Archive for the ‘sew it’ Category

My girls needed new school bags this year and since I’m sooo on top of things, I started thinking about them in early summer.  I fiddled with some designs on paper wanting to make a new pattern, but thanks to busy summer days that flew by faster than a roller coaster ride, that plan flew out the window.

In the end I came back to what was comfortable and easy, and made the wonderful free pattern from Larissa from Mmmm Crafts.  It’s the same pattern I used two years ago, the last time I made school bags.

Larissa’s pattern is for a messenger bag, but needed altering to make it large enough to serve as a school messenger bag. I altered the sizing last time around, but since my girls are bigger and love to carry lots in their bags, I made them even larger this time.

The changes I made to the sizing are as follows:

• For the body and lining:  17″ x 28″
• For the flap:  15″ x 15″
• Outside pocket: 12″ x 8″
• Inside pocket: 11″ x 6″
• Strap:  45″ x 5″ (I cut ours down to 37″ for my girls and still feel like it’s a bit long.  Definitely adjust to suit the child!)

After having used their bags for a couple of years, I also planned some improvements to the pattern to give it added stablility.

Last time I made the bags, I scored on Denyse Schmidt home weight fabrics for $4 a yard, bringing the total of the finished bags to just about $5.  This time around there was no such luck.

I opted for a light-weight dark denim from JoAnn’s using a 50% of one cut of fabric coupon.  This was a great inexpensive option, at less than $10 for the fabric for both bags.  Plus the denim hides the dirt nicely and wears well.

I did splurge and paid full price for the trim and fabric for inside of the bags.  It’s a Lecien Old New Fabric, a 1930’s inspired strawberry print.  I would have liked something with apples for school, but I love the strawberry print too.

The fabric inspired the simple design I created of strawberry and flowers.  I used the Slice Fabrique to cut the flowers from the Spring Has Sprung design card.

I couldn’t find a strawberry in the design cards I have, so I went looking for a template and found a perfect one online at a kid’s crafts website.

I traced the pattern to the paper side of my Making Memories Fusible Web which I really love working with, by the way.  It’s easier to trace on than Heat n’ Bond Lite, my previously favorite fusible web.

Just like last time, I made pencil dividers and little pocket dividers on the inside pocket.

Something new I added this time was 2 inch nylon strap material to the inside of the strap.  I cut a 5 inch strap from the fabric, pressed the 1/2 inch hem down both sides, and pressed the strap in half.  Then I snugged the nylon down under one of the folded hem and pinned the strap together.

Then stitched down both sides, thus securing the nylon inside the strap.  The pressure is on when you are stitching a light thread on a DARK demin.  There is no hiding your lines.  But I wanted the classic look of the light thread on denim, so I used nice yellow tan.

The strap turned out fabulous and is much more comfortable for the added stability.  It won’t be rolling up or twisting up like their last bags.

One last great improvement (that I did part way last time, and all the way this time) was to add fusible fleece to the bag.  Last time I added it to the main body only.  This time I added it to the entire bag.  Adding it is simple.  I fused the fleece to the main body of the bag and the flap.  I even added to the outside pocket, since I was using all quilting fabric.

The fusible fleece gives the bag a nice heavy, stand up feel.

The girls are so in love with their new bags.  Emma came home from the first day of school to say, “I have the cutest bag in the 4th grade, maybe in the whole school.”   She knows just how to butter me up.

I’ve been using Arm & Hammer Advance White Brilliant Sparkle Toothpaste for well over a month now and am very happy with the results.  I like the more natural flavor and the smooth clean teeth feeling it leaves after brushing.

I especially love how the baking soda in the toothpaste knocks out bad breath.  A few weeks ago we were spending a day of fun and activities with my husband’s family.  For lunch, my sister-in-law served an amazing bruschetta with goat cheese, tomatoes and lots garlic as an appetizer.  I ate second helpings… but wanted to keep everyone at arm’s length for the rest of the day thanks to garlic breath. If only I had my baking soda toothpaste with me.

It got me thinking that a little toothpaste/brush carrier would be a perfect project, not only for my purse, but to use on trips or for my kids to take on sleepovers.  I usually store my toothpaste and toothbrush in plastic bag when I go on a trip, but the bag gets so gross by the end.  This little carrier is easily kept clean and it looks so much nicer than a plastic bag.

The toothbrush carrier I made today is for my girls, to go with their Night Owl Bags.  I can hardly wait to make one for me!

This project takes no time at all to make- 30 minutes or less.

You will need:

• 1/4 yard of 44″ wide laminated fabric- I’m using a laminated polka dot from Riley Blake.  You can find laminated fabrics at most quilt shops.

• 1 yard of ribbon of your choice- 1 inch wide or less

• masking tape can be helpful (since you can’t pin laminated fabrics without putting holes in the fabric)

Here’s how to make your carrier:

Start by cutting off your selvages.  (Be sure to cut off all the unlaminated fabric on the selvage ends.)

Cut your fabric in half so you have two rectangles approximately 9″ x 21″.

Place right sides together and stitch around the rectangle using a 1/4 inch seam, leaving a 3 inch opening on one side.

Clip the corners.

Turn right side out.

Use a chopstick to push the corners to a neat point.  Go around all the seams and finger press.  If needed you can press your fabric using a pressing cloth placed on top of the laminated fabric.  Be careful, if your fabric comes in contact with the iron it’s toast.  For this project, I did not use an iron, finger pressing was enough for me.

Top stitch all the way around to finish the edges and to close the opening.

Fold one end up 5 inches.  You can use a small piece of masking tape to hold the fold in place.  Stitch down the right side on top of seam.  Be sure to backstitch at the top.

Fold ribbon in half and tape into place on the left side just below the top of the fold.  Stitch down side seam, being sure to backstitch at the top.

You have now formed a large pocket.

To divide the pocket into organized sleeves, measure approximately 2- 3/4 inches in from the right side.  Mark your line using a washable marker.  The washable marker wipes off easily, so be careful not to touch until you’ve stitched down the line.

Stitch down marked line. Backstitch at the top.  Wipe off the marker line.  This pocket is the perfect width to fit my Arm & Hammer Toothpaste.

From the stitched line, measure over approximately 1- 3/4 inches and mark another line for your toothbrush pocket. Stitch down line and backstitch at the top.

These divider pockets can be custom sized to fit your toothbrush and toothpaste tube.

You are finished.  The larger pocket is perfect for slipping some floss sticks into.

To roll it up, fold down the top.

Roll it up and tie the bow.  Trim the ribbon as necessary and it’s good to go.  No more getting caught with bad breath!

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This is a sponsored post for Church & Dwight Co., Inc, the maker of ARM & HAMMER branded products, who is paying me to try different products. Sign up for a free sample of Advance White Brilliant Sparkle Toothpaste. And then head over to The Switch & Save Challenge to keep up with all of the bloggers and enter to win $25,000.