The Sling Along Bag
*The Sling Along Bag pattern
FABRIC & INTERFACINGS Exterior—1/2 yard (with enough left over to make ample bias tape) Contrast—1/2 yard Lining—7/8 yard *Craft Fuse—1/8 yard x 20" wide *Fusible Fleece- 1/4 yard x 46" wide *Soft & Stable—one 10" X 36" piece Directional fabric and changes from suggested layout may require more yardage.
HARDWARE One 10" closed bottom zipper One 22" purse zipper (closed at both ends w/two zipper heads) *One sew-in magnetic snaps *One 1" wide plastic side release buckle (metal is a heavier but acceptable option) *Three 1" wide D-rings *One 1 ½" wide slide buckle *One 1 ½" wide swivel snap hook 50" of 1 ½" wide nylon webbing (for Strap) 12" of 1" wide nylon webbing (for clip links) I could not find 1 ½” webbing for the strap (called the wrapper) so I substituted 4 layers of fusible woven interfacing (each 50” x 1 ½”) for the webbing.
NOTIONS & TOOLS A very clean pair of pliers for flattening thick seams. I will also bring mine to use. A scrap of fabric about 2” square to fold and slide under the presser foot for sewing across thick seams. *Erasable fabric marker *Pins (The clips come in handy for some of the thicker fabric sections) *Ruler *Scissors *Seam ripper *Thread and pre-wound bobbins to match your fabrics *Needle for hand sewing *Pencil and paper for notes *Your favorite sewing supplies
MACHINE & ACCESSORIES *Sewing machine in good working order with power cord and foot control *Size 14 sewing machine needles (bring extra) *Straight stitch foot (the narrower the better), zipper foot, and your favorite foot for top stitching NOTE: Walking feet are not suitable for this project.
* Available for purchase from Sewing Center of Santa Fe
BEFORE THE FIRST CLASS Take a look at the map of the bag on the first page of the instruction sheet. This shows where every piece goes. You may want to make a copy on plain white paper and color the pieces to get a better picture of where the exterior and contrasting fabrics fit together. If you change the suggested fabric layout, cut a small piece of fabric and tape it to the piece so you don't forget the change before you get a chance to cut it out. Embroidery is a fun element to add to your project. Sew the embroidery first, then cut out the pattern pieces.
Lay out and take a look at all the pattern pieces. There are a few things to note. There is NO #10 pattern piece. The pattern numbers were omitted on #5 (Wall) and #8 (Expander). Please write the numbers on these two pattern pieces. Cut all notches away from the seams or mark them with a non-erasable fabric marker. Many of the pieces have multiple fabric requirements. I like to highlight each type of fabric on the paper pattern with a different color, exterior fabric in yellow, lining in green, etc. Now it is easy see all the pieces to gather and cut for each type of fabric. Important cutting instructions are listed on some pattern pieces: fold placement, direction if using one-way designs, darts, etc. I also highlight these so I don't forget. #16 (Lower Back) and #17 (Upper Back) have special cutting instructions. You may bring these to class to cut. The instructions can be confusing. Keep all the cut fabric pieces together with the corresponding paper pattern piece.
Fusing Do not fuse anything to #11 (Niche top), #15 (Bag) or #12 (Wrapper -strap) at this time. Do fuse the remaining interfacing and fleece to all other of the corresponding exterior, contrast and lining pieces before class.
Binding I cut my own 38” binding. I cut mine on the straight grain and it worked just fine. You can certainly cut your binding on the bias if you prefer. I used a 1 1/4” width. It was a little tight to work with. I would cut a 1 3/8” to 1 1/2” width next time.
Bring leftover fabric, fleece, foam and interfacing with you to class.
If you have questions, feel free to call me: 970-731-2926. I work most days so leave a message and I will return call in the evening.