New Pattern: The Daisy Cross Body bag

I have been busy working on new pattern ideas lately - so many ideas, so little time! My latest pattern is the Daisy Cross Body bag. I wanted a mid-sized bag that included some patchwork and a different type of gusset. I also designed with the possibility of a zipper closure in mind since most prefer that type of closure.

 The most remarkable part of this bag is clearly the dresden plate style patchwork. It does require a bit more time and effort to complete but I think it is well worth it in the end! The possibilities are endless and I've done a bit of fussy cutting for mine.

You can also omit the patchwork - especially if you wish to feature a fabric with a fabulous print.

I do love bags with a gusset but wanted to make this one a little different. I decided to add 4 small pleats to the bottom of the main panels to give the bag even more depth. If you consider the pleats, the depth of this bag is about 7 inches!

I had originally intended for double shoulder straps but after some feedback, I noticed a clear preference for a cross body strap (a personal must for me) so I quickly changed to an adjustable strap.

I decided to create a simpler curve for the bottom of the interior top bands in case someone wanted to install a zipper closure instead of a magnetic snap closure. I did test it out and it worked well so I plan on publishing a free zipper closure tutorial in the near future.

For the bag's interior, I did my usual configuration: 1 zippered pocket and 2 slip pockets. Apart from the different top bands, the construction of the lining shell is exactly the same as the exterior.

The Daisy pattern is now available in my Etsy pattern shop here. If you wish to discuss this pattern or any other pattern I have designed, I have created a Facebook group dedicated to sewing patterns. You can request to join here.

Faux Leather Strap Tutorial

In one of my latest patterns - the Zinnia bag -  I provide instructions on how to sew faux leather straps. I thought that sharing my technique would be extremely helpful as I get so many questions about sewing with faux leather.

With the right tools, you do not need to be afraid of faux leather! My one recommendation is this: get a walking foot attachment for your sewing machine. You will not regret it. I realize they are expensive but I have used my walking foot in so many projects now, it has paid itself off time and time again. It is not just for quilting. It deals with sticky materials such as vinyl and faux leather much better than a teflon foot. It also sews PUL, ProCare and Ripstop nylon beautifully!

Without further delay, here are my instructions for the faux leather strap taken directly from my Zinnia sewing pattern. These instructions are for shoulder straps but you can apply the same technique if you are making a longer adjustable cross body strap.

Start by cutting out your faux leather. You will need:

• (4) pieces faux leather 22 inches W x 2 inches H
• (4) pieces faux leather 5 inches W x 2 inches H

You will also need (4) 1-inch O rings - 2 for each shoulder strap.

Take one of the shorter strap pieces and draw a line through the centre horizontally.

 

Now fold in one half of the strap piece in towards the centre line you just drew and sew it

in place. Keep folding and sewing as you go until you’ve sewn that whole side.

 

Do the same for the other side.

Now pass the piece of strap through one of the O-rings and sew both ends together.

Repeat steps 1-4 for the other 3 short strap pieces. Now take 2 of the longer faux leather strap pieces and draw a horizontal line through the centre of the strap.

Now take the 2 pieces and sew the short ends RST.

Open up the seam you just sewed and topstitch the seam allowance down on both sides.

Now pass that strap piece through 2 of the O-rings with the shorter strap pieces you

created in steps 1-4.

Sew together the other 2 short strap ends RST. Once again, sew down the seam

allowance on both sides of the 2nd seam.

Like you did for the short strap pieces, you need to sew down one half of the strap

towards the centre line you drew. You will need to move the O-rings as required as you

are sewing. Sew down the other half also.

Now you should have one long strap loop. Place your O-rings at opposite ends of the

loop (I place them at the seams on the strap) and then clip the 2 sections of strap together

to keep them in place.

Now you are going to sew the strap halves together to create one strap with 4 thicknesses

of faux leather and the open section sandwiched inside. You will sew one rectangular

shaped seam with a 1/8” seam allowance.

You should end up with a strap that looks like this with 4 lines of stitching:

Repeat the same steps to create a second strap and you are done! You just need to sew them onto your bag. To attach your straps to your bag, you need to measure equal distance from the outer

edge of each side of the top of your bag's exterior and baste stitch your strap in place. Make sure you

do not attach your straps twisted!!

I hope this tutorial was helpful! Please do leave any questions you may have in the comments below and I will do my best to respond quickly.

The Begonia Convertible Bag - Now Available!

I managed to meet my goal of 2 new patterns this month! I have completed the Begonia pattern and it is now available in my pattern shop.

There are a few flap design options I have not included in the pattern which I will prepare and make available here on my blog as free tutorials. This will include the herringbone patchwork version and the square patchwork you see in the photo above, top left. Stay tuned!

Coming soon: The Begonia Convertible Belt Bag

Today I am introducing my latest sewing pattern: the Begonia Convertible belt bag!

This is a fabulous bag because it can be worn 3 different ways: over one shoulder, across the body AND as a belt bag. A couple of years ago, I did have something similar in my shop and for some strange reason (I always do this!), I stopped making it. But here is a new version and hopefully it will appeal to all the sewers out there!

The dimensions of this bag are 9  inches wide and about 6.5 inches high. I used faux leather to accent this bag but again, this is completely optional and for the pattern instructions, I will stick to using fabric only.

The bag has a flap and magnetic snap closure and there is a main focus fabric and an accent fabric along the bottom. I am hoping to make some variations of this and include them in the pattern. I think it's always good to give folks a lot of ideas for inspiration.

Under the flap on the outside, there are 2 slip pockets. One is a great size for a smart phone (iPhone 6 is pictured below) and the other could fit keys, lip balm, etc.

On the inside, there is the main compartment and one zippered pocket to store valuables.

I will also try to come up with a formula to figure out the appropriate size for the strap so that it fits around a person's waist. It is hard to come up with a length that will work for everyone so I think a formula would be most helpful.

I can really see this as a great travel bag because you can be hands free and still carry your essentials. I believe this bag could also accommodate most full size wallets!

I will sew up a few more samples along with the pattern sample bag and keep everyone updated on its progress. I am hoping to get Mr Blue Calla's help taking photos of the bag worn the 3 different ways as well.

New Zippered Hobo Bags

I've been working on some new bag styles. I tend to get bored quite easily and I'm always testing new ideas for upcoming patterns. I really enjoy making the zippered hobo bag pattern by NapKittenPattern on Etsy but wanted to create my own version. I also wanted to incorporate some leather accents - especially for the bottom. I've heard so many times how important it is to be able to set your bag down without dirtying the bottom.

And I came up with this idea:

Joel Dewberry's Swallow Study in Forest Home Dec Sateen
with tan leather

It is a medium sized bag: about 15 inches wide at the widest part, 10 inches high in the center and about 4 inches deep. The strap is adjustable so the bag can be worn over one shoulder or cross body. Attaching the strap does require leather or faux leather with finished edges and some metal rivets. The bag itself is sewn the same way as a very large zipper pouch so the strap is attached in the very last step. I also love tassels so I thought a leather tassel attached to the zipper pull would be a very nice touch.

Inside the bag are 3 slip pockets and 1 zippered pocket. The main closure is a metal YKK zipper. 

A bag like this does take a long time to make (about 3 to 4 hours total) which explains the higher cost in comparison to my other bags.

I did make 3 of these in total but sadly ran out of rivets so I will need to wait to make more. Here are more photos for your viewing pleasure!

Joel Dewberry's Wildflower in Mulberry Home Dec Sateen
with tan vegan leather

Hand bleached denim with tan leather

The last bag was made using a dark navy denim that I bleached myself to create a beautiful random pattern. I will share my experiences with this technique in a future post. I am really loving the surprises I get with each different fabric, texture and pattern!

A few more photos of the bottom and interior:

And modeled by yours truly to get a better size reference:

If you are interested in photos of all 3 bags including pricing, you can find them in my Etsy shop:

• Joel Dewberry's Swallow Study in Forest Home Dec Sateen with tan leather
• Joel Dewberry's Wildflower in Mulberry Home Dec Sateen with tan vegan leather
• Hand bleached denim with tan leather

My latest patterns - The Peony and The Thistle Pocket Tote

Apparently I really like to design totes with front pockets! Last time I posted - which I realize was an obscenely long time ago - I was almost done my Peony Tote. It has since launched and can be purchased here or here.

I have since designed and released the Thistle Pocket tote. This tote is what I consider to be medium sized bag and of course has my usual adjustable strap. I personally can't use a shoulder bag and need to be hands free. I also included the front pocket because I've heard from many customers throughout the years that they really preferred an outside pocket with a closure on the outside of their purses.

You can use a variety of different fabric combinations for this bag! Use your imagination to create beautiful combinations of coordinating or contrasting fabrics! You can use whatever type of button or embellishments for the flap. I've even made a version with some decorative stitching on the flap.

Here are a few combinations I've tried with this pattern:

For the interior of the bag, I give instructions for one large slip pocket but you are free to add more pockets to the interior if you wish. I've also included instructions for a zippered pocket.

I've recently been asked my a few pattern customers to design bags with a zipper closure however I didn't get to that this time and stayed with a magnetic snap closure. My next pattern however, will have a zippered closure.

As for measurements, this bag is about 13.5 inches wide at the widest point and about 10.5 inches high. The depth is 4 inches and since the strap is adjustable, you can make it as long as you like. I think a beginner could tackle this project but it's best suited for someone which some previous bag making skills.

You can try out the Thistle Pocket tote yourself by purchasing it here or here.

The Peony Pocket Tote - Coming soon!

I am currently working on a new pattern - this time a medium/large sized cross body tote with 2 large outside pockets on the front. I wanted to create a bag with many different possibilities in terms of fabric and colour combinations but keep it fairly simple to create.

I am also badly in need of a new Spring bag that can hold a few extra items than my current mini-messenger and I MUST have a cross body bag. So I guess this new pattern is a bit for my own convenience as well. :)

Here are some photos:

The back of the bag is just the main fabric. There is an accent fabric used for the top band as well as the binding on the top and bottom edge of the front pocket piece. There are 2 separate front pockets with 4 pleats top and bottom.

 

 

 

 

The inside of the bag has my typical formula: 2 large slip pockets and 1 zippered pocket. The bag has a magnetic closure. I am just finishing up one last sample bag for the pattern and then I will get writing (my least favourite part!). Stay tuned...

The Petunia Pouch is ready!

I added the Petunia Pouch pattern to my Etsy pattern shop a few days ago but because of the holidays, I have not had time to post about it. I had a hard time deciding whether it should be a beginner pattern or not but to be safe, I wrote that it would require some experience with zippers and preferably a more simple style of zipper pouch.

It's really not difficult to make this rounded pouch, it may just seem that way because you can't sew all around the entire pouch at once when sewing the body pieces together. In any case, I think you should give it a try! Get your Petunia Pouch pattern here.