Day 6- The Tiny Essentials Tote Bag Sew Along.....THE END

We have come so far together on this little sew along journey.

Well the great news is......we are so close to being done!

I am known for getting distracted at the end of projects so by the time it gets to this stage I need to make sure I attack it when I am feeling pumped, not tired or late at night as this step can be quite fiddly.

Nothing like a bit of inspiration to get us started on Day 6. Hang in there, we are so close now.

All that you should have left to do now is to finish the interior of your bag with the bias binding.
In theory this is not difficult, but in reality it is very fiddly and can be tedious.

Why you ask??
Adding bias to finish your bag is not the same as adding bias to a dress or clothing which is nice and thin and flat. No, no, instead you are adding bias to quite thick layers and on tight curves (don't get discouraged yet).

So here are a few tips to help you:
- Follow the pattern instructions and pictures carefully, there are no tricks or shortcuts to this step, you just need to take it slow.
- To Pin or not? This is up to you....I personally found pins got in the way on the tight curves and I felt a bit unco-ordinated so I just folded the bias and sewed that way. Some of my testers preferred wonder clips and others pinned like crazy. Find what method works for you.
- Sew Slow....like a snail.............no seriously it is important. You are sewing thick and small seam allowances on curves, you can't rush this step.

And its all done!!!!! Time to celebrate with a glass or Vino (or tea...........whichever you prefer!)

Here is my finished bag.

 

 

This Tiny Essentials Tote is off to a special little lady, I hope she likes it as much as I enjoyed sewing it for her.

 

Like any pattern, once you have sewn it once, the subsequent ones are easier and quicker, don't forget you can always refer back to this Sew Along on my blog in the future and work through it at your pace.

 

I can not wait to see your finished bags.

To be in the running for the #TETSAL comp, remember to share a pic or two of your bag using the #TETSAL and #Littlemoodesigns. This comp will be closing 28/10/2015 at 8.00pm AEST (to allow you a few more days to take part). I will announce the winner in my Facebook Group and then on my blog.

 

 

Thank you so much for taking part in this sew along, I hope you enjoyed it and learnt some new skills along the way.

 

I would love your feedback on how you found this sew along, feel free to email me at lilmoodesigns@hotmail.com

 

Happy Sewing, Kylie X

 

 

Day 5 - The Tiny Essentials Tote Bag Sew Along

How did you go with "catch up day" yesterday? All ready to keep on rolling I hope.

Day 5 is a big day, an important day. We are going to be working on really putting this bag together properly.

Don't worry we are doing this together. :)

Let's get started......
1. As per the instructions attach and sew the piping to the body pieces.
NOTE: Follow these instructions carefully in regards to using a different coloured thread as this will be an important key in the next step going smoothly.

Make sure you snip those tiny little corner pieces to allow the piping to move with the curved corners of the bag. It will make it sit nice and flat.

 

 

2. Add zipper tabs to your zips. You do not HAVE to do this, however the reason I do (on all my bags) is it looks a lot more professional and finishes your bag beautifully. So it is worth the small amount of time it takes to do this.

 



3. Attach the gusset pieces to the zipper. It is your choice whether to quilt this or not (I have not in this bag, instead I added a row of top stitching)

4. Gather up your wonder clips they will be your best friend for this step!

 

 

(You can use pins if you don't have wonder clips) Wonder clips will make this step easier. Don't be afraid to use lots of them.

 

 

 



5. Using the line you carefully sewed your piping down with (navy blue in my case) as your guideline. Follow these instructions carefully to get a great result.

 

Design Tip: Make sure before the next step that you open the zipper up half way or turning your bag right side out will be difficult.

 

6. Repeat for the other side of your bag.

 

7. Once completed turn right side out!! Well done, it is now looking like a real bag.

 

 

 

 

 

My other tip for today is GO SLOW. These steps can be tricky, you a sewing piping through thick layers by this stage and to get great results you just need to take it slow. Do not attempt this day if you are feeling tired or get frustrated or your seam ripper will become your best friend (goodbye wonder clips...hello seam ripper) :) Once you have made one of these bags the next is so much easier so just go step by step and follow the instructions to a tee.....and ask for help if you need it.

 

 

Happy Sewing

Kylie

X



Day 4 - The Tiny Essentials Bag Sew Along.

WOW! What fun we are having in the Tiny Essentials Tote Bag Sew Along.

I hope you are finding it as enjoyable as I am!

 

Let us recap on the past few days, so far we have:

- Made a mood board
- Chosen fabrics and embellishments
- Cut all the pieces out and fused them with interfacing
- Prepared the bag body pieces
- Learnt how to make our own piping!

What a busy 3 days!

Trina Made It.

Beverley Power Handmade

With that in mind, I have had a number of emails from people who are wanting to join in but have not yet started or they are a day behind. So today (day 4) I am naming CATCH UP DAY!

So take time today to read through the past 3 blog posts and catch up.

I think it is timely that I tell you about the wonderful prize I am offering as part of this SAL.

The prize pack includes 4! YES you read that right! 4 of my patterns (Your choice of course) from my website.
All that you have to do is share an image of your bag on social media (FB or Instagram) along the way (comp closes once the SAL is completed) and use the #TETSAL and #littlemoodesigns
I will add all the entrants and draw via random.org

So get sewing and I will see you back here tomorrow to add piping to your bag and attaching your zipper to the bag.

So only a  few days to go!

Happy Sewing.

Kylie

x  

Day 3 Tiny Essentials Tote Bag Sew Along.

How did you go with day 2 of the Tiny Essentials Tote Bag Sew Along? I would love to see your bag bodies if you would like to share.

It is so exciting when a project starts coming together, here is mine so far:

Today is Day 3- and it is all about making your own piping. I have made a few quick vids which I hope help you understand this process.

Video 1:

Video 2:

Today's Tasks:
- Using the videos above and the pattern instructions, create your own piping.
I have used size 3 Birch Piping Cord for my Bag.

Left is size 3 Birch Piping Cord, Right is size 1 Birch Piping Cord.

- Attach your piping to your bag body pieces as per pattern instructions.

Here is some piping inspiration for you:

Melisa Jane Handmade

See how amazing piping is! What a great feature to really make your bag fabric POP!

Note: You don't have to include piping on your Tiny Essentials Tote Bag, however it is a great skill to learn so have a play around with it and see how you go.


That is it for today.

Please be sure to share your bags as you sew along as you could win a marvellous prize pack at the conclusion of the SAL. All you need to do is share a pic on social media and use #TETSAL and #littlemoodesigns to be in the running.

Happy Sewing.

Kylie x

Day 2 - The Tiny Essentials Tote Bag Sew Along

How was day 1 of the sew along for you?
Did you create a mood board? If so I would love you to share on social media just tage #TETSAL and #littlemoodesigns (there will be a prize for some lucky person who shares this week, so make sure you do so, you have to be in it to win it after all).

Onto Day 2 of the Tiny Essentials Tote Bag Sew Along.

Today you are going to prepare and sew the bag body pieces, let the fun begin!

Have a think about what you will use this bag for?
There are so many options and structuring your lining to suit the bags contents is important.
My testing team and I came up with loads of uses for this gorgeous bags some of these included;
- Nail Polish and Accessories (this was the original purpose when I designed this bag however I soon realised it could be used for so much more!
- Essential Oils
- Make Up
- Kids Toys
- Colouring in sets
- Electrical Cords.

The pattern shows you two simple options for your lining pieces - which will you choose, elastic or netting or a combination of both?
Plan your pockets based on the bag use and sew these accordingly.

A design tip: Fold Over Elastic is a great alternative for elastic loops.

 

 

 

Here are some examples to inspire you.

 

Once you have prepared the lining with the pockets it is time to move onto the exterior of  the bag.

 

The pattern includes instructions on the popular QAYG (Quilt As You Go) Technique which is popping up everywhere at the moment.

 

This is a simple technique which looks fabulous in bags and purses and is a simple technique to learn. The other bonus is that it gives your bag structure and a point of difference.

 

The reason you need to sew QAYG only to the exterior of the bag body is due  to the pockets on the lining, so this needs to be completed on the exterior only.

 

Take some time to plan your QAYG design.

Would you like your bag to have a diagonal lines? 

Thank you lovely Laura for this image.

 

 

 Or how about a diamond look ?

 

Melisa Jane Handmade.

Or maybe you prefer more free motion style of QAYG?

 

 

 



Or perhaps you would prefer not to quilt your bag body at all....well that is o.k. as it looks amazing also. Check this out:

 

Twirl Girl Boutique.

 

 

Once you have completed your Quilting (or not), attach your bag handles.

 

Design Tip: If you have fold over bag labels, attaching them under the straps looks great.

Sew the exterior and lining bag pieces together with wrong sides facing. Trim off excess and put aside until tomorrow when we will make our own piping!! Yay!

 

Happy Sewing.

Kylie x



 

 



Tiny Essentials Tote Bag Sew Along: Day 1.

It's here, it's here!

Finally we can start the Tiny Essentials Tote Bag sew along.

Get ready for a week of fun, learning new skills and sewing up the cutest bag around!

So here is the deal - each day I will be posting in my FB Group (and on my FB page) a link to my blog post with details for that day. (If you are unable to join in as we go, the info will stay on my blog for the future if you would like to refer to it at a later date).

By now you should have purchased the pattern and read through it a few times as well as printed and cut out the pattern pieces and the cutting chart, if not you can still purchase the pattern via my website.

Before you get cutting, I want to talk about the importance of planning. For every design I create whether it be a new pattern, sewing a bag or clothing, I create a mood board.

A mood board exists as a tactile and visual sandbox, allowing you to experiment and play with aspects of the design before jumping in a cutting your precious fabric.

So as part of this sew along, why don't you give a mood board a go?
They really can be as simple or as complex as you like. They can be made digitally or you could make one on paper with fabric off cuts and cut photos from magazines or similar.

Things to consider when making your mood board for this sew along:
- Fabric combinations
- What will the bag be used for (this will determine the way your pockets are designed)
- Any special features you might like to add

Here is my mood board for the sew along:

I am making my bag for a young lady, I want it to house girly pretties as pictured. I have chosen the fabric range - Wee Wanderer by Sarah Jane Studios as I find it inspiring and ever so sweet. I also want to add some bag bling from Emmaline Bags.

I would love you to share your mood board in my FB group or on instagram (Make sure to use the #TETSAL), have fun making it!

Mood boards now complete................you need to cut out all of the pattern pieces. Take extra note that the interfacing is not the same size as the fabrics, this is to help make sewing the seams less bulky at the end of the pattern so be careful cutting these.

Once you have cut all of your pattern pieces, fuse the interfacings and fleece to the fabric.

That is all for Day 1. Easy right!

See you tomorrow for Day 2.

Happy Sewing,
Kylie. X

Tiny Essentials Tote Bag Sew Along.

I am so excited about my brand spanking new pattern the Tiny Essentials Tote Bag, that I am offering you the opportunity to participate in a Sew Along in my Facebook Group starting on Monday!

The Tiny Essentials Tote Bag is the perfect little bag to carry the all important small necessities when you travel. The Tiny Essentials Tote Bag can be used to carry; nail polish and nail care accessories, electrical cords such as phone cords when travelling, essential oils, make up, colouring books and pencils and so much more.

This pattern features the popular QAYG (Quilt As You Go) Technique as well as how to make your own and add piping to your bag. With so many options, The Tiny Essentials Tote can be customised perfectly to suit your personal needs.

With Christmas just around the corner, these bags make the perfect gift for all ages! And a Sew Along is a great way to get you started.

What is a Sew Along (Also called SAL)?
A sew along is essentially sewing a pattern step by step with a group of others.
The beauty of the online world is that we can join up and do this together, no matter where you are!

This SAL will be running from my blog and FaceBook Group, each day I will be posting steps from the Tiny Essentials Tote Bag Pattern that you need to follow for that day.

I will not be rewriting each step, that is what the pattern is for, however I have mini videos, tips and tricks and some prizes all while having fun along the way. You will be able to ask questions in my group and share your work as you go!

If you would like t take part this is what you need to do:

1. Purchase the Tiny Essentials Tote Bag Pattern via my website.

2. Read through the pattern a few times to get familiar with the steps required.

3. Get inspired! Check out my website and FB group for loads of inspiration for your bag. Gather all your supplies.

4. Join my FaceBook group as this is where the SAL will essentially run from (and my blog)

5. Get ready for some fun!

Please note this is an intermediate pattern, you must have some experience with sewing zippers. This SAL is suited to people with an intermediate sewing level.

I look forward to sewing Tiny Essentials Tote Bags with you starting on Monday! Catch you then.
Kylie x