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.

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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???

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****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.

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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

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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.

This was a request from an acquaintance who I only know through an online website. She saw my original bowl cozy and begged for small rectangular ones for her microwaved frozen meals. No pattern, came up with this little tray based on her measurements.. I can already see some improvements for future ones - little handles on the short sides.

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We decided we needed some plate cozies, so I dug through my stash, pulled out some bowl cozy acrylic templates that I acquired and cut out two of the largest ones. Lo and behold, they are freaking HUGE and will fit about a 2-litre casserole. Still fun, and an easy make.

And bonus, I showed someone on another forum I visit, and she immediately asked me to make her four to fit her frozen easy meals. Plus, I get to pick colours and surprise her.

https://preview.redd.it/d26keoxuzh1h1.png?width=340&format=png&auto=webp&s=c800e59ff58f4cc93a56178b4bb8ce359ee6f4f2

Bowl cozies and thread

There is a lot of information around about only using pure cotton fabric, batting and thread, if you are using the cozies in the microwave. I only have Rasant, which is 50/50 cotton/polyester. I really don't want to buy a whole new stash of [very expensive] 100% cotton thread if I can avoid it.

I'm not too sure why this matters so much. It's the food that is being heated - is it only heat transference from the dish it's cooked in that could potentially cause the polyester to melt? (Apparently polyester begins to soften at 230C (446F) - so potentially not an issue.)

Thanks for any feedback.

After the slog if the rucksack I thought I'd treat myself to a quickie. I've made this little bag about eight or nine times now, and it takes about two hours (if I did it without stopping!) I have acrylic templates for it, so it's really quick to cut out. I rarely use vinyl but this was the last little bit of a piece I bought simply because I loved the print. I left off the outer zipper and didn't put on a strap attachment, so it's an evening clutch bag. Sort of.

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I made this pack for my grandson as a school bag. While the pattern is basically a fashion bag, my bushwalker husband prodded me to make sure everything would be secure so it doesn't fall apart when Mr 13 yanks it around. Like double stitching all the straps, handles, etc, plenty of padding. The outer is leather, inner is cotton canvas interfaced with fusible woven cotton interfacing, there's foam for padding.

The straps were a bone of contention: sewing them was turning into a nightmare, partly because the pattern instructions were a dog's breakfast, so in the end my husband bought proprietary third party removable straps from Placatac

The original pattern called for a triangular attachement, but all I had was leather or corcdura. I was concerned that the cordura would shred; it did once on another bag, and since these seams are bound there was now ay to have a larger seam allowance there. In the end, to spread the load on the bottom attachment we chose to use webbing directly into the seam, separated per the photo, and use a slide-in strap attachment so we now have 50mm rather than 25mm to spread the load.

The back, showing the strap attachments

https://preview.redd.it/y1sup8a23gzg1.png?width=478&format=png&auto=webp&s=b93357af724ef241ec015663c476de1ae4bb7c8f

Fun zipper tape says 'Caution Keep Out\"

Laptop sleeve, opens at the back

How the straps look

This rucksack nearly broke me. But, it's finished. Leather outer, cotton interior. 3-D mesh for the back, purchased removable rucksack straps.

I hate binding.

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Context: second hand vehicle sold with three year warranty, reputable local dealership. On taking delivery of the vehicle, it was discovered that the radio satellite buttons on the steering wheel don't work -radio does work. Car booked in for warranty repair.

On examination the service department refused to repair because car is apparently fitted with a non-standard unit - which was in the car when purchased. There's no way of the purchaser knowing it was not standard. Vehicle is a Kia, dealer is another brand.

I don't have a copy of the warranty, car is my daughter's but I fail to see that a non-standard radio installation has any bearing on whether or not the dealership does not have an obligation under the warranty - especially as it was sold with the radio in already place.

Not asking for legal advice, but guidelines perhaps. thank you.

This backpack is seriously pushing my buttons. Every single thing about the pattern and construction is making me question my sanity. Nothing makes sense or flows well with the instructions. For a pattern that cost $24USD plus the cost of printing because my stupid printer wouldn't print 110% properly I was outraged at how bad it actually is.

ALL the seams are bound. ALL. OF. THEM. On the first seam I missed 3/4 of the back of the binding. I unpicked it. 20mm binding simply wasn't wide enough. The pattern says ZIP about how wide the binding should be. 30mm would do it but I couldn't find foldover elastic at 30mm. I got 40. It's too wide. I have 25mm proper binding stuff but it isn't bias and won't go around the corner nicely.

If I hadn't spent so much money on the materials I would simply trash it and make something different.

At least it's about 3/4 finished, then I can hand it over to Mr 13 and move on with something I really love.

Lisa and I worked on this and I'm very happy with the result. This turned out so well. The diamond is wonderfully sparkly, and the workmanship is excellent.

2.5ct Asscher, VVS2 G, EX EX set in 10ct. I went with the G because what's the point in putting a D/E stone in yellow gold, when the yellow will reflect into the diamond - well, that's my thinking anyway. It has a lovely and warm feeling about it.

https://preview.redd.it/7g8q1eafovxg1.png?width=588&format=png&auto=webp&s=54af71f69c312f38a16fde7c9514d1b84d2ee99a