Pencil Bag
February 11th, 2009 | View Comments
Fabric: Two fat quarters
Pattern: Pencil Bag
When we last left off with the Pencil Bag, I was having issues installing the zipper.
Is it also called frogging if you’re ripping with a seam ripper? Anyways, after lots of that, and re-sewing, I wound up with this:
Acceptably-straight topstitching. Woohoo! I trimmed off the excess at the top and bottom of the zipper, overlocked the edges, and then turned my attention to the binding.
I had started with two fat quarters and so had plenty of fabric left over. I decided to make a single-fold binding out of the lining fabric. After several stages of FAIL:
I had two strips of binding that were the right length. Although the pattern suggests 13″ of binding, I needed nearly 14″ to have enough to fold over the edges.
I tried for a long time to topstitch the binding on, but the corners were too thick to feed easily through my machine. So I used a hand finish instead.
There’s a little puckering, but it’ll do. The other end looks a bit better. Also, note the perils of sewing with flimsy fabric.
I’m supposed to show you the inside too, so:
Ta-da! From this angle it looks like a tissue-paper holder. With a zipper. For a very strange size of tissue paper.
This will probably be my last sewing post for the month. Next week I’ll be heading out to visit my dad, whose health has taken a downturn. For a while we thought he might actually beat this thing against all odds—Tarceva is a wonderful drug—but now things are a bit uncertain.
And after that, my husband and I are moving apartments. I should have a much better workspace in our new place, but I’ll have to pack up the sewing stuff before I go so he can more efficiently clean and pack while I’m away.
Other entries about the Pencil Bag:
CogKnition posted this on February 11th, 2009 @ 1:26pm in Bags, Sewing | Permalink to "Pencil Bag"
cogknition
I’m so sorry to learn this. I wish, I really wish there was somethign I could do. I will keep your father in my prayers.
Hugs,
Carmen
Thank you for the hugs and prayers! Honestly, it’s enough to know that people are thinking of us. We’re just taking things one day at a time.
Yvonne -
I’m so sorry to hear about your Dad. My mom is (knock on wood) almost 9 years out from breast cancer treatment, but I still have a twinge when she calls me, wondering if it’s going to be bad news. I am thinking of you and your family, and sending all the healthy vibes I can to your Dad.
Rachel
That looks awesome! I love the flower fabric you used, and the matching binding!
Your work is so lovely – very inspiring. Thank you.