Hello Everyone!
I have always had a desire to learn
how to sew, and finally did something about it a few years ago. I took a sewing
class over Spring Break downtown at The Needle Shop. The class I took was Sewing 101 and we learned the basics
and made a pillow with a zipper to boot! Taking this class really inspired me,
so I asked for a sewing machine for my 21st birthday (not too wholesome...) and
my wish was granted! I was so excited to have a machine and went out and bought
a ton of fabric, buttons and tools, ready to start a sweatshop out of my house.
Well as much as I wanted this to happen, I did not have much time to set aside
for projects and eventually forgot about sewing all together.
After a year or two of my machine
collecting dust, my mom suggested we take a class since she was getting the
sewing bug. We took a class at Joann Fabric and Craft Store and I got the basics down once again. Even after this
second class I was not putting time aside to work on anything. The last time I
used my machine was on Valentine's Day to fix Jonny's beloved plaid pajama
pants (BTW Jonny is my totally awesome boyfriend/blog editor....you'll meet him
soon). Lets just say thank god he loves me beyond my sewing skills, as the pants
turned out absolutely silly looking. I am not one who likes to fail at
anything, so now that I have finally started my blog, I thought what a better
way to amp up my creativity and DIY skills than force myself to do blog posts
on projects I want to get done. I hope it keeps me accountable and helps
inspire you to put some time aside for hobbies you enjoy, but never commit 100%
to.
Today's project is an Envelope
Makeup Bag using some cutesy cupcake fabric that I bought eons ago at the peak
of my wannabe sewing phase. I chose the envelope bag because it is pretty
basic, but also looks really pleasing. You do not have to use this bag for
makeup, it can be used as a clutch, too. If all goes well today, I may go find
some more "clutch appropriate" fabric and make a handbag or two. (any
requests?!) I am going to stop typing now and get to work, so I hope you enjoy
my first sewing tutorial.
Envelope Makeup Bag
What you need:
·
Fabric
·
Lining
·
Paper for pattern
·
Thread
·
Pins
·
Velcro
·
Button
·
Ruler
Step 1: Pattern
·
Create an envelope template on a piece
of paper
o
Envelope top - 10" wide at the bottom
§
Cut 1 piece of fabric for envelope
top
§
Cut 1 piece of lining for envelope top
o
Bag body - 10" across at the top and taper out 1" on each
side, so bottom is 12"
§
Cut 2 pieces of fabric for each side
of the body
§
Cut 2 pieces of lining for each side
of the body
Step 2: Lining
·
Attach the lining to fabric
o
My lining was an iron on, but if yours requires another
method make sure to apply before sewing bag together
Step 3: Machine Time!
·
Take both pieces of fabric and place
them “wrong side” together. (side of
fabric not meant to be seen)
·
Pin the bottom edge together and sew
·
Once edge is sewn, sew in envelope
top to the inside of one side of the bag
·
Sew up both side edges of the bag
Step 4: Finishing Touches
· Now that bag is sewn together, but
still inside out, cut any excess fabric along the seam
· Flip the bag to the right side out
making sure to push the edges out to make clean
· Add Velcro to the closure and hot
glue on a button of your choice
· Enjoy!
One tip I would recommend that I neglected
to do would be to HEM YOUR FABRIC SO IT
HAS CLEAN EDGING!!! Aside from
that little issue, I think this bag turned out pretty well for my first sewing
project in a few years. My skills have a
long way to go before I will be happy with my work, but practice makes
perfect! I encourage you to do something
you love even if you are not an expert.
You will never succeed if you do not try!
Feel free to try out this tutorial,
and I promise as I get better at sewing, so will my tutorials ;)
- Courtney
