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Favorite Fabrics - Duvina Pink Liberty of London

 

Duvina Pink by Liberty of London ~ available at Alice Caroline Supply

I stumbled across this etsy shop the other day and was pretty excited to see all the Liberty prints!  I adore Liberty of London fabric, but it is expensive and hard to find.  It is nice to see it available in affordable fat quarters and color collections of 36 charm squares.    

Cotton Batting

When I made the Camera Case Wristlet I used cotton batting for the padding and now I want to add cotton batting to everything.  I like how it is just a light padding and doesn't make things look puffy.  It also clings nicely to the fabric once you put it down, so you don't have to pin or baste it in place. 

Yesterday I tried it out on the Bubble Pouch and it worked great!  I thought it might be too thick but it worked perfectly. 

Next I'll try it in the Curvy Clutch.  Usually I use cotton canvas for the invisible lining with that pattern, so it will be fun to try it with something else and see how it turns out.

Ribbon

This morning I was making potholders and wished my ribbon stash had a few more options.  I need some basic colors of satin ribbon and then I wouldn't mind having any of these wonderful ribbons just for fun!

Red Velvet Ric Rac Ribbon ~ Available at Fabric Shoppe

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Elephant Love ~ Available at Mountain of the Dragon

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Teeny Red Houses Cotton Tape ~ Available at Lilla Lotta

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Favorite Fabrics - Babuska Wonderland

This cute and colorful matryoshka print is available at Holland Fabric House.  It is a little different than many of the other matryoshka prints I've seen lately.  I want it, but will resist...for today.

P.S. Last day to save 25% off instant download patterns at www.keykaloupatterns.com.

Where to Turn

Many of you have probably noticed that in my patterns I rarely leave the opening for turning in the lining and it is often somewhere along the top.  If I remember correctly, many other patterns have you leaving the opening in the lining. 

I thought I'd tell you why I don't leave it in the lining (unless there is no other option) and offer a quick tip for making the turning hole in the lining if that is your preference. 

Holes in the Lining - If you've ever lost something in your bag between the lining and outer fabric it is likely that the opening for turning has come undone.  It is nearly impossible to hand sew the opening closed as well as machine stitching.  A hole in the lining can be mildly annoying if it is your own bag.  If it is something you sold the customer might not be so pleased. 

Snap Positioning - If there is a flap with a snap, it is best to insert the final snap half as late as possible so you can make sure the flap doesn't end up crooked.  Leaving the opening at the top usually offers the easiest access to where the second snap half needs to be inserted. 

Efficiency - By leaving the opening hole at the top you can just do a quick slip stitch and make sure the hole is closed.  The top stitching will reinforce the area where you turned.  When I have to leave the opening for turning in the lining I noticed it takes a lot more time trying to close the hole REALLY well so it doesn't come open later.  Some people don't even slip stitch the opening closed if it is along the top.  They just make sure they catch the fabric with the top stitching to close it up.   

But if you want to leave the opening in the lining instead of at the top it can be done very easily:

• After you've sewn around the top of the bag to attach the lining and focus fabric bag shells, pull the lining and focus fabric bag shells apart as shown in the photo below. 

• Then decide where you want the opening.  Along one side towards the top is best (#1).  The bottom (#2) is ok, but that seam gets the most stress and it is best to avoid leaving the opening in the bottom if at all possible. 

• At the begining and end of where your opening will be back stitch about 0.5".  Then press the seam open and remove the stitches between the back stitching. 

Turn the piece right side out and proceed with slip stitching the hole closed and finishing up your project.

Favorite Fabrics - Sarah's Secret Garden

This pretty Liberty of London fabric is available at purlsoho.com.  At $38 per yard it will probably have to stay on my wish list indefinitely--but it is lovely!