What's Up: Accessories

Hey!  I must say, I have been having the time of my life the past couple of weeks.  My little business is doing well and with Belly in kindergarten and Mooper in daycare two days a week, I can really crank out some work.  I feel much more even-keeled having work days again.  And I love being able to give my sole employee a paycheck every week now!  She really deserves it . . .

I've got tons to show so I thought I'd break it down into categories.  I had a small swirl of business in my Etsy shop, selling two of my upholstery swatch/scrap custom wallets and one pre-made wallet in the same week!  I think the wallet is improved with the zipper closure and I'm excited that I got to have some practice with the new design.  It definitely helps to get into a rhythm when handstitching the zippers in place.

These wallets really bring out the obsessive side of my personality.  I could play around with the placement of the internal fabric pieces for hours!

Jill, of Custom Cookies by Jill, ordered a handbag a few months ago and I only just cleared out the orders in front of her to get it made.  It's based on the bag pattern in the BurdaStyle book, with some (I think) improvements: shorter leather straps/handles, thermolam fleece interfacing to give it more structure, a cell phone pocket and a zippered pocket.  I'm thinking about ways I can further play around with the design, because the bag is a great size for an everyday handbag.

And because I wanted to figure out the right combination of interfacing for the bag, I made one for myself to test it out.  The fabric I used on my bag is from one of my Economy Shop hauls, so it probably cost me about $1.50.  New fall budget bag for the boss!

And yes, that is a Hancock Fabric's sale pamphlet peeking out from under my wallet.  Got to be prepared.

Sewing Tutorial: Easy Zippered Lining Pocket

I spend a fair amount of time researching sewing techniques online, particularly when I am trying to do something new.  I love this about the sewing community - people are so generous with their knowledge!  I'm adding a page to my blog with sewing resources so that if you are so inclined, you can have easy access to helpful tutorials.

I'm sewing some bags this week and I'm putting zippered pockets in all of them.  I want them to be attractive, because they will be on the outside of my new clutch, and on the reversible side of my MaiseyBelle bag.  I really like this zippered pocket tutorial from Sew, Mama, Sew, because it allows the pocket fabric to peek out and become a design element.

From Sew, Mama, Sew tutorial

There are a couple of adjustments that I make to her directions:

1) Instead of drawing a rectangle for the zipper window (.5 inch x 7 in), I put a strip of 1/2 inch wide clear tape where I want the zipper window to go. I then sew around the tape and simply peel it off when I'm done. This saves time with drawing and I don't have to clean off the ink afterwards. And if I don't quite get it centered correctly, I just pick it up and move it.

2) I like to reinforce the pocket in some way so that it doesn't pull apart from the weight of keys, change, etc. You can reinforce the pocket fabric with interfacing and add an extra strip of interfacing where the zipper will go. If the fabric is quite strong (home dec or upholstery weight) I sometimes simply stitch around the pocket 2-3 times and then zig-zag or serge the edge. Reinforcing the pocket satisfies the same gene in me that makes me put more tape than is needed on a package before putting it in the mail (that little voice that says, "just in case . . ."). And it is a genetic trait, I'm sure. I used to curse (but only a little) my dad when he sent me packages when I lived abroad. It was impossible to open the d**n things without the use of several sharp tools.

Once you get the hang of it you can add a zippered pocket to a bag lining or exterior in 20 minutes.  And you can have it complement the bag, too!