Sewing an Amy Butler Clutch Part 2

It's such a lovely clutch that I almost don't want to use it and get even a speck of dirt on it! The Amy Butler Clutch has been one of the easiest to sew. This article covers how to sew the exterior panels but if you'd like to see the beginning, please visit this post, or see this video.

After cutting everything, applying the interfacing, and copying markings on each piece (see part 1), it's time to get sewing. I used a plum colored thread that would blend in. If you want to add a pop of color, try a contrasting thread instead. Take one of your exterior main panels and make the lines at the top meet. Pin in place. Now sew down that small line. As you can see in the image below, this forms pleats. The image is of the wrong side of the panel.

Iron the pleats so that they lay flat and baste a seam to keep them in place.

You can see in the image below what the wrong side looks like now. Do this for both of the main clutch panels.

The next stem is to take the trim and fold them in half the long way. Iron them to create the nice fold.

You will then pin them to the main panel (on the end with the pleats) and stitch it in place. Before sewing, I realized I had cut the trim from the wrong fabric. luckily, I had enough fabric leftover to cut out the correct one and then simply folded the trim in half, ironed, pinned it, and finally, sewed it in place. Learn from me and don't get distracted when cutting fabric. Measure twice, cut once!

I then attached the yoke, pinning it in place on top of the trim and main panel. Right sides together, I sewed it all together.

Below, you can see the trim in the correct fabric, sandwiched by the yoke and main panel.

Below, you can see what the clutch panel finally looks like. Do this for your other exterior panel as well.

Now you'll be pinning both exterior panels together, right sides facing each other. Match the dots you transferred over. Sew the panels together from the marking on the yoke, to that dot on both ends.

Take the bottom panel and pin it (right sides together) to one of the side exterior panels. Match the dots. Then you'll sew along that edge. This took me a while because I have a hard time sewing around a curve.

Do this for the other side as well.

This is what it will look like. If you turn it right side out, you might do a little dance of excitement like me. It's starting to come together!

The only thing left to do is to clip around the curve. Make sure you DO NOT CUT INTO THE SEAM! It will just make a hole in your lovely clutch!

Want to see the video? Here's the part 2. Did you miss part 1? Check it out at our youtube channel!

How to Sew An Amy Butler Clutch ( Part 1)

I recently got the chance to sew the Amy Butler Charm Clutch and I'm very glad I did! Have you ever looked and looked for the perfect purse but can never seem to find it in the perfect style of color? Sewing your own, from a pattern or your own idea, is a great solution and not hard at all. With patterns, you can simply choose a style that you like and then order the fabric you want. It will match any dress, mood, or pair of shoes you own!

The Amy Butler Charm Clutch Pattern comes with a couple options. These range from handles to using a magnetic closure versus a zipper. I chose the latter to make sure items stay inside. The design also gives the option of adding an interior pocket panel and a cell phone pocket.

I received the fabric and pattern is this lovely package via the mail. The fabric was wrapped like a present in happy yellow tissue paper rather than simply being tossed into a box.

For the fabric, I chose these lovely florals that had a plum/burgundy type of base. The first one (left most on the image below) is called Honoka Kiku Claret which had Japanese Style Flowers on a Claret Background. The center of the flowers are a mustard while the details are in the plum color. The second fabric is called Honoku Japanese Blossom created by Anna Griffin. The center is almost a coral color with the lovely plum background. Both fabrics are perfect for fall!

Some think that using a pattern can get complicated with lots of pieces, terms, and instructions that make you wonder if you should retake your 5th grade reading class. This Amy Butler pattern is simple, came in a few pieces, and had easy to understand instructions with diagrams.

After opening the package, and squealing with delight, I set about reading the instructions and making sure I had all my materials ready. The back of the mini folder, where the pattern is contained, lets you know what you need. I purchased a zipper, interfacing of two types, and thread. A few things I had to dig out were: mat to cut on, rotary cutter, scissors (for thread, fabric, and paper), marking utensil, a ruler, and my sewing machine. A few extras? Coffee and music, great for making creative projects! Watch the video below if the following instructions don't really make sense.

The next step is to put your lovely fabric into the washer machine. I washed and dried mine as I normally would any 100% cotton fabric. While I waited for that, I cut out all the paper pattern pieces. Make sure to consistently cut around the items. Don't veer into, or outside the lines since it could cause issues later.

Once the fabric is dry, iron it, then snip off all the threads that have come loose on the ends. Finally, you get to actually cut your fabric and interfacing! BEFORE CUTTING: line up all the paper pieces on the corresponding fabric. If you're lining is a different fabric, make sure your lining paper is on that specific fabric. Double and triple check, pin the paper down, and cut. Mark all the extras such as dots that indicate starting and stopping points, lines for pleats, and measurements.

Now take your interfacing and get ready to cut it too. You can either cut them using the same method above or you could do what I did and iron on the interfacing onto the cut pattern pieces. Then cut around them.

Now take a break, refill your coffee cup, and move on to part 2! That's where I'll explain how to sew the exterior portion of the clutch. If you'd like to get ahead go to our youtube channel and watch the videos: FabricLoversChannel.

Here's what my completed clutch looks like from the outside:

If you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the comment section, on youtube, our Facebook page, or tweet them to us! Thanks for reading and have a great time sewing!

 

~Yasmine

What Is Sailcloth And How Do You Care For It?

Ever wanted to feel like a sailor, waterman, or even water lady? Sailcloth might be the cloth for you. I recently found out that this type of fabric is perfect for those of you that love to be on and around water. SailorBags were originally designed to meet the tough standards of sailors, but now have become popular for their fashionable yet practical features. FabricLovers has just started carrying a wide variety of SailorBags including laptop bags, totes and duffels perfect for keeping all your belongings clean, dry and organized.

The Free Dictionary defines sailcloth as "a heavy cotton canvas or strong synthetic fabric used for making sails or tents." Essentially it's cloth that was designed to be used as sails. Sailcloth was normally made from flax, hemp or cotton in various forms including canvas. The word "duck" is usually used when talking about sails. This is because, according to Wikipedia, the Dutch word for cloth is "Doek". When made of linen (flax), the sailcloth had poor resistance to the elements and would rot, be destroyed by the UV light, and absorb water. 

Because cotton was indigenous to the U.S., that's what we typically used for sails, but it didn't become popular worldwide until the use of sails started coming to an end. It was late in the 20th century when synthetics started being preferred  Modern sails are made from synthetics such as nylon, polyester to aramids and carbon fibers. Cotton sailcloth though, is still used for upholstery, draperies, sportswear  and anywhere a heavy duty cloth is required.

Some companies offer recycled sailcloth items, which have been somewhat deteriorated by the elements but SailorBags is a manufacturer that uses their own custom-woven sailcloth while leaving out the resins and chemicals that would ultimately make the cloth stiff and unusable. All the cloth and components are new, not used and deteriorated.

What's also unique about these products is the water-resistant factor. Obviously, any product that has seams will not be completely water proof but SailorBags uses the cloth on the outside as well as a lining that has been coated to be waterproof. Since the bags are made to be around salt water, the zippers are made of marine grade plastic. 

Personally, I think the best part is that SailorBags (with the exception of insulated or padded bags) can be washed on a gentle cycle, with any detergent (as long as it's not bleach). It can also be dried on a low heat although I typically prefer to simply hand my bags upside down. Sailorbags also states that you can pre-soak in dishwasher detergent (about 1/2 cup) with a gallon of water. Then simply add a little vinegar to the final rinse.

SailorBags would be perfect for a high school or college student. They tend to fill their bags and travel more frequently. I remember being in school and having to purchase two backpacks a year because they'd either become so dirty that nothing would fix it or tear easily. My favorites:

Red Computer Bag

The durable red computer bag is made from genuine sailcloth and is as fashionable as it is durable. The linings are waterproof to help keep your laptop safe (Again, think busy college student).With a padded compartment that will hold up to a 17" laptop, an interior section zips closed for important papers and files and two slip in side pockets that are big enough for paper and magazines there is tons of room in this bag. Like all Sailor Bags there are plenty of interior pockets to keep small valuables such as wallets, cell phones and keys safe. Also included is a comfortable shoulder strap. If you are looking for a durable, function-able computer bag, this is for you!

Large Square Duffel

This white large square Duffel Bag is made from a double layer of genuine sailcloth with a waterproof lining. This duffel is made to be tough and to keep contents dry. This duffel is large and meant to carry a weeks worth of clothes. There are plenty of interior pockets and one on the inside too, as well as a shoulder strap for easy carrying. I love this one because I hate carrying lots of different bags when on a road trip. With a bag like this, I simply stick all of my clothing options, makeup, and even a couple pairs of shoes. Perfect!

Blue Sailcloth Backpack

This blue durable backpack is made from genuine sailcloth and has three large compartments-all with waterproof linings. Handy pockets to keep valuables safe, there is also an outer mesh pocket to keep water bottles or shoes. Great for school, this backpack has plenty of room for textbooks and binders plus room for sports gear and lunch. Wide padded straps and back panel make this pack perfect for all day use.

Whether it's a backpack, tote, duffel bag or messenger bag; FabricLovers has the perfect SailorBag for you!

~Yasmine

How to Sew a Flat-Felled Seam

Do you need a strong seam that will hide the fraying edge of the fabric? The Flat-Felled Seam is perfect for this because unlike a French Seam, it uses a double line of thread to hold the piece together versus just one. The flat-felled theme is typically used in sports garments since they require extra strength and reversible garments because it's a finished edge on both sides.

1. To begin the flat-felled seam, place the fabric pieces on your sewing table or surface with the wrong sides together. In the video you can see I marked mine with a "W" to show which side was the wrong side. If your fabric doesn't have a wrong side, even better! I used some scrap fabric but if you're using large pieces, it may be helpful to pin everything in place.

2. Sew a plain seam (I used 5/8 inch seam allowance) and then press it to one side. I then fold over both those edges and sew a seam of about 1/4 inch. While folding it over I ironed to to keep it in place. You can also pin your fabric if that helps.

3. Using the needle as a sewing guide, stitch the edge of the fold through all the layers of the fabric.

And your done! I haven't tried to do this type of seam on a curve but would imagine it be too hard and get too bulky. One thing I did wrong is not holding both sides out enough when sewing step 3. As you can see in the image, the fabric on one side bunches somewhat.

This seam is fairly simple and provides a great finished edge for many projects. Now you don't have to work around those fraying edges!

What do you think? Did I miss anything? If you have any questions or tips, please don't hesitate to comment or email me at Yasmine@FabricLovers.com

How To Sew A French Seam

A French Seam is the perfect way to hide those unwanted fraying edges, especially when it comes to delicate or see through fabrics in things like lingerie. It's a pretty easy seam to create but please steer away from using it in curves as I've found that it often bunches.

Step 1: With your two pieces of fabric, make sure that the wrong sides (the inside part of the fabric) are facing each other and sew a 1/4" seam. Backstitch as needed.

Step 2: I then cut the seam to only 1/8" and fold the fabric right sides facing each other.

Step 3: Sew a 1/4" seam. You're done!

You've created a pocket that holds the fraying edge in place so that your project looks great, inside and out. Watch out video to see more details on how I sewed the sample piece. I suggest practicing on scraps first.


A lot of folks vary the size of the initial seam but as long as you find what's comfortable for you, you'll be fine!

Want something to help you procrastinate? Please follow us on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and/or comment below on things you'd like me to feature or talk about!
~Yasmine

Friday Favorites: Pillowcases, Fabric Scraps, and Zippers

We've got tutorials, ideas on what to do with those pesky scraps, and a sneak peak at the zipper tutorial I'll be following next week!

Sewing your own pillowcases can bring fun and your own personality to any room! I recently found this tutorial on how to make your own pillowcases (for bedroom pillows) to spruce up your home. It seems really easy to follow and perfect for beginners (no curves!).

Here's an additional video for you to see:

Fabric scraps can sometimes take up a lot of room and make you confused as what to do with them. I found a couple of fun ideas on what to do with these pesky scraps. The best part? They can all take a day or less!

A grab and go snack bag!

A lovely kid's project!

Bookmarks!

Zippers. These can be very hard for some to sew on. I'll be creating something small (using all those pesky scraps) while following a zipper sewing tutorial!

Want something to help you procrastinate? Please follow us on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and/or comment below on things you'd like me to feature or talk about!
~Yasmine

Rotary Tool Safety Tips

Since purchasing my first rotary cutter, I realized that there's a lot of safety concerns when using it. A rotary cutter is perfect for streamlining the prep work before beginning to sew. Similar to a prep chef having sharp knives to cut the veggies and meats before the actual cooking gets started.

1. Purchase one with a safety. I didn't see any without a safety switch when I went to purchase mine but if you're in a hurry, you might get one without it. Don't do it! A safety shield will help prevent unwanted emergencies, especially if you have kids, animals, or even a roommate who wasn't paying attention.

2. Keep the safety shield closed, when not in use. I found that I have a bad habit of leaving it open after making a few cuts. This is bad. I wouldn't want to accidentally brush my hand on the blade and get cut. It's good practice to keep it closed after making a cut. There are some rotary cutters on the market that have a sort of trigger that you hold when cutting and release when finished. It pushes the blade out and in automatically.

3. Handle replacement blades properly. I haven't had to replace a blade yet but I already know to be careful. When in college, the students were constructing an elaborate project in which we used foam core. I used an exacto blade and continuously changed the dull blade without being careful. Needless to say, my foot was not happy about stepping on one of them. Be careful! Apparently  many cutter blades are replaced by taking the nut and washer off. I will likely be wrapping masking take on the edges to avoid cutting myself while changing the blade.

4. Dispose of the rotary blades properly. Don't just toss them in the garbage! Wrap them up in paper and heavy duty tape or, if available, put them in the plastic container that the replacement blades came in. Place them in a trash can where children and pets don't have access.

5. Cut away from yourself and avoid crossing arms. This means you don't cut "backwards" and that you don't hold the ruler (if right-handed  with your left hand and cross your arms to cut on the left side of the ruler. Simply turn the fabric and reposition.

6. Cut while standing. I found that it was ten times easier to apply the correct amount of pressure if I was standing.

7. Use a ruler and cutting mat. Don't ruin a decent table top just because you didn't want to get a cutting board. You also want a ruler to help guide your cut as well as keep it straight.

8. Watch your fingers!

Have any tips of your own? Let us know in the comments below and we might show your comment on our Facebook and Twitter!

Want something to help you procrastinate? Please follow us on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and/or comment below on things you'd like me to feature or talk about!
~Yasmine

Friday Favorites: Scrap Fabric, Sewing A Pillow, and My Next Project

It's finally Friday! I finally used up the leftover fabric scraps from my first quilt, found a video on the basics of cutting, and am planning my next project! Productivity has been my middle name this week!

I decided to make a pillow from the scraps of fabric I had leftover. What would go better with the quilt than a small pillow, right? The pillow isn't stuffed yet. I can't wait to finish it!

You can watch me sew on my mom's machine here:



I also got my first rotary cutter and I love it. I had no idea how easy (and accurate) it would make everything! Love, love, love it. But then I realized that I needed to know the basics of cutting, just in case. So I came upon this great video:



Want to save money and stock up on fun holiday/Christmas fabric? Fabric Lovers is currently holding this lovely Gingerbread House fabric on sale! Check it out!

So after I finish the pillow, what's next? I really want to make another quilt but think a small project might be better until I get more practice. What do you think? Should I make a simple tote, another pillow, a table runner? So many ideas and so little time!

Want something to help you procrastinate? Please follow us on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and/or comment below on things you'd like me to feature or talk about!
~Yasmine

A Pillow From Scrap Fabric

After wondering what to make with the left overs of my first quilt, I decided to make a pillow. I was given great ideas, such as a cosmetic bag, safety kit, and so on. I then thought, why not just complete the quilt/nap-time ensamble with a simple pillow.

It's not stuffed yet but I think it looks great so far. What do you think? Any obvious mistakes? I do have to mention that I simply love, love, love, my rotary vutter. I had no clue what I was missing! It cut in half the time of scissors, straighter, and just overall better.

Want to see a video of me making the pillow? See below and down't forget to check out our youtube channel!

Want something to help you procrastinate? Please follow us on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and/or comment below on things you'd like me to feature or talk about!
~Yasmine

My First Quilt: IT'S DONE!

I have learned many things both, about sewing and about myself, with this project. Quilting isn't as easy as it looks, I'm kind of lazy, and I don't have all the tools for sewing. I learned how to whip-stitch, although not well. And although the quilt isn't the most beautiful, I love it.

What was the toughest part? Learning to read instructions and not letting my ego take over. I kept thinking, I've sewing before, this is a piece of cake. Well, my amateur sewing skills quickly showed in this piece. I apparently find it hard to sew in a straight line without guides. I also forget simple, yet essential, sewing steps such as ironing out the fabric. I believe I stretched the binding when sewing it and perhaps that's what made it bunch up.

Overall, I love it and love the fabric. It's made of 100% cotton fabric in greens, pinks, and mustard tones. The floral fabric is lovely and I'm glad I made the strips as wide as I did to show off the design.

My 2 year old daughter likes the quilt but mostly I keep it away from fear that she'll put chocolate or some other sticky substance on it. It's not perfect but I love my first quilt!

Want something to help you procrastinate? Please follow us on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and/or comment below on things you'd like me to feature or talk about!
~Yasmine

Friday Favorites: Quilts, Kid Projects, and a Batik Fabric Sale!

Between the all day "morning" sickness and busy schedule, this week has been a bit rough. The great part is that I've decided to try and teach Olivia, my two and a half year old to sew. I also just found out about our Batik sale going on which makes me really excited since you guys said how much you loved Batik fabrics.

This video explains how to teach a youngster to sew on a machine. Although Olivia is not at all that calm, I'll try a few five minute sessions to see how it goes. Hopefully we still have all our fingers attached by the end of our short lesson! I might see if she can make a really simple bag to put her small toys in.

On Facebook, I asked about the types of fabrics you guys prefered and you responded with Batiks! So here's your chance to snag some fabric at a low price. There's a bunch of different kinds and their all perfect for that end of summer project you've been planning.

  

There's a large variety of Batik fabrics to choose from! Check out the Fabric Lovers website!

Here's a small quilting project for you! A great sewing machine cover! The tutorial is from the blog Echinops and Aster.

Have any of you laughed when it's inappropriate? Here's an article on how to stop laughing, or at least try to control it, when in awkward situations.

Want something to help you procrastinate? Please follow us on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and/or comment below on things you'd like me to feature or talk about!
~Yasmine

My First Quilt: Ironing, Straight Lines, and Forgetfulness

Quilting is hard. There, I said it. There's so many things the quilter has to remember, which is strange, since I'm not a complete stranger to sewing. Quilts are hard.

Not only are they larger than the typical headband or handbag I make, but they can get bulky if you're in a crammed space trying to sew. Check out my last video to get a small glimpse of the space I was working in.

But I'm still excited, no matter how hard learning to quilt may be. The blanket, although with it's odd mistakes, is almost done! I just need to finish up the edges and I'm set.

When sewing it, I had been trying to follow the instructions on the blog KatieDid. Little did I know that sewing a straight line would prove to be more difficult. As you can see in the photo below, her lines look perfect. Mine, as you can see in the other images, doesn't...

I also decided to use less thread. Is this bad? Should I make more lines on mine to give the quilt more purpose? Please let me know! I'd love to get your feedback on that.

Things I've noted as having done wrong:

1. I failed to use batting that, when ironed, would stick to the fabric. Thereby reducing the shifting of the elements. 

2. I forgot to iron the fabric before sewing the pieces together. I have no idea why I did this!

3. I didn't use enough pins. I should have placed pins closer together to hold the layers together while I sewed. If I had wanted to go the extra mile, I could also have gotten safety pins. This could have helped me avoid all the pricks from the pins.

4. I should have simplified the quilt, like Katie. I should have started off with only a solid or used a solid backing. For some reason, I wanted to do a quilt that was nice on both sides but should have simply chosen a nice fabric for the back.

5. I should have re-read, then read again, all those tutorials. Maybe it's that I'm busy, stressed, or just plain need more vitamins, but it's almost like they went in one ear and out the next! I need to slow down.

Am I disappointed? No. It's a perfect learning experience and not only will the next quilt be better, but I can apply what I learned to all aspect of sewing, not just quilting.

What do you think? Am I crazy? Do you have any tips on whether or not I should do more lines on my quilt or just start on the edges? When I start on the edges, do you have any tips, tricks, or links to tutorials? Let me know!

Please follow us on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and/or comment below on things you'd like me to feature or talk about! Thanks!

~Yasmine

Quilting Essentials List - Part 1

What are the essential tools for quilting? I went on an internet quest to see what I needed to add to my arsenal. There are some things that are obvious to me because I'm not entirely a novice, but others were a complete surprise.

1. A sewing machine: This will possibly be the most expensive tool you'll purchase but obviously the most essential to your workflow. You can always borrow a machine from a friend but the convenience of having it waiting for you whenever you're free is great. I have an old Kenmore machine that is so old that there are certain needles I can't get for it unless ordered directly from sears. It's gotten me out of messes, although it does get me into a few as well. On the other hand, knowing you have to have everything set and ready to go when you get the borrowed machine will likely make your workflow more efficient.

2. Rotary cutter: Having a rotary cutter instead of just using scissors will make your life easier. I don't have one but really want one! The thing is, you'll also need a self healing cutting board. This will lessen any damage from cutting.

3. Ironing board (or at least an iron): Having your fabric nice and flat will make your cuts more accurate. I have a travel iron and small ironing board but for a while, I'd place a towel on the floor and iron on that. I suggest the ironing board but you have to do what you have to do for your favorite hobby. The image above is one that you can make with some batting and fabric stapled down. On the project I'm working on now, I somehow managed to set up the ironing board and then just cut and sewed the pieces without using it! It seemed okay but definitely a no-no! Learn from me!

4. Scissors: I have pinking sheers and sharp paper scissors that are used solely for fabric. A tip that I learned from mistakes - make sure your regular house scissors and your sewing scissors are different colors. You don't want to get them mixed up! You'll also need some small ones that are made to cut thread.

5. Seam ripper: You'll make mistakes. I make a ton of them! This is perfect for getting things to come apart and start over.

Stay tuned for the next five essential tools! Do you have one you think I missed? Tell me about it in the comments below! You can also like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check out our Youtube page, and like our boards on Pinterest! I hope to hear from you soon.

~Yasmine