Category Archives: tutorial

Emma Clutch Tote Pattern Hack

Wow it’s been too long.  I’ve been busy working in my new job as well as behind the scenes planning for some super exciting times ahead for L&D.  If you’re here because you want to make amazing bags that’s awesome, me too and I look forward to seeing yours.  You can keep up to date with new releases over on fb here 🙂 and of course right here on the blog.

Before I go and release the first pattern for 2016 which might I just say is super cute and stylish and I hope you love it as much as I do….I’ve finally put a tutorial together to add grommet handles into the Emma Clutch Tote.  If you haven’t got this pattern yet you can find it here or in the shop.   Here’s my little hack!

The Emma Clutch Tote without grommet handles

The Emma Clutch Tote without grommet handles

Emma Clutch Tote Pattern Hack
Adding Metal Grommet Handles to your Clutch
When you get to the section “Make the Handles – Steps 26 – 35”  follow these steps instead:
PLEASE NOTE: 
You will need to cut the following (and DO NOT require Pattern pieces B & C)
·      Cut 2 pieces  14” across x 11” high from your Handle Fabric
·      Cut 2 pieces  14” x 11”  of fusible interfacing

 1. Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of fabric as per manufacturing instruction

 2. Place the fabric pieces right sides together and sew the side seams to make a tube.

 3. Clip the seam ends and make a notch in the middle of the seam allowance on each side.  Press seams out.

4. Turn the tube inside out to fold it in half.  Wrong sides should be together.  Top stitch ¼” around the folded edge.

5.  Measure 1 from the top edge centred (folded edge).   Place the handle grommet in position and using a fabric marker trace around the centre of the grommet. 

6. Cut this hole out a little bit bigger than the markings.

7. Position the front of the grommet in place and attach the back to the inside securing it with the prongs or screws depending on your grommet.

Continue pattern at Step 36 – Adding Magnetic Clasp

And thats the hack!  I can’t show you the finished bag yet as its a present but as soon as its received I’ll be sure to share over on Insta

Until next time, happy bag making!

Quick & Easy Easter Basket

Yesterday I shared a fabric storage basket tutorial over at And Sew We Craft.   With Easter just around the corner, I thought I’d share a quick and easy way to make this into an Easter Basket ready for the Easter egg hunt.

Using the same tutorial to create the fabric basket.  I’ve made this one a bit smaller (finished size approx 6.5″x3″x4.5″) so my fabric pieces were cut as below:
Cut 2 x 10×8″ from outer, lining fabric and interfacing with the bottom corners having 1.5″ squares cut out of them.

To make the handle cut a piece of fabric and interfacing 10×3″.  Fuse the interfacing to your fabric and fold the ends in 1/4″ at each end and press.

Fold the handle piece in half lengthwise and press, then open out and fold both sides in to meet at the centre and press.  Now fold in half and your handle is created.

Top stitch around the edge of handle.

To attach to the basket measure 1/2″ up from the fold and baste handle in place.

As we are now sewing through a few layers of fabric you may need to hand crank the needle in some places to get through all the layers.  Stitch a rectangle to secure the handle in place and remove your basting stitch.

Your basket is now ready to go on that Easter egg hunt (yes I did go and buy Easter eggs just to take some photos).

Happy Sewing,

Gift for Mum

zipper purse with a twist and card wallet in Tilda fabric

zipper purse with a twist and card wallet in Tilda fabric

Are you making a gift for mum this Mother’s Day?  Last year I made my mum a bag for Mother’s Day so this year I decided to make her a little zipper purse with a twist and card wallet in gorgeous Tilda fabric.  The perfect gift for anyone who collects loyalty & store cards!  I’ll be sharing how to make the purse over at And Sew We Craft but here’s how I made the card wallet. Continue reading