When I sewed the Bone Enigma I followed the directions exactly with regard to rivets. The directions say to add rivets before assembly. The rivets can go anywhere, but I wanted to put them on the ends of the handle, just to reinforce it. It is at the stage of assembly shown in the photo where the directions say to add rivets.
Peony Enigma with rivets – full
This is great except for Enigma bags already completed. I decided I wanted rivets on my Enigma bag. The bag is already complete, so I consulted with Mary and we decided it could be done. We had to squish the top a little, but the overall procedure worked and my bag now has rivets on the handle.
Peony Enigma with rivets – detail
I wanted silver, but Mary thought a gunmetal finish would look better. I am pleased not to worry about ripping out the handle.
I finished the Tadpole I made for Gerre’s International Women’s Day celebration. This is another Sew Sweetness pattern I bought and hadn’t yet made. I made this one at the same time I made Carrie’s.
Gerres’ Scissor Sheath
The fabric I used was the same used for another of Gerre’s bags, the Enigma Pouch. I am not a huge fan of this fabric as it looks a little too creepy for me. However, first, I am almost out, and second Gerre said she really likes it. I decided to use it up and then I can get back to the Alexander Henry Dia de los Muertos fabric I also use for her gifts. Yes, I have used a few different fabrics for her gifts. She was the first one, I think, for whom I started making sets of bags. It took me awhile to settle into the process.
This fabric does provide some good fussy cutting opportunities. Since I don’t have much of it left, I am using all the bits.
Gerre’s Tadpole other front
This pouch is more 2 sided than Carries, because of the fussy cutting opportunities. It is interesting how different the two sides are. However, all the figures are skeleton mermaids or mermen. I mostly cut off the tail of them. I suppose I could have turned the fabric 90 degrees and included the tail. Considering the design of the pouch, that might be a better way to orient the fabric. I guess I’ll have to make another one to see. 😉
Gerre’s Tadpole interior
As mentioned, I followed the pattern exactly, which I might not do if I make this again.
I also put an interior zipper pocket on one side of the pouch. I think this pocket could be used for extra rotary cutter blades. They might not be obvious, but a reminder could be using this same side for a rotary cutter.
Gerre’s Tadpole – interior
I am paying closer attention to making sure the linings are not saggy baggy. I am pleased with the way the pockets came out.
Two Tadpoles – front
Two Tadpoles – other front
Both Tadpoles look good, I think. I need some practice to make them better, but this is a useful pouch.
The Tadpole is a pouch that I bought as part of a 4-pack with the Cosquilla pattern last June. I am glad to say that this isn’t the first time I have made a bag from this 4-pack.
Carrie’s Tadpole front
The Tadpole (weird name, I know) is a useful pouch with two pockets that can secure scissors, rotary cutters and other similar types of tools.
Tadpole with interior zipper
One pocket is on the top and the other is on the bottom so you have to kind of flip it around to get at both zippers.
One of the pockets includes a small internal zipper pocket. This pocket could be added to both of the larger zipper pockets. I am not sure what I would put in that interior zipper pocket, but I do think that, generally, the more pockets the better. In this case, that might not be true if I were to put something in there and then lose it or forget about it. I look forward to seeing what Carrie says.
Tadpole open with sheath (Carrie)
The pattern includes a scissor sheath. I bought Carrie a nice pair of scissors to go with the pouch and the sheath can be customized to fit the scissors. I wanted to do that, but I didn’t want to open a new pair of scissors. I am not 100% sure the sheath is very useful with sharp scissors. It is definitely cool to have a matching scissor adornment, but I am concerned that sharp scissors will cut through quilting cotton. I might make the scissor sheath out of cork or pleather scraps in the future. It wouldn’t match, but it might be useful.
I made this first one in the fabric I use for Carrie, the Carrie Bloomston Color Theory fabric. I was able to use some smaller pieces, which was nice.
I finished the Project Bag that has been on my list for a long time. Or what feels like a long time. The last time I posted about project bags was a year ago and I was thinking about making this project bag.
I wanted to make sure that the zipper tape was covered. The ByAnnie patterns don’t always take care about that and it is a particular annoyance of mine. I know it doesn’t really matter, but I like the zipper tapes completely covered, even on the inside.
My extra large project bag-back
MaryC uses a technique where she folds a piece of zipper tab fabric in half and slips the zipper tape in then sews and folds the excess back. I tried that this time and found it worked well. My only problem was that I made the piece too small in width. I had to add an an extra piece on top to close the gap. Still I liked the technique. I just need to figure out a better size for the zipper tabs. I think I might have read the pattern wrong and reading it correctly might help. We’ll see if I make this bag again. I think I have enough project bags for the moment. I don’t want too many as it will encourage UFOs.
This is #9 on the guild UFO challenge. I’ll bring it to Sew Day to show off.
As you know I completed the Pandora Charisma. It was a learning experience mostly because, if I categorize my thoughts, it was a pattern by a new designer.
One of the things I explored was new substrates. I used the Diamond Quilted vinyl, which feels like leather, as mentioned, for the first time. I had some challenges sewing it, but not as many as I expected. I did buy and start using a Teflon** AKA Ultra Glide foot. It wasn’t as magical as I hoped, but it worked better than the tissue paper I normally use with vinyl. The tissue paper went straight into the holes made by the needle and wouldn’t come out. 🙁
There were lots of eighth inch measurements. I thought it might be because the designer is from Singapore and uses metric measurements to start, but in one place there was an eighth measurement and the metric was x.1, so I think it is just the way the pattern turned out.
Sweetbay zipper pocket in progress
I thought the pattern was well written and pretty easy to follow. One of the good things about using a pattern from a new/different designer is that I learn new ways to complete general bagmaking steps, such as sewing the hidden zipper pocket. For an internal/hidden zipper pocket, Jessie (owner of Sewfisticated) only sews along the two long edges rather than all the way around the box. This prevents puckers in the corners, which is something that has always bugged me. The picture of my Sweetbay project shows the box drawn and ready for sewing, so you can see the box. One of the reasons this works is that later in the process the maker top stitches the whole zipper pocket when finishing the zipper pocket.
I was also confused about the internal/hidden zipper pocket directions, mostly how far down from the top the zipper pocket needed to be on one of the steps. I don’t know if I missed or didn’t understand the directions, but I didn’t have quite enough seam allowance at the top. I made it work, but will do the step differently next time.
I loved that the pattern listed the exact pieces I needed for each section. I was able to cut the pieces I needed for just that section as I worked through the pattern. This helped me keep organized and not have a whole bunch of pieces sitting around for a month. I also liked not cutting everything at once, which I find to be the worst part of bagmaking. In general, it broke the pattern down into manageable bites, which helped my brain, but also my hands.
Center markings
Center points are often marked on a pattern piece when you have to assemble a gusset to a side of a bag. In the video I watched, the maker snipped the center marking then could leave the pattern piece in place (pinned or clipped), lift up one side of the pattern and mark the center line. Genius!!!
I learned about stick-on interfacing. I had never heard of this before I found this pattern as part of the Bag of the Month program in which I participated at the beginning of 2025. When I saw the pattern I knew I had to make it and went looking for the supplies, which led me to the Sewfisticated website. The supplies have been sitting in my workroom and I was pleased to have them on hand so I could use them. I didn’t have all the thicknesses, but I made it work and the stick-on interfacing is awesome. I can’t wait to use up my Decovil** and replace it with this product. It is a lot easier to use than Decovil and works with substrates that cannot be ironed. Genius!
Pandora Charisma: label sewing
I like the labels for each, which were included with the pattern, piece as well. This is a good feature and I would love to see it as a standard for all bag patterns.
Jessie also tells you where to put the label, which I really appreciate, if for no other reason than I don’t forget to add one.
There were a couple of places I found confusing, but managed. I didn’t understand the use of some language, including the divider pocket. I couldn’t understand what they were trying to achieve, but then I watched one of the videos available and it all became clearer. They were calling the pocket a divider pocket whereas I am used to calling it a divided pocket.
There were somethings I didn’t like. The pattern has a whole section on interfacing, which I found to be really confusing. This is where cutting and interfacing all the pieces upfront works better. I didn’t know whether to interface a piece or not and the pattern didn’t always say. I plan to make this again and have been making notes about where/when I want interfacing.
They pattern suggested making zipper tabs in a way I don’t like because it doesn’t come out well. I have to find my preferred method and make sure I know how to do it without thinking. There are so many methods for everything. The way that works is the best for the bag maker.
The bag requires a lot of hardware, particularly zipper pulls. It makes me think that I need to find a small bag or container to use for all the hardware I need for one bag. All of my hardware goes into the Quilts Illustrated Tool Tote I made years ago. I have it mostly sorted in that bag. I am talking about a smaller bag where I can sort just the hardware and zippers(?) I need for one project. I’ll have to think about the right bag. Maybe a smaller version Sara’s Nuthatch? It’s part of Minikins Season 4.
All in all, this pattern provided me with a huge learning experience. I enjoyed the learning and I am pleased with the way the bag came out.
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I forgot to post about the lunch bag I made for Friend Julie for Christmas. This was a project from Minikins Season 1. Season 1 includes the I Spy pouch pattern, which is one of my favorites. The Cotton Candy pouch is another of which I have made several. I knew that I had this pattern when I decided to make her a lunch bag.
I noticed that she was carrying her lunch around in a plastic bag. There is nothing wrong with plastic bags, especially with messy food. I thought it was odd. I thought I would try this pattern and hope it was a useful bag.
Morsel Handle
The first thing I did was get some ripstop nylon in order to make the inside sort of water resistant. I was inspired by Lynette using it for her Oxbow. Hers came out flat and beautiful. Mine came out bubbly and lumpy despite using Lynette’s tips. I have a feeling the ripstop I used was lesser quality than what Lynette used.
Morsel lunchbag interior
The pattern had no interior pockets. I guess a person just tosses all their lunch items in and pockets aren’t really needed.I keep thinking of regular bags and pockets are always useful.
I decided, based on my lunch bag, that I needed to include an ice pack. I added a mesh pocket for an ice pack. I thought a mesh pocket would better for something that might sweat. I included an ice pack (not shown) before I wrapped the gift.
Morsel Lunchbag top
The bag is on the small side, so no 5 person picnics.
The top has a recessed zipper, so the contents are out of the way of the handles. It might have been useful to include a shoulder strap, but I didn’t think of it.
In general, I am pretty happy with how this bag came out. Julie has brought it to a couple of Sew Days and that is really nice to see. I am definitely happy that I was able to use another Minikins pattern.
I am into sneak peeks lately! You got one the other day about this finished Pandora Charisma.
Yep!
Finished! Done! Complete!
I powered through a lot of the finishing steps, which were the hardest, on Friday so the bag could be done for the Month 1: UFO challenge reveal.
When I brought it to Sew Day, as mentioned, I wanted to add some additional rivets, but for all intents and purposes, it was done before I did that. I am pretty pleased with it, though I know there are things I could do better and want to do better.
Pandora Charisma – back, finished
I am really pleased with the back. I think it looks awesome and I can’t really believe that I made it using all the weird substrates.
The zippers look good, but I wasn’t happy with the way the teeth were so high up from the zipper tape (the teeth were not flush or flush-ish with the tape). Also, there was something strange about the zipper tape. I am going to use a different brand when I make this bag again, maybe Wawak or ByAnnie continuous zippers next time. Using the continuous zipper was good for small zipper areas like the back zipper shown on the photo, right. The teeth were too high, but I had to secure the zipper with fabric, so the stitches looked ok. In general, though the high teeth kept me from making nice straight stitches. It was good that I had enough continuous zipper yardage to have the same zipper tape on all of the many zippers required for this bag.
Pandora Charisma – large pocket, open
Pandora Charisma – large pocket, open
There are a lot of pockets and places to hold stuff in this bag. The front pocket is like a regular purse area. the main area has a mesh pocket, which will keep things safe but handy and a slip pocket. The leash is very useful for keys, but also for attaching anything you don’t want to lose. That leash could be made of ribbon, tiny webbing or leather.
Pandora Charisma – tablet pocket, open
The back pocket has a small tablet sleeve, which is padded to keep your Kindle, iPad or other type of tablet safe. The pocket opens a lot more narrowly, so you have to use that side for items that can be slipped in and out.
The most challenging part of this bag can be seen in the photo, left, and that is the binding. The final step, which, seriously, almost made me give up, is putting the bag together then binding the edges. It is really hard to shove so many layers under the needle and get it to look ok. I did one side of some of the bindings by hand, which was a big effort, but looked a lot better than my first binding by machine. My binding effort is not stellar, but I was able to finish.
I do want to make another. I plan to borrow my mom’s 1960s Emdeko machine, which is one of those all metal machines that can sew through anything. I also plan to go through the pattern while I have the bag at hand and decide which pockets I can sew in vinyl, which need more interfacing, etc, so I am more prepared next time. I also want to count up all the hardware I used so I have matching hardware when I make the next one.
I am really pleased that I finished it and plan to take some time to relax with some easy projects.
I worked really hard on Wednesday to get this project to this state. The process went a lot better than I expected. I have to finish it today to make the UFO Challenge deadline. Fingers crossed, but I am patting myself on the back for getting this far.
The photo shows two sections and two zipper gussets sewn together. There is still quite a bit of assembly required, but I was excited when I saw how the bag looked.
Pandora Charisma top into small section
It is always hard for me to imagine the size, shape and elements of a bag when I only see it on paper. Seeing it put together is awesome.
There is one small (thin) section (photo, right). This is good for a tablet plus pens and other things. The pocket on the right is a really good idea. There is an internal zipper pocket with the divided slip pocket on top.
As I saw the finished parts, I started to mark pockets that could be made from vinyl in future versions. Vinyl would make the bag thicker, but would also conserve focus fabric, if necessary.
Pandora Charisma side view
I will add another section that folds down diagonally on the left. That section is larger (fatter) than the one described above, so the user can put things that are more 3D (wallet, water bottle, etc) inside. It’s not huge, but large enough to use as a handbag.
I really had to watch the video in order to get to this point. Making sure the sections/pieces are oriented in the correct direction is super important and the pattern alone wasn’t doing the job. It really makes me appreciate the way Sara and Danny of Sew Sweetness mark their videos to coincide with the steps in the pattern.
Pandora Charisma side view – large section
The same section can be viewed from the top so you can see how big it is.
That pocket with the lamps and the poodles could definitely be vinyl. It would have to bind the top with doublefold elastic and then I could see the fabric behind it as well as what was in the pocket. Alternatively, I would use a solid or tone-on-tone for the back panel piece and a focus fabric for the pocket. There is a lot going on in that section, which could be toned down a bit. 😉
I made good progress over the weekend on my ongoing project. I finished all the ‘panels’. After all the work, they are combined into the 3 panels: front, middle and back, which are 2-sided.
Pandora Charisma: rivets
With the panels done, I can now start assembling the bag. The first thing was to make the zipper gussets. I started over the weekend, but then, almost immediately, had to rivet the D-rings. I haven’t done much with rivets in the past, but I think that this bag will get harder usage and my machine is struggling, so off I went to MaryC’s again for more rivets.
Pandora Charisma: zipper gusset
The zipper gusset is one of the largest I have made. Fortunately I had enough of zipper by the yard (from my various purchases at Sewlarium) to use for all of the small and long zippers.
Something changed. I am not sure what. Understanding? Small success? I don’t know, but something clicked into place and I am back on track to make progress on the Pandora Charisma.
First, I have been reading the pattern and watching the video to help move me along. This should be the magic combination, but the video’s sound wasn’t working so I had to read the closed captioning. First world problem, I know, but something was missing. It could be the way I learn.
Pandora Charisma back panel with connector
The other day, the video’s sound magically started working! This was so helpful.
I have been using the Diamond quilted vinyl from Sewfisticated and I am pleased with the overall look of the back panel. I was concerned with the white and the black combo when I put on the bottom D-rings, but the connector at the top made the whole thing look good.
Next, I was confused about the interfacing. Decovil was one of the options. The designer provides several different options, which is awesome, but also confusing. The presenter on the video talked a little about the stick-on Sewfisticated interfacing. I have some and decided to try it. Magical! I don’t have to iron it or sew it on, which is important for the exterior I am using, which cannot be ironed.
Also, I bought a Teflon foot for my machine, which really works well.
Finally, seeing what the presenter did with the D-rings (mine are triangles on white strips in the above photo) and using the Teflon foot made the sewing so much easier.
So, I think I am back on track. Fingers crossed! I have 8 days to go before the UFO challenge deadline. Will I make it?
The deadline is looming and I am slowly making progress. I have come to terms with not finishing this bag before the deadline. However, I think the main thing is that I started it.
Pandora Charisma front panel pocket
The other day I finished the front panel pocket. There were some confusing bits, but I found a video that showed me what I needed to know. I don’t think it is an official Sewfisticated video, but it did the job.
I do not have a UFO category on this blog. That is intentional. I really do not want to let projects languish as I tend to not like them, or remember what I was thinking, if I stop working on them. This doesn’t happen so much with quilts since I cleared off the 26 Projects list. The first post was a list of all of my UFOs at the time. The second was a post on my thoughts on UFOs. I also included some resources. Many are probably dead links, but there might be a few you can use. My category is ‘Works in Progress’.
The guild UFO challenge is making me work on bags that have been on my list for awhile, or started and never finished. This seems to happen more with bags than quilts these days.
Pandora Charisma front pocket
I had made a very small start on the Pandora Charisma before the challenge. The other day I really got started on the sewing.
OMG, the Sewfisticated Quilted Diamond Vinyl in White Quartz was awesome to cut. I was talking with my mom, step-dad and DH about the bag and trying to explain this substrate. I described it as pleather. I didn’t remember that it was vinyl. It doesn’t feel like vinyl. It doesn’t feel like the glitter vinyl I love or the star vinyl I used on the Cosquilla pouch. The quilted Diamond vinyl is very soft and buttery. It feels like a very expensive leather.
I am struggling a tiny bit because I have to get used to a new pattern designer/writer, but in general the project is moving along well. I didn’t want to stop working on it last night and am excited to have another go tomorrow. This is due on February 7, if I want to get credit in the challenge. Fingers crossed I can do it!
After making the Hemingways for my sister, I had a piece of quilted foam left over. I have been collecting strips of quilted foam and it is getting a little annoying. It seems like such a waste to throw them away, especially since I spent time to quilt them (or money to have them quilted). However, they are small and I haven’t found a good project for them.
Eventually, I decided to sew the leftover Paris fabric/foam into a pencil or glasses case. I am not sure which it is and will let Lil Sissy decide.
I finished the Cosquilla pretty quickly, considering I only started it a few days ago. In general, this pattern has only a few pieces, so is easy to cut out. The instructions are excellent and there was only one confusing part where I needed to watch the video to complete.
I was able to use one ByAnnie 30 inch double pull handbag zipper for both of the zippers needed in the project. The yellow of the zipper doesn’t go exactly with the fabric I chose, but I think it looks good. There are not as many zipper colors as fabric colors.
Beth’s Cosquilla: interior
This is the first time I have used the same fabric for both the exterior and interior. I don’t know why I never thought of it before (DUH!), but I think it worked really well. There wasn’t a lot of exterior and there were some focus type motifs that I fussy cut in order to make the parts interesting. I still wanted the whole pouch to read as yellow, so I kept that in mind.
Beth’s Cosquilla: zipper side
This pouch, as you can see, has a lot of vinyl. I recently replenished by supply of vinyl. Mostly I like the glitter vinyl, but this time I also bought some vinyl with stars printed on it. I like the glitter vinyl, because it doesn’t interfere with the pattern on the fabric. In this case, I used the star vinyl and I think it allows the fabric motifs to shine as well. The other thing I like about these two vinyl patterns is I can use every inch. I don’t have to worry about the motifs on the vinyl being in the wrong direction when the bag is finished.
Beth’s Cosquilla: side
The pattern had a really interesting piece for the bottom and the sides. It was a long oval piece that had to be quilted before cutting it out. There are fewer seams when one piece makes up the sides and bottom.
I really don’t know how Sara thinks of these bag designs, but I am constantly impressed. Having the sides wrap around the bottom/sides piece was really clever. I like the way it went together.
Sewing it together was no picnic, but it wasn’t as difficult as the Pearce Sling I made for Mom. They share that curved shape, but this pouch is much bigger and that curve was easier, though not easy to navigate.
Anyway, I got SIL#4 a couple of gifts off her list, but also made her this as a bonus. I like to receive things I want, so I always make sure I buy someone something off their list even if I make them something.
I spent the last few months planning and creating the officer gifts for the guild. I couldn’t have done it on my own. Many guild members contributed to the fund, Carrie wrapped everything and MaryC helped me sew the Multi-Pocket Organizers.
SueS’s Multi-Pocket Organizer
I am pleased with how they all came out. I think the fabrics I chose worked well together and coordinate or match with last year’s gifts.
I really like the binding and lining of SueS’ Multi-Pocket Organizer.
Melinda’s Multi-Pocket Organizer
Lee Ann’s Multi-Pocket Organizer
For Lee Ann’s I chose a similar fabric to the fabric I used last year. This one has a little more color in it – some purples, especially, which look really nice.
Melinda’s uses a couple of coordinating, but older fabrics from my fabric closet. I am told she likes purple, so this on the purple side. It’s maybe more of a red-violet, but something she will like.
