My newest pattern Laundry and Cosmetic Bags

This video shows the bags. The links to purchase the pattern are here on Craftsy and on Etsy.  I put a full month into tweaking this to really make it the best it can be. From the materials themselves to the how-to put them together, this is a pattern that I am proud to say will get you professional results you will not find elsewhere. I teach a couple of brand new techniques in this pattern that you don't want to miss. I believe this pattern is going to up your bag making game.

New Pattern Zip Around Duffle and Adjustable Strap Video

NOTE: When you purchase this pattern, you get links to the videos. You have to copy paste those links to a browser page - enter the link on the URL line. If you try to enter the link when you are already in YouTube, it doesn't work. I do not know why they made it that way. The links work, you have to paste them directly to the URL space - that is the place on the computer screen that tells you where you are online.

The zip around duffle pattern has been brewing in the back of my mind for a few years. It came together beautifully, and I am so glad I took the time to write it the way I did. There are 16 little videos that accompany this pattern. You have seen a few of them if you watch my facebook page. Look inside the bag. Here are the inside pockets you have been wanting.

As you can see, it opens up completely with a zip around. The pattern begins with a video tour of the bag that walks you through the steps we take to make it. That is something I want to do for all of my patterns moving forward. I think sometimes reading a whole pattern before you begin can be overwhelming, but a video walk thru is more approachable.

Here is the video for the padded, adjustable strap to use with this bag (or any bag)

The attachment for the strap is very important and can be problematic for those of us sewing on home sewing machines and wanting our bags to be durable. In this pattern, I have developed an attachment method that distributes the weight of the bag, allowing you to use the long strap without any noticeable pull on the fabric.

As you can see, it is a big bag. Customers frequently ask me for even bigger bags, but this is the max I think it is reasonable to carry. I am amazed that airlines allow this size as a carry-on. It is 20 inches wide by 14 inches tall by 9 inches deep. I am using a smaller version as my yoga bag at the moment and I love it. I will be putting that one out too.

Still Organizing after all these years

I have been designing and sewing as a business since 2006. You would think I was organized by now. But it is a never ending process. I feel like I am finally finding what will work for me. You will be glad to know that my fabric library was free for me to make, it just takes time. For quite a while I kept all of my fabric in bins, organized by color. That required digging for fabric, and it was usually a bit of a mess, but at least I knew it was there. I used what I had sometimes and only ordered something I already had a few times. When I moved the studio out of the house, I took the fabric out of the bins and had it in color arranged piles on a rack. I used what I had more frequently, never re-ordered what I did not need, but it would still get messy.  Now that I am back in the house, I dedicated a small office (10 feet square) to fabric and supplies. Since I have so much fabric, It is my goal to use more than I buy this year. For the last week, I have been getting empty bolts from JoAnn's, cutting them in half and wrapping my fabrics onto them. Mom came for a visit and helped me get started - it really does help me a lot to have a helper. Looking for an intern right now. This is how I want to keep it, always. So far, I have not bought any new fabric to make multiple versions of my newest pattern and I love every one of them. I am carrying the purple one now.  So I did buy new fabric Ari picked some up at IKEA for me and I got in some oil cloth (waxed cotton) to make my new sling back pack bag in a mens version - but the finished bags, 4 of them so far and 2 more on the table, are all done with fabrics I already had. One of the oil cloths is truly purple and that is going to be fantastic. This one shown with the bag face and a flap over the phone pocket is supposed to be red. I can see that it is going to get more red as it ages, so that is going to be cool. I may have to break-in the waxed canvas versions by using them some before I sell them. I cannot tell you how much I love this new bag, it is my favorite casual bag ever. I am moving out of my tablet wristlet in favor of this sling bag. The pattern is up at Etsy and Craftsy. I usually carry it on my shoulder, like a regular shoulder bag. Honestly, a lot of the time, just by the top handle too. It is nice to have the cross body option for having it on a hike or while traveling. Some of my favorite sewists have already got the pattern and I am looking forward to seeing what they do with it.

summer pants

summer pants
Originally uploaded by studiocherie

I made my favorite pants in a floral voile. Even if I say, "these are not pajamas," nobody believes me. So I am in search of lightweight fabrics for my new favorite Summer pants. I am also adding details to my pattern to make it obvious, "these are not pajamas!" They are as comfy as pajamas, but with tailored lines. My next step is to eliminate the side seam and add a back seam instead.
This fabric is Kaffe Fassett shot cotton in Galvenized. It is made with orange threads and turquoise threads. Together they appear grey. In certain light you get glimpses of color. It is a shirt weight fabric, but that is the point of these pants - to be able to wear pants in the Summer. I will be doing these in handkerchief linen and voile as well. Once I get the pattern to where I want it, I will be making them available as a made to order item in my Brandybuck shop.

fast fingerless mitts

fast fingerless mitts
Originally uploaded by studiocherie

I am celebrating tonight that I made my goal of putting out one new pattern this month. Even though it was a short month. Even though I interrupted myself a lot! The gym bag is still coming - in March. This was a little distraction along the way and I really wanted to share it in the form of an easy pattern. A great project for beginners - I don't have a lot of those. And a great project for people who like to give handmade gifts but maybe get rushed. It is so quick and easy and satisfying that I put a warning on the cover: this project may be habit forming.