BAGS,POUCHES,ROLLS,WALLETS Archives

Spin the Pins – Make a Hexie Bag

August 3, 2015 by Nanny 14 Comments

As you would now be aware, I co-ordinate fabric swaps for Australian residents through my Facebook page ‘Nannyswapz’.

When planning a swap with hexies, I try to find a project by spinning the pins so that participants have a purpose in mind before the swap proceeds. On my Hexies board I found a hexie bag that used 16 hexagons and so built our swap around that. We swapped Rainbow Batik hexies and I am going to use them to make my hexie bag. So here is my Spin the Pins – Make a Hexie Bag!

I decided that rather than sewing the bag and then lining it, I would hand stitch each hexie and then join them. I also decided to make my own version re the shape and so made another 4 hexies to give me a total of 20.

What you need:

20 x 2.5″ (side) hexagons ( Hexie Bag Templates)

20 x 2.5″ (side) hexagons of Vilene

20 x hexagons (Hexie Bag Templates

Matching thread

Finished size: Approx 15″ x 13″ at the centre and 9″ at the sides plus handle

Let’s Sew!

1. Iron the vilene to the back of the hexies

2. I then machined around the outer edges

3. Centre that hexie , wrong side to wrong side on one of the larger hexies. I used a large needle through the centre to hold them together.

4. Fold the edge of the large hexie into the edge of the smaller hexie and finger press.

5. Fold over again and pin

6. Take a threaded needle and knot the end. Concealing the knot, start stitching about 1″ from the corner (or from my finger in the photo) and stitch to about where the stitching line will be on the next side.

7. Fold the next side the same way, making sure that the corner forms nicely.

8. Continue in this way until you are all the way around. Finish off and slip the needle through the border to finish.

9. Complete all 20 hexies in the same manner.

10. Play around with the hexies until you are happy with the setting out of 2 flower shapes (the front and back of the bag)

11. Take the centre hexie and one other.

12. With right sides together, stitch along one edge. (I used a whip stitch)

13. Take the next hexie (yellow) and join the edge to the centre hexie (aqua)

14. Continue joining all of the hexies to the centre and then join along the adjoining sides to complete the ‘flower

15. Repeat with the other ‘flower’

16. Now from the other 6 hexies, choose two to go on the end of the flowers:

Here

and here

17. Take the 4 and stitch the pairs together

and then join them to the ‘flowers’

Like this:

and this:

18. Now join the two ‘flowers’

and the complete the ‘circle’ by joining here

19. Now you get to make a choice – how do you want your bag to be finished?

With the handle coming from the centre? (from the yellow) If so, you will add the other two hexagons as shown.

On the other hand, you may prefer your bag handles to come from the sides like this. If so you will add the extra two hexagons as shown.

I am making my bag for a specific reason ie to hang on the arm rest in the motorhome to hold my knitting, (It really is time for that shopping bag to go), and so

I have decided to have my handle come from the centre of the bag. This will ensure that it hangs ‘flat’ and not protrude into the walkway.

One side

and the other

20. To make your handle, you will cut a strip 3″” x twice the length you want it to be plus 0.5″. I measured mine and will make it 16″. This will also be a good length to hang over my arm when taking it outside to crafting sessions.

21. Cut a piece of vilene 2.5″ x the length of your handle and iron it onto the wrong side

22. With right sides together, sew around the edges leaving a space to turn it through. Clip corners.

23. Turn to right side, roll seams between your fingers and thumbs and press. Stitch around the edge 1/4″ from the edge and then some rows of stitching the length of the handle.

24. Join handle to the bag. I’m using whip stitch again. You could, of course, stitch it to the top hexie using your machine if you prefer.

Now to load it up with my knitting needle roll, a pair of snips, a needle size gauge and a darning needle and my current project – all that I need, exactly where I need it!

Perfect!! Start the engines PJ – Nanny is ready to hit the road.

Until next time

Nanny xx

Make a lined,ruffle top, drawstring bag.

June 9, 2015 by Nanny 10 Comments

My grand daughter was coming to visit over the long weekend and she asked if I could make her a bag to keep her character dance shoes in, so I thought I would share how to make a lined, ruffle top, drawstring bag.

Finished size: Approx 9.5″ x 15″

What you need:

FQ Fabric for outside

FQ Fabric for lining

Ribbon

Cord

Beads

Let’s Sew!

1. Take the FQ’s , fold in half and cut 4.5″ from the length (Or adjust to fit)

2. Take the main fabric and with right sides together, sew down side and along the bottom. Repeat for the lining fabric.

Nanny note: I zigzagged the lining fabric because it frays so easily.

3. Turn the lining to the right side but leave the main fabric inside out.

4. Put the lining inside the bag (you will now have right sides together)

5. Starting by matching the side seams, pin the lining to the main and sew around the edge, leaving an opening for turning through.

6. Turn through

7. Push lining into the main bag and roll the seam between your thumbs and fingers to press.

8. Stitch around the top about 1 cm from the edge and again close to the edge.

9. Take your ribbon and cut it the width of the bag. You will need 2 pieces.

10. Take the ribbons and fold over 1cm on each end and then over again.

11. Stitch the ribbon ends

12. Centre the ribbon on the bag and decide how far down you want to put it – mine is 2″ to the bottom of the ribbon.

13. Stitch along the top and bottom of the ribbon, leaving the ends open.

14. Take your cord – I realised I did not have enough and when I went shopping decided on this Satin finish one and I even found some little beads to add as a trim!

15. Thread one ribbon through from the right, around and through the back .Thread the other from the left.

16. Thread the beads and tie off

Cut isn’t it!

This is such a versatile bag – it can be used for everything from a small gift bag to a large Santa Sack – just vary the size as necessary!

Until next time

Nanny xx

Linking up with Threading My Way SewCanDo

Let’s Sew 24 – How to Make a Simple Pencil Pouch

February 9, 2013 by Nanny Leave a Comment

Today we are going to use that piece of fabric left over from the Library Tote to make a matching Pencil Pouch.

What you need:
The fabric piece
A 8″ or 20 cm zip to match

Let’s Sew!

From the fabric cut a rectangle 10″ x 11″ – this can vary ( my 3 half metre pieces have all been different sizes after straightening!!) but I found this to be a good size. The 11″ is the length and the 10″ folded in half is the depth.

From the scraps cut 4 pieces 3″ x 2″

Take the zip and trim the ends back to the metal.

Take 2 of the small pieces and lay them either side of the zip, right sides facing and all edges matching.

Sew down the sides of the zip, across the zip (the metal is outside in the seam allowance) and down the other side. Trim one side of the seam to remove some bulk. Trim corners.

Pull the fabric back over and press.

Open the zip and repeat the process on the open end. It is a good idea to pin the ends to keep them together.

Pull the fabric back over and press.

Take the large fabric and place the zip, upside down on top of the fabric. Using your zip foot, starting at the edge, stitch down the side of the zip.

Repeat on the other side. If you need to pull the zip tab back, leave the needle down and raise the Pressure Foot.
Trim the seam allowance back.

I am now using my 1/4″ foot and, with the zip open, I am sewing through one of the open ends.
Sew down the side of the zip the 1/4″ from the edge. Repeat on the other side of the zip.

This is the wrong side – no raw edges

and the right side

Open the zip and with wrong sides together, sew down the side seams. Trim and turn to the inside, roll, press and stitch (French Seam)

Close the zip and there you have it!
Well done!

A perfect companion for the Library Tote!

Let’s See how many we can make! Let’s See lot’s of smiles on those little faces!!

Until next time
Nanny xx

Let’s Sew 23 – How to make a simple Library Tote

February 9, 2013 by Nanny Leave a Comment

Today we are going to make a simple Library Tote. This has been designed to assist in the Gayndah Appeal where it is hoped to equip the children of Gayndah with their school needs following the terrible floods in QLD.

What you need:
1/2 metre of drill, heavy weight calico or other similar weight fabric

Let’s Sew!

The Bag

Take a selvedge and fold your fabric across 15″ so the selvedges are parallel. Smooth it out with your hand.

Straighten the edges

Cut a 15″ square (leaving it folded) – this is the bag

With the strip that you cut off – cut a strip 4″ wide (still folded) – this is the strap

Take the remaining piece and fold it so the pattern in my case, the elephants, run the length of the piece and cut a rectangle 13″ x 5″ (see at bottom of next photo) – this is the flap

You now have this:

A rectangle 15″ x 30″ folded to a square 15″ x 15″ – the bag

A rectangle 4″ x 30″ folded to a rectangle 4″ x 15″ – the strap

A rectangle 10″ x 13″ folded to a rectangle 5″ x 13″ – the flap

Take the bag piece and with WRONG sides together sew down the side – I used my 1/4″ foot.

Trim the seam allowance back and turn to the other side. Roll the seam between your thumbs and fingers and press.

Sew the seam again with the right sides together. You have made a French Seam. Turn back to the right side and do the same along the bottom: sew, trim, turn , roll and press.

Here you see the side seam on the right and it rolls up to the left ready to sew along the bottom seam.

Now fold the top of the bag over a 1/4″ and press and then another 3/4″ and press – stitch close to the edge (I used my stitch in the ditch foot)

The Strap

Take the strap piece and with right sides together, sew across one short end and down the length of the strip and across the other short end leaving a space for turning. TIP: I like to sew out from each corner and leave the opening in the middle – that way you get nice corners! Clip the corners and turn it through – it is easy to turn with anything like a pencil or I used a crochet hook because it is so wide!

Sew close to the edge all the way around – this will secure the opening. Then sew lines down the length of the strap – I halved and halved – doesn’t need to be exact!

The Flap

Take the flap piece and with wrong sides together do the same thing – sew, clip corners, turn, roll, press and stitch close to the edge.

Make sure you have the flap facing the right way if you have a picture (see elephants)
Find the centre of the flap and the centre of the bag back and pin so it just covers the line of stitching along the back of the bag. Sew close to the edge along the bag, turn and sew up to the top of the bag, turn and sew along the top of the bag ( I ran my fingernail along the edge to give me a line) and then back down the other side to finish.

This is the inside

and the outside

Take the strap and place it, centred over the side seam and side crease, ( make sure it isn’t twisted) and down about 2 x the width of the hem at the top of the bag. Sew around the edge till you do the square then the diagonal, back across the bottom and back up the other diagonal.

Press the flap to the front and there you have it – one quirky little library tote! Well done!

Let’s See how many we can make for the appeal!! I know the children will appreciate our efforts!

Until next time
Nanny xx

Let’s Sew Part 13 – Sewing Room Project 6 – Pyramid Pouch

November 22, 2012 by Nanny 4 Comments

Good morning!!Today we are going to make a pyramid pouch – a handy little storage pouch that you can keep threads, ribbons,tools or just whatever you can think of in a handy place!What we need:

6 strips each 1.5″ x 11.5″Backing fabric rectangle 11.5″ x 6″Rectangle of pellon 11″ x 5.5″a zip – longer than 6″4 scrap squares 2″ x 2″Please note: If you want to make a smaller pouch, I would recommend starting with 4 x squares (sides will be the desired height of your pyramid) instead of the large rectangle. I have used the rectangle here to avoid another seam. (Any questions: Just ask Nanny!!)Let’s sew!!Using your 1/4″ foot or all Purpose foot:Take your strips and join in pairs. Press.

Then join together and Press.Time to square up.

Take the pellon and centre it on the wrong side of the joined strips – press. (cover with a pressing cloth or flip over)

I’m thinking that for a change, I’m NOT going to stitch in the ditch today! Instead I’m going to use a decorative stitch. I selected number 17 on Betsy – a feather stitch and changed to my All purpose foot.

TIP: If you haven’t tried a decorative stitch before, it’s a good idea to get some scraps and try it out for stitch length etc. I had to slide mine across to about 2.5Sew down the centre of alternate strips.

Now the zip. Trim the top of the zip back to the metal stays.

Take 2 of your scrap squares and put one under and one over the end of the zip, matching edges. Remember to pin through both sides of the zip to hold it together while you sew. Stitch and press.

Now measure from the edge of the scrap fabric so that the length of the zip is 4.5″ and mark with a pin.

Take the other two scrap squares and once again, one under and one over, making the seam line where you just pinned. Stitch .

Trim zip and press scrap squares back.

Your finished zip with ends will now measure just over 6″. Trim the sides of the scrap squares to match the zip.

Change to your Zip Foot.Take the stripped rectangle and place it right side up, place the zip right side down on the short side of the rectangle with the opener on the left, place the backing fabric right side down. Sew along the zip, remembering to, with needle down , lift the foot and move the opener out of your way. Fold back and press.

Now the other side – Take the right side of the lining (top arrow) to the back of the zip (middle arrow) and put the right side of the main fabric (bottom arrow)on top of the zip. Stitch. Press.

You will now have a cylinder like this:

The next step can be a bit tricky, but just take your time – you can do it!!
Use your Stitch in the Ditch Foot or all Purpose Foot and stitch either side of the zip – you will start to sew on the inside of the cylinder, re-positioning as you go.

You will now have this:

Inside

Outside

Turn your cylinder so that it looks like this: Outer on the left, zip in the middle and inner on the right.

At the bottom of the zip, put a pin to mark each side and then bring the pins together with the zip in the middle

Stitch across the seam through all layers taking care as you cross the zip!

You will now have this:

OPEN THE ZIP NOW! Now pin the right sides of the outer together and on the other side of the zip, the right sides of the lining together. The zip teeth will face towards the lining (I tried to get a photo with the yellow pin)

This is also when you put your little ribbon or wrist strap in this seam -( mine is hanging down in the pouch with the edges in the seam under the pin)

Sew across the pinned seam, taking care as you cross the zip and leaving a space (about 2-3″) open in the lining, for turning. (see pointer)