JemJam

Style Stitches Monthly Bag Challenge 2011-January's Bag

Happy new year!

It's January, let's get this challenge started!

We will be making the COSMO BAG from Chapter 1.  There is just one size for the bag, but you need to decide if you want short or long handles.  Consider how you will use the bag and make a decision!

 

 

Fabrics for COSMO BAG---

We need to have 3 prints for this project, light to mid-weight cottons are suitable.

Exterior print:  1 3/8 yard

Coordinating print/solid: 1 1/4 yard

Lining: 1 3/8 yard 

 

Here are the fabrics that I am using...

The dot fabric will be used for the coordinating print, it will look great with both of my prints.  Be sure to love your selections!

 

ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES:

We will need 6 1/4 yards of 20" wide FUSIBLE woven interfacing.  The testers in the book used Shape Flex by Pellon, just make sure that it is fusible and intended for light to mid-weight fabrics.

1/4 yard of 44" wide fusible fleece (it is next to the interfacing in stores).

One 1.5" button to cover (make sure to buy a package with the kit, about $2-$3 total, I highly discourage buying the "no kit required" set).  JCaroline has them here.

 

You can purchase interfacing, fusible fleece, and buttons at your local shop that sells fabric.  I recommend buying the interfacing at a shop that has a coupon, as we need many yards.  Joann, Hancock Fabrics, Hobby Lobby, etc. 

 

Are you new to using interfacing?  Kathy Mack at Pink Chalk has a helpful guide to fusible interfacing that you may enjoy.

 

Style Stitchers, this is what we need to do for January:

• Select/order fabric and notions
• Show us the fabric that you are using on the Flickr group page, if you desire
• Cut out pattern pieces for COSMO BAG
• Make bag following instructions from book
• Ask questions if you have any (you may use the discussion board on our Flickr group)
• Take pictures of your COSMO BAG and upload them to the FLICKR GROUP.  Alternatively, you may e-mail them to me and I will upload them to Flickr.  
• Meet back here on 1 FEB 2011 for details for the next bag and to see a few of the photo-submitted bags and find out who won gift certificates to this month's sponsors, Above All Fabric ($25) and Fat Quarter Shop ($50).

IF YOU WANT A CHANCE TO WIN A GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM OUR SPONSORS, PLEASE READ!

--COSMO BAG pictures must be submitted by 31 JANUARY 2011 to be eligible for the gift certificate drawings.  The winners will be randomly selected.  

--There will be 2 winners this month, once the winners are announced, the first person to respond gets to select the gift certificate that they want. I will give further instructions on the 1 FEBRUARY 2011 post. 

 

Questions?  Comments?  Did I forget to mention anything?

**New to the challenge?  You can read all of the details on this post & then get sewing!**

Here's a button with the code below:

A Monthly Bag Challenge for 2011

Beginning in January, I am hosting a sewing challenge.  Each month, I am making a bag from Amy Butler's book, Style Stitches (click the link to view each bag). I would love for you to join me!

There are 12 chapters in the book, so, in January I will make the bag from chapter 1, and just go in order for each month.

Here are the details so far for the challenge:

At the beginning of each month, I will announce the bag that we are to sew along with the details for the particular project (i.e., fabric requirements, notions, and resources if necessary).  I'll show the fabric prints that I am using each month as well.  

I think that it will be inspiring for others if participants send in pictures for me to post of the prints that they are using.  

At the end of each month, I will post my completed bag.  I'll share here on my blog a few bags that are completed by the last day of the month from sewists who participate in the challenge.  For incentive, there will an end of the month gift certificate drawing for completed and picture-submitted bags! 

I have created a Flickr group that you may join to submit your photos throughout the challenge: http://www.flickr.com/groups/ss2011/.  Join the group to view projects as we progress, even if you decide not to do the challenge(s).

If you are considering the challenge and need some convincing, I have a few points:

1. The book has 12 chapters, each a different bag, some large, tiny, some huge, all functional and all beautiful.  1 chapter does have 6 bags, they are all different sizes of zipper bags.

2.  You can challenge yourself to make just 1 bag during the entire challenge and still feel complete.

3.  Amy Butler's sewing patterns cost about $12, so if you purchase the book, just by making 3 bags, you have created a significant value.

4.  You can use the bag(s) that you have completed to give as gifts for any upcoming occasion(s).

5.  Who doesn't love bags?  Go sew 1, 2 or 12.

6.  You could win a gift certificate to Above All Fabric or Fat Quarter Shop.

7.  If you blog, you have basically generated 2 blog posts (each month) just by participating in the challenge.  You are welcome.

8. Challenge yourself to use the fabric that you already have on hand for some of the bags, stash reducer!

9.  Learn some new techniques.  Zippers?  Fringe?  Pleats?  Flat piping? Yes, please!

10.  Become the envy of the company that you keep.

11.  Forgo the typical New Year's resolutions and do this challenge!  

12.  You will have a new Flickr! group to join & a new blog button to use.

 

Yes, I gave making a blog button a try!  Shouldn't you take it and post it to draw interest to the challenge? Yes, you should.

 

Please, help spread the word!

 

What?  You don't have the book already?  Pink Chalk Fabrics and Fat Quarter Shop has it for sale and I will be doing a giveaway for 1 book very soon!

 

***updated to show "17 bags," I thought that it was 16.  Don't be afraid.

 

School Days Coat Sew-a-Long, More Pictures

So, after many hours of tracing, cutting, more cutting, sewing, note taking, photographing, editing photos, & writing blog posts, the sew along for the coat is finally complete!  I am so pleased with the final product and cannot say enough how much I enjoyed making it.  

 

She has a few scarves that she will wear with it, one is this purchased blue one. 

 

Here we are together, yep, she's a toddler and it's completely okay to do this.

 

And I will do it as long as she allows me.

 

Vintage Garden Knits wrapped around our necks.  

 

Here is the coat is action. I am not certain that she will ever get to wear it again, you know, to preserve it's original condition...

 

Deep breaths.