Lined Drawstring Backpack Pattern is here!

Do you need a drawstring backpack?
My new pattern might help you to sew one or more.

This Lined Drawstring Backpack is a charming one, perfect for everyday use.
It has a stylish look and a practical structure. Its three large pockets (one exterior zippered pocket and two interior pockets) make it the perfect bag for school, sport and outings.
I've told you about it here and here.

The pattern consists of 28 pages of easy to follow instructions and 83 color photos and diagrams, plus printable templates if you want to applique a retro truck.
I'm sure you noticed in the photo above another applique - a name. 
In order to personalize your drawstring backpack with monograms, names, words etc. you will receive together with the Lined Drawstring Backpack Pattern the set of 26 printable letters I used for the name that you see in the photo. About this set of letters you may learn more visiting my shop, from where it can be purchased as a stand alone pdf file.

Purchasing the Lined Drawstring Backpack Pattern you will get

RAW Alphabet Letters Template for free.  

What you will find in Lined Drawstring Backpack Pattern?

- suggestions about what fabrics to choose
- diagrams to help you cutting the needed pieces from the exterior fabric, interfacing and lining
- guidance for cutting and sewing two variants:
      - one panel variant (if you use solids or non-directional print)
      - two panel variant (if you use directional print)
- instructions for preparing and fusing the applique pieces
- suggestions for securing the applique edges
- detailed instructions to sew a zippered pocket on the front side of the backpack
- directions for attaching Velcro tape for closing the interior pockets
- illustrated instructions for preparing and attaching the cord loops
- tips about handling the directional fabric, the fusible web, how to give to the zippered opening of the exterior pocket an original look, and  other useful information.
- truck design template

To make such a useful and modern drawstring backpack you will need:

Fabric
 - Exterior fabric
                    Variant 1 - if you use solids or non-directional print – about 20” (51 cm ) of 42"( 107 cm) wide fabric
                    Variant 2 - if you use directional print -  two pieces 15" x 20" ( 38 cm x 51cm)
  - Lining fabric - 42" (107 cm)  of 42" (107 cm)  wide fabric for lining and pockets
Lightweight interfacing
  - one piece 25" x 33" for pockets
  - if you use quilt cotton for the exterior drawstring backpack body:
                  - for variant 1- one piece 14 ½" x  41 ½" (37 cm x 105.5 cm)
                  - for variant 2 - two pieces 14 ½" x 20" (37 cm x 51 cm)     
For applique - Optional
- Assorted fabrics - a few pieces - for the truck and letters
- Fusible web - 10"(25 cm) of 18" (approx. 46 cm) wide
Zipper - 7" (18 cm)
Cording - (2) 71"(approx.180 cm) about 1/4" (0.5 - 0.6 cm) thick
Twill tape - 6" (15.0 cm) of 1 " ( approx. 2.5 cm) wide - for 2 drawstring loops
Velcro tape - 2" (5 cm) of approx. 1" (2.5 cm) wide
Sewing thread to match the fabrics
Zipper foot - I recommend it but if you don't have it, you can use your regular sewing machine foot instead.
1 Safety pin
Water soluble pen

One PanelVariant - solid fabric - with zipper sewed on top of the exterior pocket opening, with truck and letters applique

Two Panel Variant - directional print - with zipper placed behind the exterior pocket opening, no applique.

Either One Panel Variant or Two Panel Variant - stripe fabric - with zipper placed on top of the exterior pocket opening, with letters applique and hand sewn little embellishments.

Lined Drawstring Backpack Pattern is available in my shop at an introductory price until 20 February 2019 only.
Take advantage of this promotion!

BUY NOW!

Have a beautiful day, my dears!

Lined Drawstring Backpack Pattern Sneak Peek

I am so happy when I have to make bags or pouches but it takes me a long time to choose the fabrics and almost every time I think I don't have the right ones. 

When designing a bag, first of all I think to be useful: to be spacious enough, but not too large, to have as many pockets as possible, placed as handy as possible, to be worn as comfortable as possible. After all these I look for the aesthetic aspects of the shape.

Two years ago, a friend asked me to sew two drawstring backpacks for her nephew. The only expressed wishes were: to have on them his name( Toma), the dimension - 13" x 17" (33 cm x 43 cm), and one of the backpacks to be lined.

This time I don't know why, all came to my mind so clearly and quickly: the colors, the customization idea, the inside organisation, the cord casing...
Finally they came out like that :

My Pickup Truck - unlined drawstring backpack

and

My Truck - lined drawstring backpack 

Instead of just laying down the letters over the background I created the designs of two toys that are near the boys hearts from generations, carrying the name of the child. 
First of all I had in mind that their pieces to be easy to cut and assemble, but I confess that I also wanted to give a vintage touch to the backpack . The cars and letters are raw edge applique having the edges secured with zig zag stitch and blanket stitch - easy and fast to do.The big exterior pocket of the lined backpack adds loads of room for all kind of things that have to be on hand. The zipper stitched on top of the pocket opening integrates so well into the layout of the backpack and is so decorative. Not to mention that it was so easy to sew it.

The two inner pockets are so large that they are almost dividers. Velcro tape closures is added for extra security.

For the name of the boy I used the 2" reversed letters templates from my RAW Alphabet Capital Letters Template that can be found here.

For those of you who would like to sew a so useful and modern drawstring backpack for your loved ones, I wrote a pattern full of illustrated instructions and tips.
Just a sneak peek for now:

More about it in the next post.
Very soon.
Keep in touch!

Have a beautiful day, my dears!

Bulky Alphabet Printable

I like to add applique words to bags, pouches, T-shirts, pillow covers. Last year I created a set of capital letters that helped me to sew a lot of beautiful gifts for my friends.

Today I share with you a brand new set of capital letters, I named it Bulky (I think it's obvious why).

Creating it, my main aim was to make the design so that when stitching one letter in place to go all the way around without cutting the thread when moving from the exterior to the interior edge.

The first test was this simple beach bag I made for this occasion.

I chose this applique word because Summer is my favorite season when I keep thinking about the seaside and waves, and blue sky, and shells... That's why I limited the color palette to this beautiful blue.
I used the 2" reversed templates of the letters and the star symbol. 

The star symbol and - & - are the bonuses I added to this Alphabet template. They will help you to create a lot of layout variants of your words, names, phrases. 

So If you plan some projects needing applique letters, maybe the Bulky Alphabet Capital Letters Template will help you. It waits for you here.

Enjoy your work and have a beautiful day 

my dears!

Applique letters with fusible web --- "draw on the fabric" method

Letters applique is one of the easiest methods to create something from almost nothing in no time.

Placing a monogram, a meaningful word or a name on a pouch, pillow cover, or quilt is a creative and fast way to transform a common object into a special one. 

   

Usually, when using fusible web the main applique steps are these:

1. Print out the letters of the size that you like.

2. Reverse the printed sheets with letters and tape them on a window or light screen. You need to reverse the letter so it reads the correct way on the finished item.
3. Place over the printed letters the fusible web with the paper side up and draw around the needed letters.

4. Cut the letter shape out from the fusible web leaving a small margin around the edge.

5. Take the fabric you want to cut the letters from and place it with the wrong side up on the ironing board. Carefully place the fusible web letters on top of the fabric. Press according to manufacturer's instructions. 

6. Leave the fabric with the fused letters to cool for a couple of minutes.

7. Cut precisely on the pencil lines that you drew.

8. Remove the paper backing from all the letters.

9. Place the fabric letters onto the background fabric, coated side down.

10. When you're happy with the placement of the letters, iron them in place. 

11. Sew the letters in place. You could use different types of stitches for this: straight, blanket stitch, zigzag, satin stitch.

BUT

If your first 3 steps are these:

1. Print out the letters of the size that you like.

2. Tape the printed sheets in NORMAL position (not reversed) on a window or light screen.

3. Place over the printed letters the piece of FABRIC with the RIGHT SIDE UP and draw around the needed letters.

Next, you could proceed as follows:

4. Take the piece of fabric with the drawn letters (in normal position) on its right side and place it with the WRONG SIDE up on the ironing board. Cut a piece of the fusible web according to the fabric piece dimension.

Carefully place the fusible web piece on top of the fabric. Press according to manufacturer's instructions. 

5. Leave the fused fabric to cool for a couple of minutes.

6. Gently cut inside the pencil edges of the letters. This way, you will get rid of the pencil traces. 

the wrong side of the fabric letters with the paper backing of the fusible web still attached

If you still have some visible lines, do not worry. The stitch for securing the edges will cover them.

Next, you will follow the steps of the usual method:

7. Remove the paper backing from all the letters.

8. Place the fabric letters onto the background fabric, coated side down and iron them in place.

9. Sew the letters in place.

 When choosing the letters for applique I would recommend a quite simple shape as this will be easier to both cut and sew.

If you are thinking about having some fun adding words to your projects, you might consider the Printable set of letters I drew.

The pdf file contains 26 printable capital letters in normal orientation and reversed, grouped in  3 sets according to the height of the letters  (measured from top to bottom):

- 2"(5 cm), 2 ½"(6.5 cm) and 3"(7.6 cm) height.

For this pouch I printed the set of letters of 2" (5 cm) height, shrinking to 60% to get letters of about 1 ⅛ " (3 cm) height.

Enjoy your sewing hours!

Have a beautiful day, my dears!

Spell your name - Drawstring bags with appliqued letters for kids

It's full Summer but around me, people who have kids have started preparing them to go back to kindergarten. Slowly but surely.

One of my friends asked me to make her two drawstring bags for her nephew who will go for the first time to the kindergarten. The only expressed wishes were to write his name: Toma, and the bag's dimension: 13" x 17" (33 cm x 43 cm).

Because the name was short, it gave me the opportunity to create a little visual story with more chances to be loved by the little boy. Instead of just laying down the letters over the bag background I created the designs of two toys (that are near the boys hearts from generations): a van and a truck and made them carrying the name.
I have made a few layouts offering to my friend different color combinations to choose from.
These are her choices.

 My Pickup Truck - unlined drawstring bag

  

My Truck - lined drawstring bag 

with two big interior pockets

and one exterior zippered pocket

I like so much this striped zipper that I stitched it on top of the pocket opening. It integrates so well into the design of the bag!

The cars and letters are raw edge applique. For securing the edges I used zig zag stitch and blanket stitch.

I thought the shapes of the two cars so that their pieces to be easy to cut and assemble.

And the same way I thought the design of the letters.
I tried to give it a simple and playful layout because I needed an alphabet set I can use in as many projects as possible, not only in this particular one.

I think that the pillows, quilts, home decorations, pouches, bags, T-shirts, gift wraps, even wall art, including names, monograms, words and popular phrases, have a special, personal, modern look that stands out in the most pleasant way.

If you plan some projects needing some capital letters, maybe the template I used for this drawstring bags will help you too.

The Alphabet Capital Letters Template is here.
For these drawstring bags, I used the 2" reversed templates of the letters.

Enjoy your work!

Have a beautiful day, my dears!

I'm linking to Finish it up Friday!
                       Finished or Not Friday

I Love My Doll applique pillow cover quilt pattern is ready!

I just launched the pattern of a cute little quilt:

I love my doll!

Its dimensions -  16" x 16 " -  are ideal for a pillow case or a wall hanging for a lovely little girl.  

The pattern includes instructions for a pillow case.

The main technique is the raw edge applique - simple and fast. One border added to the doll block and the quilt top is ready. Oh, I forgot to tell you that the doll name is Emma.

I told you something about her and her sister a while ago when I introduced them to you.

The pattern provides:

- instructions for preparing the applique pieces
- instructions for piecing the quilt top
- instructions for preparing one color and two color prairie points
- suggestions for securing the applique edges and quilting
- instructions for finishing the quilt 
- instructions for assembling the pillow cover
- layout suggestions
- ready to print templates

There are 40 illustrations and diagrams gathered in 16 pages.
The measurements are in inches.

You need:
Fabrics 
- one fat quarter or 18" x 18" piece of fabric for border; 
- one fat quarter or 18" x 18" piece of fabric for backing
- one fat quarter or 16" x 22" piece of fabric for the pillow back
- a few pieces of fabric for the appliqued doll 
- 2 ½ " x 80" for binding
Batting 
- 18 " x 18" 
Fusible web - about 8 " x 18" or temporary adhesive spray or fabric glue that maintains its qualities after pressing.
Water soluble pen, red and black permanent markers
Scissors, coordinated thread
Open – toe foot for securing the applique edges

In addition to this pattern, I'm working on the templates of a few friends of Emma. Girls and boys. You will have the possibility to add one by one a collection of applique dolls for your kid's room or to choose the ones they like most.

Emma's friends will be available as templates only. You will use the instructions of Emma pattern, launched today, I love my doll!

Emma's friends individual templates will be listed in my Etsy pattern shop, as I will finish them.

I love my doll pattern is here.

I hope you will enjoy it!

Have a beautiful day, my dears!

Linking to Finish it up Friday!

Summer Backpack, Summer Bag

In this part of the world, we have a hot Summer.

I managed to reorganize my summer clothes and shoes, but I realized once again that I don't have a summer backpack assorted with such a lightweight outfit yet. 

From some time, my spine likes backpacks more than bags.

As I had in my stash a few yards of fabric I bought a long time ago having in mind backpacks, bags and pouches, three days ago I started to make it.

I didn't have a pattern, I just knew how I want it to look.

It took me two days to finish it but only because I had no idea how to do it. Everything was set up on the go.

That's why the two exterior pockets I placed on each side came out too small. But they are still large enough for the cell phone and keys.

The interior is roomy and handy as it has two large pockets. Of course, I looove pockets! 

I think you never have enough pockets!

The next one will be perfect, I'm sure.

But for now, I have to make a bag for one of my friends. 

I will use my Bluebell bag pattern because my friend told me that it has one key feature she loves most: the exterior zippered pocket placed on one side. 

At the first glance, this pocket looks like a usual one. In fact, it is a tricky pocket.

Thru the little opening, you access actually the both interior sides of the bag. No, you don't get in the bag. It is a huge pocket embracing the whole bag.

This means enough room both to keep the things you need to have on hand and to create a secret place hiding your precious things. Reading these, it seems to be contradictory. In fact, I thought this space to have just this functionality. It really works. 

So, I'm going back to work.

  

Have a beautiful day, my dears!

I am linking to Finish it up Friday!

Retro Car applique in a few steps

I dream about a quilt with retro cars for a while. Maybe a bed quilt, maybe a wall quilt. I have not yet decided which one to make.

I love also appliqué.
I started a few projects having raw edge appliqué as main quilting technique in order to practice the ways of securing the edges of the appliqued pieces.
Today I share one of them combined with a little thread painting.

I drew an old BMW because is my favorite car brand.
In order to give it some texture and 3D look, I outlined the possible shining and shadowed areas of the car in a few little areas of color shades.
I made a template and printed it.

I transferred the design onto the background fabric.
I traced the design of the pieces onto the paper side of the fusible web and fused them on the wrong side of the fabric pieces.

After cutting them out and peeling-off the fusible web, I put each piece in place.

I checked that all the pieces are in place and I carefully pressed them.

Normally, next I would have added the batting and backing to make the quilt but this time I wanted to see how it will look using tear-away stabilizer.

I sat at the sewing machine assuming the needle was a pencil in my hand. I intended to cover two tasks: outlining the car shape and fading the edges of the fabric pieces to make them shade imperceptibly into each other acting like illuminated and shaded areas.

The result was this. For a first time, I think it looks pretty good.

Next time I will add batting to make a quilt. I will think also if there are some areas or edges to secure before quilting.
We will see.


If you are in a mood for a quick and nice applique project, maybe you would like to try this one.

Until next time,
Have a beautiful day, my dears!

Linking to Finish it up Friday!