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Easy Lace Zip Purse Tutorial

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Easy Lace Zip Purse Tutorial

Although I know of people who will go to some lengths to avoid sewing with zips, it’s difficult to avoid them altogether, especially if you like to make lots of different things.

Lace zips are a fab idea.

They turn something functional into a feature.

They also make something that can be a fiddly pain in the neck (I’m not going to lie, even using my easy way of sewing in a zip, it can still be tricky and I’ve had to unpick them more than once!) into something much easier to sew.

This easy lace zip purse tutorial shows how to make a little purse featuring a lace zip.

The outer, lining and interfacing are all cut from the same pattern piece. The flat bottom is achieved by sewing boxed corners, and the zip is sewn on last.

The fabric I used is from the Tilda Lemon Tree range, which I was sent in exchange for participating in the Tilda bloghop.

There’s a free pattern to go along with this easy lace zip purse tutorial which you can download here.easy lace zip purse tutorial

Instructions For Making an Easy Lace Zip Purse

You Will Need

Fabric for the outer and the lining (a fat 8th of each would be big enough), sew in interfacing, a 15 cm lace zip, usual sewing supplies.

Seam allowances are 1 cm.

1. Using the template (the free pattern’s here), cut 2 from the outer, 2 from the lining and 2 from interfacing.easy lace zip purse tutorial
2.Take the outer and interfacing pieces . With the right sides of the outer sections together, and the interfacing on the outside, sew the straight edges together.

Do the same with the lining. Trim the seams.easy lace zip purse tutorial
3. To make the boxed corners, squash the corners flat so that the seams are together. Measure 1.5 cm up the seam from the corner and pin. easy lace zip purse tutorialSew across at right angles to the seam. Cut the corners off. easy lace zip purse tutorialDo this with the outer section, the lining and the interfacing.

4. Put the lining and the outer with the right sides together and pin. easy lace zip purse tutorialSew around the curved edges, leaving a gap in one side. Trim the seam and snip the curves if necessary. Turn out. Slip stitch the opening.easy lace zip purse tutorial
5. To cover the ends of the zip, cut 2 rectangles from the outer fabric measuring 5 cm x 7 cm. Fold in half lengthways to find the middle. Fold the raw edges into the middle.easy lace zip purse tutorial

Fold in half widthways. Lay the zip on the top half. Fold the other half up so that the end of the zip is covered. Fold the raw edges inwards and pin in place. Sew across the top.easy lace zip purse tutorial

Repeat for the other end.easy lace zip purse tutorial

6. Open the zip. Pin one side of the zip to one side of the purse opening. Top stitch the zip in place. Repeat for the other half of the zip. If you prefer, you can sew the zip on by hand.

Here’s the finished purse!easy lace zip purse tutorialeasy lace zip purse tutorialeasy lace zip purse tutorial

If you would like to see what other people have made, the blog hop is here.

Cute and Squishy Quilted Bag Tutorial

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Quilted bag tutorial

This quilted bag tutorial is the last in a series of posts I have been writing to show what can be made using the new Tilda fabric collections, Memory Lane and Cabbage Rose. I was sent the fabric so that I could take part in Stitch Craft Create’s Tilda Blog Hop.

I’ve so far made a lined pouch with a zip and a flat bottom, a quick and easy fabric basket and a small round bag.

This project uses 3 fat quarters, 1 patterned and 2 plain. All 3 are use to make the outer. The lining is made from plain fabric and the patterned fabric is used for the binding and the handles.

Because of the shape of the bag, it needs something to help it to hold its shape. I had originally planned to use thick sew in interfacing, but I used the last of it when I made the zippered pouch. So I decided to quilt it instead. The quilting allows the bag to hold its shape and makes it beautifully squishy!

I didn’t add any kind of closure when I made it, mainly because I used the last of my magnetic snaps on the small round bag. If you wanted to add a closure of some kind, you could use a snap or a button.

Here is the quilted bag tutorial!how to make a quilted bag tutorial tilda cabbage rose memory lane autumn 2016

How to Make a Quilted Bag

You Will Need

3 fat quarters of cotton fabric, 1 patterned and 2 plain (I used Cabbage Rose Tess Ginger, Cabbage Rose Solid Ginger, Cabbage Rose Solid Teal), wadding, interfacing, fabric for interlining (you could use an old pillowcase or something similar), usual sewing supplies.

Cutting Out

Outer

Each fat quarter will need to be cut with the short edges top and bottom. The bag outer pieces will use the whole length of the fabric.

From the patterned fabric, cut 2 strips 8 cm wide.
From plain fabric A, cut 2 strips 15 cm wide.
From plain fabric B, cut 1 strip 10 cm wide.

Lining

You might prefer to cut out the lining after you’ve sewn the outer so that you can be sure of getting it the right size without having to faff about trimming it down a second time.

The lining will be cut from the remaining plain fabric.

For cutting the pieces for the outer, you will have had the fabric with the short edges top and bottom. For cutting the lining you will need to have plain fabric B round the other way, so turn it 90 degrees.

Cut the rest of plain fabric A in half so that it is the same width as plain fabric B. Cut this in half lengthways. You should now have 2 strips of fabric A. These will go at the top and bottom of fabric B to make the lining.

Sewing the Outer

1. Join the strips along their long edges so that plain fabric B is in the centre, the patterned fabric is either side of plain fabric B and plain fabric A is on the outside. Trim the seams and press them open.how to make a quilted bag tutorial tilda cabbage rose memory lane autumn 2016
2. Cut a piece of wadding and piece of interlining the same size as the outer. Pin them together so that the outer is on the top face up, the wadding is in the middle and the interlining is at the bottom. Use plenty of pins to hold them together.
3. Starting in the middle, quilt the outer by sewing rows top to bottom a couple of cm apart. Remember to turn the outer each time to prevent the fabric and the wadding from distorting.how to make a quilted bag tutorial tilda cabbage rose memory lane autumn 2016
4. Once the whole of the outer has been quilted, trim off the threads and any excess fabric.how to make a quilted bag tutorial tilda cabbage rose memory lane autumn 2016

Sewing the Lining

1. Take one of the fabric A pieces and sew to the top edge of fabric B. Sew the other piece of fabric A to the bottom of fabric B. Trim the seams and press them open.how to make a quilted bag tutorial tilda cabbage rose memory lane autumn 2016
2. Check that the lining section is the same size of the outer. You might need to trim it down a bit, but be careful not to cut too much off! The outer will stretch a bit while you are sewing on the binding, so remember to take that into account.

Completing the Bag

1. Take the lining and fold it in half so that the short edges are together. Pin at the sides and sew. Trim the seams.how to make a quilted bag tutorial tilda cabbage rose memory lane autumn 2016
2. Squish one of the corners flat so that the side seam is next to the bottom. Measure up 4 cm and pin. how to make a quilted bag tutorial tilda cabbage rose memory lane autumn 2016Sew at right angles to the corner. how to make a quilted bag tutorial tilda cabbage rose memory lane autumn 2016Cut the corner off. how to make a quilted bag tutorial tilda cabbage rose memory lane autumn 2016Repeat with the other corner.
3. Fold the outer in half so that the short edges are together. Sew the sides. Make the boxed corners as for the lining.

4. Pop the lining into the outer so that the wrong sides are together.
5. Measure the distance around the top of the bag. Cut a strip from the remaining patterned fabric as long as the distance around the bag, plus a couple of extra cm. You will probably need to join 2 strips together. Remember that the quilted outer will stretch a bit.
6. Pin the binding to the raw edges of the bag on the lining side, with the right sides together. Sew, keeping close to the edge.how to make a quilted bag tutorial tilda cabbage rose memory lane autumn 2016
7. Fold the binding over the raw edges. Tuck the raw edge of the binding underneath and pin. Top stitch the binding, this time keeping close to the lower edge.how to make a quilted bag tutorial tilda cabbage rose memory lane autumn 2016

Making the Handles

1. Cut 2 strips from the remaining patterned fabric 10 cm wide and 2 pieces of interfacing the same size. Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the strips.
2. Take one of the strips and fold it in half lengthways. Press with your finger, then open it out. Fold the raw edges in about 1 cm on each side. Fold the strip in half again so that the edges are enclosed. Pin.how to make a quilted bag tutorial tilda cabbage rose memory lane autumn 2016
3. Sew along the length of the handle. To keep things symmetrical, you might like to sew along the other long edge as well. Repeat for the other handle.

4. Pin one end of a handle to the inside of the bag about a third of the way along, then pin the other end a third away from the other edge. If you ensure that the handle is lined up with the patterned fabric on the outside, the stitching will show less. how to make a quilted bag tutorial tilda cabbage rose memory lane autumn 2016Sew the handle in place. Repeat for the other handle.how to make a quilted bag tutorial tilda cabbage rose memory lane autumn 2016

Your bag is finished! Without it being huge, it’s roomy enough for a couple of books or some nappies and a some wipes as well as your purse and your phone!how to make a quilted bag tutorial tilda cabbage rose memory lane autumn 2016how to make a quilted bag tutorial tilda cabbage rose memory lane autumn 2016

If you liked this quilted bag tutorial, you might also like these.

Small Round Bag Tutorialsmall round bag tutorial square

A Quick and Easy Shopping Bag Tutorial1

Burlap Bag Tutorialsmall round bag tutorial tilda stitch craft create

Messenger Bag Tutorialcollage messenger bag

Linking up here.

how to make a quilted bag tutorial

Small Round Bag Tutorial

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A Small Round Bag Tutorial

This small round bag tutorial is the third in a series I’m writing to show what you could make using the new Tilda collections, Memory Lane and Cabbage Rose.

I was sent the fabric by the people at Stitch Craft Create.

The previous two are a very easy fabric basket and a lined, zippered pouch with a flat bottom.

This little bag is a more involved project than the previous two, but it still fairly easy. It just takes a bit longer because there are more steps.

If you like the tutorial, there is a pattern available for this, which includes the pattern pieces and full instructions.

Here is my small round bag tutorial!small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

How to Make a Small Round Bag

You Will Need

2 fat quarters of cotton fabric, one for the outer and one for the lining, interfacing (either sew in or fusible is fine), 1 magnetic snap, paper and pencil, usual sewing supplies.

Making the Template

If you want to skip making the template, you can buy the pattern here.

If you do want to make the templates yourself, this is how to go about it.

1. Cut a square of paper measuring 25 cm x 25 cm. On that piece of paper, draw your main bag shape. The sides will be curved but the bottom part will need to be flat and the sides will need to curve less near the top. small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft createIf drawing free hand is not your thing, you can use a plate to help you get the curves right. This is what I did! Another thing that helps is to fold the paper in half and only draw half of the bag. That way when you cut it out, your bag template will be symmetrical.

2. Using your main bag piece, draw the pocket section. It will need to be about two thirds the height of the bag.small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

3. The pocket tops are 2 triangles folded in half. Measure from the outside edge of the pocket top to about 2 thirds of the way along. This will be the bottom edge of the triangle. Using the main bag section as a guide, measure about 4 cm up the side and draw the side of the triangle. Join the top of the triangle to the point at the bottom. You will need 2 of these triangles joined together so that they can be folded in half.small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft createsmall round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

4. For the gusset, decide how far up the bag you want this to go. It doesn’t need to go right to the top! I made mine 30 cm long, mainly so that I could be sure of cutting the entire bag out of 2 fat quarters. If you find that you don’t have quite enough fabric when you are cutting out, you can always make it a bit shorter.

Draw a line the length that you need for the gusset piece. At one end of the line, measure 2 cm on either side and mark with a pencil. Then at the half way point, measure 4 cm on either side of the line and mark those points too. Using a ruler, join up the points.small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

5. For the handles, draw a rectangle 5 cm x 34 cm. You will need to cut 4 of these, then join them to make 2 handles.small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

This does take a bit of doing, so if you prefer, you can buy the pattern here.

Cutting Out

From the outer fabric cut:
2 of the main bag piece
1 pocket piece
4 handles
1 gusset

From the lining cut:
2 of the main bag piece
1 pocket piece
2 pocket tops
1 gusset
4 handles.

From the interfacing cut:
2 of the main bag piece
4 handles
1 gusset.

It is possible to cut all of this from the 2 fat quarters, but it is tight fit and you will need to have the pattern pieces touching in some places!

Sewing Up

If you are using fusible interfacing, fuse it to the handles, main bag pieces and gusset that you cut from the outer fabric.

Handles

1. Join 2 of the handle outer pieces together at the short edge to make 1 longer handle. Repeat for the other outer pieces, the handle linings and the interfacing if you are using the sew in kind.

2. With the right sides together, pin 1 handle outer to a handle lining. If you are using sew in interfacing, this will need to go on top of the outer. Sew. Repeat for the other handle. Trim the seams.small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

3. Turn the handles the right way out. The easiest way to do this is with a safety pin and a piece of string. small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft createThread the string through the handle and attach the safety pin to the top. Pull the string and the handle will turn itself the right way out. It might need a bit of coaxing to start with!small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft createsmall round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

4. Run the iron over the handles and put them to one side.small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

Pocket

1. With the wrong sides together, fold the pocket tops in half and press.

2. Take the pocket outer and place the pocket tops on the outer, pointing downwards.small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft createsmall round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

3. Place the pocket lining over the top so that the wrong sides are together and pin along the top. Sew along the top of the pocket.small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

4. Turn the pocket pieces the right way out, with the pocket tops pointing upwards. Press, then top stitch along the top of the main part of the pocket.small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

Attaching the Magnetic Snap

1. Cut 2 small pieces of interfacing about 3 cm square. Take one of the bag lining pieces and pin one of the squares to the wrong side about 2 cm down from the top. Repeat with the other lining piece.

2. Take one of the back pieces from the magnetic snap and place in the middle of the interfacing square. Mark where you will need to cut with a pencil.small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft createsmall round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

3. Cut 2 little slits where you marked and push one of the front pieces of the magnetic snap through.

4. Slip the back over the prongs and bend them over. small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft createsmall round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

Repeat with the other half of the magnetic snap.small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

Lining

1. Find the centre of the gusset and the centre of the bottom of one of the bag lining sections. Match up the centres. With the wrong sides together, pin the gusset to the bottom of the bag lining. Sew.small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

2. Sew the other bag lining piece to the gusset in the same way.small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

3. Make a small pleat in the top of the gusset. Pin it, then pin the top part of the lining pieces together. Repeat for the other side and sew, ensuring that you catch the top of the gusset. Trim the seams and put the lining to one side.small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

Bag Outer

1. Take one the bag outer pieces. If you are using sew in interfacing, this will need to be underneath the outer piece. Place the pocket on the top so that the bottoms are aligned and they are both facing upwards.small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

2. Pin the gusset to the outer and the pocket. Sew the gusset in place.small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

3. Pin, then sew, the other side of the bag outer to the gusset in the same way as you did for the lining.small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

4. Pleat the gusset. Pin then sew the sides of the bag as for the lining. Trim the seams and turn the bag the right way out.small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

Sewing Lining, Outer and Handles Together

1. Pop the lining inside the bag outer so that the wrong sides are together.

2. Fold down about 2 cm so that the raw edges are inside. You might need to unpick the side seams of the bag outer a little bit to get it all to sit flat. Pin.small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

3. Take one of the handles and push about 3 cm of one end between the lining and the outer, keeping close to the side seam. Pin in place and repeat for the other end of the handle. Do the same with the second handle.small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

4. Top stitch all the way around the bag. Sewing near the magnetic snap can be tricky. Your might be able to get your machine foot underneath it, or you could try using a zip foot. Otherwise, you might need to miss out the bit near the snap and sew it by hand.small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

All you need to do now is trim any stray threads and your bag is ready!small round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft createsmall round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft createsmall round bag tutorial Tilda stitch craft create

If you like this small round bag tutorial, you might like these.
Burlap Bag Tutorialsmall round bag tutorial tilda stitch craft create

Quick and Easy Shopping Bag Tutorialshopping bag tutorial small round bag tutorial tilda stitch craft create

Linking up here.

A Quick and Easy Fabric Basket Tutorial

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A Quick and Easy Fabric Basket Tutorial

I was recently sent some fabric by the people at Stitch Craft Create. It was 8 fat quarters from the new Tilda ranges, Cabbage Rose and Memory Lane, so that I could join in the Tilda Bloghop next month.

Like all the Tilda collections, it’s beautiful! When I got it all out, although I could see several sewing projects and I couldn’t wait to get started, it was so lovely I didn’t want to cut into it!

The first thing I have made with some of the fabric is a fabric basket. I have made these before, but I this time I wanted to go about it in a slightly different way. The fabric baskets I made previously involved a lot of measuring. To make things easier to anybody who might want to make them, I gave the option of buying a pattern.

This time I wanted to keep things a simple as possible. The fabric is so beautiful it doesn’t need anything complicated. And you never know when you might need a fabric basket in a hurry!

So here is the quickest, easiest way to make a fabric basket that I could come up with!

How to make a quick and easy fabric basket

How to Make a Fabric Basket

You Will Need

2 fat quarters, interfacing (I used heavyweight fusible interfacing, but the sew in kind will work fine), trim (optional), usual sewing supplies.how to make quick easy fabric basket tutorial tilda bloghop

Cutting Out

From the outer fabric, cut a rectangle 43 cm x 37 cm (17″ x 14 1/2 “)
From the interfacing, also cut a rectangle 43 cm x 37 cm (17″ x 14 1/2 “)
From the lining, cut a rectangle 43 cm x 49 cm (17″ x 19″)

If you are in a real hurry, providing that your fat quarters are the same size, you could just cut 12 cm (4 3/4″) of the long edge of the outer.

If your lining fabric does not have a directional print, cut 10 cm (4″) off the long edge.

Be warned though, your finished basket will be a longer rectangle!

Sewing Up

Outer

1. If you are using fusible interfacing, fuse it to the wrong side of the outer.

2. Cut 2 pieces of trim the same width as the outer. Measure down 5 cm (2″) from one of the long edges and pin the trim in place. Repeat for the other side of the fabric. Sew the trim in place.how to make quick easy fabric basket tutorial tilda bloghophow to make quick easy fabric basket tutorial tilda bloghop
3. Fold the outer in half length ways. Check that the trim is lined up on both sides. Pin the sides, then sew. Trim the seams.
how to make quick easy fabric basket tutorial tilda bloghophow to make quick easy fabric basket tutorial tilda bloghop4. To make the boxed corners, crease the fold at the bottom with your finger. Open it out and squash the corner flat so that the seam is next to creased line.

5. Measure up 7 cm (2 3/4″) from the corner and pin at right angles to the seam. Sew where you have pinned. Cut the corners off.

how to make quick easy fabric basket tutorial tilda bloghophow to make quick easy fabric basket tutorial tilda bloghop
Lining

If you are using different fabric and it does not have a directional print, you don’t need to cut it in half. Just fold it length ways and sew the side seams, then make the boxed corners.

1. Fold the lining in half length ways. Cut where you have folded.

2. Take one of the halves and turn it round so that the bunnies go the opposite way. how to make quick easy fabric basket tutorial tilda bloghopPin the 2 halves together and sew along the sides and the bottom. Trim the seams.

3. Make the boxed corners in the same way as for the outer.

Finishing the Fabric Basket

1. Pop the lining inside the outer so that the right sides are together. Push the corners of the lining right into the outer. You might want to pin the lining to the outer at the sides to make things easier.

2. Fold the lining over the top of the outer and press with your fingers as you go. Tuck the raw edge underneath and pin in place.how to make quick easy fabric basket tutorial tilda bloghop

3. Top stitch all the way round.how to make quick easy fabric basket tutorial tilda bloghop

Your basket is finished!how to make quick easy fabric basket tutorial tilda bloghophow to make quick easy fabric basket tutorial tilda bloghophow to make quick easy fabric basket tutorial tilda bloghophow to make quick easy fabric basket tutorial tilda bloghop

Tips

Leaving the trim off would make the process quicker.
If you use fabric that does not have a directional print, you could just fold both the lining and the outer in half and sew up the sides.
If you are using fabric left over from another project and you are worried about the size of the finished fabric baskets, you could just cut less off the outer. All you need is enough extra of the lining to fold over the top of the outer and tuck the raw edge underneath.
The off cuts don’t need to be wasted! You could save them for a scrap project, like a wrist pin cushion or pattern weights!

Linking up here.

Fabric baskets are always useful! This little basket is very easy and quick to make. This clear, step by step tutorial with pictures shows you how.

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