Sewspire – Sewing instruction & creative inspiration with Andrea Chapman

How to sew a tri-fold iPad Tablet organizer with pen and notepad pockets

Posted on April 21, 2018 by SewSpire

Hey y’all and welcome to Sewspire!

Today I am here to show you how to sew a tri-fold cover that is designed to hold an iPad or similar sized tablet, pen and notepad. You could easily convert this design into a planner cover or padfolio organizer by duplicating the left or right side panels.

For this project you will need to precut:

(8) 11″ x 10″ fabric panels
(3) 7.25″ x 9.5″ pieces of Pellon Peltex 72F Double Sided Fusible Ultra Firm Stabilizer
(4) 4.5″ one inch wide pieces of elastic
(1) 4.5″ piece of sew in hook and loop tape

I hope you enjoy the tutorial and will share photos of your finished projects with me using #sewspire and @sewspire on Instagram and Facebook.

If you haven’t had a chance yet; be sure to check out the new studio:

I will be back soon with another studio update and inspired project. Until then, please know the creative genius in me will be celebrating the creative genius in you!

XO,
Andrea

How to sew a tri-fold iPad organizer

How to sew a two compartment crossbody hip bag

Posted on April 6, 2018April 8, 2018 by SewSpire

How to sew a two compartment crossbody hip bag
How to sew a two compartment crossbody hip bag
How to sew a two compartment crossbody hip bag
How to sew a two compartment crossbody hip bag

Hey y’all and welcome to Sewspire!

Today I am here to show you how to sew a two compartment hip bag that is perfect for quick trips out when you only want to take your keys, wallet and phone.

For this project you will need to precut the following fabric:

Strap: cut one: 4″ x 44″
Body: cut four: 8″ x 20″
Flaps: cut two: 6.5″ x 10″
Tabs: cut two: 4″ x 4″

And, the following batting / interfacing :

Strap: cut one: 2″ x 44″
Body: cut two: 8″ x 20″
Flaps: cut two: 6.5″ x 5″

Additional materials:

Two snap sets
1 one inch tri-glide
2 one inch o-rings

Use a 3/8″ seam allowance

Link to the video with the removable strap which you can substitute here:

How to sew a bucket style convertible backpack crossbody hip bag

Link to my favorite fabric:

http://www.hawthornethreads.com/fabric/designer/indy_bloom/watercolor_florals/blushing_floral_in_fuchsia_on_grey

Link to my snap source:

www.snapsource.com

Pellon by the bolt at Walmart:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pellon-809-Decor-Bond-Fusible-Stabilizer-10-Yard-Bolt/21976561

I hope you enjoy the video and will checkout this weeks studio update with Bins and Things giveaway:

Next time we meet I will be in the new studio. Until then, please know the creative genius in me will be celebrating the creative genius in you!

XO,
Andrea

How to sew a 6 Pocket Tote Bag

Posted on March 31, 2018March 31, 2018 by SewSpire

How to sew a six pocket tote bag
How to sew a six pocket tote bag
How to sew a six pocket tote bag
How to sew a six pocket tote bag
How to sew a six pocket tote bag

Hey y’all and welcome to Sewspire!

Today I am here to show you how to sew this fabulous 6 Pocket Tote Bag. For this project you will need approximately 1 yard of solid twill / cotton / duck fabric and 1 yard of printed linen / cotton blend or twill fabric.

To begin, precut the following pattern pieces:

Cut 4 18″ x 18″ body panels (two printed, two solid)

Cut 4 18″ x 9″ pocket panels (two printed, two solid)

Cut 2 5″ x 60″ straps (both printed)

The pockets are positioned 5″ from the base of the exterior body panels and the straps are positioned 5″ from the sides of the exterior body panels. The corners are stitched 6″ across.

I hope you enjoy the project and will share photos of your finished tote bags with me on Instagram and Facebook using #sewspire and @sewspire.

I will be back soon with another inspired sewing project. Until then, please know the creative genius in me will be celebrating the creative genius in you!

XO,

Andrea

P.S. I am sharing a BIG announcement in this week’s studio vlog:

How to sew a bucket style convertible backpack crossbody hip bag

Posted on March 23, 2018April 2, 2018 by SewSpire

Hey y’all and welcome to Sewspire!

How to sew a convertible round bottom backpack crossbody hip bag by Sewspire

Today I am here to show you how to sew this fabulous bucket style round bottom convertible bag which can be worn crossbody, on the shoulder or as a backpack.

For this project you will need approximately 2 yards of twill / canvas / duck fabric cut in the following dimensions:

9″ circle (cut 2 for interior / exterior base)

29.5″ x 15″ (cut 2 for interior / exterior body)

29.5″ x 12″ (cut 2 for interior / exterior pockets)

9″ x 20″ (cut 1 for flap)

4″ x 15″ (cut 1 for tabs)

Plus: 54″ of 1″ webbing for the strap, 5″ of sew in hook and loop tape, three 1″ d-rings, one 1″ tri-glide and two 1″ swivel hooks.

The finished bag offers a roomy interior compartment that measures approximately 13″ tall by 8″ deep.

There are 4 exterior and 4 interior pockets and the bag closes via flap closure.

In this week’s studio update I am announcing the winner of last week’s fabric giveaway…so, check out that video too!

I will be back soon with another inspired project. Until then, please know the creative genius in me will be celebrating the creative genius in you!

XO,

Andrea

How to sew a three way divided organizer caddy + fabric giveaway and studio update

Posted on March 17, 2018March 17, 2018 by SewSpire

How to sew a divided organizer caddy by Sewspire

Hey y’all and welcome to Sewspire!

Today I am here to show you how to sew this fabulous three way divided organizer caddy. For this project you will need to precut the following pieces of twill / canvas / cotton fabric:

Interior Pockets 7.5″ x 7.5″ (cut 6)

Exterior Front / Back / Base 9″ x 6″ (cut 3)

Exterior Sides 6″ x 6″ (cut 2)

Exterior Side Pockets 6″ x 8″ (cut 2)

Exterior Front / Back Pockets 9″ x 8″ (cut 2)

Handles 3″ x 7.5″ (cut 2)

I hope you enjoy the project and will share photos of your finished cubbies with me on Instagram and Facebook using #sewspire and @sewspire.

I will be back soon with another inspired sewing project. Until then, please know the creative genius in me will be celebrating the creative genius in you!

XO,

Andrea

P.S. In this week’s studio update I am giving away a flat rate envelope of top quality quilting remnants. More details in this video:

How to sew a linen hipster crossbody bag + studio tours

Posted on March 10, 2018March 14, 2018 by SewSpire

Hey y’all and welcome to Sewspire!

Today, I am here to show you how to sew this fabulous crossbody hipster bag. I especially love this bag because it is crafted from linen and premium cotton prints.

How to sew a linen crossbody hipster bag by Sewspire

For this project you will need a half yard of linen and a half yard of cotton; plus a half yard of Pellon heavyweight iron on interfacing, a swivel d-ring clasp/closure and a swivel key fob.

To begin, precut the follow fabric pieces

Cut four 9″ x 11″ body panels (two from linen and two from cotton; line all with Pellon)

Cut one 28″ x 3″ interior gusset (from cotton, line with Pellon)

Cut one 28″ x 9″ exterior gusset (from linen, line with Pellon after pleating)

Cut one 5″ x 10″ fob strap (from cotton, no Pellon)

Cut four 5″ x 8″ exterior and interior pocket (from cotton, no Pellon)

Cut two 10″ x 9″ flaps (from cotton, line one with Pellon)

Cut one 16″ x 4″ closure strap (from linen, no Pellon)

I hope you enjoy the tutorial and will subscribe to my YouTube Channel! If you enjoy making bags, I’d like to invite you to take advantage of my Bag Maker’s Tutorial Bundle which includes 5 of my most popular bag tutorials in PDF Format for instant download for only $5.99!

Also, for your reference, I am using: Pellon Decor Bond 809 Firm Iron On Backing #1925944 which you can get for $2.77 p yard at Walmart.

In this weeks studio update I have included informal tours of my home and commercial sewing spaces as well as a special offer for my newest business endeavor, The Fourth Seam. If you or someone you know is considering opening an Etsy shop you’ll want to take advantage of my $9.99 read only membership so you can explore the ins and outs of running a successful Etsy shop:

I will be back soon with another inspired sewing project and studio update. Until then, please know the creative genius in me will be celebrating the creative genius in you!

XO,

Andrea

How to sew a laminated traveler’s notebook journal cover

Posted on March 3, 2018March 3, 2018 by SewSpire

Hey y’all and welcome to Sewspire!

How to sew a traveler's notebook journal cover by Sewspire — How to sew a traveler’s notebook journal cover by Sewspire

Today I am here to show you how to sew a laminated traveler’s notebook / journal cover. For this project you will need two pieces of laminated cotton fabric which measure 9.25″ x 8″ for the pockets and two pieces of laminated cotton fabric which measure 9.25″ x 12.5″ for the body panels; plus, two pieces of 1/4″ elastic which measure 11″ long.

The notebooks which fit in this measure 5.5″ x 8.25″. If you would like to create a custom cover to fit your specific notebooks you will add 1.5″ to the width of your notebook when it is open and laying flat on the countertop and 1″ to the height. The pockets will measure the same height as your body panels by 8″ wide.

I will be back soon with another inspired sewing project. Until then, please know the creative genius in me celebrates the creative genius in you!

XO,

Andrea

P.S. In this week’s studio update, I announce the winners of last week’s giveaway as well as the results of our sewing machine survey. I hope you enjoy both video segments and will subscribe to the Sewspire YouTube channel:

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How to sew a phone wallet with wristlet strap and mini card case

Posted on February 24, 2018 by SewSpire

Hey y’all and welcome to Sewspire!

How to sew a phone wallet by Sewspire.com

Today I am here to show you how to sew a phone wallet with wristlet strap and mini card case. For this project you will need approximately a half yard of cotton fabric and some Pellon firm iron on interfacing, a 7″ zipper, a key ring, small swivel fob and one snap set.

To begin, precut the following pieces of material.

Three 8″ x 9″ (back two with Pellon)

One 8″ x 5″ (backed with Pellon)

One 3″ x 8″

One 2″ x 20″ (backed with Pellon)

Four 5″ x 6″ (back one with Pellon)

I hope you enjoy the tutorial and will share photos of your finished wallets with me over on Instagram and Facebook using @sewspire and #sewspire.

I will be back soon with another inspired sewing project. Until then, please know the creative genius in me celebrates the creative genius in you!

XO,

Andrea

P.S. I can’t finish the whole cloth quilt I started…found out why in this video:

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Celebrate and inspire your Creative Genius!

Posted on February 23, 2018 by SewSpire

Creative Genius Sewing Machine Decal Sticker Art

Lost and found lunch tote bag

Posted on February 17, 2018February 17, 2018 by SewSpire

How to sew a reusable and washable lunch tote bag

Hey y’all and welcome to Sewspire!

I have missed you!

Many thanks to all of you who wrote to inquire as to my whereabouts. I’m here to tell you a little story of how I got lost and found + as promised I have prepared a fun sewing project for you. I hope you enjoy the video(s) and will share pictures of your finished lunch tote bags with me on Instagram and Facebook using #sewspire and @sewspire.

For the lunch tote project you will need:

4 cuts of fabric which measure 5″ wide by 12″ long

2 cuts of fabric which measure 5″ wide by 10″ long

2 cuts of fabric which measure 10″ wide by 30″ long

plus one cut of sew in hook and loop tape that measures 7.5″

Until next time, please know the creative genius in me celebrates the creative genius in you!

XO,

Andrea

P.S. If you didn’t already…there is still time to snatch up my 5 best selling sewing tutorials for only $5.99! You’ll find those in my Watermelon Wishes Etsy shop.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/241893401/bag-making-pdf-sewing-pattern-bundle

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