Hazel A Patterns takes over the blog!

Today Hazel from Hazel A Patterns is taking over the blog to talk about her latest pattern for Sew Fabulous Fabrics.

Use code STRIPEYTOTE to receive 20% off the PDF in my Payhip store.

My patterns are usually for smaller items, but in my everyday life I love sewing garments, and I love sewing bags. I don’t make a lot of bags, as they usually use a lot of hardware and internal structure, but I have been thinking for a while about how I could create a bag pattern that would use minimal extras, and that additionally could be made using the fabric supplied in Vicky’s Little Box of Fabulous. Welcome to the Soft Stripey Bucket Tote!

The first challenge in designing this pattern was how to get a big bag out of just fat quarters. Stripes are the obvious answer, and also mean that this bag can be used as a stash buster too. My first prototype even uses co-ordinating fat quarters for the lining! (I have a lot of gorgeous fat quarters, but not many half metres). Top-stitching strengthens the seams too, as does the extra stitching on the bottom hem of the lining.

The second challenge was the structure of the bag. I wanted this pattern to be something that wouldn’t need a lot of additional materials, but that could be made with quilt-weight cotton. The solution is one I resort to a lot – fusible interfacing! I buy mine 5 metres at a time, as I love how it really changes the handle of lighter weight fabrics. I use a soft medium weight for most of my projects, heavier than I would use for dressmaking, but still with a nice drape. I also used one of my other favourite products to create the shape at the top of this bag: Decovil Light. Just a narrow piece at the top of the bag is enough to create the curved shape, and has the added bonus of making the top less likely to flop over when you are filling the bag one-handed in the supermarket!

Finally, I just wanted to chat about the handles. This pattern uses a heavy webbing, which is naturally really strong, especially when stitched and top-stitched. The method I have used to create the handles makes the webbing curve outwards slightly. I really like this as it tilts the handle so that it sits facing forwards, making it sit nicely over a thick coat or jumper. I thought it would be nice to show an alternative method of positioning the webbing to make straighter handles, so here we go!

Follow this version of Step 2:

Working with the wrong sides out, find the centre top edges of each outer and mark. Your straps will be 5 ½” apart, so measure out 2 ¾” either side of your centre mark, and mark again. Take your first strap and position it to the left of the left-hand mark, with the raw edge approximately ½” below the top of the Decovil. Mark a line on the webbing that matches the shape of the decovil underneath it. Repeat with the right-hand side of the strap. Now turn your outer over so that you are working on the right side of your outer.

Reverse your webbing so that the raw edges are above the top of the Decovil (you should be able to feel it through the fabric), and match your drawn lines to the top of the Decovil. The webbing will now be at an angle, sloping inwards. Pin it below the Decovil, to keep it in position. 

Repeat for the other outer, then stitch in place at ¹/₈” above the Decovil.

Happy sewing! Check out my Instagram for extra photos and videos 😊

Review of the Sandhill Sling Bag from Noodlehead

Noodlehead recently released two new bag patterns one being the Sandhill Sling Bag. As I am a bag maker and was on the look out for a new bag to make for myself I thought this would be a great pattern to go into the Bigger Box of Fabulous for January. 

The fabric suggestion is for canvas but I had recently received a delivery of an imitation leather from Modelo Fabrics in a pearlised grey. It has a woven back and is gloriously soft with a dimpled effect, and really easy to sew.

The pattern suggests using a cotton webbing for the strap but also gives cutting instructions for a fabric strap which I decided to do. I used the imitation leather with gun metal hardware along with gunmetal zips and tear drop zip pulls.

I decided to iron on some medium weight interfacing to the back of the fabric to give it a bit more stability, because it has a woven back this is easy to apply. If you wanted to give the bag a bit more structure you could apply a thin foam, or interface the lining fabric as well. There is a slip pocket inside but you could easily change it to a zipped pocket.

I would suggest using stitch length no. 3 for sewing the imitation leather and 3.5 for topstitching. I found it ok to sew with a normal sewing foot but if you are worried about it sticking when topstitching you could use a walking foot or a non-stick foot. You could use a Leather needle 90/14 for sewing but I used a Universal needle which was fine.

This is the box which went out to subscribers for January's Bigger Box of Fabulous. Along with the imitation leather there were two pieces of fabric from a new range for Art Gallery Fabrics, Aquarelle designed by Katerina Roccella, which you can find listed in my shop. Two zips, one with two zipper pulls for the opening of the bag and one for the front pocket, Scanfil All Purpose sewing thread, a bag slider, d-ring and swivel clip all in gun metal.

Check out the video for a closer look at what was inside the box!

Happy sewing!