{Sewing Class Basics #3 ~ Appliqué Pillow Cover OR Simple Tote Bag}

For our third sewing class we are going to learn how to Applique`
(If you would like to make something other than the Halloween projects you can do another fun applique` such as: flowers, a horse, a rainbow & clouds,  or scissors. These will still be done on a pillow cover or simple tote bag.)

*When: Saturday, September 22nd from 1-4 pm or 5-9 pm. These are the same classes. I’m simply offering them at two different times. So you choose which time you’d like to attend. 

*Where: In my sewing studio (Lindsay & Baseline)

I'll send you the address after you sign up & pay!

*Cost: $15. 

*To sign up, visit my facebook event page here:  Applique` Sewing Class

OR

*Email your name and "Applique` Sewing Class" to me at simplestitchesaz at yahoo.com.

Please let me know which project you want to make. I will send you an invoice through Paypal to pay for the class. You don't have to have a Paypal account to pay through them, just a credit card. Class size is limited so sign up ASAP to reserve your spot. 

*Feel free to share this with a friend if you know someone that is local (Gilbert/Mesa area) that may be interested. If you can't make this day and time but would like to sign up, let me know and I can create another class if I have enough interest.

*You can choose between making One Applique` Pillow Cover OR one Simple Applique` Tote Bag. If you'd like to make both projects or more than one of the same project, you can sign up for both class time slots and make one in each. 

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In this class you will:

practice straight stitching

learn how to applique`

learn how to create an envelope pillow cover OR a simple tote bag.

learn more about seam allowances

learn how to make a casing for a drawstring or elastic

learn how to hem

learn how to use a pattern that has several sizes, without cutting the larger sizes off. 

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Supplies you'll need to bring:

*Sewing machine

*your machine's manual

*universal needles

*thread to match your fabric

*fabric scissors - one large pair for cutting fabric and one small pair to use at your machine. The 2nd pair is optional.

*a seam ripper

*straight pins

*small screwdriver (your machine should have come with one)

*bobbins

*fabric for your project (I will send you the amount of fabrics you'll need after you sign up for the class)

{Makyla's School Bag}

My 14 year old, Makyla, needed a new bag for school and I've been wanting to try this pattern from Sew4Home.  I love the style of the bag, but it's just a little too tall. 

The pattern doesn't call for a lining, but I wanted to put one in for extra durability, so I had to rearrange the way I assembled the bag.

I'm really not sure why anyone would want a school bag that wasn't lined.

You can order a bag like this one, with fabrics of your choice, over in my Etsy shop.

Come visit me on:

Facebook  |  My Etsy Shop | Twitter | Google+ | Instagram | Pinterest

{crossbody purse}

I made this cute little purse awhile ago, for myself, however I decided I wanted a bag a little larger.

So I decided to put this one up in my shop.

Come visit me on:

Facebook  |  My Etsy Shop | Twitter | Google+ | Instagram | Pinterest

{my new owl purse}

This is my new purse I made for myself last weekend.

My best friend is also a seamstress and we were talking a few weeks ago about how we never get to make things for ourselves because we are always busy sewing for others.

So we decided to get together and sew something for ourselves.

You can order a custom made purse, from this style, in my Etsy shop.

In your custom order you can choose what colors and prints you'd like me to make your bag with.  I'm fairly certain that this fabric that I used is no longer in stock, however I believe there are similar prints. 

Come visit me on:

Facebook  |  My Etsy Shop | Twitter | Google+ | Instagram | Pinterest

{heavin's giraffe tote bag}

This bag has been a long time in the making.  I started it 2 years ago for my daughter's friend, Heavin.  For some reason I never finished it and it got set aside and forgotten about.  My daughter has been bugging me lately to finish it, so a few weeks ago my best friend and I spent a whole Saturday sewing and I finished 7 bags, including this one.

  

Come visit me on:

Facebook  |  My Etsy Shop | Twitter | Google+ | Instagram | Pinterest

gray & red ruffle tote bag {love}

This is my new bag.  I started out using this pattern, but then decided that I wanted my bag to be cute on the outside, not just useful.  So I put all the pockets on the inside (still making it useful) & created the ruffle on the outside (making it cute).  

I added these little accent tabs by the straps & I love how they turned out.  I thought about adding buttons in the center of the little tabs, but I decided they may look weird because they are not square, but more rectangle.

This bag was just the right size to fit my DSLR camera in on my trip to Alberta last week.  I made this padded bag to carry my big camera in when I want to just put it in my purse. I was also able to fit an extra lens in the padded bag & my zoom lens in the lens cozy (from that same post) all fit inside my purse. 

I love the unfinished ruffle across the front.  And I absolutely love the printed fabric.  It has cities from all over the world on it, including the little town I live in!!!

And there are all the awesome pockets inside.  The one where my wallet is was one large one, but I decided it would be more useful as two smaller ones, so I stitched in between to make two.

This top shallow zipper pocket is my favorite.  I love that it is shallow & long so I can put my pens/pencils in there & I can find them very quickly and easily. 

I keep my gum & lip balm in this small pocket.

And my business cards & my son's inhaler in this pocket that has a flap.  The flap isn't really necessary on the inside of the bag and if I were to make this one again I would probably omit this.  

There's my wallet in the right pocket and in the other one I put my sunglass case and a few other items that fit perfectly in there.

And there's the back.  Not very pretty, but I just wanted to show that it is plain...nothing fancy there.  You can tell I've already been using it a lot!

 One thing I didn't plan for, but have found very helpful with this bag, is that my coupon binder fits in it perfectly.  

If you would like to purchase a bag like this head over to my Etsy shop.  

Visit my facebook page at: Simple Stitches by Rachelle