Kumihimo: 8 Strand Flat Braid

Kumihimo: 8 Strand Flat Braid

• tc to sc
• bc to tc
• to to bc
• bo to to
• sc to bo

Simple Tote Bag

I have been working on tote bags and want to record my construction method before I forget. In case you get confused, the photos below were done making two different bags. For my next bags, I need to learn to install zippers (in the pockets or for a closure).

First, here are photos of both sides of the completed bags:

My Sister's Bag

My Sister's Bag

My bag

My bag

 Now, what I did I can explain in a few steps.

(1) I started with two completed patchwork squares
(2) I added a trim color on sides and connected the two squares
(3) Made straps (optional)
(4) Added lining (with pockets)
(5) Added firm base (optional)
(6) Sewed together


Now, here is my detail, starting with step 2.

I have added the sides and a panel for the bottom

Trimming it all up even

I now have one large panel for making the bag:

One Panel for the bag

Now, come the straps. If I am making them, I start with 2.5 inch strips. They can be sewn down one side and then turned right-side out or be made by pressing both sides in and stiching up (multiple times, if desired). A few times my straps were not really firm enough. I need to consider what is the best type of fabric or if the fabric should be doubled.

iron the folds and then fold together

note foot placement

Adding more rows

The two straps are ready

Now to make the pockets. I have had best results by making a panel, sewing down the top and bottom raw sides, and then stitching onto a piece of fabric which will be the lining. The width is oversize and is later incorporated into the body of the bag. The lining fabric also is a little wider than the bag and the length is about the length of the finished bag. I do this for each side.

 

Completed pocket square

Lay the straps on each side of the top sides of the bag and pin in place.

Take care that the straps are not twisted as in this photo.

Place a lining square level with the top (the straps are in the middle) and sew in place.

 

The bag, lining, and straps are ready to be stitched along the top.

Turn right side out and iron each side carefully.

Both tops are now complete

Turn inside out and match up the sides carefully, so that the final top seams will line up.

 

Be careful to match exactly

 

For added accuracy, I stitch together in two steps. Each time from the center.

Now, you need to make the bottom of the bag square. From each corner, fold the fabric and mark a two inch sewing guide. 

Note that the line is drawn where the width is 2 inches

This provides a final bottom box of 2 inches.

 

The last step is to pull the lining out of the bag and sew the bottom closed.

Today's post consists of the notes that I wrote in figuring out how to print a Burda download pattern. Ugh.

I had a lot of trouble setting this up to print correctly. But, finally got it working on my computer system and thought it might help someone. I am using a MacBook with Chrome Browser and an HP printer. I didn't have very good luck when I tried to print the file with one command, so I printed each page separately and because I didn't want to change any of my printer defaults, I had to adjust the settings for each page.

 (1) Open download in Chrome (2) Chose "Print"  from the File Menu (3) Chose Open PDF in preview (4) Chose "Print Selected Page (5) Select the page you want to Print (6) Chose Draft, US Letter, and Fill Entire Paper.

It was a slow and cumbersome project this way, but it worked.

One more note: the test square says 4 inches or 10 centimeters. It was 10, not 4.

Today's post isn't about sewing or quilting at all, but is to document the making of my first batch of soap in many years. The recipe is the most simple:

• 1000 grams olive oil
• 178   grams lye
• 330   grams water

Here's what I did:

(1) I weighed out the lye. I kept it in a plastic bag so that there would be one less caustic thing to wash afterwards.

 

 (2) I measured my distilled water into a glass pyrex measuring cup.

 

(3) The oil was measured into the cooking pot.

(4) You see, below, my preparations for mixing the lye into the water (nb, it is always the lye into the water to avoid any splashing).

(5)  Here is the oil, heating up in the pan.

(6) Now, the oil is hot and the lye water has created its magic chemical reaction. As they both cool to about the same 100 degrees Fahrenheit, they are mixed together. Getting them to within 10 degrees of the same temperature can be trickier than it sounds, so letting the containers sit in either a cold or hot water bath might help.

(7) Using my magic wand, I beat the mixture until it is solid enough that a trace of soap is left on the top when I swirl.

(8) Molds are filled.

 

(9)  Molds tops are covered with Saran wrap and wrapped in a towel for 24 hours.

 

Today's project was to make a small zipper bag with fabric tabs on the sides of the zipper so that the upper corners are square and neat.

I started with a zipper with an opening of 7 inches.

I cut 2 squares of fabric, each one 2" x 3".

These were sewn to the front side of the zipper about half an inch inside the metal zipper stops.

Finger press the tabs facing out.

I cut a 2 pieces of fabric for the sides of the bag. With the zipper open, I sewed along the top. Since my fabric was a napkin with a seamed top edge, I simply lined up the top of the fabric along the center of the zipper and sewed.  Then sewed on the other side.

The bag was folded inside out and stitched along all three open sides, making sure that the seam was within the metal zipper stops.

When done, I just opened it up.

Just for the record, here are some of the completed pillows:

My first posting is about making pillows. Not everything you ever needed to know about making pillows, but how to make the back of a pillow with a clean, neat zipper. My photos aren't the best, but they will do for now.

Supplies:

• Fabric a few inches larger than the pillow front
• Plastic zipper a few inches longer than the piece of fabric
• Sewing machine with zipper foot
• Basic sewing supplies: pins, thread, scissors, etc

Cut your fabric into two pieces. One half should be about 3 or 4 inches wide and the other is what is left.


Layout and pin together as below:


Keeping the zipper fully open and the zip past the left side of the fabric, sew the zipper to the fabric--close to the cut edge.

With the under side of the fabric up, create a fold to just cover the teeth of the zipper and pin in place. Stitch close to the teeth. It will look like this:

Ignoring my poor sewing technique and lack of selecting an appropriate thread color, you have finished the first side of the pillow bottom and it will look like below:

Now, you will start on the larger piece of fabric. And the procedures are the same. Here is the top half pinned and ready for sewing:

And after sewing:

Now, all you have to do is place the pillow front and back together and stitch around the perimeter of the front---make sure that your zipper pull is toward the center and that the edge where the zipper opens is lined up in a closed position.

Here is the pillow all ready for the final sewing. Sorry, you'll have to wait a day or two to see it completed. I am worn out.