Aeroplane Bag - pattern by Sew Sweetness

I was lucky enough to test another pattern for Sara. This time it was the Aeroplane bag. I was so excited. The minute I saw it - I knew I just had to make it. And it didn't disappoint. The instructions were clear. And I loved every minute of it.

I used fabrics from Lizzy House's "Constellations" collection. They are delish!

Inside - Tula Pinks "Birds and the Bees".

The bag has a zipper closure and two fabulous zip pockets inside.

Sara wrote this pattern as an alternative to Amy Butlers Weekender. And having made both - I can tell you it is much, much easier! No swear words this time!

I put my aeroplane bag next to my weekender - and they are roughly the same size. And the weekender has outside pockets and no internal ones.

Another plus is that there is no hand sewing in the lining. It's a big thumbs up for me!

I loved making this bag. From start to finish. Loved it. And I could have easily finished it in a day. (Unlike my Weekender)

If you want an overnight bag - I highly recommend this one. Sara's pattern is well written and well photographed. I am not the most experienced sewer - and I had no problems at all.

Thanks Sara - for another great pattern!!

Amy Butler Weekender Bag

It's finally finished. I can't believe I did it. I absolutely love how it's turned out.

Keeping in mind that I am a beginner sewer, these are my thoughts on the bag:

• I think it was really worth paying attention to lining up the pocket panel and the main panel so that the design on the fabric lined up. (Too bad I forgot about the sides) But that doesn't bother me TOO much.
• There is a lot of cutting.(Naive me thought that was the worst part)
• I thought the way the zipper was installed was genius. 
• I don't think the straps are wide enough to be comfortable. Especially if you had a heavy load.
• I used heavy Duty interfacing instead of the peltex. It still sits quite nicely. And it was cheaper.
• If you make this bag - it's probably worth adding a new pack of pins to the notions list. (Mine are totally destroyed)
• Keep a pack of bandaids beside you when you are sewing the bag together. I had a couple of injuries with all those pins!
• It got really frustrating sewing the bag together, I thought it was never going to end. And I was muttering swear words in my head the whole time.
• Hand sewing sucks. Alot. I would pay to have somebody do all the handsewing.

But now that I sit back and look at my completed bag - I think I could possibly entertain the thought, that I might, one day.....make another. Eeek - did I just say that? Just not anytime soon!

Busy hands

 Last night I went to my sewing class and made the sides for my Weekender bag.

And put in the zipper at the top.
Going back tomorrow so I'm going to be a bit more closer to being done. Woohoo!!

And yesterday I completed a quilt top, using this tutorial. I'm scared about quilting this one. Might start with the other 2 first. And save this one for last.
Slowly working my way through my to do list.
Now- some Weekender bag homework.
Have a Happy Friday -

TGIF

This morning I am enjoying my second favourite breakfast - tahini & tomato on sourdough toast with a coffee. Mmm.
My favourite being ham & avocado on sourdough toast - but I didn't have either in the fridge this morning.
Last night I headed off to my sewing class with all my bits packed in a crop bag

And in class I made the piping and the two pocket panels. It's going to be one big beautiful bag.

I am so excited to finish it. And I certainly can't wait to use it. I have a bit of homework to do today. Gotta make the handles ready for next week.
And I'm hoping my December Daily kit arrives today. I haven't played with paper in so long. I am really looking forward to it.

Well - I better go and plug my sewing machine back in and get started.

Have a Happy Friday. I hope you are getting time to do the things you love too -

A little Lark

Last night I went to my sewing class to start on the Amy Butler Weekender Bag. These are the fabrics I've chosen to make mine.
I've read so many horror stories  - so it's kind of intimidating. But broken down into smaller chunks should make it less stressful. And today I am still cutting pieces out.
Hoping my other fabric arrives so I can finish off either of the quilts I've started.
Will be spending my weekend packing my bags and getting everything organised. I'm getting away for a couple of days to visit my best friend that I haven't seen since 1999. So long ago!
So if I don't pop in before - have a fabulous week.
I get back next Thursday and it's straight off the plane and back to class again. See you then with some more progress,