I think going to
Camp has had a huge effect on me and my confidence when it comes to new things. I wasn't expecting that to happen at all!
I attempted dressmaking and it was a success (so much so that I've made a
second staple dress -I'll share pics as soon as I get the shirring elastic sewn in), and after watching some of the other campers making bags I decided to bite the bullet last week and make
the aeroplane bag that Sara designed.
It has always been my plan to make the Amy Butler weekender, but the constant discussion over issues with the lining being too big, the piping being a bitch and the amount of needles people seem to break when making it has put me off. Maybe I'll make one eventually, but for now I can survive without it. My weekender bag itch is scratched thanks to the
aeroplane bag.
Sara told me it was simple, but she makes bags all the time, so I wasn't hugely convinced that what she found easy was the same as what I find easy. Then I saw a few pop up around instagram and it was
Pippa that finally convinced me. I'm not being mean when I say that if
Pippa found it ok then I knew I would, I know that our bag making skill-set is about the same (ie - none) and she is always honest in her assessment of things (yes
Pip, I'm saying if you don't like something you tell us. That's a good thing).
I ordered
fabric from Kate. Did you know that the Ginger Monkeys are
Lu,
Tacha and me, from our trip to quilt market a couple of years back? After the trip
Melody asked a few people to design records for the fabric, and that was Lu's. Cool, no? As this bag will be going to the
Fat Quarterly retreat in July and the Ginger Monkeys will be reunited, it was the obvious choice.
I had a red/pink moda crossweave in my stash and I've been saving it for something special, because it's an out of print colour now (
something with a similar look is the wickerweave in red chambray from andover). The bag handles are a webbing I had in my stash too, I wanted a jute handle rather than a fabric one, I like the look of jute. It feels a bit scratchy, but it looks nice and we all must suffer uncomfortable situations such as scratchy bag handles for the sake of aesthetics.
I used the interfacings that
the pattern recommends - soft and stable and peltex (because Sara sent them to me, and having her as a friend definitely has it's advantages). For those of you living in the UK or Europe you might find those things harder to come across, so here's some suggestions for you (with stockists if you click on the links).
Bosal In-R-Foam sew in foam stabiliser is a perfect alternative for
soft and stable
If you struggle to find that, then try using a fusible fleece or a batting and then use
cotton duck cloth or canvas such a curtain lining fabric to create a similar effect. You use the soft and stable for the top part of the bag (the records on mine). Another alternative would be the kind of thin foam that you use in upholstery - like car interiors. Something that sits between the main body of the seat and the fabric. Or used to pad out laptop cases etc. An upholsterers would definitely be able to help you out here - and there are always upholsterers locally, so you could phone one and ask them what they'd suggest. I bet they'd help.
One of the parents' at Ginger's school is an upholsterer so I'll ask him when I'm doing the school run if I remember. I can picture the stuff in my head though, I know it exists thanks to Charlotte I now know what it's called - 3mm scrim foam. You can buy that on ebay and I found a stockist that sells it
quite cheaply here. Maybe the polyester upholstery batting you can readily buy online or locally would be a good alternative? I know in the studio duffel by
Cherie she uses an 8oz upholstery batting - which is kind of thick and fluffy, but it comes in a variety of sizes/lofts,
check hers out so you get an idea of the finished look. You might want to try something thinner, it is on the floofy side. You know what? You are using this to make the bag shapely but not stiff, the bottom part is the stiff part, so use what you have to hand if you don't want to go shopping. Make a sandwich with some batting and a layer of lining and quilt it so it is reasonable sturdy. That's what
Hadley did when she made hers, and hers looks pretty much the same as mine, so use your initiative and work the pattern into what you have to hand.
Peltex sew in interfacing is a stiff interfacing like
bosal craf-tex lite (you can also get double sided fusible bosal - Hantex are the distributors in the UK, you can use the
search option on their site to find product stockists, but Jacqui from Hantex is also really helpful and I'm sure she wouldn't mind helping you out if you need advice. I pester her quite often and she's never ignored me yet!) . You use this for the bottom part of the bag (the pink/red crossweave on mine) You could also use a medium weight buckram, or a
pelmet interfacing or something that would be used to make those traditional type of stiff and flat curtain tie-backs. Heavy weight buckram is too thick and stiff, light weight buckram is too floppy. Most haberdashery stores and places that make curtains will be able to guide you in the right direction here. You want something like a stiff interfacing because this will give the bag shape at the bottom, so although I'm sure you could use a batting it will be softer and less structured so the base of the bag might droop, especially when it's full (you could help avoid this by inserting a cardboard base though, between the lining fabric and the outer fabric after you turn the bag right ways out).
The other interfacing is pellon SF-101 shapeflex - that's a basic lightweight interfacing. No need for anything fancy here, just use what you can find locally. That is used for the fabrics (although I will admit I forgot to use it for my outer fabric. Oops), both the bag outer, and the lining and also on the handles.
I do not have a big fancy sewing machine, or even a sewing machine that is a work horse. I have a small
Bernina Activa (mine is a 240, but I'm not sure they make that one any more - the 215 is the same basic machine), it is a lovely sewing machine and I would highly recommend it to anyone because I love love love it and when the time comes to replace it, I will definitely get another (although it is a Bernina, it's likely to last forever). It doesn't like thick layers of things, so I was expecting a lot of tears and needle breakages but it was surprisingly smooth-going, and although I did have to just finish off the ends where the zippers are with a couple of hand stitches I was shocked as to how easy it was. Not a single needle broke. (I use
organ needles in a size 90/14. They're cheap, they're great. I buy them by the 100 and they work really well. I am not one for fancy needles for my sewing machine, and I have never had any issues with these. I only use these, ever.) I am not especially good with zippers, and I think I might do my second one ever so slightly different (I am already on
my second bag, and this time I'm using interfacings I can find locally), and have the end of the zipper extended from the bag, like
when I make pouches (because I find it easier that way to finish the edges neatly).
Another thing I didn't do, because I was too impatient, was to add pockets inside. My bag is for my sewing machine when I go away, so it wasn't really necessary to have pockets. And I'm lazy. Maybe I'll add the pockets next time round. We shall see. They do look nice, so it might be a nice touch.
So, what did I think overall?
The pattern was really easy to understand and each step was clearly photographed and explained.
It was simple to construct a big bag without any major issues despite my small machine and my lack of bag making skills. It's a big bag - Snoop fits in no problem, with plenty of room to spare.
If you have made a zipped pouch before, you can do this. That's the truth. It follows the same principle throughout, theres really no complicated steps or unnecessary bits added to make it a headache.
I made the larger size which is plenty big enough for a weekend away, a sewing machine, or anything you might want a large bag for.
Would I recommend this pattern to you? Wholeheartedly - yes. Without a doubt, it was a fantastic pattern and I made the bag in half a day. I cannot stress enough - I do not make bags, I am not good with anything 3D, and I had no issues. If I can do this, you can. Seriously.
The aeroplane pattern is $8 from
Sara's website, it's a PDF pattern, you get 2 size options and you need it in your life.
If you are looking for a book with a lot of great instructions and every kind of 'how to' you can think of, then you really should check out Lisa Lam's books. There's a to die for satchel in
a bag for all reasons. If you're new to bag making or want to develop your skills a little further to make really professional looking bags then check her stuff out.
The bag making bible was her first book and that is also a fantastic book for reference as well as gorgeous patterns. Worth adding to the wish list. I have to admit, I think I'm bitten by the bag making bug now and would like to develop my own skills a little further.