Berry Bag

I made a cute little berry bag for a partner in a recent craft swap on Craftster.  She had it on her Wist, and she mentioned it as a big wish in another swap, but it didn't appear that she had received one yet, probably because the pattern isn't available online.  A little research led me to the pattern in this book:

...and because I was in a hurry and didn't want to wait for it to come in the mail, I decided to download "21 Sensational Patchwork Bags" to my iPad.  I wondered how I would copy the patterns, but I threw caution to the wind and went ahead and bought the download.

Just as I suspected, buying the e-version of a pattern book wasn't that great.  I ended up enlarging the patterns (to the size I though was right) on the screen, then placing paper on my iPad and tracing them.  The bag is made of two differnt petal-shaped pieces (one for the berry and one for the leaves), and I was surprised that the "test" bag I made came together perfectly!  The only problem was, I added interfacing (I seem to be addicted to interfacing!) and the bag was too stiff to close properly, so I removed the drawstrings and now I'm using is as a threadcatcher in my sewing area.  I love my "reject" bag!

The berry bag in the book is made of patchwork, but my partner had "Wisted" some that were made in batiks, so I used these beautiful batik fabrics for hers.

Making the little balls for the ends of the cords was trickier than I expected it to be.  It took a LOT of stitching around the tops to get the shape just right.

The bag is really small, about 4" wide and tall.

I used the same fabric for the lining as for the outside, but it would be pretty with a different fabric inside.

My partner loves her berry bag!

Going back to the book for a moment--I highly recommend "21 Sensational Patchwork Bags" if you have any interest in patchwork or bags.  There is a lot of information, and a lot of interesting bags in all sizes and styles.  Just do yourself a favor and buy the PAPER version!

Scrappy Patchwork Tutorial and GIVEAWAY

Okay, time for another swap-related tutorial!  This time I will show you how to make a scrappy patchwork card case, but this patchwork technique could be applied to any sewn item.  Basically, you are just making a large piece of patchwork fabric, from which you will cut a piece to make your card case (or potholder, or pillow, or pouch...)  There is a giveaway at the end of this tutorial, so read (or at least scroll through) the whole thing!  And, if you love "scrappy" stuff and want more, more, more, join us on Craftster for the Scrap Happy Swap that my friend Susan (The Sloppy Sewer) and I will be starting within the next week or so.  You will be able to choose whatever you want to make for the swap; I'm offering this tutorial to show one way to make something "scrappy".

Card Case Wallet Tutorial

1.  Go to your scrap bag and choose some scraps.  I have a lot of blue, so that's what I'm using.  I chose similar shades of blue, with a few pops of color thrown in.  Iron your scraps. (A couple of mine were already sewn together from other projects--bonus!)

2. Start by sewing the scraps together in pairs, and iron flat. 

3. Using a rotary cutter and clear ruler, cut the sewn pairs into smaller pieces (3-6" long), but be sure not to cut at 90-degree angles!  You want as many different angles as possible to make it look random.

Here are my pieces all cut up:

4. Start sewing the cut-up pieces together in pairs.

You will need to straighten all the edges, so trim as needed.  I'm using this one as my center:

Other pieces ready to sew to my center:

You will sew scrappy units together, ironing and trimming after each one, to build up a piece of scrappy fabric large enough for the item you want to sew.  For the card case, we need a piece at least 9" x 4 3/4"

Here is my finished scrappy fabric.

5.  You will need iron-on interfacing; light-weight Pellon is what I use:

You will also need a backing fabric for the card case.  I'm using plain blue fabric, cut larger than 9" x 4 3/4".
Cut pieces of Pellon to fit both fabrics, and iron it on now.

6.  Cut your patchwork fabric to the size needed for the card case:  9" x 4 3/4"

Leave your backing fabric larger.

7.  This is my interfaced patchwork fabric face-down on the backing fabric.  Sew all around the edge of the patchwork fabric, using a 1/4" seam, and leave a 3" gap unsewn for turning.

8.  Trim the excess backing fabric and turn the case right-side out.  Press.  To make the card case, you will need to fold the short sides in 1 1/2"--I have marked mine with pins.  Fold in and iron.

...but before I sew the flaps, I think I will add an elastic loop so I can close my card case with a button. I'm using a hair elastic.  Tape it about 1/3 from the bottom, and cut it off.  I'm going to cover the raw end of the elastic with a piece of scrap fabric.

I ironed Heat n Bond Lite to the back of my scrap piece so I could iron it in place over the elastic before I sew.  If you want a scrappier look, skip the Heat n Bond.

Sewing the elastic and patch in place. 

9.  Okay, NOW I'm ready to sew the flaps.  Fold the short sides in on the crease you have already ironed.  Top stitch very close to the edge, not more than 1/8".  Go from one end to the other, then sew the other side.  Be sure to backstitch and the beginning and end of each seam.

Sew on a button and fill with cards!

 Okay, here's the giveaway I mentioned:

Because I LOVE loyal readers, I will send you an envelope of scrap fabrics to get you started on your own scrappy patchwork!  Just do two little things:
1.  Post a comment below.  It can be about anything.
2.  Send me an e-mail (click on my name near my picture...there is an e-mail link on my profile page)--I will need you to send me your mailing address and color preference for your scraps (and Craftster username, if you are active on Craftster, so I will know you when I see you!)

Thanks so much for reading this!  I hope we get lots of you in the Scrap Happy Swap on Craftster!