Reversible, Adjustable Monkeytrain Bag

I was looking to make a bag that isn't too big, but just the right size to fit all the important stuff.
I made this!





There are so many things about this bag:
1. the strap is adjustable;
2. it is pleated;
3. it is reversible!


Here's what you need:



Here's how to prepare you materials:



Now you're all ready to sew!


First, we shall use the tiny rectangles to make the hooks for the strap.
Fold the left 2/3 in and the right 1/3 in.
Then fold the right flap over onto the left.
Make sure they are not too short. It needs to be big enough for the swivel hook to pass through




Sew it together.



Do the same for the other tiny rectangle.


Next, mark 3 markings on all your bottom pieces.
Fold it into half; that's one marking.
Then, fold both the left and right to meet the middle; that's markings 2 and 3.
Now, pin the bottom pieces to their respective border pieces by the corners only.



Make a single marking of the border pieces.
Fold them into half and make a mark.


Now we're going to make the pleat.
Note the centre marking.
Fold about 1/4 inch of the cloth under to meet the centre marking.
Do one on the left and one on the right.

Then pin it to the centre of the border piece.


Note the left marking.
Fold it under so that the left of the bottom cloth is now the same length as the border cloth.
Pin it onto border cloth.
Do same for right marking.



Do for all 4 pieces.
Then sew into position.
The pleat is complete.


Pin the 2 insides pieces together and the two outside pieces together.
The pattern facing each other.



Place the inside cloths and outside cloths together; one on top of the other.
Align the top of the border piece.



Sew only the middle of the top of the border to keep them in position.



Sew all four pieces together along the left, bottom and right.
Leave the top open and unsewn.
leave about 1/2cm on top at the border
That means, start sewing about 1/2cm into the border.
This is so you can put the 2 tiny rectangles you made into hooks at the top of the border.


Open the bag from the first cloth and turn the bag inside out.



Now for the strap.
Fold the cloth along the lines you drew.
Then, fold one flap over the other.
Sew into position.
Make sure the strap is not too thick as it needs to go through the swivel hook.



Thread strap through swivel hook.
Fold down top of strap slightly.
Fold down a flap to put swivel hook into position.
Sew.



Tuck the border pieces neatly into each other.



Then, place one folded tiny rectangle inside.



Now, place one end of the strap (the one without the swivel) in as well.



Sew into position.


Do the same for the other end.
But without the strap.
Tuck in corners, put in tiny rectangle and sew into position.


Now, pin the top of the bag ie. borders together and sew.



Hook the swivel hook onto the tinry rectangle hook and it's ready to be used!
Thread the swivel hook with strap through the rectangular hook fasten the swivel hook to the other end of the bag to shorten strap.



Phew! That was a lot!
But now you know how to do a pleated bag that is reversible!
Enjoy!

Coin Pouch Cuteness

Cuteness in my box-shaped coin pouch!
I was looking at this pencil case I bought years ago and I wanted to duplicate it. That way, I can have my very own personalized coin pouch!





It's really fun when you can make things of your own. There's always a sense of fulfillment, no matter how it turns out. This one turned out great!


Here's what you need:




The one on top is my outside cloth.


Here's how:
First, fold down the length of the cloth like this (this is the part that is going to be attached to the zip):



Place the zipper in between the two pieces of outside and inside cloth.
Next, pin them into position.



Sew them up.
Do this for all 4 of the cloths.



Now, place your cloth in this manner:

Put the inside cloth together and the outside cloth together.


Pin up the outside cloth by the sides.



Sew it up.



Pin up the inside cloth. Sew only the top and bottom, leaving a whole in the middle (where the scissors is pointing).

This is so that you can turn your work inside out later.


The next step is slightly hard to follow.
Hold the opening of the outside cloth.
Fold it into a 4-edged star like this:

Let the zip and the bottom of the pouch be parallel to each other.
Then push in the left and right side to put the cloth to meet in the middle.


Sew it into position.



You can either do this one cloth and one edge at a time or put both inside and outside cloth together and sew. I prefer doing it one at a time. It is easier and I will sew it more accurate.


It will look like this:



Next, turn the pouch inside out from the opening at the inside cloth.



Then, sew up the opening.
Don't worry if your pouch seem to look inside out. See next step.



Now, unzip and turn it inside out again so that your pouch is the right way round.



It's all ready to be coined!
Behold, your very own box-shaped pouch!




Tips:
You can use a 2-way zipper so that you can turn your pouch inside out, depending on which side of the pouch you want to use!
You can adjust the size so that you can store things other than coins - pencils, rolls of thread and even your handphone!


*Fabric from matatabi and karaku etsy shop online.

Bag Organiser

I just made my bag organizer after so many years of having difficulty finding my things in my bag.
It is especially annoying when I get home and need to rush to the toilet but can't find my darn keys!





I'm so excited to use it now :P
As usual, I put up steps on how to make it. But because it needs a long piece of cloth, I chose to draw out the instructions instead. The fine details can't be seen clearly in pictures.


It will be easier to put your things back into the organizer if the top part of the organizer is longer.
If you find it too long, just fold it down, like I do, when I place it in my bag.
p/s: you can sew pockets both on the back and the front. You can even sew 2 long strings at one end of the bag organizer so that you can roll the organizer and tie it up for convenience's sake. :)














Get ready to be bagged because you're done!

Breakfast in Bed? Mom's-style French Toast

Okie, I know they look like nuggets. They are actually French Toast with bread slices cut into different shapes.
A fun way for kids to eat! :)


Here's what you need:



Here's how:
First, separate the egg white and egg yolk in 2 bowls.



Then, beat the egg white for about 3 minutes. We want it looking like this:



Next, mix the egg yolks up.



Pour egg yoke into egg white, add salt and pepper, and mix.



Now, for the bread. Cut out shapes with the cookie-cutters.



And we're ready to cook!
Heat non-stick frying pan with oil.
When ready, dip bread into egg. Coat it, not soak it, with the egg.



It takes only a short while to fry. You can do a few at a time.
Put on plate lined with paper towels to absorb oil.



Finally, serve, and we're ready for an easy-for-kids-to-eat and yummy breakfast!