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Tuesday, 10 July 2012

Birdie bag tutorial

Rabbit wallpaper bag

Last year, when I created this bag, I mentioned writing the free tutorial. So finally, here it is.
You can see all pictures in bigger format here in my flickr album.


PDF pattern





The finished size of the bag will be approx. 16x12". If using regular quilting cotton, than you need to use the interfacing, and if using linen cotton canvas and cotton twill, you don't need any other additional interfacing fabric.

Needed supplies:
1. fabrics - 1  1/2 yard for the 44" wide fabrics or 1 yard for the 54" wide fabrics
2. interfacing - 1/2 yard
to obtain the more durable bag.....you can even use the piece(cut in the long stripe) of some light interlining for the handles to obtain the straps that would be padded and therefore would provide more comfortable and durable wear
3. sewing machine, thread, scissors, pins
4. two buttons for closure 
5. 2 metal rings and 2 Swivel clasp snap clips

bag tutorial1

 Print the BAG TEMPLATES

Template pieces includes:

1. bag body and lining
2. flap

Additionally you need to cut:

1. handles ( 2 pieces) : 27 x 8"
- additionally if you want another long handle, cut 54 x 8"
2. pocket: 30 x 10"
3. loops x metal parts- one small strap- 2 x 10"


 Instructions:

1. cut all pieces including the interfacing for the 2 main body pieces

bag tutorial pieces

2. on the dashed lines within the bag's body stitch the ribbon or other embellishment: there are many options to mix, match and combine, so be creative here:)
bag tutorial deciding the ribbons bag tutorial versions bag tutorial ribbons

3-4. stitch the pocket: you can use the whole pocket piece number as one big pocket or you can cut it and make 2 smaller pockets to be sewn into the lining, after the embellishing line

bag tutorial making the pocket2 bag tutorial pocket

5. use the small triangular parts on the bag’s body and lining(on the bottom line) to create darts

bag tutorial fll bag tutorial f

You can do the darts 2 ways: visible (like I did on this bag)-that little triangular folded shape is visible outside or in classical - "invisible" way (triangles are made on the inside) -like shown on the following picture.
There is even another version of making darts on each corner separately before sewing one side of the bag to the another. That's the method I prefer, but is a bit more complicated for the beginners-as they have to match nicely.
Here is one example how;)

rabbit wallpaper original fabric

6. don’t forget to snip the corners and clip the curves



7. make the handles- the fabric pieces number 5 : there are a few ways to create the handles, (where the inserts will be smaller or bigger-also depending on size of the material available), but the easiest way is to fold them in half lengthwise and iron it, then open and press both sides toward the center crease, press center crease close again and stitch

 bag tutorial thinner version of handles bag tutorial fold the handle

If using the larger bag version, you will need to create also one large handle that will be attached and taken away easily with some rings and snaps

bag tutorial prep metal parts

You'll need to make some small fabric straps and to pull through the snap clip on one end and the ring at the other. The second ring and clip will have to be inserted in the both sides of bag's body in the steps 10-11

bag tutorial metal parts beg bag tutorial flap metal
 bag tutorial flap ins bag tutorial handle bag tutorial long handle

bag tutorial parts

8. using the pieces for flap (cut it on the central dashed line) create the flap by sewing the both pieces on the top of each other, right sides together, leaving the dashed line open as gap to turn. Make the button hole and sew the finished gap on the center of the outer side of the body bag on the center of the outer side of the body bag, placing the front and back pieces on the top of each other, right sides together

 bag tutorial buttton holejpg bag tutorial button hole

9. sew the buttons (being help with the other body part with the sewn flap, making sure it would be closed correctly) and sew the handles on both outer body parts

bag tutorial buttons bag tutorial main sides

10-11. sew all around body to body parts and lining to lining parts right sides together,leaving the bottom gap open on the inner lining part of the bag that will allow turning bag inside out

bag tutorial metal side bag tutorial metal side 2 bag tutorial 2 parts inn bag tutorial inside d bag tutorial inner side

12. place lining part inside of the body part of the bag(right sides together) and stitch all around the top

 bag tutorial 2 parts bag tutorial i3

bag tutorial double bag tutorial doubl

13. turn the bag inside out through the lining's gap and hand stitch the opening gap closed and press the seam around the top line of the bag and do the top stitching(for security reasons)

bag tutorial out

bag tutorial fin

bag detail 
 
Rabbit wallpaper bag

Rabbit wallpaper bag inside



Rabbit wallpaper bag

Enjoy, Katarina

Thursday, 28 June 2012

Let the summer fun begin!

summer 2012 pool

We are so ready to start completely enjoying the summer Vacation...we prepared the pool last weekend and kids had blast even with just 10 cm of the water within, so can imagine now that they will be able to actually swim in there:)

 summer 2012 kids pool


What I love about the summer is having all the kids and family around, great quick and healthy food with lots of veggies and fruits. It's totally different when you can pick the fruit from the tree or plant and just eat it, yummy!!! And apricots, my favourite fruit are so delicious. Even the wild strawberries, can not ask for anything better;)

summer food

summer 2012 wild strawberries

 summer strawberries

summer 2012 red currant

And remember, the bugs tee shirt? I got the fabric (sadly the knit fabric is temporarily out of stock), sew all 4 shirts in less than an hour and voila, here is the result- 4 happy loving bugs shirts & kids:)






















I am also loving so much the new Spoonflower weekly contest.
It's for the collage cupcakes!!
Collage technique has always been the favourite sketching technique for all my prints, especially for my linocuts. So, here is my entry for this challenge.


collage cupcakes
I hope you are enjoying your summer too:)

Sunday, 17 June 2012

Behind the scenes


For a few months already, I had such a pleasure to work on some props for the film Therese Raquin being filmed mainly here in Serbia. Thanks to my sister that was the assistant set decorator on the film, I was taken to do some drawings and calligraphy for some scenes.
I can't post any of the great pictures I have, except a few of some "non relevant" details, as the film will be out only in 2013, but must say that I am thrilled by everything I saw and by so many details and people engaged in film, making it being real, unique and perfect. They are shooting the last scenes today, so it's time to get back to reality:)

Can't wait to watch the film next year;) 
xx, Katarina