The Cora bag by Svetlana of SOTAK Patterns

Svetlana from sotakhandmade.blogspot.co.uk recently put a shout out for bag pattern testers on Instagram,  I had some lovely linen/cotton blend Maker Maker fabric waiting to become a bag so I jumped in and made the Cora bag, the pattern has now been released!

It's an intermediate pattern so you need some bag making experience but it is very straightforward and Svetlana's instructions are thorough with lots of photos. There are no pattern pieces to print, the bag is made of rotary cut shapes.  I opted for a snap closure rather than the inset zip.  There's interfacing on all the fabrics as well as a layer of foam- soft and stable is suggested but I used Bosal  In-R-Form sew-in as it's available in the UK.  You need a walking foot and I used a denim needle as I was using heavier fabrics throughout and sewed on my Janome Horizon as it's very good at sewing thick fabrics.

The Maker Maker fabric was from Olive and Flo but is now sold out.  Saira had two prints in small quantities so I bought this one quickly as she was told by the rep that it is not being distributed here.  Such a shame, it's lovely stuff.  I've used the bag a lot already and I love it's bouncy structured feel and relatively simple style - less is more for me with bags.  Dress is a recently made Darling Ranges maxi from my #2017makenine  , with which I am making good progress! 

You can see the other tester's bags here, and they are an excellent selection, plus the pattern is on offer for a very brief time! 

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Autumn Leaves Go Anywhere Bag

I've made many bags over the years and almost all of them are from Anna Graham's Noodlehead pattens.  She writes crystal clear instructions and they've always been bags I have used and used.  The Go Anywhere bag pattern has been on my computer for ages and buying this wonderful Sevenberry linen/cotton tree fabric in Fabric Rehab's recent closing down sale (same print, different colour on sale here) was the impetus to get it made.

Fabrics

A mix of Carolyn Friedlander's Euclid linen/cotton blend prints- available here and here for the main bag and lining.  These fabrics use Robert Kaufman Essex linen as a base so they are wonderfully stable to work with.  I used Sevenberry tree fabric for the outer pocket and some left over mid-weight denim for the outer and inner pocket linings.  The beauty of this bag is that no other hardware is needed and interacting is minimal if you use heavier fabrics like these.  To interfacing the handle and to support the pocket, I used Pellon Shape Flex SF101 (hard to find in the UK but available here).   It's the best interfacing I've used for bag making and Vieseline is not quite the same.

It's a bag of many pockets- three on the front, two at the back (as below) and one inside.

I used a tote bag most days, enough room for purse, phone, keys and groceries for whatever we are eating that evening. 

It's a straightforward pattern, my only extra tip was to try out something I saw on someone else's blog or feed ages ago (sadly I can't remember who) and use a little piece of plastic canvas to support the back of the magnetic fasteners.  The canvas is trimmed to size and fits behind the fabric and is followed by a snippet of wadding to stop the metal prods pushing into the fabric. 

As ever with Anna's patterns, I am really happy with the result and the bag has gone straight into use and compliments the amazing autumn colours this year. 

Anna's Noodlehead paper patterns are available in the UK- I found them at Minerva Crafts, Sew Hot, Pretty Fabrics and Trims and many more.   See other Noodlehead bags I've made here:

241 Tote

Gingham Tote

Sidekick Tote

Double Zip wallet

Candy Cane Mini Tote Bag Tutorial

My new Candy Cane Love pattern pdf includes two canes in mirror image which join together to make a candy cane heart.  The block is perfect for a mini tote bag.

A little bag perfect for putting filling with treats or a present in itself!  The finished tote bag is 7.5" Square.  There is a gadget at the bottom of the post for printing this pattern with and without the photos.

To make a Mini Tote you will need:

For the front- 7"x7" Square Candy Cane heart block (pattern available to buy here).  You could use any quilt block 7" square. 

Sashing strips for the front blocks-2 strips 1" x 7" and 2 strips 1"x 8"from a co-ordinating fabric

For the back-8"x8"Square from the same co-ordinating fabric as the strips

For the Straps- Cut 2 strips 3"x 8" from same co-ordinating fabric

Lining-Cut 2 squares 8"x8", contrasting fabric

Fusible Fleece- 2 squares  8"x8".  I used Vilene 630 fleece interlining (supplied by Julia at Gone to Earth).  You could also use cotton batting or interfacing.

Sewing supplies-thread, rotary cutter etc.

Step 1- Sashing the front

Stitch sashing strips to the top and bottom of the 7" square block.  Press seams away from the block.  Repeat adding sashing strips to the left and right sides.  Block should now be 8 x 8".  

Step 2- Making the Handles

Take the 3" x 8" handle strips and fold length ways so the long edges meet and press.  Open out and bring both long outer edges in towards the centre fold.  Leave a small gap, less than 1/8 inch between them, press again creating fold on the outer long edges. Bring the folds together and stitch as close as you can to the outer edge.  Repeat for the other handle.

Step 3- Adding the Handles

Fuse fleece/interfacing to the wrong side of the front and back bag pieces.  If you are using batting you could use basting spray or tack/baste your batting to the front and back pieces.  Mark the centre of the top front and back bag pieces (right side facing) with a pin.  Place handles an inch either side of the pin so that each handle loop is lying downwards on the bag.  Stitch along the top edge to secure the handles 1/8 inch from the outer edge.   

Step 4- Making Bag Outer and Lining

Take the front and back bag pieces with handles attached, with right sides together, stitch 1/4" seam along side, bottom and side edge.  Use very small stitches around the bottom corners and trim the corners.  Turn through to the right side.  Press side seams open at the top of the bag-this is to make seam matching easier when you stitch the bag outer and lining together.  Place the lining squares right sides together and stitch from the top edge, down the side and a little way accross the bottom, securing the seam at this point.  Leave a 4" gap at the bottom to turn the bag through in the next stage.  Repeat on the other side seam.  Trim corners.  Press seams open at the top of the lining side seams.  Leave the lining with the wrong side outwards.

Step 5- Joining Outer bag and Lining

Place the outer bag inside the lining so the right sides are facing each other.  Use the open side seams to match up the outer and lining as in the picture, use pins to hold in place.  The handles should be lying downwards.

Stitch all around the top edges sewing through the lining and bag outer with a 1/4" seam.  Turn the bag through the 4"opening in the lining.  Press.  Close the opening with ladder stitch or by machine.  Top stitch around the top edge of the tote bag.  Fill with goodies and get ready to give- you weren't keeping it for yourself were you?

2 4 6 8- I appreciate Anna

I have got to know Anna Graham of Noodlehead through Ringo Pie and she is the nicest person and the most generous blogger.   She doesn't know about this post so when she reads it, I'm guessing she will blush, but I love her patterns and I love her blogging.   She gives a lot of herself  and I admire that.  The majority of her patterns are available free on her website and she is always adding more.  This is my version of her 241 Tote Bag, available to buy by PDF 

My day bag which I take to work full of keys, money, tissues, granola bars, bananas and a water bottle is wearing thin so I spent a few evenings this week making this one.  The storage possibilities appealed to me.  I made the outer zipper pocket horizontal for my phone and added some batting to protect it.  Inside, I put in a key fob clip, I live in fear of losing my house keys or the ones to my work place so I always add a key fob to any bag I make.

Recognise the lining?  From my lucky win on Kat's blog , I have linked in to her great news that she has a pattern in a new Zakka Style book full of designers and cute looking makes.  Congrats Kat!

I just know that flash of pink and the little deer will make me smile as I reach for my phone.

I recycle fixings when I make bags- the strap, key fob clasp and the zipper were from some cheapo charity shop finds.  I have no idea where to find zips with bigger tabs, I can only source dress style zips- if you know of a good supply, please let me know!  The strap allows it to be shoulder or messenger style across the body.  It is all sprayed with protector- seems to work well, I've tried it before, and ready to go.  Thankyou Anna, the pattern worked a like a dream x

Here's a mini tute on how to do a key fob dangly thing- it is very easy!