ChrisW Designs

Sneak Peek! Matilda Dance Tote....

Inspiration for bag designs come from all sorts of places BUT necessity is often the mother of invention, or so it was in this case! LOL! My daughter Amy recently started taking dance lessons....."I need a bag for my dancing gear, mum!".....so I made her one....she thought it was 'cute'.....so I thought - why not make it into a pattern! So......here is a sneak peek at "Matilda".....aptly named by Naomi, as usual! Very clever name, don't you think?

This is what Naomi said- "Matilda, as in Waltzing (Dance!) Matilda - Drawstring tote/bag = swag bag!" Just HOW did she think of that? LOLL! I am hopeless.....the best I could come up with was 'Dance Bag'! Thanks for saving the day Naomi!

The Matilda pattern is off being tested by my ever so wonderful pattern testers......once we are sure it is free of errors, I will add it to my shop.....MEANWHILE, here are some photos:

Small Matilda

Matilda comes in TWO sizes!

Large Matilda

PLUS as an extra BONUS I've included instructions on how to use the pattern to make yourself a Faux Leather Handbag as well!

Faux Leather Handbag

Features:

The Matilda Dance Tote is perfect for popping all of your dancing needs into when you head off to your dancing session! Apart from the roomy interior for your leotards and more, it has two interior elastic pockets, perfect for your dancing shoes and a drink bottle plus two interior slip pockets for hair bands, stockings or other little dance necessities. With the pattern provided in TWO sizes, you can make one for your little ballerina or your teenage hip hopper or of course, for YOU!

BUT the dance tote isn’t limited to just dancing! It also makes a great beach bag, overnight bag or even a great book bag! I am sure you can find lots of other fabulous uses too!

PLUS as an added extra, included with your tote pattern are instructions on how to make a Faux Leather Handbag from the same pattern with just a few simple adjustments and the addition of some Grommets!

Finished bag size =
Small = Approx. 30cm (12”)W  X 28cm (11”)H X 10cm ( 4¼”) Base
Large = Approx. 37cm (14½”)W  X 33cm (13”)H X 10cm ( 4¼”) Base

Coming soon! :)

How to Install Grommets!

Grommets are SUPER FUN once you know how to install them! They are especially effective in bags! Use them for hook straps, like in my Bella Bag:

Bella by ChrisW Designs

Or use them to make a closure like this:

Matilda - a ChrisW Designs PDF Pattern

Or use them just for decoration!  Grommets come in all sorts of sizes and also plastic as well as metal. You can even get coloured ones too!  The main thing to bear in mind is that each grommet size needs it’s own special size tool. Sometimes you can even find starter sets that include the tools. I had a set like that BUT found the tools had a limited life so I invested in a better quality tool set because I know I will be setting lots of grommets. If you plan only on setting a few, they will most likely do the job for you!

OK.... Let’s set some Grommets!

What you need:

• Grommets in your chosen size:

• Grommet Setting Tools. Note yours may look a little different and perhaps more shiny and fancy than these but it is likely to be something similar! Sized to suit your grommets:

• Hammer

1) It is worth noting here that you may need to add some reinforcement materials if you are using quilting cottons or other lightweight fabrics with only a little interfacing. Add this between your outer fabric and your lining. This could be some canvas scraps, denim or other heavy fabric scraps or some extra interfacing.

2) Mark the placement of your Grommets and punch a hole with your hole punch:

You can use a pair of scissors to CAREFULLY cut a hole if you don’t have a hole punch or if your hole punch tends not to cut right through (Like mine! LOL) Just remember it is better to err on the side of small rather than too large otherwise your fabric might pull out in places and show the raw edges. I actually raided my hubby’s tool box for a smaller hole punch as I found the one supplied with my setter was a little too large!

You can use the washer as a template for marking the hole placement!

3) Next place your grommet onto the anvil. The grommet is the ring with the raised centre piece!

4) Now place your hole, RIGHT SIDE DOWN, over the top of the grommet. Hopefully it is a snug fit! TIP: If you are using a fabric that frays a lot, you might like to apply a little fray stopper around the edges of the hole!

5) Next place the washer (The flat metal ring!) over the top of the grommet:

6) Now place your setter onto the grommet & washer and give it a good few whacks with your hammer! Whack down firmly onto the setter, making sure you are holding it straight upright and not at an angle!  The aim here is to evenly flatten the grommet down over the washer so it grips the washer and can’t pull back out. Check as you go to make sure it is nice and flat and firmly set. If not, re-set the grommet back into the anvil and your setter back on top and whack again!

It helps to make sure you have a nice firm work area. A wiggly table is not a good idea! I have an old cutting mat which I use exclusively for rivet and grommet setting and I have that on top of a solid wooden bench so that the whole thing is nice and firm and sturdy. It takes a bit of practice to get to know the right amount of ‘whack’ to give your grommets and of course, the bigger they are, the more ‘whack’ they need!

Great! That’s all there is to it! Have FUN!

You can download a PDF copy of my Grommet Tutorial HERE!

Cheers,

d' Moda Bella....

Today I can't resist sharing with you the work of a fabulous new Etsy seller! Dyan, who's shop is called "d' Moda Bella", has some gorgeous bags, ready to go, in her new shop..... INCLUDING a ChrisW Designs' "Bella" and an "Evelyn"......

I think you will agree that her workmanship is FABULOUS.....so NEAT with perfect attention to detail! BUT.....don't take my word for it! Check out these pics - Bella:

Bella

...and Evelyn:

Evelyn

Such wonderfully STRAIGHT Stitching! Stop by d' Moda Bella and see some more of Dyan's work! :)

Cheers,

Straps! Part One.....How to Make a Closed End Strap!

BAG STRAPS....What would we do without them? Coming in all sorts of types, shapes and sizes, they are not only necessary and functional BUT they can be beautiful and really add that finishing touch to your bag!

As there are numerous different types of straps, I thought it would be FUN to do a series on them! So.....I thought I would start the series with a strap that is one of the most basic and easiest to make! A closed end strap!

Closed end straps are very strong and super easy to make! They are used when you want to attach your straps to trigger hooks or rings or directly onto the exterior of your bag. They are also used to make adjustable straps.

All that you need is fabric in your chosen length PLUS 2X your chosen seam allowance. I have used 6mm (¼”) in my tutorial but you can use whatever seam allowance you prefer to work with!

To work out how wide you need to cut your fabric, work out how wide your finished strap needs to be and then then multiply it by 4. For example, if you need 2cm (¾”) wide straps, cut your fabric 8cm (3⅛”) wide.

You might also like to add interfacing. Recommended for wider straps carrying a lot of weight and to help prevent your straps from stretching. Woven is usually the best choice for strength and duarability.

You might also like to add some fusible fleece for padded comfort!

Your interfacing is cut the same size as your strap and your fleece is cut at half the width of your finished strap and less your seam allowances for the length. If your finished strap is 5cm wide cut your fleece 2.5cm wide.

How to make a Closed End Strap

So just how do you make them? Download your PDF copy of my step by step Tutorial on Closed End Straps HERE:

Happy Strap Making,