it's a sewalong!
I started working on two much-requested satchels for the big girls.
Little one-shoulder messenger bags. Easy peasy. There is an adorable messenger bag pattern in the book I just got from the library, Little Things To Sew. Really, really cute book.
I love sewing!
I love Swedish tracing paper!
I love... um. I do not love these pattern directions. Wait, what? This is the most convoluted construction process for a messenger bag I have ever seen. Also: WTF make one gazillion yards of binding? Why not just turn the outer pieces into the lining pieces like normal people do? I'm going to turn.
First problem: Ellie has dug up some of my ultrasuede, for a proper medieval satchel. Ultrasuede is pretty cool. It feels like leather. It doesn't stain. It's thick and strong.
It eats sewing machine needles for breakfast.
No problem, though. That's how it goes. Onward!
These little curved pockets are so cute. I'm so glad I'm turning instead of binding. Best curved lining tip ever: Don't spend hours of your life notching and clipping and grading. Bust out those pinking shears and snap! The job's a game!
I'm so good at thi OMG. These are seriously the most convoluted directions ever. What? What what? I don't understand this at all. When do you attach the pockets? What is this gusset binding interface business she's got going on? You what?
Hours later, I have assembled something that slightly resembles a GAH there goes another one.
Did I mention that Elisabeth, my new favorite child, did not choose ultrasuede for her bag? She chose this Napsack remnant, a quilted puffy batting-encased bit of fuschia. Yeah, that will be awesome to line. But. Better than ultrasuede.
Anyway. This is only kind of looking like the bag in the book.
This is a messenger bag. A SATCHEL. We're talking one step up from a freaking TOTE BAG. Why is this hard?
Okay, now I'm going to attach the inner pockets. OH THAT'S GOING TO LOOK GREAT ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BAG. Did I really just do that?
@&#*I$(&!@#$!.
Om. How can I attach a pocket without visible stitching on the outside of the bag? Why didn't I remember the pockets until I had attached the lining? You'd think I'd never done this before. Oh hey, I can use Steam-a-Seam. Steam-a-Seam! I am brilliant! Problem solved!
Wait. Yes, let's fuse the entire pocket down to the fabric. Because it doesn't need to OPEN AND FUNCTION AS A POCKET OR ANYTHING.
Fine. I will rip this entire thing apart and sew the pockets all over again like a normal person.
Just like it says in the book.
I broke another needle.
Almost done. This only barely resembles the actual messenger bag in the book.
And, like a bad mechanic, I have leftover parts.
I don't care.
Stupid book. Stupid project.
I'm in the home stretch now. Just attach the straps to the gusset and sew down the sides, and I never have to do this again!
Little one-shoulder messenger bags. Easy peasy. There is an adorable messenger bag pattern in the book I just got from the library, Little Things To Sew. Really, really cute book.
I love sewing!
I love Swedish tracing paper!
I love... um. I do not love these pattern directions. Wait, what? This is the most convoluted construction process for a messenger bag I have ever seen. Also: WTF make one gazillion yards of binding? Why not just turn the outer pieces into the lining pieces like normal people do? I'm going to turn.
First problem: Ellie has dug up some of my ultrasuede, for a proper medieval satchel. Ultrasuede is pretty cool. It feels like leather. It doesn't stain. It's thick and strong.
It eats sewing machine needles for breakfast.
No problem, though. That's how it goes. Onward!
These little curved pockets are so cute. I'm so glad I'm turning instead of binding. Best curved lining tip ever: Don't spend hours of your life notching and clipping and grading. Bust out those pinking shears and snap! The job's a game!
I'm so good at thi OMG. These are seriously the most convoluted directions ever. What? What what? I don't understand this at all. When do you attach the pockets? What is this gusset binding interface business she's got going on? You what?
Hours later, I have assembled something that slightly resembles a GAH there goes another one.
Did I mention that Elisabeth, my new favorite child, did not choose ultrasuede for her bag? She chose this Napsack remnant, a quilted puffy batting-encased bit of fuschia. Yeah, that will be awesome to line. But. Better than ultrasuede.
Anyway. This is only kind of looking like the bag in the book.
This is a messenger bag. A SATCHEL. We're talking one step up from a freaking TOTE BAG. Why is this hard?
Okay, now I'm going to attach the inner pockets. OH THAT'S GOING TO LOOK GREAT ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BAG. Did I really just do that?
@&#*I$(&!@#$!.
Om. How can I attach a pocket without visible stitching on the outside of the bag? Why didn't I remember the pockets until I had attached the lining? You'd think I'd never done this before. Oh hey, I can use Steam-a-Seam. Steam-a-Seam! I am brilliant! Problem solved!
Wait. Yes, let's fuse the entire pocket down to the fabric. Because it doesn't need to OPEN AND FUNCTION AS A POCKET OR ANYTHING.
Fine. I will rip this entire thing apart and sew the pockets all over again like a normal person.
Just like it says in the book.
I broke another needle.
Almost done. This only barely resembles the actual messenger bag in the book.
And, like a bad mechanic, I have leftover parts.
I don't care.
Stupid book. Stupid project.
I'm in the home stretch now. Just attach the straps to the gusset and sew down the sides, and I never have to do this again!