I’m running a Sew-Along!

Coming soon to So Sew Easy - the Conference Tote Bag sew-along

I'm delighted at last to let you in on something I've been working on for a couple of months now. Several members of the pattern testing team and on the sewing chat group have suggested I should bring you a new pattern and arrange a ‘sew-along' for it.

Have you taken part in a sew-along before? It's a first time for me. Starting on Sunday next week, I'll be launching the Conference Tote Bag pattern, a bag I designed to take to Sewing Holiday with me that could take my notebook for all the new sewing tips I was going to learn (and carry all my sewing goodies).

Want to learn more about sewing bags? This tote bag pattern sew-along includes so much info with videos, photos and lots of helpful links and tips.

The Sew-Along will last for 10 days, with new lessons being released each day, comprising the pattern, materials list, tips on interfacing and then step by step sewing instructions each day with photos and a video.

It's been a TON of work to put together, but I've enjoyed it and I hope you will too.

All throughout we'll be sharing what we make at each stage, showing off our fabric choices, asking questions and sharing advice over in the Sewing Chat Group and I am really looking forward to it so much. I want to see what fabrics you'll be using, ask us if you aren't sure which combo works best, and following along with your progress each day until we all share our finished bags there at the end.  So if you aren't already a member, come and join us now.

Sewing Chat Group

I explain all about it here

 

If you want to start getting prepared ahead of time, here are all the things you'll need.

Materials list:

  • 1 yard of your ‘featured fabric' (more if you have a large scale print to center)
  • 3/4 yard total for the contrast and lining fabric
  • 1 x 14 inch zipper
  • 1 x 8 inch zipper or longer
  • 1/2 yard of 1/4 inch wide elastic
  • 4 x 1.25 inch rectangle rings
  • 1.75 yards Interfacing such as Shape Flex 101
  • 1/2 yard low loft Fusible Fleece
  • 1 yard Stabiliser such as a foam for bags (Soft & Stable, Bosal, Pellon FF-77, headliner, etc) or you can substitute with interfacing teamed up with fusible fleece
  • Threads to match
  • Optional – 4 bag feet
  • Optional – plastic canvas or foam board for the base of the bag

Equipment list:

Want to learn more about sewing bags? This tote bag pattern sew-along includes so much info with videos, photos and lots of helpful links and tips.

See you next week for the big launch!

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Hémiole49
Hémiole49

Hello ! I cannot see the sign up link announced for today, Sunday on 9th August. Can you help me ? Thanks.

Hémiole49
Hémiole49

Sorry, I was too impatient… Here, it’s already 7:35 pm ! Thanks for the first day of this sew-along.

Carol
Carol

Hello,
I’m really looking forward to working on the sew-a-long bag pattern.
I live in Cincinnati, Ohio,USA

Della
Della

I’m so excited for this new “Sew Along”. I’m signing up. Thank you Deby!!

Gay Ferland
Gay Ferland

Deby, what day does this sew-along start?? I have all my supplies ready to start so excited!! I love both your bags!

Janet P
Janet P

I am in love with this bag! I am wondering however if this will be available as a pattern in the near future. I really appreciate that your tutorials and pattern instructions are always easy to follow. There was no mention, however, of how much this sew-along might cost. Is it the same as a Craftsy class?

Betty
Betty

Wonderful idea. I want to join in on the fun.

Joanne Maner
Joanne Maner

Thanks Deb for all you do. Love your patterns and am looking forward to this one

Valerie
Valerie

Really looking forward to this Deby, being part of a group project is great. Thank you for all your hard work.

Lorraine Irvine
Lorraine Irvine

I want to be included, please. How do I sign up? Is it live, i.e. do I have to get up at 2 am to watch.

Lorraine Irvine
Lorraine Irvine

That is wonderful. I am not really at my best at 2 am. I spent yesterday hunting for appropriate fabric. I think I have nailed it. Looking forward to the tute.

Karen Talamantez
Karen Talamantez

I want to join in, too. I’ll be looking for just the right fabric and getting supplies ready before the official start date.

wanda
wanda

This is a fabulous idea. I already have some fabric I picked out for another bag that didn’t work out. I will be gathering my supplies. Thanks!

Amy Elliott
Amy Elliott

What fun! I so hope I can join along! Thank you for doing this, Deby!

Janice
Janice

Thanks Debbie. I’m looking forward to learning how to put in the two zippers! You went to a lot of trouble for us! You are a sweetheart.

Christine Ruddick
Christine Ruddick

Sign me up from busy1needle@yahoo.com

Sara
Sara

I’m a senior citizen and my hearing isn’t so good. Can you please speak a little louder. I have map lap top at the highest volume. Thank you

Paula
Paula
Reply to  Sara

Sara, just a helpful tip, not trying to sound rude, but you should try to put on some headphones. I find that helps me a great deal when I’m trying to hear videos that aren’t very loud. It also cancels out alot of your own background noise so you can hear the video better. I’m also on a laptop right now and I am playing Debbie’s video at only 35% volume and it’s loud. If I turn my volume up to 100% I can hear her on the other side of the house. Also, try looking in your settings to see if you can turn your internal volume speakers/settings up 🙂 Hope you get some better volume coming out of your laptop.

Victoria Hinton
Victoria Hinton
Reply to  Sara

Sara, I have to have a special speaker that goes louder than the computer speaker. When there are people here, I plug in my headphone…The things we do to compensate, eh? (pun intended 🙂 )

Sara
Sara

count me in

Carolyn
Carolyn

How do I sign up? Sorry I can’t find a link.

Donna G.
Donna G.

This is a wonderful bag! I’ll be out of town for several of the lessons, will they be available later for replay? Thanks for all you do for the sewing community!

Fashionedbyrose

Count me in!

Hémiole49
Hémiole49

It’s a good idea, this bag… Please, could you speak more, more, more slowly. Thanks !

Linda Hiles
Linda Hiles

Where do you sign up for the sew-along? I don’t see the link to click on. Thanks!

Patsy
Patsy

Sounds like loads of fun!! Sure hope my schedule will allow me to participate….

Anais
Anais

That sounds like so much fun! I hope it will be a success and that you will do more after this – I’ll be on holiday so sadly will miss this one.
Happy sewing!

Anais
Anais
Reply to  Anais

And then she watched the video and realised she’d still be able to do it later… Doh! So I’ll definitely signup when I’m back!

Charo

Hi Deby, I would love to Join the sew along, what must I do?
I ‘ll be out of home on holidays next Sunday but I’ll join and start the tote bag on August the 16th
I’m already on the map. Do I have to give you my address charosgd@gmail.com

Thanks for your help

Alicia
Alicia

Hi Deby,

I would love to be apart of this, however, I am not on Facebook. Is this the only way to join in?

Alicia
Alicia

Great! Can’t wait to start!

Kathy
Kathy

Love it. Can’t wait to start

Paula
Paula

I think this sounds like a great idea. Nice bag Debbie!! It looks great 🙂

Paula
Paula
Reply to  Paula

Only problem I would have is waiting 10 days to sew the bag, I’m too impatient lol But I’m sure everyone is going to love it. Sorry for sending 2 messages, I wanted to edit my comment but couldn’t so I just made 2. Anyways, that was a really great video. Nice to see you 🙂