Sparrows & Caravans

Why the link between Sparrows & Caravans you may ask? It's the beautiful, creative genius from Jenny of Elefantz. 

Jenny recently posted about Operation Sparrow and invited crafters to join this wonderful opportunity to stitch one of her designs to help the work of the team at Operation Sparrow raise funds to help change a child's life.

 I love this promise from God, so beautifully incorporated in Jenny's design. I chose to do two, one in a rich pink/red & one in a blue tone. They will be heading off to Operation Sparrow next week.

 If you would like to learn more about Operation Sparrow or stitch one of these designs, pop over to Jenny's blog & grab the pattern. She has generously said you can stitch one for yourself as well, or there is an option to do the design using some applique.

 Now, the caravans - I wanted to make some gifts for a friend who had just bought a new caravan using some of this cute caravan fabric & again found my inspiration for the tea towels from a tutorial Jenny had shared on her blog. Go check it out if you are looking for ideas for gifts or to pretty up your kitchen.

I also wanted to make up one of my filigree zippered purses using a 2nd caravan fabric I had found, ideal to keep make up or toiletries in whilst out on the road. These zippers look great on lots of different fabrics, not just the pretty florals. You can find the tutorial for the filigree zippered purses here.

Tutorial - Filigree Zippered Purse

Have you seen the gorgeous filigree/lace zippers that are starting to pop up for sale? I loved them immediately but wasn't sure best way to use them. Then Leesa, the amazingly creative force behind  SewBox Subscriptions asked me if I could write a tutorial using the zips as they were included in the February SewBox - this request got me thinking & the result was these pretty yet functional make up/all purpose purses.

Fabric Requirements:

Outer fabric - fat quarter or 30cm strip of fabric (12")

Lining fabric - as above

Filigree zipper - 20cm / 8"

Iron on interfacing/light pellon

Thread

Equipment:

Rotary cutter                              Cutting mat

Scissors                                      Pins

Ruler                                          Machine - 1/4" foot, zipper foot

Iron

Instructions:

Note - all seams 1/4" unless otherwise stated.

1. Press fabric

2. Main fabric - cut 2 rectangles - 101/2" wide x 6 1/2" high

3. Lining fabric - cut 2 rectangles - 10 1/2" wide x 8 1/2" high
                         - cut 4 rectangles - 2" x 1 3/4" (these are for zipper ends, consider direction of print
                           pattern when cutting)

4. Iron-on interfacing - cut 2 rectangles - 10 1/2" wide x 7 1/4" high

5. Join each main fabric piece to lining fabric with 1/4" seam at top of main fabric piece. (Consider print direction)

6. Press seam towards lining.
With wrong sides together, match up bottom edge of main fabric & lining piece & press, this will
 give you a contrast strip at top of main fabric.

7. With main fabric piece face down on ironing board, lift lining piece up & place iron on interfacing
 glue side down on back of main piece. Lay lining fabric back down to act as pressing cloth & use
 iron to set interfacing piece in place. follow manufacturers instructions regarding iron setting.

8. Lift lining piece back out of the way, top stitch along seam where main fabric & lining meet.

9. Lay lining piece back down again, you will have two bag pieces ready to attach the zip.

10. Enclosing the ends of the zip.
Lay zip right side facing up centred on the right side of one rectangles. Pin to hold into place.

Lay another rectangle right side of fabric facing down & pin in place.

Sew down each side with 1/4" seam, taking care not to catch edge of zip.

Switch to zip foot & stitch across rectangle as close to end of zip as possible.

Trim corners & turn through. Repeat for other end of the zip.

11. Attaching the zip.
Mark the centre of the zip & the centre of the pouch (at the edge of the top).

  

Carefully pin the zip in place - the teeth of the zip should be off the edge of the fabric.

Attach the zip to the pouch using your zipper foot. As you stitch along the zip, leave needle in
needle down position, lift foot & slide zipper closure out of the way so you ensure you stitch in an even line. Pin zip to the other half of bag, lining up edges & stripes of top band.

Sew down 2nd side of zip.

Trim off the excess fabric from the rectangles at each end of the zip.

12. Side & base seams.
**Ensure you open the zip so you can turn the finished bag through.** 
Pin bag together, matching outer bag pieces & lining pieces.

Take care to match the edges of your top fold (they will sit towards main bag side - left in picture below near finger) & the centre fold of the zipper strip should sit towards the lining (right of seam in picture below) to ensure a neat finish when turned through. 

 Stitch around the bag, leaving a 4" opening in the middle of the lining. 

13. The Corners  
Mark a 5/8"  square at all 4 corners of the bag, measuring in from the seam line.

Cut out each of the corners. Align the two seams together, pin & stitch with a 1/4" seam.

Turn bag right side out, carefully pushing out the corners. Either slip stitch or machine stitch (as close to fold as possible) the turning gap closed.

Gently push lining into bag, making sure you push the ends of the zippered section out to give a neat finish.

Take a moment to enjoy your finished bag.

  Alternate Finishing Option:
Quick & easy - stitch side seams & base then use your overlocker to neaten. Add the boxed corners & neaten the seam on your overlocker. You will need to run the ends of your overlocker threads back into the seams. This does mean you can see the seams inside the bag.

If you live in Australia, you too can receive a SewBox each month filled with different fabrics, patterns, sewing supplies or gadgets.

Or if you are after some of these filigree zippers, why not pop on over to Fabric Direct to pick some up as Eve has a good selection of colours available. She also has a great selection of pretty fabrics that work well with the filigree zippers.

    Don't forget to pop on back & post a photo of your filigree purse if you make one.