Blog posts tagged with 'embroidery'

• 2 projects for 100x100mm sewing fields
• 3 projects for 130x180mm sewing fields
• 1 project for 200 x 300mm sewing fields

Please read through all instructions before starting your project! This project, while complex, is not really difficult because the embroidery takes care of all the construction. Cut and place carefully and you’ll have a successful result!

Resizing is not recommended!

Embroidering the Bag

• Note: The color sequence list includes many colors. This is to get the machine to stop. You can use whatever colors work best with your project. On the purple pencil I made in the video, I used only one color of purple. In the steps below, I included the color I used for the yellow pencil bags.
• TIP: Lining pieces are placed on the BACK/BOTTOM of the hoop; outer pieces are placed on the FRONT/TOP of the hoop.

1. Setup:

• Hoop the stabilizer and stitch color 1 for a placement guide. 

• The final stitching line will be 1mm within this line. [PINK]

2. Zipper:

• Apply Wonder Tape to stabilizer next to the zipper placement guides and position zipper
• Make sure the metal ends are outside of the stitching lining. Zipper can open from either side you choose and must be place right side up.

• Stitch color 2 to attach zipper to the stabilizer. [PINK]

3. Eraser:

• Apply pieces, face down, matching raw edges to edge to zipper tape on both the front and back. Hold in place with a few pieces of tape.
• 

Sew color 3. [PINK]

• Fold pieces both pieces back, finger press, tape to secure, and sew color 4 to topstitch and baste to the stabilizer. [PINK]
• 
• 4. Pencil Body:
• Apply lining piece, face down, matching raw edges to edge to bottom edge zipper tape on both the back. Hold in place with a few pieces of tape.
Sew color 5. [YELLOW]

• Optional: Place flange matching the raw edges to the placement guide (bottom edge of zipper). Secure with tape. I used Wonder Tape to make sure it stayed straight.

• Apply front piece, face down, matching raw edges to edge to bottom edge zipper tape on the front. Hold in place with a few pieces of tape.

• Sew color 5. [YELLOW]
• Position batting so that the top edge abuts the seam edge, not the seam line

• Sew color 6 [YELLOW] to secure batting. Remove the hoop and trim the batting next to the stitching line to minimize bulk in the seams later on.

• Fold the front bag body piece down while keeping flange and lining still up out of the way.
• Sew Color 7 [YELLOW] to attach front piece to the stabilizer and sew the lines on the pencil body

• Trim off excess fabric below zigzag placement line to reduce fabric bulk at the pencil tip.
• TIP: If you want to add in another design, such as a name or monogram, here’s the place to insert it.
• 5. Pencil Tip:
• The “wood” part of the pencil tip is an applique. Position the applique matching the zigzag edge to the placement line and sew color 8 [YELLOW] to tack it down.

• 6. Pencil Lead:
• Place the small back fabric face down aligning the raw edge just beyond the “wood” applique edge.

• Sew color 9 [Black] to attach it.
• Fold the fabric down, finger press it and secure it in place. 7. Top Stitch the Flange & Lining:
• Apply Steam-a-Seam tape to the back of the flange near the seam line. Fold it down and press with an applique tacking iron to secure it.

• Fold down the front bag lining on the back of the hoop, finger press, and secure in place.

• Sew color 11 [BLACK] to topstitch next to the zipper
• 8. Move the Zipper Tab:
• Open the zipper so that the tab is within the body of the bag and the zipper is about 3/4 open.

• IMPORTANT: If you skip this step, you won’t be able to turn your bag right side out! 9. Tabs:
• If you have any loops or tabs, you can place them now so that they can be reinforced stitched. Fold the loop in half and place it with the raw edges at least 1/4 beyond the placement line.

• Be sure to slide on any optional hardware. Make sure any hardware is out of the range of the needle and presser foot!
• Reinforcing stitches run up, across, and down on the upper section only. If you aren’t adding any tabs or loops, you can skip this color change. Sew color 12 in any color.
• TIP 1: If your tab is thick, rather than tack both ends together, place them side by side.
• TIP 2: If you place your tape (cellophane or painter’s), right over the stitching line, you can create a sort of “ramp” that will help your presser foot ride up and over rather than “trip” and catch on a suddenly thicker area.
• TIP 3: Avoid placing tabs over areas that are already thick, such as the flange area.
• TIP 4: The more “stuff” you pile on top of the hoop (loops, hardware, etc.), the bigger your back piece will be relative to the front as it must go over all the extra bulk. While we can compensate for this at the sewing machine by matching the edges of our fabric, that can’t be done in the hoop. You will get extra fabric visible on the back; it’s less prominent on the larger bag.
• 10. Final Assembly:
• On the back of the hoop:
• The back lining is layered on the back. Layer the top piece face down and the bottom piece face down overlapping the finished/folded edges about 1/2”. Tape in place.

• TIP: Apply a strip of Steam-a-Seam tape to the front bottom edge of the top lining piece but do not remove the protective paper until the bag is completely turned. The strip should be ~1” narrower than the width of the bag and be centered.
• On the front of the hoop:
• If you are adding a back pocket, place it face down with the finished edge at the top, keeping it below the zipper and making sure it extends beyond the original placement lines at least 1/4”. Secure with tape.

• Layer the back piece face down and secure with tape

• Sew the last color change. (YELLOW]

• Remove any tape and pins you may have used

Finishing:

• Remove the project from the hoop. Trim off excess beyond the final seam line leaving about a quarter inch seam allowance. You can clip corners and trim them more closely.
• Turn inside out through the opening in the lining. At this point your project will be inside out. You can seal the opening with a fusible web or hand stitch.
• Trim the stabilizer away from the back of the zipper. This is the only visible stabilizer in the project

• Turn the project one more time through the zipper opening. If the pocket is on the front, just turn it so that it’s on the back.
• Take some time to push out all the corners and the press

Summary

As you can see by the purple pencil made in the video, you can make your bags in any color combination. Also, if you are experienced with software, you can add a monogram, name, or other embellishment to the front of the bag. Just be sure to stitch it before you bring down the lining piece