Zipping along

Like many sewists, I've had a bit of a phobia about putting in zips.

There's just something about these long and slinky things that gets people nervous about fitting them properly.

But I am pleased to say that zippers and I are now friends, even more so since I recently completed Nicole Mallalieu's' Zippers for bags' class.

This class is done using the Large Tote pattern - it has lots of options 

I learned how to put in all sorts of zips for pockets inside and on the outside of a bag as well as how to prepare a zippered gusset like the one above that will be installed on the top of the bag.

A pocket for small things that fall to the bottom of your bag!

We did this cute little exposed zipper pocket which is in the lining of the bag...

I put a pop of colour in these external pockets that you can only see when they are open

Simple exposed zipper pockets on the outside - and these were actually very simple to do!

I'm adding a zipper pull to this pocket, it's hidden away from view.

And also, my favourite, the Lapped Zipper pocket which hides under a small flap on the bag so from the outside you don't even know it's there.

I've made good use of the scraps from the cushions in my last post you can see!

There was also a zipped divider pocket which I didn't do as I felt this bag had enough pockets already!

Nikki gives simple to follow and clear instruction and guides you through the zipper applications of your choosing in the class and sends you home with wonderful clear instruction on how to do each one.

It certainly improves the final look of the finished products with lots of little tips and tricks for a great professional-looking finish.

She has another class coming up on Saturday 26th of October at GJ's in Brunswick.

Why not give yourself a treat and book in, you won't be disappointed.

Clearly I am not quite finished this bag but once I am done I will show you the finished version.

Thoroughly Mod

So here at last is the second finished Mod - I did get it done in time for giving to the teacher - with a day to spare I might add!

The colour is a little more raspberry than these pics indicate, a lovely rich colour

I am really happy to report that both bags were very well received, the teachers at first a little taken aback when the girls started bragging that I had made them, which is a nice reaction.

When we left Miss L's teacher she had her head almost in her bag reading the personal ads and laughing.
I am also pleased to say she took them in the lighthearted way they were intended and was not offended, you never know...

This bag feel really lovely, so soft

Silver square-edged rings on the strap and front tab, again!

I carefully positioned a personal ad for a dog lover on the bottom of the bag as Miss P is a dog lover so I thought she'd find it amusing.

Internal zip pocket on one side for all the important, or personal stuff!

Working for the first time with microsuede provided me with a few challenges and lessons, the greatest of which is concentrate on what you are doing when fusing interfacing to the microsuede and don't get distracted by 'The Lord of the Rings"!!

Little zipper tab again - chosen by Miss L because as she told me, "I love Miss P".

It is a slow process bonding interfacing to a fabric such as this as you have to work slowly and carefully to avoid burning the fabric, or shrinking it.

I really enjoyed making the bag - but putting the interfacing on was a bit tedious, especially when I was dying to rip into the sewing!
Nikki advised me to accept the kind offer of use of an Elna press, as per the lovely Wendy, for the next time and that using a press such as this is a really great tool for bag preparation.

The details of what I used and where I got it are in this post in case you were wondering.

Lara's key tab idea again - I really wish my bag had one of these!

I was very grateful for my lovely new sewing machine, as at some points there were multiple layers of suede and interfacing to sew through - and I know my old machine would not have been strong enough to do it.

Sue of Millrose also reminded me that I should be using the dual feed function of the machine, sort of like a built-in walking foot, to feed these thicker layers through.
I was very grateful for this reminder as it made it even easier.

I haven't talked about it much but I am loving the new machine - it makes sewing even more of a pleasure and there are still so many things for me to learn.

Three internal pockets on one side that fit sunglasses and phone

The girls have been allocated their teachers for next year and we are delighted with who they both got as we have heard wonderful reports about them all.
I say 'all' because Miss L is in a class with a shared teaching position - two teachers who together make an amazing team - but that means only one thing to me - THREE TEACHER BAGS NEXT YEAR!!!! (from that year on really as Miss G will go the year after...)

Cam - you better start that bag challenge in about May this year to get me going early!

Hot stuff!!

While I didn't get my Mod's x 2 finished in Cam's bag adventure, the event was just what I needed to get me into gear.

I've made really good progress on the first one and got all the supplies and hardware needed for the second, which brings me to the title of this post...

I was very keen to make a Mod like Nikki's - I love the look of that red microsuede and she says it's quite achievable, so I headed off to Rathdowne but found that the red microsuede is not exactly readily available, but rather hard to come by.

Several trips later - SUCCESS!!  They had just got a roll in and instead of the $75 per metre that Warwick fabrics would charge it was $35 - and as luck would have it they had 40% off furnishing fabrics - my lucky day.

It's Hot Stuff though - if you want some get over there soon... it wasn't a very big roll!

Then I found the perfect fabric to line it with.

This 'Love Classifieds' print is part of Spotlight's new newsprint range - just perfect for the young single teacher.

I hope she has a sense of humour as some of the ads are a little quirky!
I thought it would be fun, let's hope come the end of the year she agrees.

Petite satchel

This wasn't the bag I planned to make when I signed up for Cam's Choose your Own Bag Adventure - but I had forgotten I promised a birthday bag for another of my nieces (I have five of them!) - so I had to get that done first!!

This is Nikki's Small Tote made as a satchel.

It's the little sister to the bag I made myself a little while back, the perfect size for an eight year old.

While it doesn't look square in these shots I can assure you it is!

The colours are not at all what I would have gone with but the recipient was most adamant about her choices so I went with them.

The flower is a brooch - so she can leave it on or take it off as the mood suits her, I just thought it needed a little something on the front to break the solid 'dotty' effect!

Still not sure if it's a bit much - but the new owner can decide...

Inside I put a zippered pocket and I have also made a very basic zip coin purse for her because everyone needs a purse in their bag.

It also has a magnetic clasp hidden in there - I need to practice these a bit more - and it looks like I will get plenty of opportunity to as I have requests for three more of these! (surprise, surprise!)

Constructing this bag was made easier with the assistance provided from my AMAZING new steam iron.

Many thanks to the very kind enabler who put me onto a great deal for this lovely new gadget, it makes the finish on things incredible.

I know Lara is enjoying hers too and if we all bring them along to Sewjourn later this year we might just have our own steam room!!

In the bag

Cam has been planning a sewalong for August, and this one I am definitely going to be in.

She's called it the "Choose your own bag adventure".

I've been gathering supplies from here, here and here.

And looking here for inspiration, and here of course.

It's my attempt to get something ready early - really early. The first of the bags for the teachers.

The black is from the Parson Gray 'Curious Nature' range and it was Brianna who inspired it with this quilt she made at Sewjourn.

I'm using the red for the lining - nothing like a pop of colour to brighten up the inside of your bag.

I plan to tackle a few new things with this bag - such as adding a zippered inner panel/top to it, so it can actually be zipped shut. So I want to take some time so I don't have to rush.

Want to join in??
There's plenty of time - and Cam has a great range of Nikki's patterns in her shop.
I can tell you from experience she will get yours to you super-quick and it will be beautifully wrapped too.

Go on, be brave!

Something for me

Seems you can teach an old dog new tricks...

Echino pink planes patchwork fabric from a few seasons back

With lots of great hints and tips on how to get a professional finish from Nikki, here it is, my new satchel bag.

The small kid strutting her stuff

As anyone with small kids knows, being able to have your hands free (to hold theirs at the lights) is a very handy thing - so an over the chest bag works best for me.

Ta Dot -a pop of colour is a bit of fun for the lining

This bag has an adjustable strap so when I am out pretending to be a grown-up I can shorten the strap so it is a shoulder bag.

Black stretch denim base and an adjustable black web strap

I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.
There are one or two things I would do differently, but that's just part of learning, and as this is my first 'real' bag I am more than pleased to figure some of those things out when I make the next bag.

Rectangular brass fittings from Nikki M

Even though Lara has made lots of bags, this was her first course with Nikki and she said she learned heaps.

She also said that it is a good idea to do a course at the start of your bag making career so you don't pick up bad habits you may have to correct later!

The same under the flap

I think a bag is a great gift.
Practical and 'pretty' at the same time.
Also you can really reflect the person and their essence in the style and colour of bag that you make.

Zip pocket for keys and a magnetic catch to keep it closed

I have plans for a few more later in the year.
I think Lara's idea of giving them as a gift to the teachers is a really great one that I might just 'adopt' - if she doesn't mind!

I did plan to put extra pockets in the lining of this one, but got all excited about nearly being finished and made up the lining forgetting all about them!

Nikki's bag making courses sell out quickly - so keep an eye on the schedule here or on her Facebook page.
Definitely money very well spent.