand) to hold the border in place.  Then sew right around about the same distance from the edge as the top stitch.

TA DAAA!
You have completed one Nanny adventure  – gorgeous!

I hope you enjoyed making this little bag with me and that it encourages you to ‘have a go’ more with your own sewing.  It is meant to be fun so enjoy!!!

I would love your comments and if you make a bag, please send a photo to share!  You might even like to tell me what you would like to do next………

Until next time
Nanny xx

© Nannycraft4u

All content and images belong to Nannycraft4u unless otherwise indicated. You are welcome to link back to my blog, but you may not copy whole posts, tutorials or photos without my permission. Please give credit for my work and link back to the original post at Nannycraft4u.com If you use one of my ideas, I would love to know about it. Designs and tutorials are for personal use only.