A New Bag and a New Pair of "The Cure For Cold Feet""

In the past I have not used patterns to make my bags. As I contemplate developing my own patterns, however, I decided that it would be good to make a few bags from printed patterns so that I could decide what I like and what I don't. I always tend to change things up a bit anyway, but seeing how different people write patterns is helpful.  This design is the "Heffalump Bag" from Janine Babich Designs. I really like the effect that the binding makes and it opens nice and wide.

The fabric that I fell in love with and won an a Guild "Aweful raffle". It's from Norway, and had been donated by the lovely, excellent teacher (my class from last weekend), Kitty Sorgen. I made my book pillow from another piece that she had donated that had sheep on it. I fell in love with both pieces of this home decor type fabric and had no clue what I would do with them, but I knew that I had to have them!

First I used "Inn-Control Plus" from Creative Craft Products to fuse the backing and front fabrics. I like this brand because it works (fuses) very well, but does not give a 'stuck' look which I find happens with some other brands that I have tried in the past. My favourite of their products is Duo Fuse which I used to make my "Feathered Bag". I love the loft that Duo Fuse provides, an alternative to this flatter look. I am a fan of Innovative Craft Products and I hope that they will be more widely available soon. You can order direct from their website- that makes it easy!

What I have discovered in making bags from patterns is that I am a much more visual learner than many people must be. I have to read, and re-read, written instructions, scratch my head, and then read again. Hand drawn pictures don't seem to help me that much either for some strange reason - I know that they should! Where I struggle with a written instruction if I had a photograph I would 'get' the instruction immediately. Most bag patterns are made to fit on a standard sheet of printer paper, or perhaps an 11" X 17" piece of paper. I  like to make slightly larger bags most of the time, and so I have generally enlarged patterns by eye.  I would love to have some patterns for larger sized bags printed on something like a half of an architect's sheet of paper. 

I would like photographs and larger patterns with less, sometimes confusing, verbiage. I would truly like to know what preferences you have as far as making things from patterns goes. What things would make a pattern easier for you to make?

I used care and went slowly when I stitched in the ditch to attach the binding to the zipper. When it is finished you can't see the stitches on the front, and that is just what I wanted! I hand basted the zipper in. I always do that because I think it makes such a big difference to the finished look. 

 This is how the zipper looks on the front and the back when it is place. Note the basted zipper.

 I added a very simple pocket - I just like bags with some sort of pockets and they are so easy to add!

I have been needing a new pair of what I call "the cure for cold feet". My last surviving pair has been patched and "re-knit" many times. I could add those leather soles I suppose, but I don't really like that feel on my feet. If you have cold feet this is the cure. The pattern is from Cat Bordhi's "Socks That Soar". 

I used Malabrigo Merino Worsted, held double (the pattern calls for bulky weight), in a variegated colorway called "Intenso" (found on the bottom of the page that I linked to under 'variegated'). My feet are toasty, and I am in love with this colorway. I wish they made it in sock weight as well!  I bought enough to make a second pair. I need to make another pair anyway so that I always a spare on hand. I have never found anything as good as this pattern for keeping my feet toasty even in the coldest weather . I use them indoors as slippers, but, when it is really cold, I'll squeeze them into my Crocs and off I go. Not chic perhaps, but very warm!

 Find joy in your day and thanks for stopping by!