sewing

I’ve been looking for a tutorial for a tote with a zipper. I wanted to make a carry on bag for all my electronic gear and it had to have a zipper so my stuff wouldn’t spill out on the belt in security.  Hate that!

I made an overnight bag last year.  It was really pretty and sturdy but just too big for me to carry.  I need wheels for something that large!

Jes came by one weekend, loved it, and took it home with her.  And she’s still using it.

I finally found a smaller bag tutorial with a zipper, at Sew4Home.com

I changed a few things, like the handles.  I didn’t see any need for the double handle plus I wanted them to be a little wider and sturdier so I inserted them into the denim section’s seam.  Nothing worse than having the straps fall off while I’m running through the airport!

I used denim for the bottom rather than faux leather and fleece rather than batting.  I also stuck a pocket on the outside between the handles–so I can compulsively check my boarding pass every few minutes.

This is my version…

Same fabrics as I used on the overnight bag.  I ordered yards of these coordinating Premier Prints from Fabric.com to make bags for Christmas gifts last year.

 

 

Sometimes I just make things to have an excuse to take pictures of the pooch!

I’ve got a couple yards of these prints left.  Think I’ll make a few accessories to go with the carry on!

And I need to start planning a trip!

Look at all these lovely fabrics.

I waited for Fabric.com to have a sale on their Premier Prints Christmas color fabrics.  So Pretty!  So many projects to make!

I was having a few guests arriving (like 10) for the weekend.  And I wanted to freshen up my family room a bit.

Let’s make a pillow.

I had a 16” square pillow form.

I cut fabric 16” x 40” (32” around + 1 1/2” seam allowance + 6 ½” for coverage on the back. ) This should give me a 15” square—I like the case to be tight on the pillow.

Typically I would line this fabric with fleece but for easy-peasy “I’m having a party tonight” pillow covers, I’m skipping that step.

Press under ¼” on each short end. Then press under another ½”. Stitch.

Just to mark the center of the fabric, bring the short ends together and press the fold.

Measure 7 ½” from the fold on both sides and mark within the seam allowance.

Fold each side at the marks.

Sew ½” seams on top and bottom.

Turn right side out and stick that pillow form in!

Easy-Peasy

I have wanted to make the perfect camera tote for quite some time.  I’ve bought many many many camera bags over the years.  Most recently a back pack that is great for when I’m on a plane but not so good when I’m just out for a drive.  None of them were quite right.  I wanted something attractive that would protect my camera and hold at least one lens.  Also wanted a really long handle so I could wrap it around my body like a messenger bag and it had to have a lot of pockets and compartments.

And here it is!

It has an outside pocket for my notebook plus two for water bottles that are lined just in case the bottles sweat.

Inside there’s a padded camera compartment plus one for a lens.

A zippered pocket holds all my little things.  There are two phone pockets but I use one for my sunglasses and a pen.

And last, but not least, an attached key chain holder.

When I don’t have my camera, the compartment folds over to the side and there’s plenty of room for purchases.

At first I thought it was way too big and the handle too long.  But after using it for a few weeks, I love it.  I just put a knot in the handle when I want to carry it over my shoulder.

I padded the bottom of the bag and the camera compartment with 1/2″ foam padding and plastic canvas.  I also lined the lens compartment with 1/2″ foam padding.

I’ve attached a pdf for the tutorial.  There are several layers of fabric in some parts so you have to have a heavy duty machine to sew through them.

Camera Tote

This is the last I’m using the black and white premier prints fabric for this year.  Gotta move on to Christmas!