Recently my friend, Cindy, mentioned that she had purchased a used sewing machine, but she wasn't an experienced sewist so learning how to use it was a bit of a challenge. I'm not sure where my confidence came from, but I offered, "I'd be happy to look at it and see if I can show you how to use it!" She immediately took me up on the offer, and as of last Thursday we've now spent three afternoons over the last few weeks sewing together. After looking the machine over, learning how to thread it, and practicing different stitches, we decided making a project together would be a fun way for her to learn to sew. She said she'd like to make a bag. I suggested I find an easy looking video tutorial and we follow it together.
There are quite a few tutorials available on YouTube for sewing a tote bag, and I eventually settled on this one:
What I like about the above tutorial is that it includes a lining, and uses fusible facing to give a little more structure to the bag. And the presenter really does a good job going step-by-step, from cutting fabric to sewing a finished bag.
An experienced sewist could follow the instructions and probably finish a bag (including cutting the fabric) in a couple of hours. Because we were taking it slow, and I thought some extra explanations might be helpful, it took us two afternoons to finish our bags.
Cindy sewing the lining for her bag
Actually, only Cindy finished her bag last week. I had not bought quite enough webbing (for the handles) to finish a second bag, so I ended up making a trip to Hobby Lobby for more and only today had the time to finish mine.
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The video tutorial adds a sectioned pocket along the bottom of the lining (that gets sewn into the seam), but I wasn't paying close attention to my own bag and I sewed the lining together - completely forgetting to add the pocket along the bottom edge. Realizing my mistake soon enough, I was able to sew a smaller pocket higher up onto the lining before sewing the outer bag and lining together.
I lined my bag with this bright green fabric, while Cindy's has a red lining. I'm pretty pleased with how they turned out:
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Oh, I want to come spend time with you too! How fun to have someone to sit and sew with. Or sit and do any craft with a friend! You are a natural born teacher.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be fun to spend time with you, Marsha! :) it is fun to share my knowledge and experience with someone interested in things I know a little about. Not anticipating these opportunities just adds to the enjoyment, I think.
DeleteToo funny. At the Wool Festival yesterday, the booth that sells bags had that same granny square fabric for some of her bags. It is indeed sooo cute. She also is making and selling totes as too many customers are saying "I have too many project bags already". (including me)
ReplyDeleteI am not surprised, Maureen. This fabric is just begging to be made into tote bags for crochet lovers. :) It's a very loose weave and I'm not sure what else to do with it, but if Hobby Lobby still has some when I next go in there, I'm going to have to put my thinking cap on so I can justify bringing more home.
DeleteI would love to do that with you! I'd have to come for a few days. Or you could bring it here. I don't know where i would store a sewing machine ongoing though.
ReplyDeleteAwww... that's sweet of you to think so, Sherri. :)
DeleteLove your bag. I would love to join you. I really hope that sometime down the road that I have time to do just those things, but either way I will enjoy your time.
ReplyDeleteSandy, I have been in a bit of awe that these opportunities have just come to me lately. It has made me consider the possibility that there may be others out there who'd enjoy joining the fun.
DeleteWhat a lovely fabric Becki! It is is quite vibrant. And how kind of you to help your friend in this regard.
ReplyDeleteThank you, TB. I feel I'm possibly the greater beneficiary of the arrangement. :) To have a skill or knowledge that someone else appreciates is a gift.
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