Amber Rohrer :: studio AR

Poolside Tote by Noodlehead

 

This bag has been on my to-do list FOREVER! I can't believe I waited so long! It went together so fast! Exterior fabric is laminated cotton from Tula Pink. Pattern by Anna Graham.

Two adorable Geranium Dresses!

 

Today's make was my first #geraniumdress 👗 Now I know what all the fuss is about! Such a a great pattern! Mistakes were made and fairy kitty's heads were chopped off ("hi-ya!"✂️ sorry kitties, it was inevitable #sorrynotsorry ) but it's adorable! Can't wait for my biscuit to try it on so I can check size and start slicing into the pile of fabrics I have ready!

Another #geraniumdress this time with cap sleeves and a notched neckline. Eked this one out of only a yard of fabric! 

RJR Fabrics :: What Shade Are You?!

To say I was excited to join in on RJR Fabrics "What Shade are You" blog hop is an understatement! I was so excited to play with these yummy solids!

I am a huge fan of Carolyn Friedlander and when I was trying to figure out what I would make with these fabrics, I knew it would be one of her patterns. I took one look at the Aerial pattern in my stash and knew! This was the quilt!

#husbandsholdingquilts 

Quilts + Beach = Perfection, don't you think?

When the fabrics arrived, I was pregnant with my second child and had absolutely NO SEW-JO. None. Notta. Zilch. Even looking at my studio made me nauseous. It was so strange. So these beautiful fabrics sat on my cutting desk for months. Yes, months, until my Baby Boy was born on June 30th. I got home from the hospital on July 2nd and by the end of the following week this quilt top was pieced! Boom. Sew-Jo came back with a vengeance!

This pattern is paper pieced, which is my absolutely fave. It's so therapeutic for me. Plus, all the vibrant colors of these solids really made my day each time I sat down at the machine to work.

I thought of each section as a plot of land and had plans to make this very green oriented, but as with all my grand plans, the quilt took on a color story all it's own. I feel like all the colors really work well together. A bit soothing, a bit edgy and a bit exciting.

 

I chose the grey sprinkle print as the border. I wanted something neutral and those little sprinkles make me think of herds of cattle or horses surrounding plots of crop land. The backing is a bright lawn, so soft and really shows off the quilting.

I quilted this on my Juki 2010-Q with a free motion foot. I knew I wanted straight lines, but I did not want them to be perfectly straight. The quilting is straight matchstick lines in each individual plot, with the border being left un-quilted. The binding has a few of my favorite colors scrapped into the sprinkle grey. 

 

I'm in love with these solids. Beautiful weight, vibrant color and so easy to work with! Not to mention so many colors to choose from! It was hard to pick! I wanted them all!

A huge thank you to RJR Fabrics for allowing me to make this gorgeous quilt! If you want to make this quilt as well, I have good news! Head over to my Instagram @bossmarecraft to win a bundle of your own! Believe me, you don't want to miss out!

Jungle Abstractions Pattern - Giraffe

Loving the Bonnie Christine polka dot background for this one. Might add borders to make it bigger? Not sure yet!

Elephant Abstractions Quilt

 

Top finished on May 4th, 2016

Quilting and binding finished on August 11, 2017!

OVERSIZED Swoon Dorthy Day Tripper for Noi

 

I love Instagram. There is so much inspiration to be seen and soaked in on a daily basis. Yes, it can be overwhelming at time (which is why I take social media breaks regularly) but most of the time it's awesome to share a space with so many other makers.

This bag was jump started by a bag that Kelby made for herself. She enlarged a Swoon pattern to use for a beach bag and when I saw it, I knew that it was perfect as a travel bag for Noi!

 

 

I think Kelby's bag is slightly smaller as this bag is enlarged at 141% - crazy, I know! But it turned out so good!

 

 

I used my favorite sparkle vinyl for the handles and the bottom base.

And I added a little BLING with some rhinestone rivets on the handles.

 

 

I already have plans to make another one! It's perfect for a long weekend trip! So much room!

Pattern: Swoon Dorothy

Fabric: Heather Ross

Rivets: Tandy Leather

Vinyl: Fabric.com

Day #5 Sew Together Bag Sew A-Long :: Finish Line!

 

Today is finish line day!!! 

There is still a lot to do and some of this may cause a curse or two, but it will be worth it!

If you had trouble with the thickness of attaching the zipper panels to the main exterior piece, then you may want to use a walking foot or a jean/leather needle. Take your time and most machines will get thru it!

Alright, now your bag should look like the photo above with zipper panels attached to the exterior panel and ready for binding!

 

 

Fold and press your binding fabrics in half, wrong sides together::

 

 

I cut a long strip, but if you have already cut yours to size as the pattern suggests, great! If not, cut your's to size now. You will need the side binding pieces first.

 

 

Take your binding and align the raw edge with the raw edge of the bag::

 

 

Clip or pin to hold it in place ::

 

 

Then stitch a 1/8"-1/4" seam allowance along the edge ::

 

 

You bag side should look like this now ::

 

 

Now fold the binding over to the front of the bag. Make sure you have enough to cover the existing stitching. If you don't you may need to unpick and use a smaller seam allowance. You can always test this by only stitching about 1" down the side to start and see if it will cover, then make adjustments from there. You want anywhere from 1/16" to a 1/8" overhand covering the stitching.

 

 

Once you have it turned over and clipped, head to the sewing machine and stitch with a 1/8" seam allowance from the inside edge ::

 

 

You now have one side that is completely bound. It should look like this ::

 

 

Repeat for the other side. You now have two sides bound ::

 

 

Now it's time to insert the top zipper!

Mark the half-way point on both top panels ::

 

 

Do the same for the zipper ::

TIP : You measure your zipper from teeth to metal stop but if you want to measure from end to end, feel free to do that as well!

 

 

Lay your bag with the front facing you and the zipper head on the left and line up the marked centers. Pin or clip along the raw edge. Your zipper will be facing UP.

 

 

This means we will be stitching the zipper to the BACK edge first.

Sew a basting stitch 1/8" along the edge ::

 

 

Now unzip the zipper and without twisting it, align the other side of the zipper with the other top edge, matching the centers, pin and baste ::

 

 

Now you have the zipper basted! It should look like this::

 

 

Now we will attach the binding to the zipper the same way we attached the side binding.

Starting at one end, align the raw edge of the binding with the outside edge of the zipper and sew with a 1/8" - 1/4" seam allowance.

 

 

Now, just like the sides, fold the binding over, clip, and top stitch. 

 

 

Repeat for the other side. Zip or unzip the zipper to help wrangle the bag under your machine.

Now your bag should look close to being finished!!

 

 

Next, trim off the excess binding on the ends of your zippers ::

 

 

Now we will baste the zipper ends closed to make attaching the zipper tabs easier. Stitch over the bottom of the zipper about 1/4" from the bottom, back stitch, then re-stitch for 3 lines of basting ::

 

 

Alright! Whew! Last step is up next!!!

Take your zipper tabs and head over to the iron. With your tab wrong side up, fold the short end down by 1/4" and press. Repeat for the other short end. Then, matching right sides together and aligning short sides, press the tab in half.

 

 

 

Head to the sewing machine and stitch along the sides at 1/4" seam allowance. Back stitch at the start and end.

 

 

Do this for both tabs.

Next turn both tabs right side out. I like to use a large knitting needle to poke out my corners but a pencil or chopstick works great too!

 

 

Press nice and flat now.

 

 

Take one end of the zipper and insert the end into the open end of the tab. Make sure you have inserted the zipper end at least 1/4" into the tab. Clip or pin in place.

 

 

Sew with a 1/8" seam allowance across the the top, down once side, across the bottom and up the other side, making a rectangle around your tab. Back stitch at the start and finish.

 

 

Do this for both sides. Your tabs will now be attached and look like this ::

 

 

Fold the short end of the tab end in half to find the middle ::

 

 

Mark or insert a pin to mark the center.

 

 

Fold the zipper down so that nothing is twisted and what WAS the top of the zipper tab is now the bottom ::

 

 

Align your marked or pin center of your tab to the center seam of your bag zipper panels ::

 

 

Pin or clip in place, then sew along the existing stitching, back stitching at the top and bottom to attach it to the bag's bottom.

 

 

TIP:: A zipper foot is perfect for this!!!

Repeat for the other side.

 

 

And NOW.............your bag is complete!!!! Whew! You did it!!! WOOOO HOOOOO!!!

 

 

I have had such an awesome time hosting this sew along! I have met so many wonderful people and want to send out a big thank you to Michelle from Sew Demented for her awesome pattern and her support for this sew along!

 

I would love to do a post about all the different and unique bags that have been made during this sew along, so if you would like to share your bag, shoot me an e-mail or find me on Instagram!

 

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Today we will dig deep! This part may take a little wrangling or maneuvering, but you can do it!! Let's PARTAY!!!

You will need the finished panels and your pre-pressed side panels::

 

Hold up from MIDDLE zipper section and wrap the MIDDLE crease line of your side panels around it, MATCHING the raw end of the side panel to the line of stitching along the middle of the side panel. Did ya get that? Just like this::

 

 

Clip or pin, making sure that the zipper panel is placed as far in the crease as possible and the top-stitched side of your side panel is EVEN.

 

 

Your side panel should be attached to your middle zipper like above.

 

Now we will stitch that side down! Move over to the machine, and with a smaller stitch length (2-2.5) - starting at either end, stitch down 1/4" from the folded edge.

 

Stitch RIGHT where the raw edge edges - BACK STITCH and continue stitching till you get to the TOP STITCHING. BACK STITCH and your are done!

  

 

TIP:: A walking foot may be required for this step for your machine.

 

 

Now take the next side (right or left) and repeat. Place zipper panels in the crease, clip/pin and sew down the side at 1/4".

 

 

 

This may take some wrangling to make sure nothing is in the way so you can stitch. I start stitching from the top or bottom depending on which is easiest. So for the middle panel I start at the bottom and end at the top. For the sides it's usually the opposite ::

 

 

Last but not least, repeat for the last crease and zipper panel on that side! Your bag will now look like this::

 

 

Repeat the above process for the other side of your bag. Now you have side panels attached to zipper pockets and your zipper ends enclosed!

 

The next part is (for me) the biggest pain in the butt, and it's not even that bad! :D

Grab your front panel ::

 

Fold it in half right sides together and mark (with an air soluble pen or your choice) at the center of the panel's longest side ::

 

 

Now open it up, with the backing facing up. Place you center side panel in line with the center mark::

 

 

Line it up with the edge of the front panel and clip in place. You will want to slightly STRETCH your zipper panels so everything lays nice and flat and pin. You will have extra panels hanging over the edge of each end and that is ok!

 

We want to push each side panel sewn edge in one direction, so make sure they are all pushed in one direction. Your panel should be cliped or pinned like below ::

 

 

This part gets bulky when sewing. Take your time and use a walking foot and new needle if needed. Stitch along the edge at 1/8"-1/4" seam allowance.

 

 

Your one side now looks likes this ::

 

 

Repeat for the other side. You now have a bag that looks like this::

 

 

Now let's baste the open ends on each side closed ::

 

 

Next we will cut off any extra overhang fabric AND those little triangle squares ::

 

 

AAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNDDDD That it's for the day! Tomorrow we bind and FINISH!!

You can close your bag up and clip it to see what it will look like finished!

 

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Alright! We are passed the biggest test! The zippers! You did it! Woo hoo!!

Today we will be turning our panels into pockets and zip pockets! After all those zippers, this will be a breeze!!

 

Let's get started!

 

Take your air soluble pen or your choice of marker and a ruler.

 

 

Align the center of the zipper with a line on your mat (make sure both top and bottom are aligned) - then measure 3 1/4" away from that line and mark a straight line. This is the line we will be sewing over.

You can also use a larger ruler and place the ruler at 3 1/4" along the center of the zipper and mark it that way. Your choice.

 

You should have a line that runs down the width of the panel now: 

 

Do this for all of your panels. TIP: You don't really have to do it for ALL the panels, just on the left side of each zipper.

Now we need to fold the zipper panels and sew along that line.

Be sure to line your interior and exterior fabrics and make sure the zipper is flat at the top and not bent to the left or right at all (see below)::

 

 

Pin or use a clip at each end and thru the top middle to make sure things don't slide::

 

 

Place pins close to the lines to keep everything nice and flat.

 

 

Sew directly over that marked line.

 

 

Do this for the other two panels as well

You panels should look like this now::

 

Now we will stitch the side closed!

Unzip your zipper 1/3 of the way to keep it away from the edge. Do this for all 3 zippers!

 

Pin or clip the sides closed again (or if you left them there, hooray for you!

 

Stitch down the short side from the top to the stitched line we made earlier with a 1/8" seam allowance.

 HINT: I actually prefer to START at the stitched line and END at the zipper as it makes things less wrinkly. I just didn't take that picture :D

NOTE: A lot of people use a very narrow zig-zag stitch here. Feel free to do that!

 

 

Do this for all 6 sides and you are done for the day! Tomorrow we attach the side panels!!!

 

Day #2 of the Sew Together Bag Sew A-Long :: Zippers!

Welcome to ZIPPER DAY!

 After today you will be a PRO at installing nylon zippers! I have a a video showing you some easy tips, tricks and cheats to installing a zipper fast and easily!

I am using regular #3 sized YKK zippers ( these are also the same size you see in packets at Joann's and other craft stores ) for the interior pockets and a #4.5 handbag zipper for the exterior.

TIP #1 :: I get rid of all the zip/unzipping of the zipper during sewing by using a zipper that is LONGER than required. In my photos you will notice this. My interior zippers are 12" long, which allows me to place my zipper where I want it. This prevents wrangling and twisting and having to move the zipper head up and down while sewing it on. I will simply trim it all up afterwards! NOTE: My exterior zipper is EXACT size. If you have the exact size for the interior zippers like the pattern requests, then I will show you how to wrangle that zipper!

NOTE :: A zipper foot is best for this work but if you are more comfortable use a walking foot or regular foot. A zipper foot will allow you to get the most accurate 1/4" seam allowance.

NOTE :: I use a standard stitch length of 2.5 for installing the zippers in this bag, but you can use anywhere from a 2-3 length. Your call!

 

OK, Let's get started!

Starting at Step 3 in your pattern: Place your panels side by side in the order you want them. NOTE: If they are directional fabric, be sure the TOP of the fabric panel is on the RIGHT.

I then place my zippered pocket pieces between the two panels and place my zippers on top so that I know where everything goes. TIP: Take a quick picture with your phone and refer back to it if you forget where anything was suppose to go! You know, for when the kitten knocks them off or the child grabs them LOL

 

Here is my layout with the "P" standing for Panels and the "L" standing for linings.

 

Panels: B1 - B2 - B3 - B4

 

Now it's time to attach our zippers, starting with the far left panel (panel B1) and the 1st zipper.

Lay your panel right side up with the top of your panel on your right hand side::

 

Now lay your zipper, front side down on to the panel (zipper head at the top), aligning the right long edge (as shown above). You will notice that since I am using zippers that are longer than the panel, I have placed the head of the zipper WAY past the edge of the panel. This is OK and how I prevent myself from having to zip/unzip the zipper while sewing. If you are using a zipper as the pattern calls for, simply center your zipper along the edge and stitch this way.

 ++VIDEO below of how to stitch with a standard size zipper length and having to move the zipper head out of the way!++

You now have two options: 

     A: Pin the zipper down to the panel and baste it with a scant 1/8" seam allowance and THEN go back and add the interior panel (BEST FOR BEGINNERS!!!! Video Below) OR

     B: You can pin the zipper to the main panel then overlay the interior panel on top and stitch it from there.

If you are new or wary about zippers, I would suggest you baste to the front panel first then attach the interior. It will keep everything from shifting and make life a little easier for you.

 

Either way, you will now be placing your interior zipper pocket piece on top of the zipper, right sides of the smaller interior fabric facing the right side of the panel fabric and aligning it with zipper (photo above). Be sure to line up the short edges!!

NOTE :: Sometimes an NON interfaced fabric will stretch while installing a zipper (i.e. the interior fabric) this is ok!

Now sew the sandwich together with a 1/4" seam

 

 

When you open up your panel, it will look like this::

 

 

Fold your front panel and smaller interior panel down so that they are wrong side facing.

I suggest top stitching as you install zippers. It helps keep all the panels in nice alignment and everything flat.

I tend to just finger press my panels then top-stitch, but feel free to run a warm iron over the seam, pressing it down. BE CAREFUL to not melt your zipper! Yes that IS a thing LOL

Top stitch with a 1/8" seam allowance with a slightly longer stitch length (3).

You have now finished your B1 panel!!

 

 

Now take your B1 panel with attached lining and place it right side up on the table again and grab your B2 panel. Place your B2 panel right side DOWN (so both panels will be right sides facing) on top, aligning your edge to the zipper. MAKE SURE to keep the panels aligned on the top and bottom.

 

 

Either pin or stitch in place then turn the panel over and attach the interior fabric like before. Sew with a 1/4" seam allowance like before.

Press and top-stitch as before. Your panel should now look like this::

 

 

Continue down the line to attach the remaining panels and interiors until you have.....An entire line of panels that look like this on the front ::

 

 

And this on the back::

 

 

Hooray!!! You conquered the zippers!! ::fist bump:: ::high five::

 

VIDEO Time!!

  

Now we will do a little trimming:

 

 

Use a ruler to trim off any excess zipper ends on both sides.

BEFORE YOU CUT: If you are using a zipper that is LONGER than the panel, be sure to UNZIP and MOVE the zipper head BEFORE trimming off any excess or you will end up sad with a zipper without a zipper pull! 

 

NOTE About Above: I don't like my zipper head end to be flopping all around ( LOL ) so at this stage I will also stitch my zipper top ends together. Laying the panels flat, I run a short stitch over the zipper ends as close to the edge as possible, back stitch and then stitch over the line again. This will come in handy in the next step!

 

 

 

 Whew! You made it! Well done! Tomorrow we attach the side panels!!

 Tell me about today's sewing in the comments below! Or find me on Instagram and tell me there! My Instagram is @monpetitebiscuit - use hashtag #arsewtogetherbagsewalong to follow along with everyone's progress!

 

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