picnic quilt tote

Ok BMQG Ladies this is for you, I will be demonstrating this at the November meeting, I will be referring you back to my blog for picture details if you are a visual learner.  I have now made 4 of these quilt totes starting with this lovely quilt commissioned by an etsian, those 2 quilts blogged both have gussets, this sounds complicated but it just a matter of adding 2-4" strip of fabric to your zipper before you apply it to the quilt.  This is necessary if your quilt is fluffy or large, which both of those were.  The plus quilts I am demonstrating are only 67" square and fairly thin so they fit with just the zipper.  Speaking of zippers.........you must use a zipper that is heavy duty and sturdy for it will be getting some wear and tug, you want to shop for one that is also wide because the wider the zipper edge the more space for your folded up quilt and a much easier zip when folding up.  The purchasing of the zipper will be your most challenging part of this project!  If you are lucky enough to happen upon a "sleeping bag " zipper at the fabric store grab it, they are 100" long, which is too big but the are wide and sturdy, otherwise you need to head over to the upholstery section and buy a zipper by the yard or an upholstery cushion zip.   You will probably need somewhere around 48" It is a good idea to finish your quilt and fold it and measure before you buy your zipper...unless you strike gold with the sleeping bag one.  

7 Easy Steps and 21 Pictures to your Quilt Tote!  

1. Your quilt: If making a new quilt you may bind three sides if you wish and leave the binding free for the side with the zipper or wait until the last step to bind.  If you are using an existing quilt, on one side pull out the stitching and free the binding from the quilt as below
   

2. How to measure for the zipper: Lay quilt out and depending on size you will fold in half or thirds (A.) Then bring the ends to the middle (B.) At this point you will measure from your fold in the middle around the outside edge, down the fold and back to the middle edge.  That is the length of your zip, when you open up the zipper to apply it will then go around all 4 sides. Another way to think about measuring the zip is to measure the circumference of the folded quilt and divide by 2.

(A.)

(B.)

3. Prepare straps: Flip the folded quilt over and you will have your working surface for applying the handle(s) and zip.  You will have to determine the length of your own strap to your preferences and if you would like 1 or 2, or if you want to get fancy with an adjustable strap (if you cut them off of duffel bags before you toss them like I do then you can cheat a bit) or embellish any ribbing, jute webbing, nylon strapping, make your own with fabric and a stabilizer....get creative.

If using one strap, take measurements of the top of the tote (along the binding) find the middle and then center for one side and evenly space the straps, do the same for the second strap.  Stitch them on by going over stitching multiple times, making sure the ends don't fray you may zigzag too. You may then bind your quilt, keeping in mind you need an open place for zipper ends but I would rather rip out an inch of stitching later to keep the flow nice and smooth. Then refold the quilt to have (C) facing up to continue.

(C.)

(D.)

4. Prepare Zipper: Lay zipper out on folded quilt (D.) leaving a few inches hanging off the end, measure around 3 sides and add 2" for safety. Cut zipper at top (make sure the pull is below cut) 

Cut a piece of fabric 2 1/2" X 2x the width of zipper plus seam allowance

i.e. my zipper is 1 1/4 wide so I will cut fabric 2.5 X 3"

you will then fold right sides over the end of your measured zipper (E.), stitch along the bottom edge encasing the zipper, be aware of the zip part and use the wheel to lower your needle one stitch at a time so you don't break a needle, then run a stitch as close to the zip side without catching the zipper. Pull stitched fabric right side out (F) trim if too long and fold raw edges in and top stitch (G)

(E.)

(F.)

(G.)

(H)

5. Attaching Zipper: (H) Open zipper up and lay right side down, this part is too tricky to explain so I will refer you to the pictures. (I) starting in the center of your folded quilt start pinning the zip with the teeth facing inward. (J) run the zip over your straps along the edge of the binding. Being careful at the corners to round them out and pin well but do not lip corners,( it will seem tight for now but will be perfect later)

(K) Pull the stitching now from your binding and insert the top ends of the zipper, I pin one side at a time and then make sure its all even then insert the tips into the binding (K) (L,M) is the pinned zip ready to stitch.

(I)

(J)

(K)

(L)

(M)

6. Stitch the Zip: Open the quilt flat and attach your walking foot, insert the quilt and align the needle to the outer edge of the zipper and position the teeth on the left outer side of your foot,(N) slowly stitch. When you have stitched the zipper all the way around, replace the top stitching over your zip ends. (P)

(N)

(O)

(P)

7. How to fold and zip:

Depending upon your quilt size if you folded in thirds or in half twice its still the same basic fold, (Q)Lay flat with handles at top, fold up (R,S) and fold into the center (T) then zip (U)

(Q)

(R)

(S)

(T)

(U)

picnic blanket in a bag

I have a picnic blanket that I bought for I think $7, about 10 years ago. You fold it up and there is a zipper that goes around it and then it has a strap.  Great idea....ugly colors AND toooo small for my family of 7.  So a few years ago I was commissioned by an etsy customer to create "the ultimate picnic blanket" as she so lovingly referred to it.  This blanket started as a small project but got big real fast.  Her blanket ended up measuring almost the size of a king blanket.  The top was created from reproduction vintage prints and the back of a fabric called cordura, most commonly used for backpacks.  She chose this fabric because of its durability and waterproofness.  She lives in NY and wanted to keep all the muddy yucky street germs on the outside of her lovely fabric...who can blame her.  Well here is what I ended up creating for her....I did not want to give it up!

So I decided that I would eventually make one for our family since I had the practice on this one! Well that was spring 2008.......anyways I have been collecting jeans for many years now with the intentions of a big blanket some day...today is the day!  I cut and cut and cut....there was a massive pile of denim squares and still had enough jeans left to make a few more blankets.  I also had an old duvet cover that I planned for the backing and binding.

cutting denim is very messy to say the least!

So maybe someday I will share a tutorial on how to add gussets and a zipper to a blanket.  It actually is quite simple just takes some thinking and SILENCE....I had to send the kids outside for this one.  Here is a picture of how it is applied. I used a 48" plastic zipper, a 4" strip of jeans and a nylon strap from an old duffel bag.

we have already used it ALOT!

tuttie tute: bike basket linner/tote bag

Bike basket liner and tote! Ok I know I went on and on about my old Schwinn bike and the cover was cute and easy but a cute seat cover can only do so much for a sad little bike.  It looked good but rode bad :( I need to be able to go for long rides with my kids and pull a few kids behind me from time to time.   I needed a new bike.  So With my new bike I needed a cute basket liner.  After some etsy surfing on what people are making I got a general idea of what my needs were and what I wanted to create.  My basket is the quick release by wald.  The quick release mechanism prevents the liner from going around the top in a continuous piece so I had to adapt the top, more about that later.  Here is the list of likes and wants for my bag.

zipper pocket

key fob

water bottle holder

ability to take out and carry

pocket for phone and glasses

AND to be CUTE!

Ok so I started,  here is what I did.  Spread out all my fabric scraps to decide my fabric combination, I wanted the bag to compliment my bike colors and I found I had enough of these wonderful Amy Butler prints. Gathered some other supplies like yellow webbing for the straps, a zipper for pocket and a clasp from an old duffel bag.  So I got to work.  First by measuring the basket and drawing a rough picture with dimensions to go from.  If you have not discovered pattern paper, you need to if you like to make your own patterns...its a must.  The pattern paper has marks in inch squares so it helps you keep things straight and it has a wax paper backing that you can iron onto your fabric to help cut it out. 

So I created my pattern.

The top was 2" larger than the bottom so I created by patterns

Here is a picture of the pattern paper ironed onto the fabric.  This is also helpful if you want to line up your patterns and center the fabric.  This takes time and uses more fabric sometimes but it makes the difference between homemade and boutique, if you ask me.

Here are my lining pieces ready to add inside details of your choice.

I made a simple pocket on the top peice, placed elastic on the left for a drink, key fob on the right and a zipper pocket.  I have been wanting to learn how to insert a zipper pocket so this was the perfect project to test it out.  Found this tutorial and its perfect. I made my pocket 8x8.

My pocket is not perfect and a little puckery on the corner but a good first try and good enough for the lining of this project.

I assembled the lining sewing the side seams first, being careful to sew only  a 1/2 from the bottom in each side seam.  Cut my bottom piece and then attached the bottom.  There are many tutorials out there about basic tote bag construction if this is your first time.  I will skip alot of the basic construction steps and only tell about the different things I did to customize the bag for a basket.

I then added the straps.

This picture is an example of where I put a dot on the bottom for where to stop sewing to get your bottom to come out square.

Now repeat for the outer minus the pockets and extras.

I like to press my seams out and them top stitch on both sides of the seam, this adds strength and structure to the bag as wall as a nice decorative touch.

I made my casing in two pieces to the handle is able to go up and sown and not interfere with the bag.

Sew the casing to the outer and turn the outer bag inside out and insert in the lining, right sides together.  Stitch around the top, I prefer to rip open a piece of my lining rather than have the top opening left.  So then rip a lining side seam and turn bag right side out. 

I inserted a piece of template plastic for my bottom to have a bit of sturdiness in the side seam opening and then stitched shut.  Iron seams and top stitch again under the casing.

Thread you tie through the casing

cant wait to test it out!



mothers day gifts

So as you may know by now I make alot of gifts! I also make alot of bags and little things with zippers.  Zippers are nothing to be afraid of, and they are fun to buy, I know this may seem strange but if you browse the cute etsy shops that sell only zippers and you see all the beautiful colors they come in you start to want to make things using zippers, so I like to buy a rainbow pack of zippers and keep them in my stash.  Colored zips are so much more fun than just plain white ones, also, they are much cheaper to order on etsy than to buy one at a time in the store. One more reason to love etsy, like we need one! Here is the shop I got my zippers from, check it out I know you will be inspired.
Ok back to the mothers day clutches,  if you are a follower of sew mama sew you may recognize this post from a while back, they have the best gift list projects ever! This is the glift list and here is the bag tute I made.

I followed the pattern as written, turned out perfect.  I assembly lined 4 bags this made for quick work, as she says it takes longer to pick out the fabric than to actually make the bag, well that was the same for me, and if you make a few at a time you really make the most of your time.

for this bag I used Amy Butler dec fabric Trumpet Flowers in Pink so I did not use interfacing, the other three i used quilters cotton and interfaced. This one is for my sisters birthday this week.

I decided for the zipper pulls to make little beaded dangles instead of the usual ribbon, makes it a bit more girly and unique.

for my Mom, lover of all things red

Amy Butler Love collection: Paradise Garden in wine and the band in Sunspots Tangerine

for my Mom in law, lover of bright colors and calico:

iIcant remember this fabric name, just pulled out of my stash, but the band is Amy Butler sSnspots in Mint

and since I don't sew for myself very much I needed one too!

you may recognize this fabric from my previous post on wet bags, Sandi Henderson's Meadow Sweet, and since I have lately been obsessed with teal, green, tangerine and coral I this fabric was calling my name!