Take Along Art / Craft Bag - Part 4

Hello Bloglanders

I'm running a bit behind schedule but that's how it works down under in Sunny SA. Our ADSL doesn't live up to expectations on month-ends BUT finally, I'm here to share the last part of my Take Along Art / Craft Bag.

How to add the "Puffy Pocket":

The secret is to sew the bottom seam first, then measure and add the Velcro to the Puffy Pocket and inside of the bag and only THEN pin and stitch the side seams.

I've added Velcro to these places. You can add more / omit some:

Now finish off your bag:

In my last picture you can see the pocket that forms between the front and back panels of the bag. I added heavy cardstock to these "pockets" as well as to the bag's spine.  In here, I fit my scrapbook paper. Perfect size and due to the sturdiness, it wouldn't bend.

And finally, My finished bag.  If you missed the post on the Craft Storage Ideas blog, just click here to be redirected.  I shared my tips and tricks on decorating the bag with Fabric Inc over there.

And that concludes my DIY Take Along Art / Craft Bag.  I'll be back over the weekend to share my kiddies version.  Perfect and just in time for Xmas.

I'm off to do some more crafting. Thanks for looking at my blog and see U again SOON.

Take Along Art / Craft Bag - Part 3

Good morning Bloglanders

I hope you are having a Thunderous Thursday.  Thanks for joining me today where I'll explain how I did the "Puffy Pocket" for my Art / Craft Bag. If you missed part 1 and 2, just scroll down to catch up.

I always keep my paper, print-outs and die cuts in a plastic letter box. The one I used is A4 but if you want to use a bigger one for scrapbook paper, just adapt the size of yours. Because of the "bulk" in this pocket, I had to "puff it up" with boxed corners. Let me show you how easy it is:

First, pin the corner of your pocket over the stuff that you want to put in there.

Mark with pencil on both sides. (It should make a square when you unpin the corner)

Now stitch along the pencil line BUT leave the bottom 1cm UN STITCHED!!!  This 1cm seam allowance is where your pocket will be joined to the bag.

Trim the seams.

As easy as that!!!

Tomorrow we will finish our bag.  Thanks for joining me today! Have a GREAT day and remember to try something new - TODAY!!

Take Along Art / Craft Bag - Part 2

Hallo Bloglanders

And I'm back with the second part of my Art / Craft bag.  If you missed the first part, just scroll down or click here.  Hurry and catch up - you are going to have SO much fun sewing along.

It's a great idea to slip your paintbrushes under some elastic as it keeps them right where they should be. You can even hang your bag and they will stay put!!

And this is how I did it:

Draw a line down the middle of your "Puffy" bag.  (I'll be showing how I made it tomorrow) I used pencil as the elastic is going to cover my markings.




Pin the elastic over the items you want to keep on the outside of your "Puffy Pocket".


Remove the items.


Stitch.



DONE!!!

As easy as that.  As promised, I'll be back tomorrow with the "Puffy Pocket"  Thanks for sewing with me today.

And for my non sewing friends I brought some more Halloween inspiration.  Just click on the links beneath the pictures and you will be redirected to the post that explains how I did it.

                  LINK                                              LINK                                            LINK
        Haunted House Bag                           BOO Babes                                 Spider pillow packs
  
Thanks for looking at my blog. Have fun and remember to try something new - TODAY!!

Take Along Art / Craft Bag - Part 1

Good morning Bloglanders

To all my fellow storage enthusiast coming from the Craft Storage Ideas blog - thanks for joining me this week - we will have FUN and I'll show exactly how I made my Take Along Art / Craft Bag.

This is what the finished product looks like:

Today we are going to cut and seam the open edges. Tomorrow I'll explain how I added the elastic to fit my tools, Wednesday we will do the "puffy pocket", on Thursday Velcro, straps and finishing up. On Friday I have a special surprise for you - a mini version for the kiddo's. Perfect and just in time for Xmas. Check back as there is a TWIST on this one!!

Without further ado I'll show what the finished bag should look like. The final size of the closed bag is 30 x 33 cm and about 6cm deep to accommodate the inside pockets.

NB!!! 1 inch = 2.54 cm. Therefor, if you want to measure in inches, you have to divide my measurements by 2.54. At the end of the week, I'll share a link to a printable where you will have both units.

You will need about 70cm of leftover, sturdy fabric. Mine was a 140cm wide bull denim.
40cm elastic
32 cm Velcro (1.5 cm wide)
Sturdy cardstock. (I added this as I want to use my bag for crops. Therefor, I wanted my covers to be extra sturdy not to damage my scrapbook paper. My scrapbook paper go into the "pockets" that form between the outside front and back covers)

Lets start cutting:
70 x 35 cm (Cut 2) - Front and Back

23 x 30cm - Flat Pocket

25 x 40cm - Puffy Pocket

19 x 30cm - Back Pocket

15 x 15cm (Cut 2) - Back pocket flap, Bag flap (fold in half to be 15 x 7.5cm)

10 x 10cm - Puffy Pocket flap (fold in half to be 10 x 5cm)

40 x 5cm (Cut 2) - Handles (fold in half to be 40 x 2.5cm)

Now seam all the edges that will be left open. I used a zig zag. (length 4, width 2) - the look I wanted was "rough and arty".  If you want a neater look, just fold over and stitch.

The edges that will stay open are:

Short edges of front and back

Flat pocket short edge

Puffy Pocket long edge

Back pocket long edge

Also, fold the flaps and handles in half, iron flat and sew around the open edges:

Now we are ready to start assembling.  I'll be back tomorrow to show you how. The puffy pocket is the only tricky part BUT if you follow my instructions it's easy peasy.

For my non-sewing Bloglanders, I brought some Halloween inspiration. Just follow the links below the pictures to see the inside info.

                  LINK                                           LINK                                                 LINK

       Spider Pillow Packs                           A Jar of Worms                                   Mini Pumpkins  

Thanks for joining me today. Have a Marvellous Monday and remember to try something new - TODAY!!