In celebration of our eldest daughter Ashley’s graduation from George Mason University I am sharing a free tutorial this week for a fun and easy cosmetic bag that also makes a really cute lunch tote.
Tag: how to sew
How to sew a linen hipster crossbody bag + studio tours
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
How to sew a linen crossbody hipster bag by Sewspire
How to sew a linen crossbody hipster bag by Sewspire
How to sew a linen crossbody hipster bag by Sewspire
How to sew a linen crossbody hipster bag by Sewspire
How to sew a linen crossbody hipster bag by Sewspire
How to sew a linen crossbody hipster bag by Sewspire
How to sew a linen crossbody hipster bag by Sewspire
How to sew a linen crossbody hipster bag by Sewspire
How to sew a linen crossbody hipster bag by Sewspire
How to sew a linen crossbody hipster bag by Sewspire
How to sew a linen crossbody hipster bag by Sewspire
How to sew a linen crossbody hipster bag by Sewspire
How to sew a linen crossbody hipster bag by Sewspire
How to sew a linen crossbody hipster bag by Sewspire
How to sew a linen crossbody hipster bag by Sewspire
How to sew a linen crossbody hipster bag by Sewspire
How to sew a linen crossbody hipster bag by Sewspire
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 phone wallet with wristlet strap and mini card case
Hey y’all and welcome to Sewspire!
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:
Lost and found 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
How to sew a planner envelope pocket / wallet / key ring holder
Hey y’all and welcome to Sewspire!
Today I am here to show you how to sew a little envelope pocket / wallet / key ring that can be attached to your spiral bound planner or notebook and is perfect for holding a pen, washi tape, business cards and post it notes.
For this project you will need the following cuts of cotton fabric:
(3) 5″ x 8″
(1) 3″ x 5″
Plus a 1″ split ring and a 4″ x 3″ piece of Pellon iron on interfacing.
I hope you enjoy the project and will let me know how you plan to use this little gadget!
I will be back next week with another tiny gift idea. Until then, please know the creative genius in me celebrates the creative genius in you!
All my best,
Andrea
P.S. Gift idea for your artistic friends…Buy a spiral bound art book and attach this wallet with a gift card to the craft store!
How to sew a pen pocket for your journal or planner
How to sew a pen pocket for your planner or journal
How to sew a pen pocket for your planner or journal
How to sew a pen pocket for your planner or journal
Hey y’all and welcome to Sewspire!
Today I am here to show you how to sew a pocket which is designed to attach to your journal, planner or notebook cover and hold pens or a collection of other essentials.
For this project you will need:
Two cuts of cotton fabric one which measures 5″ x 18″ and another which measures 2.5″ x 18″
1 piece of .75″ wide elastic that is 10″ long
A small piece of cardboard which measures 5.75″ x 4″
I hope you enjoy the project! It is the second in a series of small gifts we’ll be making through the end of the year.
I will be back next week with another inspired sewing project. Until then, please know the creative genius in me celebrates the creative genius in you!
XO,
Andrea
How to sew a jewelry roll
Hey y’all and welcome to Sewspire!
Today I am here to show you how to sew a jewelry roll. For this project you will need to precut the following pieces of cotton quilt weight material:
(2) 12″ x 12″ for the body panels
(1) 2″ x 28″ for the tie closure
(1) 12″ x 8″ for the pockets
(1) 4″ x 9″ for the ring tab
In addition to one 12″ x 12″ piece of quilt batting and a 1″ strip of sew in hook and loop tape.
I created a template which you can print to angle the corners as shown in video.
Jewelry Roll Template Sewspire
I hope you enjoy the project and will share photos of your finished rolls with our creative community on the Sewspire Facebook and Instagram pages.
I will be back in two weeks with a fabulous beach bag design. Until then, please know the creative genius in me, salutes the creative genius in you!
Blissfully yours,
Andrea
P.S. Congratulations to this week’s Happy Mail winner Andrea Alston! If you would like to enter to win this jewelry roll you may do so here.
How to sew a lightweight summer backpack
Hey y’all and welcome to Sewspire!
Today I am here to show you how to craft a lightweight summer backpack from cotton fabric. For this project you will need one yard of material for the bag and a small cut of scrap fabric which measures 4″ x 10″ for the hang tab / closure + 44″ of 1.25″ cotton strap webbing.
To begin, precut 4 rectangles from your cotton material that measure 18″ wide by 21″ tall. Plus the hang tab which measures 4″ x 10″.
I hope you enjoy the project and will share pictures with our creative community on the Sewspire Facebook and Instagram pages using #sewspire and @sewspire.
I will be back next week with an Insulated Bottle Tote Tutorial. Until then, please know the creative genius in me salutes the creative genius in you!
XO,
Andrea
P.S. Congratulations Karol DeStefano you are the lucky winner of the cute little zipper bag we stitched up last week. If you’d like to enter to win this week’s backpack you can do so here.
How to sew a zippered duffel tote bag
Hey y’all and welcome to Sewspire!
Today I am here to show you how to sew a duffel bag with zippered top closure. This particular bag is sized to meet carryon requirements and makes a wonderful travel bag because you can fold it flat and tuck several of them inside your suitcase with ease.
When finished your travel size duffel tote bag will measure approximately 17″ across the base, 8″ tall and 9″ deep.
For this project you will need one 18″ zipper and 2 yards of cotton twill fabric such as the beautiful Premier Prints I used to craft the sample bag from.
To begin, you will need to precut your material to the following dimensions:
Cut six 10″ x 18″ panels for the body
Cut four 10″ x 10″ panels for the sides
Cut four 5″ x 20″ panels for the zipper casing / gusset
Cut two 6″ x 25″ panels for the handles
I hope you enjoy the sewing project and will share photos of your finished duffel bags on the Sewspire Facebook and Instagram pages using @sewspire and #sewspire .
I will be back next week with another inspired travel themed project. Until then, please know the creative genius in me salutes the creative genius in you!
XO,
Andrea
P.S. Congratulations to Janice Centritto as she is the Happy Mail winner of the patchwork dachshund pup we made last week! If you would like to enter to win this week’s travel sized duffel bag, you can sign up here.
How to sew a patchwork tote bag
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How to sew a patchwork tote bag
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How to sew a patchwork tote bag
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How to sew a patchwork tote bag
Hey y’all and welcome to Sewspire!
Today I am here to show you how to sew this fabulous patchwork tote. I love making the patchwork bags because each one is a unique piece of art. This particular tote is sized perfectly to hold file folders and would make a great pattern file or work in progress tote. You could easily repurpose it into a purse or lunch tote as well.
For this project you will need to cut out the following pieces of cotton quilt weight fabric:
(4) 10″ x 4″
(10) 10″ x 2″
(4) 10″ x 3″
(1) 6″ x 4″
(2) 6″ x 3″
(3) 6″ x 2″
(2) 12″ x 3″
(3) 12″ x 2″
(1) 12″ x 4″
(2) 6″ x 16″
Plus the interior panels which will be cut to the exact measurements of your finished exterior patchwork panels. I did not include those measurements because your panels may very well be a different measurement than mine depending upon your seam allowances. I used a 3/8″ seam allowance. You will also need to cut like size pieces of heavy weight Pellon fusible fleece/flannel for the exterior body panels and two 3″ x 16″ pieces of Pellon for the handles.
The pattern layout for the front, rear, base and side panels is: 2″, 4″, 3″, 2″, 3″, 2″.
The finished bag measures approximately 11″ across the base, 8″ tall and 5″ deep.
I hope you enjoy the video! If you’d like to enter to win this tote, you can do that here. I will be back in two weeks with another inspired sewing project…until then, please know the creative genius in me salutes the creative genius in you!
XO,
Andrea
P.S. Congratulations to Amy McNeil the winner of last week’s divided caddy!