If you recall last year I told you about a wonderful sewing pattern designer I found pursuant to the Web Blog Conference, Cheryl Kuczek of Paradiso Designs!
Cheryl was kind enough to send me her new Market Bag Pattern and kit so that I could make one up to review for her! Isn't she just too sweet? Unfortunately, the kit got misplaced and I had some sewing machine issues, so this review is seriously delayed (SO SO SO sorry Cheryl!)!
The pattern makes up a handy market bag that has both a long shoulder strap AND carrying handles! It is perfect for Christmas and Birthday presents too!
The pattern was VERY easy to follow! Cheryl, as always, provides wonderful diagrams to follow along with her instructions! I love that you personalize the bag with your own selection of fabrics.
So every bag you make can be different and unique! A plus if you're giving multiple bags as presents!
As you can see, I varied my pattern somewhat by using ribbon and fabric. I had bought this fabric eons ago with the intention of making kiddo a Christmas time dress. She politely informed me she didn't want a brown dress this year last week, so I decided I'd use some of the fabric for this bag, and save the rest for probably January when she changes her mind and wants a dress out of it! Aka, typical 3 yr old changing her mind!
I also used blue thread throughout, as I liked the contrast against the canvas! I only had 2 problems and one was self-induced! I didn't measure correctly on the bottom flaps, so my bag doesn't sit perfectly square! I'm not worried about it, as like hubby says, it's still 100% perfectly functional! When I remake the bag, I'll make sure to measure better (aka follow the EXACT instructions) and the bottom will turn out just fine.
The other was that I have a light weight Baby Loc sewing machine and I went thru a pack of denim/canvas needles while making the bag. I think hubby got tired of hearing me yell (ok, ok, curse OUT the machine) every time I broke a needle, as he was working on the computer in the same room, while I was making the bag! The canvas called for is a light weight blend, it was just when it got tripled up that the machine had some issues. If not for that problem, I would have finished the bag within 90 minutes easy. As far as I'm concerned that is pretty
good for a new pattern! I ended up using fabric glue to seal the facing in fact, because I was out of denim needles and machine just refused to cooperate! It's washable andI crimped it for 24 hours, so it's holding really well! in the picture above the bag is sorta
cockeyed, the facing is actually laying pretty flat in place.
Now that I've made the pattern up, I think I can finish one in less than an hour, start to finish! I also think if you made 2-3 at one time, they would go pretty quickly as you can sew the same steps at one time, saving stop and go times! Something I learned from machine quilting that would work well on this pattern I think!
I will probably make the pattern the next time in a oilcoth or vinyl, to see how that works with my sewing machine. I think they might work better, as they are a little lighter than the canvas Cheryl sent me. I love the gorgeous Christmas oilcloths and patterned vinyls from Fabric.com. While they say wipe only, I've washed them in the washing machine with only the minimum of shrinkage just make sure to hang dry).
But then this Dwell Studio pattern , on the left, is really calling me!
The pattern makes up a handy market bag that has both a long shoulder strap AND carrying handles! It is perfect for Christmas and Birthday presents too!
The pattern was VERY easy to follow! Cheryl, as always, provides wonderful diagrams to follow along with her instructions! I love that you personalize the bag with your own selection of fabrics.So every bag you make can be different and unique! A plus if you're giving multiple bags as presents!
As you can see, I varied my pattern somewhat by using ribbon and fabric. I had bought this fabric eons ago with the intention of making kiddo a Christmas time dress. She politely informed me she didn't want a brown dress this year last week, so I decided I'd use some of the fabric for this bag, and save the rest for probably January when she changes her mind and wants a dress out of it! Aka, typical 3 yr old changing her mind!
The other was that I have a light weight Baby Loc sewing machine and I went thru a pack of denim/canvas needles while making the bag. I think hubby got tired of hearing me yell (ok, ok, curse OUT the machine) every time I broke a needle, as he was working on the computer in the same room, while I was making the bag! The canvas called for is a light weight blend, it was just when it got tripled up that the machine had some issues. If not for that problem, I would have finished the bag within 90 minutes easy. As far as I'm concerned that is pretty
good for a new pattern! I ended up using fabric glue to seal the facing in fact, because I was out of denim needles and machine just refused to cooperate! It's washable andI crimped it for 24 hours, so it's holding really well! in the picture above the bag is sortacockeyed, the facing is actually laying pretty flat in place.
Now that I've made the pattern up, I think I can finish one in less than an hour, start to finish! I also think if you made 2-3 at one time, they would go pretty quickly as you can sew the same steps at one time, saving stop and go times! Something I learned from machine quilting that would work well on this pattern I think!
I will probably make the pattern the next time in a oilcoth or vinyl, to see how that works with my sewing machine. I think they might work better, as they are a little lighter than the canvas Cheryl sent me. I love the gorgeous Christmas oilcloths and patterned vinyls from Fabric.com. While they say wipe only, I've washed them in the washing machine with only the minimum of shrinkage just make sure to hang dry).But then this Dwell Studio pattern , on the left, is really calling me! As is this gorgeous indoor/outdoor fabric, on the right.
This market bag pattern really gets your creative juices flowing!
I am also thinking of getting Cheryl's wonderful carryall bag and using it to make an everyday tote for work!Check out her other designs- she has cute skirts and purses for kids and adults!
Make sure you check out Cheryl's blog for some great pictures of projects completed by her sewing class students!
