u/CBG1955

After a hard slog of a project, I'm now contentedly working on my next project, with fabric and the most divine teal leather. I'm waiting for hardware and thread, so today thought I would cut out the foam stabiliser - all good. Started to stick the stabiliser on and uh-oh - rude words were uttered. Somehow I managed to use the lining piece to cut out the leather. And I am not sure if I have enough of the leather to recut it! I have absolutely no idea how I managed it either, because the pattern pieces are completely different.

It's such a fun, easy bag to make, too. I think I need a holiday!

Why I offered to make these I have no idea! Somehow I offered to make two sporrans for a friend's son's wedding, which is in Scotland at the end of October. The bridegroom grew up here in Australia, so we agreed on an Australian connection and chose possum fur (ethically sourced from NZ because they are protected in Australia and considered vermin in NZ,) black leather, and silver hardware. I'm not sure why I had an instant mental blank but I've been procrastinating on these for literally months. Now that the wedding (in Scotland) is in four weeks, I was on a deadline to get them done ASAP.

After all the mucking around finding the right hardware and pattern, multiple chats with the person who has been mentoring me and general WHY THE F DID I AGREE TO THIS??? the actual sewing took about two hours and they are done.

https://preview.redd.it/ers44up66msh1.png?width=533&format=png&auto=webp&s=aab100bf17af89d1e949453e577c8742085bab9d

I've been working on two sporrans for a wedding and am now on a tight deadline. Nothing like last minute! I've had about a year to do these, and had a really hard time getting going with them. Everything's ready to stitch together - all I need now is the two pocket studs to be resent, because they sent me the wrong size.

I got the tassels done though, thankfully!

https://preview.redd.it/rava97da60sh1.png?width=436&format=png&auto=webp&s=c96e2eddb9504cc1f3bc00ff1207826aaab222f5

Oue of our local suppliers has just announced they will be selling this machine. I am only half/sort of/maybe looking for another machine and what I need must be able to sew my bag linings - which can be fairly thick in some places and often require sewing over nylon zipper teeth. I will probably not use it for anything else.

I do rather like the idea that they have a servo motor, but no idea if this really makes a difference.

None of the large straight stitchers on the market are suitable - all have a side loading bobbin that I can't use due to mobility issues in my hands. I have multiple machines here already, including a sad, tired 1984 elna that works but has some issues and can't be repaired any more and I can't bear to get rid of (and no one locally wants to even consider looking at it, they all say to trash it.) I also have an industrial, but it's not suitable for sewing thinner fabrics or using lighter weight threads. My high spec Brother works but isn't built for this kind of work and I push it hard, plus I can't use any bonded threads in it.

I have been investigating several other brands, and considered another industrial that I actually do not have room for - none so far fit my requirement of top (or front) loading bobbin and the ability to plow through many layers. I considered Bernina, but they are way outside of my price point.

So, wondering if this brand is any good, or just a knockoff of a different brand - haven't found any info online so far. Feedback greatly appreciated.

I am in Australia

I consider myself quite advanced, with decades of experience, and find myself in a bit of a dilemma. We have many machines in our household - my main machines are a Brother Innovis VQ2400 Dream Creator, Babylock overlocker and cover stitch, and a compound feed walking foot industrial with top loading bobbin that I use for leather bag making. I also have my vintage elna Carina SU air electronic which I bought new in 1984, sewed everything; it works but needs serious attention - my two local dealers can't be bothered and just tell me to get rid of it - and I am not confident with repairs.

But I digress.

Currently I am using the Brother to construct my bag linings, however it isn't designed for the thicknesses often created - especially sewing over zipper teeth (nylon coil.) The industrial is set up only for much heavier sewing and if I try with thinner fabrics it frustratingly puckers everything (I knew it wasn't suitable for this when I bought it but I did attempt it.)

I have considered the Brother, Janome straight stitchers but my dealer talked me out of them - partly because although they are fast they are still only domestic machines and he wasn't confident they would do what I need. Plus, the vertical lefthand bobbin insertion is an issue.

Mobility impairment in my hands means I can't feel what I am doing - even though the Brother/Janome have an opening to insert the bobbin case, I can't get my fingers in. A traditional industrial with side loader under the machine table is out.

So I'm on the lookout for a robust machine that can handle the multiple layers that happen with bags. Can be a straight stitcher. Top or front loading bobbin. I am not averse to a vintage, but good ones are hard to come by where I live - plus the added annoyance that the local repair shops really dislike working on old machines. Considered Bernina, but new cost is out of my budget; also thought about Sailrite but then there's the side loading bobbin issue again.

Very interested to hear thoughts. Not the least bit interested in anythin modern by Singer.

Many thanks.

This is going to be another bag with an inner pouch, similar to the red one I showed a few weeks ago. The teal is leather outer, and the dragonfly print is the lining and pouch. There are no zippers in the bag outer so of course since both of these colours compliment the lining print, I don't know which one to pick. My fusspot brain is thinking that the darker tape is TOO dark, feels too blue to put with the teal

https://preview.redd.it/572harjf72lh1.png?width=436&format=png&auto=webp&s=7180213419b0ba2d7c87d204ac17506757e217e5

Tell me you sew without actually saying you sew. What's the first thing you thought of when you saw this graphic?

https://preview.redd.it/fyrfvnkmtujh1.png?width=710&format=png&auto=webp&s=73877265a563513fa0623e48374a054f4c9cedb6

I get it, you need guidance or assistance with an issue you are having, but posting the same thing ten times isn't really going to get any more traction than if you only post once. Most of the sewing folks I know are in all the sewing subs anyway.

There seems to be an increase of entities gathering up other people's sewing pattern designs and passing them off as their own collection. They use a head shot stolen from a random website to represent the "designer", and if you do Google image searches it's quite clear that the majority of their patterns are stolen from other makers. One of them has a banner that says "buy the whole collection for $100" - then advertises a single pattern for $9.99 - 90% off the full price of $100 for a single pattern.

My impotent rage is actually pointless; it seems impossible to stop. The one from today has links all over FB and appears to originate in Morocco. The only power I might have is to message the original designer with a link and hope they can follow up the stolen IP

The worst thing is how badly I feel for the many unsuspecting people who get sucked into these scammy patterns and then cry because they are so difficult to understand, the seller won't help them, and they've lost their money with ruined fabric.. Even with my decades of experience I got caught once a few years ago too, but thankfully it was only one pattern.

We used to buy potatoes from a local fellow called "Trav" who used to drop off - does anyone know of him? Please and thank you.

Delivery! Can't update the title.

I appreciate that we have varying levels of knowledge and experience. Those of us who know and want to help, and those wanting to learn.

However - What is the point in asking a question, receiving valid and helpful information, then deleting your original post? The answers will still be there, but no one will know what the question was.

The information you receive may very well help someone else with a smilar question.

After the bright red bag, I figured it needed a matching wallet. So here it is. Of course I forgot to put a label on it.

https://preview.redd.it/b1o9m70xe4dh1.png?width=561&format=png&auto=webp&s=6ea3a6e119bf1dde1a8a80552bd6287c11f7f74e

https://preview.redd.it/kf3h7xy7f4dh1.png?width=484&format=png&auto=webp&s=462f0d185aa5eacf60c78b636d17aa97dbdf2a87

https://preview.redd.it/zv93g2ehf4dh1.png?width=678&format=png&auto=webp&s=202bf9f022ef17563c0fda5194c3b1b1954cad66

I started going through my hardware today and moved all my zipper pulls into one place. I'm pretty sure this is all of them. I still have to consolidate my swivels, strap attachments, magnetic snaps, and various other assorted bits and pieces.

I wish IKEA had not discontinued these little boxes, because they fit perfectly into these drawers, which is actually a large IKEA kitchen cabinet, and can hold a lot of hardware. I can't even find them on the 3-D printing pages. :-(

The red things are pattern weights my husband made me out of industrial plumbing parts and spray painted red.

https://preview.redd.it/rl5de76e67bh1.png?width=443&format=png&auto=webp&s=ef865ca4b8e85d83df1c1af6e6172c10f8154768

So after I finished the red croc bag I decided to make a matching wallet. All good, I had enough fabric and vinyl, and it's a project that I've made multiple times before and use daily. Pattern calls for 38cm of zipper tape (14") and because it's how I roll, the zipper tape has to closely match the red - the pink I'm using in the interior is too pink. I have some red: a leftover piece that looks long enough.

It's not. It's only 30cm, or 12", and I can't make it work even with zipper tabs. I did not want to buy more zipper tape.

However, I relented. Went to my favourite local online supplier, and found red tape with gold teeth. So I figured, to make the postage worthwhile I might as well order some "Bespoke" magnetic snaps that I'll use as bag tags, and a couple of metres of coordinating bonded nylon print.

Sadly, I shop faster than I sew. Plus, I am supposed to be working on a different project and am procrastinating.

Oh, and u/JPBagworks did you get your machine set up???

https://preview.redd.it/0h4nmfwuwsah1.png?width=492&format=png&auto=webp&s=142ffe592e577b332ea9a6cf7f9fe49ee513ed61

****EDIT**** I really appreciate the feedback and did not realise that, in addition to my friend's stubbornnness (he does this to his wife too with her sewing projects, BTW) the cultural significance of the formal sporran was lost on me. I have a couple of weeks to decide whether or not to proceed with it.

Back story: friends of ours have three now 20-something adult children who grew up with us in their lives. My husband and I were one of the few couples that were more like aunt and uncle to these youngsters rather than just their parents' friends. One of them is being married in Scotland later this year and all the menfolk will be in full formal dress Scottish regalia. We were very touched to be invited, since it's a very small wedding, and he only chose to invite people who meant much to him throughout his growing up years.

So, I'm a bag maker and flippantly asked my friend about the sporrans - and offered to make them (there will be two). All good I thought, essentially a small gusseted pouch. I inspected his own sporran, a beautiful piece with a sterling silver cantle and bearskin front and tiny pocket on the back. We had a few discussions, chose the black leather, Australian possum fur for the front, colour of hardware. Found a pattern, made a sample, and he started to pick holes in it. Pouch too big, flap too long, change gusset to this size. I went back to the drawing board, found a fellow who makes sporrans and has been showing me some tips and tricks. I feel rather deflated and now am second guessing myself.

Thing is, this is my gift, it is not a professionally made dress sporran. Part of me wants to just make what I want to make, and send it directly - the other feels like declining gently. Either way, if I am gifting something from my heart, does the parent of the adult recipient get to choose??

What to do, what to do.

I figured I should show the finished bag with its double sided adjustable strap. I think the strap was the hardest part! Don't be like me and take shortcuts by deliberately leaving the interfacing off the cotton fabric because lazy does not give a nice crisp finish.

https://preview.redd.it/zslciplyty9h1.png?width=518&format=png&auto=webp&s=adb22a97c39c049422edbb18a9a5864d8134a223

This is the Magic Middle bucket Bag by Spencer Ogg patterns.

I used a croc embossed soft vinyl, with a quilt cotton lining. I also used a 2mm self adhesive foam for additional stability on the vinyl. Because the seams are at the centre front and centre back, I wanted to fussy cut the vinyl so the lines matched up. The outcome was pretty good!

The bag looked like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once I finished it, but I did make a few changes. Diane's instructions are always very well written and comprehensive. There is a video but because I'm familiar with her patterns I didn't need to watch it. The in-built pouch is really clever and overall am happy with the project.

I had a few reservations about the project but they don't my opinion of the pattern. I think the lining is a little baggy for my liking but I suspect that it stretched some while I was assembling the bag - and the pouch feels a little too wide for the bag. I checked my seam allowances and they are all correct. I suspect perhaps the side seams where the pouch is sewn into the lining may be the issue - my fault, because I didn't keep the interfacing out of the seam allowances which of course means it's too thick there.

I made a couple of minor changes. I sewed this as a drop-in lining because I don't usually use vinyl and I have no idea how it would behave if I turned it through the pocket, which is how the instructions tell you to do it. The pocket is large enough but I didn't trust the vinyl. I picked a hardware strap attachment rather than doing it per the pattern, and omitted the flap. I might still use a magnetic snap (I have some that fit over the edge of the bag.) I think there's enough of the vinyl to do an adjustable strap, otherwise I'll just use bright red webbing. I like using one of the pattern maker's hidden card slots in my bags, so putting it into the pouch seemed like a good idea at the time. It works but I wouldn't bother with a zipper opening next time, just a slip pocket. It would have fit much better in the main lining slip pocket rather than inside the pouch, but it's a nice well-hidden pocket for security.

I will you sew it again and I recommend this pattern. I think next time I will take a slightly larger seam allowance on the lining so it sits in the bag a little more tightly. It was a fun and easy project.

As usual I left the strap to last, and am not sure if I'll use what's left of the vinyl or do a webbing strap. Many of Diane's patterns follow a similar formula, so it was easy to assemble. I see more of these in my future.

And no, u/JPBbagworks, there are no "special" pockets in this one.

https://preview.redd.it/r7ipnuuf3s9h1.png?width=511&format=png&auto=webp&s=e434beb12c906f1ff83125c9e9bafcc7320cc3c4

https://preview.redd.it/n6d5bo3j3s9h1.png?width=378&format=png&auto=webp&s=5cf51664d3283cefbd3712d480867ae4437f7a2a

https://preview.redd.it/yp13d1pl3s9h1.png?width=361&format=png&auto=webp&s=b08ac63f26388242b5edb79b92ec44b5e8983dba

https://preview.redd.it/ehnzxoxo3s9h1.png?width=445&format=png&auto=webp&s=7b924b5a1295ad98d5450e48c6b924ea425f7b39

A friend's son is being married in Scotland later this year and I offered to make the sporrans. These people are like family. We've chosen the leather, have the Australian possum fur for the front (he's an Aussie kid so a link to home) Trying to find a dress sporran pattern has not been easy. The only thing even close is the Tandy Leather one, but the sizing was all wrong. So far I've been able to get a more or less accurate size, but the detail that they want is actually making me nervous. I am actually really bad at hacking patterns, and how to finish the top of the gusset is not making any sense in my brain - part of this is because of cognitive impairment caused by my MS. My friend is extremely particular about how this should look, he's Scots, and given a recent really bad experience I had recently with binding I am on the verge of withdrawing my offer and purchasing the sporrans as my wedding gift. I am not a beginner either and if I do make this I know it needs to be perfect.

I do tend to fret some about things being perfect but am also very aware that my friend is super fixated on the specifics of a dress sporran. Feeling super challenged by this!

https://tandyleather.com/.../leathercr.../sporran-pattern...

https://preview.redd.it/f3yxtfhww48h1.png?width=727&format=png&auto=webp&s=791b86fa2512498bdaffef0b58ce57f228c2afa4

I was on a roll all weekend. Two plate cozies, and one more bowl cozy in a different size. Now, I need to make a bag. I have been asked to make two sporrans for a friend's son's wedding in October, so that has to happen soon too.

https://preview.redd.it/cxd434nro92h1.png?width=783&format=png&auto=webp&s=656b2116ec2be5f9142f5f7bf3d6165086bdc522

https://preview.redd.it/weplx8wuo92h1.png?width=759&format=png&auto=webp&s=aa24497ac4ca3b2690b589ccec835701cf838f9b

I'll preface this by mentioning I am not a beginner, and know about changing needles frequently. I know my machine well, and I know about that "knock" sound when the needle needs changing. What's been confusing me is needle type.

Lately I'm doing a lot of various projects, and choosing the right needle type has been somewhat problematic. For bag linings, I'm using microtex most of the time, and they seem to be working well. Most linings are only quilt cotton and woven fusible interfacing, and although there can be up to 12 layers in places, the needles are smoothe and silent, and last fairly well.

The past weekend I got stuck into bowl cozies - a lot of them - quilt cotton and cotton quilt batting. It didn't matter what needle I chose I got that knock. In the end, I picked a new jeans needle, no change. In the end I kept on going but was aware that I needed something different.

I actually like microtex for sewing wovens, but sizes are limited (I'm in Australia.)

So my actual question is - for bowl cozies and other fairly thick projects, in your experience what's the best needle? I have many here but don't have a problem buying various types and sizes to test out.

Thank you.