'Pin'spired Clutch

I found this pin here a little while ago and I really like the idea...but then I couldn't find the actual website/tutorial that it goes to only the image.  So I kinda just made my own. 

Okay, prepare yourselves, this tutorial is quite lengthy compared to what I've been posting!  But the process is really pretty simple and it comes together really quickly.   I can't really remember what measurements I used but I will include my estimates. 

Supplies:
-main fabric
-lining
-interfacing
-velcro, or any type of closure

Start by cutting the circles, you will need 1 piece of interfacing and 2 pieces of lining.  The radius of the circle determines the height of your clutch.   Cut all the circles in half.  The radius of my circles were about 5.5 inches. 

To make the divider, cut a rectangle that has the same length as the diameter of your circles (plus seam allowances).  The width is up to you.  You will need 2 lining and 1 interfacing.  Mine is about 10 inches by 7 inches. 

For the outside, start with the rectangle that is the same size as the divider.  Then add a couple inches in length for the flap.  This is the real reason why I can't remember my measurements, I was making this out of an old pair of shorts so I was trying to see how big I could make it out of one short leg.  You will need 1 interfacing, 1 lining, and 1 main fabric. 

So fuse, sew or otherwise attach your interfacing.   To make the divider, sew along all the edges, right sides together, and leave a small opening.  Clip the corners, flip right side out and press.  I added some top stitching along all the edges just because. 

To make the little clamshell thingies, sew all along the curved edge with the right sides together.  Notch the curved edge, flip right side out and press.   I also top stitched along the curved edge. 

The dots are where you will attach the divider later.  The lines are where I sewed along the creases, this is optional but I think it makes it look a bit neater.  Make sure that all the seams are on the inside.  So start by folding the half circle in half, right sides in.  Sew along the folded edge (where the arrow is) as close to the edge as you can while still catching all the layers of fabric.   To determine the next point, fold it into third, leave a little overhang for the seam allowance.  The fold on the left is where you will attach the divider later, and the fold on the right (where the arrow points) is where you will sew next.  Repeat on the opposite side.  Again, the bumpy side with the seams is the inside, and the smooth side is the outside.  Repeat on the other clam shell. 

Next, take the 2 main pieces, right sides together.  You will want to place the semicircles on the inside, outside facing the main fabric.  Sew all the way around leaving a small opening, flip right side out and press.  You can either slip stitch it closed or top stitch all around.  

Add your velcro.  

When I went to add my divider I realized it was actually way too long so I added some seams to the middle giving it more of a flat bottom.  Then you can either hand stitch the divider in place, like the pin shows, or you can use your machine.  I used my machine to stitch about 1/2 inch just along the top.  

And you're done!  For some reason, I was thinking that this was going to be really complicated but was actually pretty simple.  It just looks complicated because of the interior.  

tutorial & giveaway: reusable sandwich bag

lately i've been trying to save money by bringing my own lunch to work instead of eating out.  and while i do have a reusable plastic wonder bread sandwich case i still love the hand made reusable bags i've seen floating around.  they're totally customizable:  you can use vinyl coated cotton or use vinyl coating on a fabric of your choice.  then all you need is velcro and you've got yourself a reusable sammich baggy!

here's the pattern for the front and back.

my sandwiches are pretty small, basically just 2 pieces of bread with peanut butter and honey.  however the pattern ended up being a little loose so if you make really big manly sammiches it will probably still fit.  

 

here all the pieces all cut out-i've already fused the interfacing to the other pieces.  then start by boxing the corners:

next, take the 2 front pieces, right sides together, and sew across the top.  flip right side out and press.  you can add some topstitching here if you'd like, and attach the velcro.

next, line it up with the back piece of lining.  pin and sew in place.  place the outer back piece on top, right sides together, and sew around the outside edge leaving a small opening on the flap.  trim or round the corners of the flap.  flip right side out, and press.  topstitch along the flap, closing the opening.  center and attach the velcro.  

and now you have a new eco friendly sandwich bag!! 

linking up with these wonderful blogs here

and now for the giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

hope everyone had a great week and good luck!

How to sew a pocket zipper

i only recently started installing zippers this way but i think i like it; it can be really useful for making wallets and bags.

first start by applying interfacing to the outer fabric where you will install the zipper.  then mark a rectangle where you want the zipper to be.  the zipper i used for this is 4" and i marked a rectangle that is 4"x0.5".  then place the outer and lining fabric right sides together, and sew around the rectangle using a smaller stitch.  then clip the inside of the rectangle get the corners as close to the stitches as you can without actually cutting them.  flip inside out and press.  then line up and pin your zipper in place, and top stitch all the way around.

and that's it!  i used this tutorial to make this travel kit.  do you have any projects that could use an extra zippered pocket?

diy laptop sleeve tutorial

i'm sure pretty much everyone in this day and age has a laptop right?  well as i'm sure you all have noticed laptop accessories can be...lacking.  i mean who really wants some plain black neoprene case to carry their laptop around in? when you can have a totally cool, custom made sleeve made from any fabric you want??

my laptop sleeves are completely padded, fully lined, and they have boxed corners for an easier fit for you laptop.  here's my chevron/blue version...i was really tempted to keep this one for myself.  i might end up making another to keep...even though i already have a laptop case.

 or for something different this one is made from echino bird print fabric with the same blue lining.

these sleeves were actually a lot easier than i thought and i completed one in less than an hour, well technically less than an episode of bones lol.  these sleeves were made to fit a 13" macbook but i will try to describe a process to make one for any size laptop.  the tutorial for how to make a padded laptop sleeve:

supplies:
-main fabric
-lining
-batting (i used basic polyester batting)
-velcro (i used a 4" strip but you may want 2 strips or a bigger strip if you have a bigger laptop)
-interfacing (optional)

the pattern is made of 2 rectangles, for each rectangle you will need 1 each of main fabric, lining, and batting so you will end up with 3 rectangles of each pattern or 6 total.

the first rectangle is the back-or the measurements start by measuring your computer:
width=width of your computer + seam allowances
length=length of your computer + flap (i added 5 inches)  when calculating flap length don't forget to consider the height of your laptop

the second rectangle is the front and will include the boxed corners:
width=width of your computer + height of your computer + seam allowances
length= length of your computer + heigh of your computer + seam allowances

to mark the boxed corners, mark off a square in two bottom corners that are the height of your laptop + seam allowances.

cut velcro strips as needed


first start by basting the main fabric to your batting, this will make it muuuch easier to work with.  i won't be referring to the batting anymore but when i say the main fabric i mean the main fabric with the batting attached.

go ahead and box the bottom corners of the front pieces of main fabric and lining fabric.  then take these two pieces, right sides together, and sew across the top.  flip right side out and press.  you can add some topstitching across the tip here to durability.  then pin and sew the velcro in place.  depending on the size of your flap it should be around 2 inches down from the top edge.

next lay the front pieces right side up on the back piece of lining fabric.  both pieces should be right side up.  pin and sew in places.  (if you want to add your velcro without leaving stitches on the outside, use some interfacing where you will be placing the velcro and sew in place now.)  place the back main piece of fabric on top of the other pieces, right sides together.  sew all the way around leaving an opening somewhere on the flap to flip right side out.  press, and top stitch all around the flap closing the opening.  if you haven't already, pin and sew your velcro in place.  i sewed my velcro through all layers of fabric just to reduce the pull on a single piece of fabric each time you open the flap.  press again and it's ready to use!!  your very own custom laptop sleeve!!

if you're not inclined to sew your own you can find my chevron pattern sleeve here and the echino bird print sleeve here.

diy travel kit

one of my best friends is getting married in a couple of weeks yay!!  unfortunately that means flying...12+ hours of flying...and then some grungy hotel action:/  on the plus side travelings means adorable little pouches and organizers which are some of my fav things in the world.  so i decided to whip up a little travel kit for my trip.  it holds hair bands, bobby pins, nail clippers, tweezers, band-aids, and even a small tube of neo.  this was also the first time i made a pocket-y type zipper-not sure what the technical name is...  but it was actually pretty simple and i can already imagine plenty of times when it would be useful.  

i did some light quilting on the outside but only because that tree just had perfect placement...completely by accident of course.  i thought the outside was looking pretty plain so i used a freezer paper stencil for that little flowery burst thingy.  i wish i had decided to do that before i installed the magnetic snap because it made it impossible to place it lower.  it ended up being a little bit bigger than i would like but i'm still excited to use it!!

i hope everyone is having a good weekend so far!!

zippered keychain clutch

usually i don't mind doing laundry...but i hate having to trek around with all my stuff only to realize that i forgot quarters.  and i'm the only one with a key to the laundry area which means if i'm not home my boyfriend can't do laundry, not that he would anyway lol.  so i decided to make a little pouch to hold quarters that i could also keep on a keychain with the key to the laundry room.

Supplies:

-(2) 5"x4" pieces of outer fabric

-(2) 5"x4" pieces of lining fabric

-(1) 4" zipper

-interfacing

Optional: 3/4" D-ring and 1.5"x2" piece of lining fabric

attach/fuse interfacing to outer fabric as directed.  to attach the zipper, lay a piece of the lining right side up, line the zipper along the top 5" side right side up, and lay the outer fabric on top right side down.  pin and sew. 

    

 repeat for the other side of the zipper and press.  

if you want you can topstitch along the zipper and add the D-ring.  if you add topstitching pull the lining fabric to the opposite side so that you only catch the seams.  

stitch the D-ring in place 1/2-1" below the zipper.  

next flip it inside out by pulling the right sides of the lining together and the right sides of the outer fabric together.  make sure you pull the zipper toward the lining fabric.  pin and sew all the way around leaving a small 2-3" opening on the bottom of the lining fabric.  

flip it all right side out and press.  you can slip stitch the opening shut or just use your machine.  tuck the lining back inside and press again.  

and that's it!!  this little pouch is large enough to fit change and cash handy on quick outings.  it's a great way to use up scrap fabric and it comes together really quickly-it took me less than 30 minutes to make this one and i was fairly distracted by watching Bones.

i hope everyone had a good weekend!!