How to sew cases, bags, and buckets

Check out these instructions for making things that hold other things. Maybe you know somebody who needs a handmade gift?

iPad or Kindle cover tutorial at Craft Buds
Pleated tote bag PDF from The Long Thread
Geometric DIY painted totes from Collect & Carry
Round fabric storage buckets by Film in the Fridge

Find even more things to make at Sew 4 Home, like this laminated tote with a zippered pocket or a round pillow that reminds me of peppermint candy and grandmas.

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DIY iron-on typographic tote bag

I enjoy an attractive script typeface now and then, so I've made a little printable featuring Wisdom Script. You can download the "Look on the Bright Side" graphic below and iron it onto T-shirts, pillows, or totes.

To make this tote bag, download the mirror-image design here. It's flipped so that the design will read correctly on the finished fabric.

Print the backwards PDF onto iron-on transfer paper. (I used HP Iron-on Transfers for light-colored fabrics.) Trim around the graphic leaving about 3/8" border around the lettering.

Place the design face down onto fabric and iron over it slowly using the cotton setting, no steam, for a minute or two. Let the design cool, peel off the backing, and you're all done.

Designs will be machine washable after 24 hours. When laundering, turn the fabric inside out and use cold water.

I know, I know! This type absolutely ought to be orange, but from experience I've learned that my inkjet printer has a grudge against orange. Very sad. Prints turn out muddy instead of vibrant, so I settled for red. To change the color, open the PDF in Adobe Illustrator, select the shapes, and choose a new color.

If you'd like to download the normal, un-flipped design, click here.

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Free diamond tote bag sewing pattern

Check out this cool diamond tote bag tutorial with a free PDF pattern, available right here at Misusu. The pattern was created by Elles, a Dutch fashion designer and passionate DIY-er. She plans to open a shop soon full of PDF baby & toddler DIY patterns. By the looks of things, it should be lovely!

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Meet my Two Zip Hipster

My Mum sewed up another of Erin Erickson's Hipster bags, this time in the Dusk colorway of my Sticks fabric. It features orange zippers requested by moi. The strap on the bag is adjustable so you can carry it over your shoulder or across your torso.

See? All my orange stuff fits in it. Notebook, calendar (yep, I'm old school like that), and my iPad. (P.S. If you need this orange iPad wallpaper, grab it here.)

This baby is going everywhere with me. Thank you, Mum!

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Pattern review: Bucket Bag

My mom, known to you guys as frequent commenter Grandma G, just finished sewing up a Bucket Bag from Keyka Lou's PDF pattern. She used Skiff in Dawn from my Outside Oslo fabric collection and lined the bag with some Artee cotton duck in Turquoise.

The pattern has an oval bottom, so it really is sort of like a bucket—a cute one with a big pocket on the outside and a nicely proportioned strap. Mum added a magnetic snap since a closure is always nice. And I love the button with its coordinating scallops.

My niece Courtney, who creatively modeled the bag after Mum finished it, stated that the fabric looks like trimmed fingernail bits. Excellent. Exactly the look I was going for.

Mum writes:
"It was a pleasure to sew a bag from a pattern that didn't have me tearing my hair out because it was so complicated! I really enjoyed making this bag. The instructions were very detailed, yet clear and easy to follow in a numbered, step-by-step format, with photos to illustrate every step.

I would highly recommend this pattern for anyone just beginning to make bags. It'll get you started in the right direction and you'll learn a lot about the bag-making process. I'd also recommend it for more experienced bag makers, just because it's easy and fun! And no matter your skill level, you'll end up with a very cute bag. I love the shape of it as well as just the overall look.

The next time I use this pattern, I'll probably add a pocket or two inside. Also, I might skip the darts on the outside pocket, because unless something is stuffed into those dart areas, they tend to have a dented/dimpled look (kinda like a bra that's not quite filled out, y'know?). I'd trim the pattern piece so that it remains the same shape, just minus the darts."

Purchase the Bucket Bag pattern right here, and check out other Keyka Lou designs here. All patterns are available for instant download, and most are a mere $5.00 through 11/27/11!

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Six little pouches to sew

Make some cute little cases with these sewing tutorials:
Laminated bag by Linda Turner Griepentrog at Sew Timeless
Tissue cases from Very Purple Person
Snappy coin purse by Rashida Coleman-Hale at Sew Timeless
Pear coin purse from Craft Passion
Bunting cosmetic bag at Just Another Hangup
Zip it up pencil case from Craft Passion

A random comment. Why do fabric stores and sewing websites adore puns more than any other industry does? It seams sew peculiar. Though possibly eye doctors give them a run for their money.

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Make simple tote bags with The Purl Bee

Outside Oslo, the fabric line I designed for The Needle Shop, is now stocked at Purl Soho. A beautiful store in New York City, Purl Soho has an equally lovely blog that showcases projects made from the goodies they sell. Check out these Oslo tote bags that take just twenty minutes to whip up. Find a link to the instructions in The Purl Bee post right here.

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How to sew 9 different bags and purses

Thanks to the ever-generous citizens of the internet, we can learn to sew a whole crop of totes, pouches, and bags. Find free patterns and tutorials right here:
Boxy pouches made from a thrifted suit at See Kate Sew
Phoebe Bag from Artsy Crafty Babe
Nature Explorer Bag at Chez Beeper Bebe
Olivia Bag from Dixie Mango
Hip pouch by Daisie Janie
Madras summer tote from Noodlehead
Pleated tote by Artsy Crafty Babe
iPhone pouch from During Quiet Time
Denim tote at Between the Lines

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