Sewing Class: Messenger Bag - Simplicity 8028, View D

I took my first sewing class of 2016!  Through this project, I accomplished one of my 2016 sewing goals - inserting a zipper.  We were working on a Simplicity 8028, View D, Messenger Bag.  It was a 3.5 hour class.  This was a neat little project.  It was a very good thing that I took an in-person class at JoAnn's. I don't think I would have gotten the instructions that were included with the pattern.  I really liked the instructor, Terri Tipps.  I have taken 2 classes with her in the past, and she is a true gem. However, it was the first time that I have sewn all year, so I was a little rusty.  First of all, I had a hard time finding the pattern. I checked earlier in the week, but they were all out at Hancock's.  Due to time constraints, I only about 2 hours before class to buy my supplies.  As luck would have it, my local JoAnn's where the class was being held was also out of the pattern.  So, I had to go to Hobby Lobby.  Luckily, they had the pattern, and I bought some fashion (duck) fabric for the outside of the bag.  I had to purchase the interfacing, strap, and hardware for the bag.  I chose not to get interlining because the outer material was very heavy.  I went into class flustered, stressed, and unprepared.  At JoAnn's, the cutting table and checkout lines were horrible, so I spent 20 minutes of class time making purchases.  However, Terri got of all us started. I didn't have time to read the instructions, so I was really relying on Terri (who was, of course, fantastic).  The supply sheet that JoAnn's gave us was inaccurate. So, when I was about to cut my interfacing, I didn't have enough.  So I spent another 15-20 minutes at the cutting table line and checkout line during class time. Suffice it to say, I didn't completely finish my project during class time.  However, but I was about 85% done when the class time ended.  I was able to make my pockets, make my tabs, insert the D-rings into the tabs, insert my zipper, and attach the lining to the bag. One more mishap happened during class: my needle broke as I was attaching my lining to the bag as I was going over the D-ring.  The needle caught me in the thumb.  I didn't want to bleed on my new bag, so I was essentially finished by that point.  Terri pinned my material and strap for me to finish up at home.

Here are some images of my finished project. I made my strap a little bit longer than recommended.

Here is Terri's sample of the messenger bag. It looks very professional!

This was sort of an expensive project, but I bought some extra interfacing for my home studio.  Here is the price breakdown:

It's So Easy - Sleepwear

I have archived my pajama bottoms project for myself.  I abandoned this project lieu of taking the Lazy Pants class at JoAnn's.

Simplicity It's So Easy: 2116
It's So Easy Men's/Misses' Sleepwear
Purpose: I thought I would make pajama bottoms for me and Jay.

Timeline:  
Jan 18, 2015 - I cut the pattern pieces and washed the fabric.
Jan 31, 2015 - I placed the pattern pieces on the fabric.  To my dismay, I didn't enough fabric. Rats!
Feb 1, 2015 - I made a trip to JoAnn's. Lucky for me, snuggle flannel was on sale for $2.79/yd!!  I bought enough to finish my current project and fabric to make 2 more adult pajama pants!  I also bought some fabric to make a skirt.
Feb 3, 2015 - I pinned the pattern pieces to my fabric, and cut the fabric.  I screwed up cutting the crotch.  I will pick up this project in a few days, because I want to make a skirt for my niece for Valentine's Day.

Project: Simplicity 2083 Child's Skirt

Simplicity 2083 - Child's Skirt
Purpose: I am working on a skirt for Valentine's Day for my niece.
Alterations: I didn't like the flower or the rick rack.  So I didn't include them. The instructions were so confusing, true to form. 
Timeline:
Thursday, Feb 5, 2015 -  
a. I prepped the pattern. I cut all the pieces, ironed them, and divided up the pieces according to view.  I chose to make view A; I preserved the view B pieces in a sandwich bag.  I cut the pattern out. In retrospect, I bought too much fabric (almost double).  I was pretty proud about cutting the notches. My technique is to cut a rectangle around the notches.
b. I stay-stitched the waist around the pattern pieces.  Luckily, I watched a video showing how to stay-stitch. I was about to sew the front and back pieces, but I realized that you were supposed to stay-stitch them individually.  I back-stitched for permanency.
Friday, Feb 6, 2015 -
a. I decided to make the skirt smaller.  Originally, I cut it at size 6, so she could wear it longer.  At Christmas, her measurements were at a size 5, but I measured the waist around her belly button.  So, I cut the fabric according to the size 5 pattern.
b. I sewed the front and back side seams.
Saturday, Feb 7, 2015 -
a. I sewed the elastic casing.
b. I sewed the elastic casing to the skirt. I trimmed the seam allowance for the casing.
c. I sewed a 1" hem around the bottom of the skirt.
d. I threaded the elastic through the casing. 
e. I hand-sewed the hole shut. 
I forgot to pre-shrink the fabric, so I washed it and checked for any shrinking. 

I am pretty proud of my work!

Finished Skirt

Cute Model!!

I found this video immensely helpful for this project.  I referenced it to make the casing, attach the casing, and the helpful hints about trimming and iron the seams.

 

Project: Simplicity 1368 - Elastic Band Skirt - Fail

I took another JoAnn's sewing level 1 class - making an elastic band skirt.  I took pride in almost making a skirt in 2.5 hours!  I had to thread the elastic when I got home (about 30 mins).  I used a safety pin, which I found to be tedious. I bought a bodkin which used for another project; the bodkin was much better!


Pattern:  Simplicity 1368, View B
Details:  Pattern Size 18 (I used the largest pattern size, with the intention to bring it in)
Changes:  Enclosed the waist band, used a less thick waistband
Outcome:  When I tried on the skirt, the waist was 5" too big.
Lessons learned: I don't how to interpret the measurements in the envelope. I don't know where my natural waist is. I took my waist measurement around my belly button, which is wrong. After research, use your natural waist, lean over sideways and look for where your torso bends.  For me, it pretty high, but that is your natural waist.  I also learned a lesson that the fabric makes a big impact to your clothes.
Future Alterations: Next time, I will add another 3-4" to length.

My First Attempt

I found some references for the natural waistline:

Lolita-Tips Blog

Reneet Bouchard Blog

Sew Store Bought Blog

Project: Child's Apron (My First Solo Project)!

Simplicity A1526

I took the challenge to make my niece's apron for Christmas.  I took a leisurely approach, started Friday night and finished on Sunday.

I ripped the fabric using the seam ripper, but Jay helped me to patch it.  I was under the impression that I would have to start over, but he was calm, patient, and he showed me what to do.

I am very proud of my accomplishment, and my niece will be elated with her new apron!  She is 3.5 years old, and she loves to "cook".

Project: Adult Apron Simplicity A1526 (My First One!!)

My Future Mother-in-Law & I

I haven't sewn since home economics in middle school.  I recall that I liked sewing, but never had an opportunity to practice since then.  My mother-in-law-to-be got me a sewing machine in July 2012.  It sat untouched for 2.5 years.

I bought a pattern for an apron from Wal-Mart.  When she was visiting for Thanksgiving 2014, I decided to get a lesson from the sewing master (yes, she's THAT good).  I was honored that she taught me.

My first project was Simplicity A1526.  I bought fabric for an Adult apron for me, and I wanted to make one for my niece for Christmas.













Lessons

1. She taught me how to read the back of the pattern envelope.
2. Two-hour tour of Jo-Ann's. We purchased fabric, thread, ribbon, pincushions, and pins.
3. Understanding the fabric layout and what to do with the large tissue paper patterns.
4. Pin and cut the pattern from fabric.
5. Thread the machine and bobbin.
6. Deciphering the language instructions. I still have trouble with this step.

We started at 1PM and finished my apron project at 11:30PM (breaking for dinner, talk, etc.).  She helped along the way, and I am proud of the outcome.
I am hooked!! Up next, I have to do my niece's by myself. Oh boy!