Tag: Pouch

Spring Roll Pouch Launch

It’s been quite awhile since I’ve released a bag pattern, but I’m back with the Spring Roll Pouch! Just like my favorite food, the Spring Roll Pouch wraps up so much goodness in one little package. This multi-purpose accessory bag has a great rectangular shape and an angled zipper at the side, making the pouch open to twice its footprint! The main zipper opens to reveal a divided compartment with ample room for all of your craft supplies, cords, skin care and even toys!

With a single piece exterior, this bag has been simplified with sleek style and minimal seams. There are four different inside options of the bag for you to mix and match for your needs. If you want to keep things basic, you can even leave them all off for a streamline version of the pouch. Best of all, the lining finishes with hidden seams for a clean and polished look.

In this bag you will learn how to sew Y-seams (Dots are your friends!) This is when three seams will join together and its definitely needed in the lining. You will also use nylon zipper tape and learn several finishing techniques. This pattern shows how to make a divided compartment pocket and how to make other pocket styles.

Inspiration

When I saw this unique angled zipper and how it can be used to open a pouch to twice its initial footprint, I was intrigued! But of course, I wanted to make the design better than the cheap version I saw in the wild. This meant making it more sleek and most importantly, compatible for a domestic sewing machine.

As I was playing around with ideas, I wondered if it was possible to have a one-piece exterior….and it was! This keeps the Spring Roll Pouch streamline and with less seams, means less sewing. And less sewing, means some saved time! My other main objective was to have a clean finish. This means NO binding (I think you all suffered enough with the Christine Sling) and I wanted to make sure my next release was traditionally “birthed.” 😉

Even after figuring out the design and construction, the name is always the hardest part. But since the Lunar New Year was quickly approaching and I was thinking about all my favorite foods, this pouch reminded me of the yummy Spring Roll. With the bag opening wide and how it “rolls” back up, Spring Roll had to be the name.

Bag Features

  • Large Zipper Opening
  • Wide Handle
  • Divided Zipper Compartment
  • Clean Finish – No Bias Tape
  • Different Interior Options: Slip Pocket, Elastic Pocket, Flat Zipper Pocket, Elastic Slots

Materials Needed

FABRIC

HARDWARE

  • (1) 22” #5 Nylon Zipper Tape with (2) pulls (Idle Blooms, Wawak, Amazon, By Annie)
  • (1) 8” #5 Nylon Zipper Tape with (1) pull
  • (6) Sets of Rivets (8 mm post length) (optional)

The Spring Roll Pouch uses exactly 1 yd of zipper tape, if you choose the Flat Zipper Pocket option. Otherwise, you just need 30″ to complete the bag. I love using nylon zipper tape because of it’s versatility, color and finish options, and how I, personally, don’t need to switch out presser feet for the #5 width. Due to the trickiness of the zipper installation, I used nylon zipper so that it could easily be sewn across and not have to be mindful of ends and stoppers.

FRONT/BACK OPTIONS

  • Elastic Pocket – (1) 10” length of 1/4” Elastic
  • Slip Pocket- (1) 12.5mm (or smaller) Snap Set 
  • Zipper Pocket- (1) 6” #5 Nylon Zipper Tape with (1 pull)
  • Elastic Slots- (2) 6” length of 1/2”-1” wide Elastic

Based on your selection for the Front and Back of the Spring Roll Pouch, you’ll need these optional notions.

Fabric Recommendations

It’s important to know that this pattern was written for canvas and quilt cotton fabrics. The bag making world is huge and there are SO many different fabrics out there. With that number of fabrics combined with all the different types of interfacing, I always have to have some constraint or else the instructions would go on forever. As you select your fabrics, keep in mind the weight, structure and feel with the intended finished bag. Home decor and/or bottom-weight fabrics such as cotton or linen blend canvas, duck cloth, and denim with weights of ~ 6-8 oz/sq yard would be great for the Main Fabric. The Lining is based on quilt cotton and woven fabric with similar weights of ~4 oz/sq yard, such as linen or chambray.

You can use quilt batting, sew-in fleece, or foam with the Main fabric. The quilt batting/sew-In fleece will you a softer, pliable feel while helping to cover the feel of the inside seams. The foam will provide more structure and loft, with more of that “plump” look. If you are using foam, the interior can be made completely with Lining fabric. But if you opt to use batting or sew-in fleece, use Main Fabric for the Base and Front/Back pieces to get added stability.

If you decide to use vinyl, cork, leather or other fabrics with a heavier hand, you may be able to omit interfacing, but still optionally use batting for soft structure. You can also possibly omit interfacing on the interior of the bag if using waterproof canvas, oilcloth, and other coated fabrics with a heavier hand. Due to the angled zipper and the trickiness of closing the pouch, it is recommended to NOT use vinyl, cork or leather as your Base or Front/Back pieces.

With the dimensions I used, I’m very proud that you can use 1/2 yards of fabric and if you want to get scrappy, the interior can be made from fat quarters. The Lunar New Year custom vinyl and cork fabrics I used were sold as 18″ long rolls and the exterior fits right on…even with a little room to spare!

As I was working on this pattern, you KNOW I had to use plenty of other substrates to see how they would look and handle with the Spring Roll Pouch…all in the name of research, right?!? The cork and vinyl versions definitely come together quickly with the omission of interfacing. However, if you are new(er) to bag making, I HIGHLY recommend making your first bag with the canvas/quilt cotton combo.

I’ve included lots of different versions in this post and the following are my favorite combinations as you select your fabrics:

  • Stamps Version
    • Main = Cotton/Linen Canvas with Soft & Stable Foam
    • Lining = Quilt Cotton with Canvas for Front/Back and Bases
    • Interfacing = Woven
  • Bunnies Version
    • Main = Cotton/Linen Canvas with Cotton Quilt Batting
    • Lining = Quilt Cotton with Canvas for Front/Back and Bases
    • Interfacing = Woven
  • Navy Floral Version
    • Main = Cotton/Linen Canvas with Soft & Stable Foam
    • Lining = Quilt Cotton
    • Interfacing = Woven
  • Cranberry Vinyl Version
    • Main = Light Faux Leather
    • Lining = Ottertex Waterproof Canvas with Faux Leather
      • omitted inner lining of Divider Pocket, inner lining of Slip Pocket and inner Gussets
    • Interfacing = none
    • Handle = made with single fold
  • Cork Floral and Palm Versions
    • Main = Cork only (Portuguese made from Cork and Cloth)
    • Lining = Ottertex Waterproof Canvas
      • omitted inner lining of Divider Pocket, inner lining of Slip Pockets
    • Interfacing = none
    • Handle = made with single fold
  • Lunar New Year Version
    • Main = Vinyl only (custom printed from Sewful Therapy)
    • Lining = Ottertex Waterproof Canvas
      • omitted inner lining of Divider Pocket, Slip Pocket, and Flat Zipper Pocket
    • Interfacing = none
    • Handle = made with single fold

Construction

This bag was designed with a domestic sewing machine (I use a Juki 2010Q,) so a home machine with some heavier needles will do the trick. It is for an experienced beginner who is familiar with sewing zippers, basting, and y-seams. Although this bag looks complicated, the steps are more simple that you would imagine!

Currently, there is one video on my Love You Sew YouTube Channel that takes you through the most difficult parts of closing the Spring Roll Pouch, but I WILL make a full tutorial soon. Honestly, I didn’t think this pattern would be as popular as it has been and I try to direct my time and resources toward patterns that have a bigger customer base. Well, you definitely let me know and I’ll be working on it this upcoming week.

I hope all of you love the Spring Roll Pouch as much as I have loved writing and designing the pattern for you! Don’t forget to tag your social media posts with #springrollpouch and #loveyousew patterns so I can see your beautiful makes!

Happy Sewing,

Cristy

*This post may contain affiliate links for which I may receive a small commission that helps me run this website. I appreciate all of your support.

Introducing The Tiny Sophia Bag

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We are in the thick of the holiday season and I thought I did some pretty good seasonal planning.  I made gifts for my nieces and nephew early since I went to visit them in November and even got my fancy holiday dress finished by my husband’s birthday a few weeks ago.  But then I shared my Tiny Sophia Bag with all of you on Instagram and my feed (DMs too!) filled up with requests for this pattern.  You caught me in a moment of weakness because I said, “Sure, why not?!  This is probably the time when you would like this pattern the most!”  So why not add another “thing” to the list…famous last words. Lol!

You can purchase the Tiny Sophia Bag here.

If you have been following my stories on IG, I shared these itty bitty purses by Jaquemus which I’ve been seeing all over the fashion reports.  Although completely useless as an actual purse (and WAY too expensive *eyeroll*) I still wanted one…but of course, in my own DIY way!  Spoiler alert – my way is MUCH more cost effective.

Over the summer, I toyed around with some paper templates to make a tiny bag for fun, but nothing really came out of it.  Then a visit back east to see my family made me really notice the wireless ear pods my brother was wearing.  Shortly after that, Lizzo came out on the red carpet with a tiny Valentino bag!  Combine these events and it made me wonder if the pods had a carrying case…aaaand if that case could also be a purse!

Namesake

As I was developing this pattern and making all of the prototypes, I knew this bag would be named after my niece, Sophia.  (All of my bag patterns are named after one of my nieces.)  Miss Sophia is a petite lil’ lady and the absolute CUTEST…just like this bag!  She is always game for a little fun and adventure, which makes her a great travel companion.  Since her dad was also part of the inspiration, it’s only fitting that this bag is named after her.

View B

Features

I know there are a ton of aftermarket pod cases out there and I thought a leather one would be chic and beautiful.  After a few hours (with my husband and boys at basketball practice,) I was able to draft a headphone case AND a bag by switching up the options.  This is no-sew pattern with two different views and the features can certainly be mixed and matched!

  • View A  “Mini Purse” – This has a strap on the top flap with a D-ring on the back and a snap closure.
  • View B “Accessory Case” – This has a bottom slot opening for a charger and the D-ring is set on the side.  A button stud is used as the closure.

View A

Hardware

The Tiny Sophia Bag requires rivet and snap or button stud installation.  This is assumed in the pattern (and I promise I will add more posts about how I install.)  I want to let you know my favorite suppliers:

  • Rivets:  For a long time, I set these just using just a hammer and anvil.  You can find these tools  in my shop, here.  Emmaline Bags carries a wide variety of sixes in different finishes. (Pictured above are the “small” rivets in Antique brass.)
  • Snaps: I’m a big fan of double-cap spring snaps from Gold Star Tool.  These are the same ones I used for my Kelly Anorak which you can find here. (On the cover photo, I have a size 20 ligne brass snap.)
  • Button Studs (screw on): These are THE best, since there are no special setting tools needed…just a screwdriver.  I grab most of mine from Amazon and I like the Tandy ones (when I’m in a pinch for timing since there is a store nearby.)  I think the 6mm/7mm head ones are a good proportion for this small bag.  (The 8mm head studs are used in my Kelly Waist Bag pattern)

New SVG Files

A big addition to this pattern release is the inclusion of SVG (scalable vector graphic) files which you can use with most electronic cutting machines.  I’ve always imported images and traced my own files, but have never created ones from Illustrator before.  So, I was pleasantly surprised to see how this pattern cut on my machine!  I have an old Silhouette Cameo with a straight knife and the cork cut so well on setting #7.  It did not like leather though…I’m hoping the rotary blades do much better.  There are three files for the different views and an extra one to combine all of the features together.  Please let me know what you think about this new feature!

Cutting by Hand

For those who don’t have a cutting machine, please know that I made all of these Tiny Sophia Bags by hand.  After making lots of leather bags and over a dozen of these minis, here are a few tips and tricks that will help you though.

  • I LOVE this heavy duty multi-blade craft knife set by Fiskars.  The different blades are great depending on the type of cut you need to make…my fave is the 1/2″ straight edge one.
  • The pattern essentially looks like a cross, so the edges are right angles.  If you match up the sides with a ruler, you’ll have a smoother (and more accurate) cut.
  • Use a metal ruler with a craft knife for the straight edges.
  • For thicker leather/suede, you might want to use a box cutter for a stronger blade and press down on the ruler so it doesn’t drag.
  • Speaking of blades, remember to use a new one that’s nice and sharp for clean cuts.
  • With the curves, try to find household objects like bowls that match to balance your knife against.
  • For the back D-Ring opening, one of my testers said a button-hole cutter like this one is great for cutting the edges.

Customize

There are so many different ways to customize your Tiny Sophia Bag.  Luckily, I have a nice stash of leather scraps from thrifting and from friends.  You can use leather, suede, faux leather, and even cork!  Based on the thickness of your substrate, you may have to adjust the position of the holes which is also covered in the the pattern 😉

Check out #TheTinySophiaBag on social media to see all of the different versions.  I like the extra stitching around the edges to make the bag look more polished (don’t forget to use that leather needle and teflon or walking foot!)  Many of my testers used decorative hardware too.  I can’t wait to see what you do!

If you are ready for the cutest little purse, you can grab the Tiny Sophia Bag pattern, here.  Use it to carry your trinkets, coins, and all the smartphone accessories.  One of my testers mad bags for her daughters’ dolls!  I’m adding one of these on my Christmas tree and will use it later to hang off my purse for my own headphones.

How would you use your Tiny Sophia Bag?

 

 

Happy Sewing!

Cristy

 

This post may contain affiliate links.  You can read about my Disclosure, here.

Emma Stadium Bag by Love You Sew

The Emma Stadium Bag – Intro

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Emma Stadium Bag by Love You Sew

Right before I left for a college football game last year, there was just something that made me check the stadium’s bag policy, even though I’ve attended games at the same venue for years.  Thank goodness I did because it turned out, I couldn’t bring in the bags I always used to!  I could either bring in a small wristlet that couldn’t even fit my phone, or opt to bring in a clear bag to accommodate more of my stuff.  With this game being out of state and lots of walking around the campus, I knew I had to bring a clear bag.  With some remnant vinyl and scraps of canvas from my stash, the Emma Stadium Bag was born.

At first, I didn’t think this bag would be a pattern.  It was a just a quick late night project based on need rather than want.  But with public safety on the forefront of large gatherings, there has been a continuous change of bag policies across other public venues and schools.  We are seeing the need for more and more clear bags to ensure safety for all.  Even with this movement, I know us, bag-makers still love to add our own personal spin to a make.   We have the power to make things our own and I hope you are able to use the Emma Bag to keep your own style and show off your personality while out and about.

Original from Fall 2018 – I didn’t have the right hardware late & improvised with leather and plenty of rivets

The Namesake

As with all my bag patterns, they are named after one of my eleven nieces.  Emma is the youngest girl on my husband’s side of the the family but she is far from the “baby” of the bunch.  This young lady has so much grit and confidence from being her household’s resident jock.  Emma has played travel, club, and high school soccer which allows her to criss-cross the midwest for tournaments.  She is also an incredibly talented track star, so it’s only fitting that the bag inspired by sports venues is named after my strong and beautiful Emma.

Features

The Emma Stadium bag is based on using clear vinyl as the main body with a fabric zipper top.   This makes the zipper easier to sew on and allows you to use your favorite fabric to stay unique and stand out from the crowd. Not only does the zipper keep your belongings from falling out, it keeps strangers’ hands out too.  It helps protects your phone and wallet from the elements, as well as from that possible beer spill 😐

This is my first pattern offered in multiple sizes.  I did a little crowd-sourcing on Instagram and asked all of you about my ideas for this bag.  Initially, I thought I would write a pattern for the maximum sized bag allowed in the NFL – thinking you would want to maximize your space.  But you told me smaller was actually better!  So, I listened hard and have THREE different sizes available for all of your needs.

  • Small with Wristlet strap – This size is for the light packer who just needs the essentials.  It fits a cell phone, sunglasses, a small wallet like the Shuffle Cardholder, plus tissues, keys and lip balm.

  • Medium with Cross-body Strap- This a great size to hold more items while still having the ease of a cross-body.  You can hold items for a whole day’s worth of activities from tail-gate to the game.  I like this size in colder weather to hold earmuffs, hand warmers, and gloves.

  • Large with Shoulder sStraps- The large bag, will hold the most when you want to bring in all of the above plus an extra sweatshirt or blanket.  It can hold seat cushions and all the game-day merch you want to buy!  *While it does not exactly conform to the NFL/PGA policy.  It IS the same on a volume basis.  I don’t know if you would run into issues, since all security is different.  You can open the zipper when going through security if they ask to measure the bag.

  • Although each size has it’s own instructions for straps, you can mix and match the styles along with two different ways to attach D-ring tabs.  There is a short optional that leaves an “ear” on your bag while the long option sews the tab back onto the body for a smooth side silhouette.
  • Pockets – The medium and large sizes include instructions to include slip pockets for extra organization.  This is perfect for your tickets and slim wallets.
  • Vinyl side seams are sewn down for smooth interior – Your hands won’t be scratched by hanging seam allowances, especially if using a more rigid vinyl.
  • Fabric Zipper Top completely encloses the vinyl body for a clean finish inside and out

The Emma Stadium Bag is definitely not just for sporting events.  Many concert halls have similar policies and many schools are adopting a clear bag policy.  If you’ve ever worked in retail, there has generally been a clear bag policy to avoid theft.  The large size can double as a school/work bag with its generous sizing.   The medium size makes for a great project bag for yourself or the kids!  It can hold lots of art supplies and you can easily wipe down the sides.  It’s also a great toiletry bag for travel and the gym.  With the TSA a permanent fixture at airports, the small can be used in lieu of all of those quart sized bags – saving the planet and your contents from spillage!

Fabrics

The body of the Emma Stadium Bag is about 2/3 vinyl, so there is not much fabric involved to make this bag.  The zipper top was designed to use Quilt Cotton and other similar weight woven fabrics.  This allows you to use your favorite fabrics and customize each of your makes.  All of my examples are using a waterproof lightweight canvas which makes them great for the outdoors and for my traveling adventures with the family.

Vinyl thickness is measured by gauge number – with the smaller number being thinner compared to a larger number.  A 20 gauge will provide a more rigid bag, but a 12 gauge is easier to sew and more pliable when trying to manipulate your bag under your sewing machine.

Supplies

Tester Inspiration

Check out all of the amazing tester versions of the Emma Bag.  I love their uses of different fabric and how they decided to use their bags.  Click on each image to find the maker on Instagram.

I hope you enjoy making the Emma Stadium Bag as much as I have loved designing it!  You can find other examples of the bag by following #EmmaStadiumBag and find my other patterns with #LoveYouSewPatterns.

Hugs and Stitches!

Cristy

This post may contain affiliate links.  You can read about my Disclosures here.