The Bodkin

bodkin versus  safety pin

I made pyjama pants this week, the first pair had a drawstring waist and the second pair an elastic waist. In the past I have always used the humble safety pin to insert the elastic or ribbon through the channel. This method did have some issues but got the job done. So I had delegated  owning a bodkin in the not necessary department until this week. Curiosity  made me purchase one and well after trying it out I wonder how I managed without one. yes a safety pin does the job but like I have said I had issues  the pin opening up while half way around  or too small and would get lost inside the channel or the ribbon would become twisted.
The bodkin is approximately 9 cm long designed like tweezers that grip the elastic, there is a ring that slides down and holds the elastic tightly in place. I have tested it with both ribbon and elastic and am very satisfied. A simply design and easy to use.



Tri- fold wallet

Style and Swing by Susan Dunlop is my most recent bag making book purchase. The box retails for $26.99. It has 12 projects. There is a project for all skill levels.  I selected to make the Tri-fold Wallet. It is the last project in the book and the skill level for this project is advanced.

The wallet comprises of  many small pieces being organized and using    post it notes to label each piece is crucial with this project. The instructions are supported with illustrations and are broken up into sections. I found this helpful with time management allowing me to complete a section each day.  In general the instructions are straight forward and easy to follow. However I did get very stuck on step two of the pocket section, so I wrote to the author begging for help. Fortunately for me she replied and I was able to continue the project and finish it without any more problems.

What I liked most about this book is that the templates and instructions for each bag project are grouped together. Also the templates are full size. That alone makes this book a keeper for me.

Next I hope to try and make the purse frame crutch. i have yet to use a metal purse frame so i look forward to the challenge.

Tote with side loops

As an alternative to buying a paper gift bag I decided to make this tote from Simply Stylish Bags to present a gift in. I did not strictly follow the instruction for this bag. for instance my bag is slightly smaller than the bag in the book. I added a stiff base using Peltex 71. I also used SF101 interfacing on the bag exterior fabric and for the handles I used the four fold method and not the tube method. Finally I added an interior patch pocket. I hope she likes it as much as the gift inside.

Finished

Done! The Lahti Flight Bag  from 'The Better Bag Maker' finished in time for the trip back home!
There are only two more bags left in the book for me to try making!

Work in Progress

Working on The Lahti Flight Bag

The essential Tote

I remade the Essential Tote bag project from 'The School of Sewing' book as a demonstration for my beginner sewing class but I did a few things differently this time.

I always felt this bag needed a closure. So I borrowed an idea from a bag in 'Simply Stylish Bags'. I made a loop closure with button and used a self cover button from a packet I  purchased a while ago when I had seen them on sale.
For the inside pocket I used the patch pocket from 'The Better Bag Maker' book. Also from this book I borrowed the method for securing the lining inside the bag by stitching the base seam allowance of the bag and lining together. This by far is my favourite method to hold the lining inside the bag.

The Barcelona Satchel

The Barcelona Satchel

This is the 8th bag which I have made from 'The Better Bag Maker'. The book rates this bags skill level at intermediate, however I consider it an advance bag because of the challenge of working with a stiff interfacing on the bag body. I used Peltex 71 for the bags body. The corded handles are also a challenge to stitch. I confess I broke a needle while constructing this bag.

The credit goes to the well written instructions as the reason this bag turned out so well.