Bionic Gear Bag!!

BIONIC!!  I love the name of this little sewing grab-bag!  It delivers too.......... it can hold everything but the kitchen sink and I don't take that with me when I head out to sewing class so that's ok!  I mean, check out this picture from the website - it holds TONNES!!!





For ages, I've been dying to make the Sew Together bag by Sewdemented on Craftsy and when I started to go online and look for it, I happened upon this bag pattern.  Oh me, Oh MY, I had to have it.  So, I purchased the pattern and printed it out.  All 36 PAGES of it.  I went to the printers and got it bound, knowing that I would make more than one of these if I liked it.  

Daunted? Me?  Eh.........yeah.  I mean 36 pages of double dutch and I had never, ever put a zip in anything before so of course I chose this pattern with 5 zips!!



I decided I wouldn't rush it.  I'm a bit of a divil for rushing projects, jumping ahead of the instructions and I was scared of this one before I even started.  So Day 1, I cut all my fabric, ironed on the interfacing and laid out my zips and stopped!



Day 2, I went to my sewing class and got some help with the first zip from Roisin at The Quilt Shop.  She had assured me they were "easy peasy" but I didn't believe her.  In fairness, she spoke the truth, they were easy but despite the instructions, I don't think I would have gotten it right without a bit of help.  

Day 3, I finished putting the next 3 zips in and sewing down the pockets, then I got really brave and I put it together with the sides and onto the back.



That left just the binding and the final zip!  The pattern says it can be put together in 3/4 hours.  I'd say in total, I probably took 7 or 8 but I was happy enough to go slow and steady since it was a completely new project for me but MAN, I love it and I'm sure the next one will go faster. 



My side pleats were the only thing that I was a little unhappy about. They could be a tad neater but my next one will be better!



So now I have to make one for my son.  He "needs" a lego grab bag, reckons the small pocket at the front would be ideal for his lego men (I'm inclined to agree) and the tray would be handy on road trips.  He's got foresight, I'll give him that.  And if you didn't see my pic on facebook or instagram during the week, he did make me this lego sewing machine so he kind of deserves one.........



Oh what's that?  You want to know where to get the pattern?  Try clicking HERE!  If you make one, I'd love to see it - so link back here if you can!

AND..........if you have any suggestions as to what kind of fabric to use for a Lego bag, I'd really appreciate it!

Friends, Fun & FABRIC!

Wahooooooooo, my buddy made it over from America and was in our area for one night only (yes, I sang the song in my head far too much.......... "for one night only, one night only....." Drove myself mad) and we had fun, fun, fun......... how much chat, food/drink and shopping can you fit in less than 24 hours......well, ALOT!!!!

So, her lovely visit is over already but she left her mark by bringing over my shopping from America.  Since October/November she'd been sending me links to websites that I should check for fabric, notions, and more....... being the dutiful friend, of course I checked them out and then I was compelled to buy a little here and there!  Well, let's just say I've fairly added to my stash overnight and I love it!  So here's a sneaky peek at some of what she brought...........

The top three photos are from Craftsy.com, who have an advert on my page right now! (coincidence? hmmm :) ) and the bottom pictures are some of the scrap packs from Hawthorne Threads.  I love these, they sent completely different ones to the ones I got last year and the "scraps" are a very generous size!

 
You might not see me now for a little while, not because I'm going to be in a big feverish sewing frenzy or anything.  More than likely, I'll be sitting with my fabric, stroking it and colour co-ordinating my little piles and imagining what I can make......... aaaaaaaaah bliss!