Great Canadian Craftsy Bag Tour

So excited to be on this fun little tour with fellow Canadians and Craftsy! This is one tour you won't want to miss. Every stop is a new project, and you'll nevery know what you might learn. 

So thanks to the people at Craftsy I got to take the Sew Sturdy Home Organizers class with Annie Unrein (affiliate link). Just so you know, I did get this class for free for the purpose of the tour, but all opinons are my own. 

I watched all the segments to this class, about 3 hours of how-to videos (I didn't watch all in one sitting). I downloaded the patterns, and got my shopping list ready. I did have an issue finding By Annie's Soft & Stable,  so I had to make due with other stabilizers. I'll be able to tell you what I used and how that worked for me.

This is how I started my morning. See where my focus was, yup you guessed it, on my coffee! I cut out my pieces and applied a fleece interfacing and then a firm polyester stabilizer. I wanted the basket to be firm enough that it wouldn't just collapse if I decided to stack them. I think the combination of fleece with the firm interfacing worked fine. I wouldn't have any worries about stacking the baskets either.

I decided that I was to start off with the smallest nesting basket, just in case I didn't like it or the interfacing that I used didn't give the results I wanted. Once everything was cut out and interfacing applied I was able to measure the handle and little vinyl pocket placement. One thing that is mentioned in the class is to keep that little piece of tissue paper on the vinyl so that the clear vinyl doesn't get lost in the shuffle...I want to add that its also a good idea to hold on to that piece of tissue paper for easy top stitching. Place the paper over the vinyl so that everything feeds nicely under the presser foot. Once you're done just rip the paper off.

I don't usually make bags or sew thick fabric and I know Wonder Clips are life savers for some of us...but when you don't have Wonder Clips you can always use office supplies? These binder clips really did the job, not sure they would work for everything you would use Wonder Clips for, but in this case...

Once I had finished sewing the base to the body I felt it looked a bit like a pot. A pretty pot, but still a pot and not a basket. I had to hurry and get that lid made. I thought of what I would put in my little pot looking basket and if it would still look like a pot with its tag in place a lid.

JubeJube thought it would look nice with her toys in it and begged me to put her stuffed rabbit in it. thoughts?

I'm thinking these would make great gift baskets. Give a gift with its own storage container? That could work. 

In the end I think its my rick rack that won a new home...a girl can never have too much rick rack! Only in Canada, you say? Pity!

Here are a few things that I really liked about the class:

• You get two projects to work on, the nesting baskets and the Catch All Caddy.
• A good explanation on interfacing and which one would  work best for this project.
• Tips and tricks that are discussed in the class.
• Easy pace and not too much information all in one sitting.  

I really feel like I was able to benifit from this class and got to learn something new.

Guess what! Crafsty is going to offer this class at a huge discount, just for you! How about 50% off this class, no code needed with my affiliate link! Offer expires April 12th, 2016.

Craftsy has also graciously sponsored a prize for a giveaway! Up for grabs is Rowan Three-Quarter Patch Tote Kit (includes PDF pattern and fabric)*, plus Pellon Fusible Fleece Interfacing*.  Just click >>HERE*<< to enter!

*This blog contains affiliate links meaning I make a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase through it at no extra cost to you.

Meet my fellow Canadian bloggers on this tour with Janelle on her blog, Emmaline Bags! So many more projects to take a look at! You'll also want to go check out Marsha's blog, Seam of My Pants...I think she's got somthing up her sleeve...

Tour Dates

Monday, April 4

Seam of my Pants -- Bag-Making Basics: Reversible Tote & Zipper Pouch with Kristin Link and Learn to Sew: Simple Bags with Nicole Vasbinder

Tuesday, April 5

Sprouting JubeJube -- Sew Sturdy: Home Organizers with Annie Unrein

Lulu & Celeste -- Sewing With Oilcloth: Bags & Baskets with Kathy McGee

Wednesday, April 6

Happy Okapi -- Sew Sturdy Travel Organizers with Annie Unrein

Thursday, April 7

Michelle's Creations -- Mix & Match: Clutch Bag Techniques with Janelle MacKay

Friday, April 8

Shelaine's Designs -- Sew Better Bags: The Weekend Duffel with Betz White

Tangled Blossom Designs -- 20 Essential Techniques for Better Bags with Lisa Lam

Saturday, April 9

Emmaline Bags -- Recap/Roundup

Sunday, April 10

Sur "prizes"

Until next time, xx.