Pouch Production Line

While pursing Craftsy trying to avoid their sale, I stumbled upon their blog post of 17 Thing Only Quilters Understand, and look what happened to be featured after #13.  Insert loud squeal, it's been so great to have such a great response to my first pattern, thanks everyone for your love and support. 

A while back, after I learned about zippers, I downloaded a bunch of patterns with zippers and this little Lola Pouch was one included. As a retreat project I decided I was going to make 14 of them, in one day. Hahaha, that didn't happen but over a day and a half I did get 12 done, and 2 more just need zippers.  Here is the lot so far.  The pattern comes in two different sizes and this is the smaller size, although I just ordered more zippers to make some larger pouches. 

This was such a good way to use up scraps. I have to admit those two Cotton + Steel prints on the left side are my favorites! 

- Patch & Chels

Mastery of Zippers

My whole life I refuse to do anything the easy way. In the case of mastering zippers the most logical approach would be to try out a simple zippered pouch with one zipper in the design. Nope, that's not my style. Instead, I take on the sew together bag that happens to include 4 zippers.  Silly me.

Armed with some motivation, I went down to sew with Michelle at From Bolt to Beauty for a good dose of knowledge. She is very methodical and takes the time to measure, pin, iron, and place everything. It was amazing how much attention she pays to details.

I found out my quilting style is more along the lines of the Tasmanian devil. I leave a wake of destruction, eyeball everything, and forget to pin most of the time. Even though our styles are drastically different, she did teach me a few things about zippers. The first attempt was iffy and slightly wonky, after that I got the hang of them. Thanks Michelle for the help!

Finally, I started to remember to move the zipper head mid-sew, as no matter how hard I tried the foot would not go around them. Lesson learned. Pretty sure I used my yearly quota for pinning in this project!

After 3 hours of sewing in one night, the bag was about 85% complete. Getting late, it was time to go home.  Looks like this bag will get finished sans zipper expert nearby. I remained hopeful.

The next night, equipped with a glass of wine, I tackle the remaining and final zipper for the bag. It goes in without any major snafus. Success. Without too much trouble the bag is complete, not perfect, but complete. This little bag is going to hold all my hand sewing items, and you will be shocked to see how much this bag holds!

Chels, 4. Zippers, 0. Looks like this goal for the year is checked off, 14 more goals to go!

-Patch & Chels