Friday, August 27, 2021

SewTogether Bag

Well friends, I did it. With the help of Julia/Red Rainboots Handmade and the SewTogether Bag Sewalong, I made the infamous SewTogether Bag, a pattern by Michelle/SewDemented. I'd long been shy of it - all those zippers, the very unique shape, those curved handles - so much to be intimidated by. And yes, it was challenging, but oh so doable, especially with Julia holding my hand with her awesome videos of every step. I'm glad I took the plunge.

As planned, I used Lee Heinrich's Perfect Geese template to make my own bag front. And I veered off ever so slightly from my original fabric pull after I made an error in cutting. So my bag's lining became a different Carolyn Friedlander low-volume print (5th goose from the left on the front, rather than the 3rd).

All my zips were from Zipit Zippers - Mustard Yellow for the interior pockets and Slate Gray for the exterior. Zipit even has a special bundle where you can mix and match your zips for the SewTogether Bag - how handy is that? Anyway, I want to mention that the step pictured below was one I was afraid of but I shouldn't have been. It went together so nicely.


The moment my bag took on 3D status was an exciting one. Adding those side panels was a little finicky (IE. my seam ripper came out briefly), but it was fun to finally see a construction technique I'd been wondering about. Oh, and I took a moment to add in one of my leather labels!


It looks like I totally missed taking any photos of the attaching the lining to the exterior. That's probably because that was the trickiest step of all. It was just cumbersome, and I ended up switching to a bigger needle, which really  helped. I machine-stitched the end bindings on, and then finished them by hand, just because I wasn't confident I could get nice straight machine stitches with those bulky edges. 


From there, it was just that main exterior zipper and binding, which was more of a breeze than I'd expected. I did completely machine-stitch those bindings, though, because with the zipper totally open, it wasn't difficult to finish them off neatly.



Somewhere around the middle of constructing the bag, I was mulling over how much less glitzy my bag was going to be than the majority of those I've seen over the years. And it came to me that I could add one little detail that would put it over the top, for me at least.


And that was leather zipper tabs. The pattern calls for little fabric pocket-like tabs, which are perfectly fine of course. But why, when you have some short scraps of leather on hand? I cut mine 1" x 5", marked the center at 2.5" on the back with my hera marker, and double-stitched along that line at the base of the bag on each end. Then I tucked in the zipper end(s) with a bit of glue, and finger-pressed together for a few seconds before I stitched the end together. GO SLOW if you try this. It's thick, as you can imagine, but obviously worked just fine. I triple-stitched, and it feels good and secure.


Not sure why the photo below makes it look like there's a loose thread, because there isn't, but oh well. I'm super happy that I thought of trying this AND that it worked so well. I love the look!


Soooo..... SewTogether Bag success! I added a little leather cord zipper pull to the main zipper, and it's a wrap. Now to decide what to put in it!

21 comments:

  1. So nice! I have the pattern but can't decide on my fabrics. lol

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    1. Be brave! Just choose something you like. You can always make another! ;-)

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  2. The little bag looks awesome! You did a beautiful job of it. I love your outside design and I love the inside lining and the wonderfully contrasting zip pockets. Well done! I was gifted one, so I didn’t have to make one (and didn’t want to). But I love using it when I travel.

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  3. Your bag is beautiful and of course very unique with the leather tabs! I love how you get that pop of yellow when opening it up.

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  4. You’ve done an amazing job with this Debbie! I love the colours and adding a touch of leather was a great idea.

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  5. I love how yours turned out. I have made several but my first one was very intimidating. I honestly don't think it helps to read the instructions through before you start. LOL For me, it was a step by step process, reading each step over and over to make sure I understood. I have made a few in production style mode and I think it is helplful. I would never make just one, I don't think. I do love the bag though.

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  6. Looks terrific! Taking the time to add your own twist worked so well. I’m sure you’ll enjoy using your handiwork each time you open it!

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  7. Like you, I have the pattern. It might be the time to work on it. I like your add ones.

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    1. You really should just go for it! ;-) I definitely think it's work it.

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  8. The leather tabs compliment the fabrics so well; perfect substitution! I am so glad to hear it all went better than you had mentally prepared for and I honestly think the inner lining fabric seems like it was meant to be from the beginning. Do you think you'll make another or do you need to give it more time to consider?

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  9. An amazing feat of engineering and piecing!
    I salute you!

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  10. Congratulations! I knew you could do it. I love the leather tabs- that is so you! I also love the little flying geese in the main panel. Great job!

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  11. Awesome! I love your special finishing touch too. My only recommendation is that if you think you might make more of these you should do it while construction of this is still in your head. My guild held a sew day to make them so we could help others out on the difficult parts. It was really fun and I ended up making 4 or 5 while the construction was fresh.

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  12. so beautifully done! I knew you'd master it. the leather touches are my favorite part

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  13. Just finishing one right now. Doing the last steps you did not take photos off. I have been avoiding the binding. Yours looks beautiful

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    1. I was surprised the binding wasn't that bad!

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  14. Love your STB! Choosing the fabrics reminds me of ordering at a Chinese restaurant---no matter how carefully I read the menu or how much thought I put into my choice, everyone else's always looks better!

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  15. I took this class in person years ago. My first bag went together beautifully. I machine stitched everything and I don't think I got out Jack once. But for the rest, I ended up hand-stitching some parts. I think I used all my luck on the first one! Anyway, it's a fantastic bag and I still use it. Great job!

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  16. That is such a beautiful job you did - I made four of these .... it must have been 5 or 6 years ago - and the fourth one was no easier for me than the first!!! Your pic has me enthused to give it another go... thanks for sharing!

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