On a Lark » fusible fleece

New Bag Design!

Emily — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 23:55:34 +0000

So, I’m not going to lie, I’m pretty excited about this new bag design. I used quite a few different bags I had seen around to create this design and I have a few changes that I’d like to make in the future, but I’m happy with the way this one came out. And it’s a good thing too because I made this bag for a very important guest coming to my brother’s wedding NEXT WEEK!

I used a magnetic closure for this bag, and sadly, no giant button. I think it’s better without it. I love this design because it’s so understated from the outside. It goes with everything, but then there’s just a peak of teal that shows through when you’re carrying it. I put in one large zippered pocket and two patch pockets on the inside. In the future, I think I’d like to put pockets on the sides on the outside. I was planning on adding them to this bag, but after I had I always seem to underestimate the amount of time I spend on new projects. Speaking of which, if any of you photographers out there have suggestions for how to photograph new bags, I would LOVE to hear them. Using my white blanket, wooden floor, and white door isn’t really cutting it.

Just outside the window while I worked on this bag, I saw three little robins hatch out of their little eggs and start cheeping. Spring is the best.

Camera Bag!

Emily — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:21:48 +0000

I’ve been a little behind on posts because I’ve been working on a new project (in between puppy training and job interviews). A high school classmate contacted me recently in need of a new camera bag. Misty is a great photographer, check out her website here and blog here. She needed four pockets inside to hold lens and two on the outside for her cell phone etc. She also needed the bag with a shoulder strap so she can comfortably carry it while shooting. She was very patient with the MANY emails back and forth to figure out exactly what she needed and it was a really nice change to try out a different project.

The biggest issue I ran into was how to make the lens pockets. They had to be large enough to hold a 3″ diameter lens that is 8-9″ long. I made several different mock-ups, I tried all different types of pleats and sizes, but I finally settled on this design:

The interior pockets are 10″ x 10″ square that I padded with two layers of Thermolam fusible fleece and put in large gussets to give it some 3-D shape. The first image is of one side of the interior, the other side is identical. Once I figured out the lens pockets, I got going on the exterior pockets. We went with magnetic closures on the top and both outside pockets so that she can easily open and close the bag. For the two exterior pockets, I added a little bit of pleats, flaps on the top, and lined it with the interior fabric to add a little color:

It’s a big bag, but I bet for a full day of wedding photography, you need all the extra space you can get! I have quite a few new projects on the works, including a Father’s Day Gift. More on that soon. Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone!

Spring Break trip = new clutch required

Emily — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:57:29 +0000

I’m heading down south for a job interview! And I’m also catching up with some college buddies that I haven’t seen for almost TWO YEARS!! If that doesn’t scream “new wallet” then I don’t know what does. I’ve been using this wallet for a while, but I finally got tired of my shady zipper installation and I decided to try a new pattern. I drafted one this morning the dividers and triangles I should have been using for chartwork practice.

I’m a big fan of a bright lining so I used the same pink fabric from this bag. And as always, Piper, the lion/golden retriever, helped out.

Piper doesn’t look too pleased with my design. Oh man, this is going to be a much needed trip. Wish me luck!

How I beat a laptop sleeve into submission

Emily — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 21:36:19 +0000

Maybe some of you remember what happened with my first laptop attempt. It wasn’t so good. But, I did managed to salvage the exterior and the zipper from the wreckage and I gave it another try this weekend.
This time around I skipped the foam and went back to fusible fleece and batting. I’ve been using batting that I bought in a larger bag for about three bucks from Reny’s so it took a few layers. I used one layer on the exterior, two layers (one of fusible fleece) on the interior.I even basted the batting on first:
I use zippers by the yard, so I sewed carefully over the beginning and end of the zipper, just to make it easier while I sew:

The ultimate zipper tutorial is from twelve22, and that’s what I used for the zipper. You sew the the exterior, zipper, and lining for one side all together and then do the same thing on the other side.
And there it is! Now is a good time to top stitch and double check how the zipper looks before you sew it all together. Mine didn’t come out perfectly, at this point I was just happy that I didn’t have to force it through my machine.
Even at the very end, I was convinced that it wasn’t going to fit. It’s just barely big enough. I think in the future I’ll put a little more wiggle room in But now I have a laptop sleeve! Woohoo! I used Sunbrella fabric for the exterior and it was surprisingly forgiving to many many times I angrily ripped out seams.
On an unrelated note, my very supportive boyfriend took me to the Joann’s fabric President’s Day Sale before we went out to dinner for Valentine’s Day. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised that the store was FILLED with women scanning the aisles and men trailing behind them dutifully holding bolts of fabric, patterns, and thread. And I got a tiny pink embroidery hoop, because I think it’s about time I learned to embroider. This blog (with a great Etsy store) inspired me. Oh boy.

Duck canvas = the answer to interfacing woes

Emily — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:21:55 +0000

So, my Mom’s birthday is coming up! For those of you who know her, she is a great lady and has some excellent fashion (some of which she may or may not have liberated from my closet). So, for her birthday present, she picked out some fabrics that she liked and I got to work.
On the other bags I have made, I was never completely happy with the interfacing on the exterior. (Interfacing is an iron-on stiffening layer). When I made the pleats, as soon as I pressed a pleat lightly, the crease was almost impossible to remove. Answer? Duck canvas! I got mine from Joann’s on sale, but it’s available all over, especially at fabric warehouse type places. So, for Mom’s bag, I drafted about a 2/3 size from the pattern I used from my charcoal and teal bag. I’m still perfecting my pattern making skills. At the moment, this mostly involves brown wrapping paper, a ruler, and scissors. There must be a better way. Here are all the pieces ready to go:

Anyhow, I used a dark red canvas for the exterior. The handle has two layers of fusible fleece and is made from home decorator weight fabric that I got at The Fabric Warehouse in Auburn, ME. If you’re in the area, they are amazing. Great prices and very helpful staff. The interior is the same design fabric but light blue. I made two pockets, one divided to hold cell phones etc., and one with a pen holder. And of course, a giant button. I wish I could find bigger buttons. Any suggestions are welcome. Because they are great.
Here’s the finished product! I’m going to make one for myself this weekend, so stay tuned.

Zippers can’t get me down

Emily — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:59:01 +0000

This is the first of two posts about making zippered clutches. For the first one, I used some thin and inexpensive fabric and only batting, no fusible fleece or interfacing. It was my first try with quilting. Thankfully no one was watching while I struggled with a ruler on the sewing machine. It’s a work in progress.

I also decided to install a zipper for the first time. I basically just sewed it in there. Very classy.

I’m using this as my wallet right now because it goes nicely with Carhartts and winter boots. But I discovered that I needed to learn how to properly install a zipper, more on that later. Also, fusible fleece and interfacing are necessities because a floppy bag leads to cell phones and credit cards falling out of your wallet. I’m talking from experience here. So this is my first effort. You don’t want to start off too good, because then the expectations are really high for number 2.

Bag Number One

Emily — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 02:06:47 +0000

Here is the first bag I ever made! I made it for my very soon to be sister-in-law for Christmas!

Here is the interior:

Using interfacing and fusible fleece for the first time definitely had a learning curve. For my own patterns, I tried to avoid using as much interfacing. I will have to make her and updated edition soon! I got all of the materials for this bag from Alewives Fabric in Nobleboro.