Charm Pack Bag - Tutorial

Here it is a tutorial for the Charm Pack Bag

This is a bag I started with a basic design and then developed along the way.  My first one was 2007 and has gone from there.

Here is the one that started it all

July 2016 update:

I  am updating this tutorial just a bit.  Mainly adding some pictures of the other bags and variations I have made from this basic bag.

Variations

Fabric with a band

One less row

Ruffle at the top - patchwork band, solid fabric and ribbon ties

Jelly rolls to make the pattern.

Your supplies:

Math Teacher Bag

I have made this charm pack several times, which I saw somewhere online but knew I could make something similar.

Daughter #2, the secondary math teacher, needed a new bag to tote her books, papers and laptop to school.  When I saw Sweetwater's new line - Elementary I knew that was perfect for a secondary Math teacher.  Just take a look

I will get an official tutorial for this bag but it takes one charm pack and the outside is 5 squares in a row by 7 rows.  I was in a bit of a hurry to get daughter #2 her bag so this picture is blurry

The ties on the side help pull the bag in and give it structure.  I made these 3" wide by 18" long.

The lining and handle takes one yard of fabric,

For the inside, I use 6 squares for the pocket.  You can see it is folded in half on the second row to make the pocket.

This leaves only one block leftover from the 42 square charm pack.  I like when I  that happens!

A complete tutorial will happen sometime in October, I have another charm pack of this fabric and I have dd#4 going for a secondary math degree.

December - Month of bags and Purses

Bags and Purses might be the only thing I get accomplished this month.  Here is a bag I was hired to make for a present, actually two but I only photographed one.  They have been delivered, mark those off the list. Late last night I finished a bag for Erin, she wanted it for a gift for her future sister-in-law (photograph soon)

Tonight I should have worked on Kaitlyn's Weekender bag but I just couldn't find any mojo.  Instead I watched television with the girls and then photographed some of the ornaments on my tree.  

This is one I made years ago, using my embroidery machine.  Beautiful digitizing on these designs.

I hope my mojo comes back and I can finish that bag, Christmas is coming quickly.  What makes it harder is sewing when the girls don't come into my sewing room, that leaves early in the morning or late at night.

Graduation Bags

High School graduation time here.  In all we were invited to 6 parties (1 guy and 5 girls). For the girls, I made bags.  Here is a couple of pictures:

I made 3 like this bag

New Purses

A very cute vintage chic store opened a couple of months ago in my town.  The owners asked me to make some purses for their store, which is a mixture of antiques, vintage linens, jewelry, etc.  It took me over a month to get them three purses but I delivered these on Saturday.  They asked for purses with a vintage feel, hope I was able to achieve that.

I thought the black print fabric was a bit vintage here:

This is 1930's reproduction fabric, so thought it was very vintage.  How about that cute kitten playing with the ties. 

then the last purse, this fabric reminded me of a vintage bed linen.

Now back to sewing for me.  I am working on another Ottobre tshirt, then next up Hot Patterns Riveria jacket. 

Anyone Else Want More Hours in a Day?

I am still working on Meredith's room.  Right now painting some of her furniture, it is one of those things that you know needs to be done but you don't know how badly it needs to be done until you start doing it.  I bought an ebook from Altar'd Furniture and it is fantastic.  I wanted to do the furniture painting the right way, not my usual let's get this done so I can move onto the next thing way!  I can honestly say the one piece I am working on looks beautiful, I can't wait to work on the bed. 

Another Tote Bag

Another bag - Variation on the Charm Pack Bag- this one made with the Botany line from Moda.  I used one of their pre-cuts, a jelly roll and just started sewing and cutting.

The first day of school today, my babies are Sophomores, how did that happen? 

I finished another tote today and another just needs lining.  Plans in my head floating around for 2-3 more then back to garment sewing, sometimes I just can't stop!

Sewing for Friends and Last Day of Summer Vacation

School starts tomorrow and my girls will be Sophomores, hard to believe!  I have been sewing several things plus painting Meredith's bedroom.

I really thought I was finished making purses and totes but all of a sudden people are wanting to buy these big size totes.  I think girls are wanting them for their books and laptops.  Here is one I made this week:

Another Charm Pack Purse

I made another one of these bags for a sample at the quilt shop.  Ruth asked what pattern I used, well, no pattern.  I saw something like this on a flickr picture or a blog and thought I would try it. 

Last Purse

at least for awhile.

I made this one with a charm pack and 1 yard of the polka dot fabric. This line is called Authentic by Sweetwater and manufactured by Moda. Take a look at blog for some neat gift ideas. I really like this fabric and this bag might be for college daughter. Her major is math education, so the numbers on the fabric would be perfect and it is a huge bag, great for carrying books.

Garment sewing did take place today. I finished a New Look top and started a Simplicity blouse. I need some clothes for me, especially for the upcoming holiday season.

Vogue 8534

Pattern Review
Pattern:Vogue 8534

Description: Tops A, B have front pleats and kimono sleeve length variations. Top C has front darts, upper front extending into tie ends, inserted through loop, forming bow. A, B, C: unfinished neck edge.

Sizing: 6 to 22

Instructions: Great. The only instruction to really read and pay attention is the pleating for the neckline. The rest is sew the center back seam, shoulder seam and side seams.

Likes/Dislikes: I really like the pleats, dresses up a basic t-shirt. This shirt has great shape and with the right knit fabric drapes beautifully. The only possible dislike is the neckline is not finished. You stitch on the stitching line, which is shown on the pattern piece and then the neckline is complete. Yes, that is an unfinished look and with my solid fabric I like it. A bit deconstructed. Now for a print fabric this might not be a good look, especially if the fabric is only printed on the right side. A look that might not be for everyone.



Changes: I added 1” to the shorten/lengthen line and then another inch to the hem for view A.
Fabric: Bamboo blend knit from fabric.com. First time I have used bamboo, really nice. After I tried on my top, I decided it needed a bit more waist shaping, so I took it in about 1/2" on the side seams (just the waist area)

Conclusion: From I am not sure about this pattern but I am going to give it a try to, wow, this is a really nice top and I will make it again.

Snapped a quick picture

One of the two purses I have been commissioned (just like to use that word, sounds important, but in reality hired/asked) to make. Similar to one I have made earlier. - Charm pack bag - using one less square per row.

Two More Purses and One To Go

This one is my favorite, I just love the colors.




This one is cute and fun.



One to go, it is for a silent auction for my community. Several churches are working on building a Habitat for Humanity home in our town. This is so exciting and something I have wanted to do for a very long time. Hubby and I are the co-chairs for our church. This Sunday is a dinner with the proceeds going to the home in our town and there will be a silent auction. I will be donating a purse for this, it is about halfway finished.

So sewing for this weekend: the purse, a McCall's skirt and possibly a Simplicity wool skirt. I finished pj pants for the twins tonight, they are wrapped up for Valentine's Day. Also, a podcast, which is overdue by a week. I upgraded software, so hopefully tomorrow I can try it out and record a new one.

Still Around but Not for Long

I have been not a very good blogger and I am only back for today. For that reason, this is a long post with many pictures. We had graduation, then a few more end-of-school programs, the last day of school on Thursday, off to Kansas City for weekend softball tournaments. Now back for one day.

First, thanks to the brave men and women. Look at the flags for those who have served from our small town. This is just a fraction of the flags (I would need a super-wide angle lens) and it continues to grow as more names are added (those who have served in the armed forces). It is a breathtaking tribute and helps to remind me of the price many have paid.




We have had so much rain. This is tough for the row-crop farmers, they cannot get their crops in but my flowers are growing a mile a minute. A few pictures:


Isn't this a pretty color of rose?



Clematis:


Flower bed at the back of our home:


A rose, garden phlox and ornamental grass burm. This seperates our yard from the barn yard. I love this burm more and more, it is filling in so nicely. Plus, wonderful textures and colors.



Sewing - yes a quick Simpliciyt 4076, I pleated the neck edge instead of gathering.



Neck edge:


A friend has opened a gift shop and wanted me to make some purses for her to sell. Here are 4 of them. I apologize for the photo quality, snapped four quick pictures before heading off to work.

Beginning o pack bag - early idea with patchwork of the charm









Now off to finish laundry, heading out in 10 hours for a trip. I will be back on Sunday, hoping to get to my sewing room. I had to buy some clothes for this trip, oh, the horrors!