It’s such a large subject, so I’ll be looking at interfacings & stabilisers from the perspective of a bag maker. I hope you find it useful!
Here's a tip I end up sharing with other garment sewists all. the. time: I get my interfacings from Pam Erny at Fashion Sewing Supply. These are hands down my very...
Interfacing is one of the most expensive materials that we put into our bags, and it is probably one of the most important. It seem...
Before you cut and apply a fusible or sew-in interfacing, you must choose the right one. Here's a list of interfacings type and thickness.
We have finally reached the construction stage, now the fun begins! So, what is an interfacing and how do we use it here? Simply put, its an additional layer fused or sewn directly to the wrong side of a garment to add strength and support to a section of fabric. Without interfacing, a
About this item 100% Cotton All Purpose 20" wide Machine Wash or Dry and Dry Clean 100% Cotton 10 yard board
The state of the art in interfacings, shoulders pads, and set-in sleeves
Interfacing combo updated.... Let me share my best Weekender yet! I think I have found the perfect combination of interfacings. I use...
Depending on where you live, it seems that buying the best modern fabrics, correct interfacings, and the nicest bag hardware can be easy or difficult.
Browse utility fabrics like muslin, canvas, vinyl and burlap by the yard for your next project. Shop long-lasting durable fabrics and interfacings by JOANN.
Pad stitching is awesome. It’s fantastic. It’s often replaced with fusible interfacings and spray-glue products, and that’s a darn shame. Because pad stitching is pretty
Join Susan to learn simple ways to colour fusible web and interfacings with textile paints. Follow the simple, step by step instructions to create a beautiful range…
Buy a cheap copy of Tailoring book by Singer Sewing Company. Summary: How to sew women's coats and jackets. Contents: Making selections -- The standards of tailoring -- Selecting a pattern -- Tailoring fabric -- Interfacings... Free Shipping on all orders over $15.
Here are some tips you might try to help keep your corners squared off nicely, and your squares looking square. 1. Trim away the corners of interfacings and/or interlinings. I cut little squares out of the interfacing when making things...
How's that for an exciting blog post title? Talking about interfacings is as thrilling as watching paint dry, but choosing the right stuff is so important! (just like dry paint, right?) Rather than give you the full gamut of stabilizer options, I'm going to highlight my favorites and give you some examples of them in action. My
(No, I'm not English but 'bits and bobs' is one of those useful phrases I picked up living with a ship of English folk for the last three years.) I spent a good hour testing interfacings on the dupioni for my jacket. I always think I know which one is going to work, but then I get down to fusing and mysterious things happen. The supposedly lighter tricot knit inferfacing was so stiff and heavy, I wondered how I could possibly use it in any knit. A weft was a little too fluffy, but I had a yard of some
Ok, I will admit that until December I had only made one bag and a couple totes... I sew clothes, I love sewing clothes, I understand clothes and all the notions that you need to make them. I wouldn't say that I am 'scared' of bags and wallets; but I have certainly been put off by all the different interfacings, hardware, and of course the time consuming nature of many of them. But all of that has changed in the last month!!! With just the tiniest bit of education - particularly in how easy it is get hardware for each project - I have suddenly been on a bag making spree. And by 'spree', I mean 1 backpack, 1 wallet, and the Necessary Clutch Wallet...but hey, it is a start!
A selection of five Shweshwe fabric remnants, presented in a bundle of precut squares. A lovely combination of cool colored polka dot cottons in various shades of blue, violet and lime green. Shweshwe is a very popular South African fabric and is manufactured in various color options and patterns (see below to link to more fabric listings). A well-loved and all-time sewing favorite: the perfect addition to your fabric stash. These medium weight fabrics are great for all sorts of sewing projects. They can also be combined with interfacings (stabilizers) to sew handbags, purses, toys, etc.. Specifications: - 100% cotton - High quality woven and printed calico - 20cm x 20cm per fabric piece (7.75"x 7.75") - 5 fabrics per bundle - 158gr /m2 (4.66oz / sq. yard) Fabrics have been laundered to remove the traditional Shweshwe starch and are therefore already softened and pre-shrunk. Recommended to do a colorfast test before your sew. These cotton fabric remnants originate from my own production process. Care instructions included with each bundle: - Wash at 30C, dry naturally, warm iron if necessary. - Do not bleach, tumble dry or dry clean. If you would like to compile a customized color set or amount of fabrics to create your project, please contact me and we can work together to compile your perfect combination from my fabric collection. Here you can find more 20 x 20cm (7.75") Shweshwe bundles: https://www.etsy.com/se-en/shop/NalediFabrics?ref=search_shop_redirect§ion_id=31583043 ...alternately there are single fat quarters here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/NalediFabrics?ref=search_shop_redirect§ion_id=35608619 Or fat quarter bundles here: https://www.etsy.com/se-en/shop/NalediFabrics?ref=search_shop_redirect§ion_id=31533669 If you are new to shweshwe, it is a 100% medium weight cotton calico manufactured in South Africa. The high quality fabric is printed with an acid discharge and unique printing method which make the authentic shweshwe patterns. The tribal fabric has a rich history dating back to the 1800's. Traditionally it has been used for bridal attire, but nowadays it has become a fashion statement fabric, still loved and treasured by many. Note: - Each order is prepared, then wrapped in tissue paper and sent in recyclable packaging (minimal plastic), so please remember to recycle the packaging when you no longer need it. - All orders are shipped with a tracking reference - which I will send to you as soon as the parcel is dispatched. - Every care has been taken to accurately show colors of the fabric, however screens and hardware differ and fabric colors could appear slightly different than the original.
These bags are really fun to make. I first posted this tutorial in January of 2018. For Christmas the month before, I made 14 of these bags, one for each of the women in my family. They were a big hit. In July of 2019, after a subscriber asked me about the lining, I added a video I found that explained the lining a little better. It is included later in the tutorial. In This Tutorial Here are the steps for making a Mondo Bag: Gather your supplies and fabric Sew outer fabric panels Assemble outer shell Assemble lining shell Attach handles Stitch outer shell to lining shell Turn and topstitch Before you start preparations for making your Mondo Bag, take about 10 minutes to watch this video from Quiltsmart. It’s a very good overview of the process. A few things about the video: The interfacing used in the video is By Annie’s Soft and Stable. As you saw in the video, it stands up on its own. You can choose that product if you like your bag to stand up. I used Fusible Fleece which is available in various thicknesses. Be sure you are purchasing a fleece or interfacing that is fusible. Choose the thickness that you like best. I use Pellon Fusible Fleece in a mid-weight loft. For more information about fusible fleece see the article --> Product Review: Fusible Fleece for Quilting and Sewing Projects. The instructions include options for adding pockets to the lining and adding a key holder. These are not addressed in this tutorial. Follow the printed instructions if you wish to add these to your Mondo Bag. For information on fusible fleece read the article, Fusible Fleece for Sewing and Quilting Projects . Gather Supplies You will need instructions and interfacing panels to make a Mondo bag. The Mondo Bag Fun Pack includes instructions along with enough panels to make one Mondo Bag. The Mondo Bag Interfacing Set includes just the panels. What You Need Refer to the instructions that came with your Mondo Bag Kit for fabric and fleece requirements. In addition you will need the following: Applique Pressing Sheet Sewing Machine with 1/4″ foot and regular foot Iron and ironing surface Thread: Coordinating thread for sewing. Contrasting thread for top stitching. Sew Outer Fabric Panels The next video describes all the information printed on the gridded interfacing. Cut the fabric squares according to the Quiltsmart instructions. For each of the four panels you will do the following steps. The gridded interfacing has two sides. The side with the bumps is the adhesive side. Lay the panel on your ironing board with the bumpy side up. With right sides up, center a fabric square inside each square in the grid. Arrange the Fabric Squares Place the fabric squares so they don’t touch each other or overlap the printed dots. Later you will fold on these dotted lines. Keeping clear of the lines makes the folding easier and neater. Fuse Fabric to Interfacing Next use the iron to fuse the fabric to the interfacing. The instructions tell you to use steam and press for 5 – 10 seconds. Instead of using steam, I use a spray bottle of starch alternative or plain water. Lightly spray the starch alternative or water over the fabric. Place the applique pressing sheet over the fabric. Press for 5 – 10 seconds over the entire area. BE CAREFUL! The applique pressing sheet holds the heat for a little while, so pick it up by one of the un-ironed edges. After the pressing, check that the fabrics are fused properly. Fold the panel along the long and short lines and check that the edges stay in place. Check the long lines. Check the short lines. Sew Along Grid Lines Now it’s time to sew the grid. Start with the short lines. Fold on the dashed line. Sew a 1/4″ seam from top to bottom. Continue folding and sewing all the short lines. Next, clip on the dots between squares. Along the seams you just sewed, you will clip on the long lines as shown here. The clipping allows adjacent seams to interlock when the long seams are sewn. On the ends of each short end, the arrows tell you which way to position the seams. Now sew each long seam making sure the short seams lay in the direction of the arrows. Printing along the bottom tells you which way to press the long seams. Press from the fabric side. Completed fabric panel. Make 4. Assemble Outer Shell In this step you will sew the 4 panels into two “L” shapes. Next, the two “L” shapes are sewn together to form the outer shell. Align all 4 of the “Bottom Center” squares. The seams should interlock. Start stitching on the left where you see the two pins. Start at the dot, backstitch then continue to the dot on the right. Press the seam in any direction. This is what the panels look like after stitching. Sew the Side Seams Next the side seams are sewn. After all 4 side seams are sewn, you will have a square bottom and 4 points at the top. Handles Fuse a 2-1/2″ strip of fabric to each of the two handle interfacings. I chose to piece a handle using 13 squares for each. Assemble Lining Shell Update July 18, 2019 – I found this new video from QuiltSmart. It shows how to prepare the lining and the pocket. The lining shell is made by fusing the fleece to the lining fabric then assembling as you did for the fabric panels. Please note: these instructions do not include the pocket stitched into the lining. If you wish to include pockets or a key ring holder in your bag, follow the instructions provided by Quiltsmart. Fuse the Lining Pieces Following the instructions in Step 5 of the Quiltsmart instructions, cut the following: 4 panel pieces from lining fabric 4 panel pieces from fusible fleece. Cut 2 pieces of fusible fleece each 2-1/2″ x 24″. Cut 2 pieces of lining fabric each 2-1/2″ x 24″. Fuse all the lining pieces to all the fleece pieces. Assemble the Lining Shell Following the same process for the outer shell, assemble the 4 lining/fleece panels into the lining shell. Attach Handles Place a lining/fleece handle right sides together with a fabric/interfacing handle. Stitch a 1/4″ seam on each long side. Turn the handle so the right sides are out. Top stitch on each long side. Baste the handles to the outer fabric as shown below. Be sure to place the right side of the handle to the right side of the outer shell. Baste the other end to an adjacent top point, taking care not to twist the handle. Stitch Outer Shell to Lining Shell Turn the lining shell so the fabric is inside and the fleece outside. Turn the outer fabric shell so the fabric is outside and the interfacing is inside. Place the outer fabric shell into the lining shell, keeping right sides together. This will make it easier to stitch the two shells together. Pin along all the top edges as shown. Next you will stitch on the stitching line. I leave an opening for turning between the corner on the left and the handle on the right. This is also a different process than the Quiltsmart instructions. Stitching the Inside Corner Start stitching just before an inside corner. Backstitch. Stitch until you reach the horizontal stitching line. Stop with your needle down and position the bag to continue stitching. Stitching the Top Point When you reach the top point with the handle, stop with the needle down. Pivot the bag and stitch across the handle stitching line. Continue stitching until the last handle is stitched. Backstitch. Leave the last section open for turning. Trim Corners and Top Points Before turning the bag, the inner corners and top points are trimmed. Clip the inner corners in three places: 1/4″ before the corner, 1/4″ after the corner and diagonally into the corner. Trim out the bulk between the outside clips. Trim each top point to 1/4″ as shown. Topstitch Turn the bag so the right sides of the fabric and lining are facing out. Arrange the bag so the lining is on the outside and the outer fabric is on the inside. This will make it easier to position it in the sewing machine as you top stitch. Close the Side Opening The opening you left for turning needs to be closed. For each side of the opening, turn under the raw edge 1/4″. Pin the sides together as shown. The opening will be stitched closed and topstitched at the same time in the next step. Using contrasting thread and a longer stitch length, start with the opening you just pinned and topstitch right along the edge. Continue until you reach the starting point. Secure the threads. If desired, add another line of topstitching about 1/4″ from the edge. Done! Happy quilting! Carol For more project tutorials and videos: Subscribe to QuiltNotes on YouTube Subscribe to our blog newsletter
