Designing My Own

My boyfriend lets me make him things even though they are embarrassing to use. But I try to make them as non-girly as possible.
Here are 2 things that I made using fabric stamping.





Granted, the sewing is a little poor. >.< That is why I'm not using the machine again. I shall go back hand-stiching. :)

The One With The Waggly Tail

Instead of making something I need, I decided to make something I want. I love dogs and wanted to carry one around me all the time. So I made this.

A dog purse!

Here's what it looks on the inside.

It even has a waggly tail!

Here's what you need:
2 to 3 types of fabric
1 press button
1 long zip
lining for the inside of the bag

you will also need some ribbon and a bell.








Here's how to prepare:

1. Draw out the template for your dog. Make sure it is big enough to put in what you want. Mine is long enough for dollar notes.

2. The smaller rectangle is for the expandable folds.
I am making a purse with 3 pockets so my fold is 6 cm long.

3. The larger rectangle is the divider of of the pockets. Look at the picture of the inside of the bag for reference (the second picture from the top of this post).

Cut 2 pieces from the tail template. Make sure you cut one front view and one back view.

Cut 2 pairs of ears. Again, 2 front view and 2 back view.

Cut 1 pair of dog-shaped cloth for the outside and 1 pair for the inside.

It is important that you cut front view and back view if not they won't match when u sew them together.

Using the larger rectangle, trace out twice that of it, with the lengths of the rectangle touching each other. This way, you can just fold the fabric into half and sew the top together.

Alternatively, you can cut 4 of the larger rectangles and sew them together.

Using the smaller rectangle, trace out twice the size, the shorter end touching each other.

Alternatively, cut out 2.

(I trace out twice the size for the larger rectangle but I separate the pieces for the smaller rectangle so you can see the difference.)

Cut 2 inner lining as shown.








Now you can start sewing!

Sew the ears and the tails together. You don't have to use a blanket stitch (as shown here) if you don't want to.

You need only to sew to top of the large rectangles together. If you have cut out 4 large rectangles, then you sew only the top and the bottom. Leave the sides un-sewn but folded in neatly.

For the smaller rectangle, since I cut out 2 separate pieces instead of one long one, I neatly stitched the bottom with a running stitch and the top with a blanket stitch.

Then, make the folds.

For mine, each fold is 1cm long. Therefore each pocket is 2 cm thick.
Each divider will be positioned at the 2cm mark.

Align one of the divider onto the inner piece of the dog to see if the size is correct.

Take note of where the fold piece (the smaller rectangle) should be. Sewing it on is our next step.

Sew it onto the inner piece.

Do the same for the other side. Align it first then sew on.

Now place the dividers into position. It should be tucked neatly into the folds as shown in the picture.

Sew along the folds.

Now align the 2 inner pieces together, with the pockets in position.

Then sew the other side of the pocket (the side without the fold) together with the inner pieces. Lock up the other end of the pocket.

Next, place the lining and the outside piece into position.

Together with the zip in position, pin them together.

Sew them all together. Open the zip up when sewing.

Attach the ears on from the top.

To attach on the waggly tail, use a push button. They have spikes on their insides.

Push the spikes through the bottom end of the tail.

Place the other part on the other side of the spikes.

Place the tiny hammer over the button. and use a real hammer to hammer it in.

Do the same for the other side of the button, but on the body of the dog and you have your waggly tail!


Almost there!



Thread the bell through the ribbon and tie it around the dog's neck and you're done!

Foldable Multi-Purpose Bag

So now I need a bag to put all my other pouches in.
I carry lots of things to work daily and when I go out to run an errand or just for lunch, I don't want to be carrying my huge bag with me, just my essentials.
So I made a bag that is formal, informal and foldable. I can bring it along with me everywhere and for any occasion!






Here's how it looks when it's folded up. I keep it in my work bag like an umbrella. Haha.

Here's what you need:
paper template of the shape of your bag
pin
2 different fabrics


Here's how to prepare:

For the top borders of the bag, cut out a rectangular piece, 4 cm shorter than the body of your bag.
Cut out 2 outside pieces and 2 inside pieces.


I use the same template to cut out the cloth for my ribbon. I believe the length and twice that of the border piece.

2 outside pieces. They are the size of an A4 paper.

Using the same A4 paper, measure 2 cm from the top 2 corners. Draw a line down to the bottom edge so you get a trapezium.


Draw 2 trapezium bottom to bottom, the 2 longer end touching each other. Cut out 2 pieces. This will made the inside pieces. (The one in the left of the picture.)


If you want more pockets in the future: draw 2 trapezium, top to top, shorter end touching each other and cut out one for each extra pocket.

Using the same rectangle piece, cut out the strap. I believe it is 3 times that of the template.




Now you can start to sew.
First, sew up all the ribbons and straps like this.

Then turn it inside out.

For the strap, leave 2 openings at the top and bottom.
For the ribbon, first sew one bottom and the length before turning it inside out. Then, sew the other end.

Now you can sew the inside pieces. Sew the border piece to the 2 separate inside pieces.

If you have an Extra pocket, fold down the top and sew it in. (refer to next 3 pictures)

Back to the bag.

Now sew the 2 inside pieces together.

Fold the end product this way by pulling up the centre.

If you have a pocket it should go here. (look to the right of the picture)

Now you can sew along the left and right edges. It should look like that on the inside.

Now to do the folds on the outside piece.

From the top 2 corners of the piece, mark the 8th and 9th cm from the corner.

Now you can fold it and pin it up.

Then, pin the border on top of the folds and sew it together.

Now you can sew the back and front pieces together.

Place the inside piece inside.

Pin them together neatly, with the top folded slightly down and the strap in position.

Then sew.

Almost done. Now for the ribbon. Sew the pin onto the centre, perpendicular of the ribbon piece.

Tie it into a ribbon and pin it wherever you want! 

Roll it up to keep; hide the strap in and fold the border down to use the bag as a formal pouch; anything you want!

Whew! Thank you for having the patience to read through that. :)