WIP Project Bag
I have a WIP Project Bag to share with you today. WIP project bags are handy for storing all the items needed for a project in one place. I have a few project bags that I have gotten from quilt shops, but I’ve never attempted to make one, until now.
I’ve had a small roll of clear vinyl waiting to be used in a project. I put it off because I hadn’t used vinyl before and it was a little intimidating. Since my sewing mojo has been in a bit of a slump lately, I thought a little challenge might get it going again.
I gathered my fabric, vinyl and zipper and got to work, using the pattern from That Handmade Touch by Svetlana Sotak. If you’ve ever made anything by Sotak Handmade, you know her patterns are done well. Each step is clear and has photos, which I find so helpful.
This bag is great for large fabric scraps or fat eighths. I used two fabrics from my stash, a fat quarter and an approximate 1/4 yd piece. The vinyl I had on hand measured 10″ x 18″ and it was plenty. I even had a matching zipper – one that is 12″ or longer will work.
I used my Janome AcuFeed Flex foot while working on the project. It made the zipper step a breeze and handled the bulky spots well. Since vinyl is slick, the fabric can shift around a bit. Even with the help of the dual feed foot and clips to hold the fabric in place, my stripes still shifted a bit, but not enough to bother me too much. I used Aurifil 50 wt thread in Loden Green (#2840) for the zipper and the binding.
The back of the bag is simply a quilt sandwich. I used the same print for both front and back (you could use two coordinating fabrics) and a scrap piece of Warm & Natural batting. I did some quick quilting, a wavy-lined grid using Aurifil 50 wt thread in Salmon (#2225).
Once the quilting was done, the last step was to baste the vinyl front to the fabric back. That was easily done using clips to keep the vinyl from shifting. Then bind using your usual method. I chose to hand stitch the final step of the binding because that is what I prefer. However, if you are comfortable with machine stitching your binding, that would make the last step much faster.
My binding join is a little clumsy because I didn’t have a long enough binding strip to do my usual join. The pattern called for a WOF strip, but my strip came up short. I added a little piece to make it work.
I also chose to fold my binding so that it was wider on the back. I like the clean look of the narrow binding on the front.
And with that, my WIP project bag is done. Try as I might, I couldn’t get a decent photo without glare, but I wanted to show you the generous size of the pouch. This bag finished at 10″ x 11″, but the pattern is easily adjustable to the size you want.
Have you made something with vinyl? Any tips to share?
Linking up today with
- Midweek Makers at Quilt Fabrication
- Wednesday Wait Loss at Inquiring Quilter
- Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation
Wendy
To Do Tuesday #24
22 Comments
Riceford Streams
This is a great project — better than the Ziplock bags I use. Did the AcuFeed flex foot Come with your machine? The striped binding is so cute with the floral.
Cindy P
A great project bag that looks so good! I like the fabrics you used in it.
Vicki in MN
Such a pretty project bag, the stripes give in more pizzaz. I have sewn a different type of project bag several years ago with vinyl pockets, don’t remember it giving me any problems either but I also don’t have any tips, LOL So did the project give you back your mojo?
quiltedblooms
Nice job and so useful! The backing looks like a great way to practice free motion or walking foot quilting and use up batting scraps too!
karenfae
that is a nice bag-I have never used vinyl for anything like that but then I don’t usually make bags – I have seen so many make these in the past year
Nancy Bekedam
Super cute, Wendy! I have sewn with vinyl and didn’t like it very much–it was difficult to see. But there are times when vinyl is a fun addition and we have to just use it!
catpatches
Nice work! Such a pretty fabric. I love those colors together.
Quilting is in my Blood
What a great project bag! And your colors are so vibrant! Right now I don’t do anything with zippers but maybe down the road! Have a wonderful day, Mary.
Deb
Cute bag! I use tissue paper when I’m sewing with vinyl. If I’m sewing it to fabric, then I put the tissue paper over the vinyl and the foot just glides along. If I’m sewing 2 pieces of vinyl together, then I put the tissue paper on both sides. When you are done, it teas apart quite easily.
Juliann
What a fun bag! Love those colors
lapaylor
it’s cute! I like the idea of making my storage containers.
Diann@ Little Penguin Quilts
That’s such a cute project bag, Wendy! That poppy fabric is wonderful! I love Svetlana’s bag/pouch patterns – I saw a new one on Instagram last night that is calling to me. I’ve made one project pouch (similar to yours, but from another source) and struggled a little with the vinyl. Not sewing it – cutting it accurately! Someone suggested using painter’s tape to mark the place I wanted to cut so the ruler wouldn’t slip. I haven’t tried that yet, but it sounded like a good idea!
quiltinggail
What a cute project, Wendy!!! And it’s perfect for “stuff.” I like that you can see what’s in it! And where in the world did you get fabric (binding) and a zipper to match! That’s pretty neat!
Louise Hornor
Your bag turned out great! I’ve always wanted to try a vinyl pouch. I love your stripey green binding, and understand that feeling of “Uh-oh! It’s just a smidge too short!” Rats. You made do nicely, though 🙂
shelteringhaven
So fun! I’m liking this! 🙂
laughinggasquilts
That’s a darling project bag! I’ve been hoarding vinyl for some years for just such a project, but it sits unused. Well done! Love that the glasses fit in too.
marissthequilter
What a useful, clever design. Love it!
Linda
I really like your pretty fabric and color choices. I made a bag similar to that for holding my cross stitch projects during winter and for carrying fabric or flimsy to the fabric store to match. I had a couple of glitches while sewing with the vinyl but was pleasantly surprised at how easily it went together. Yours looks neat and fun!
rl2b2017
Hi Wendy! Nice job on the WIP bag. I hope you use it often as it’s just too darn pretty to not be in use 100% of the time. You’ll need to start a nice, LONG hand project . . . This makes me want to make one for myself. ~smile~ Roseanne
Kathleen McCormick
I am feeling like you were reading my mind. I have a project in mind for some orphan blocks…..and this is it. Thankfully this reminded me to bring back the iron on vinyl I wanted for the piece I am using for the back! I love that the binding and zipper have the same fabric! Totally awesome project.
Needle and Foot
Great project Wendy! Sure beats the random stuff I use – zip lok bags and those plastic bins that spinach and spring mix lettuce come in? Not exactly cute like yours!!
Carol Andrews
That is a great project bag Wendy. I’ve made several in different sizes and used Velcro fasteners or zippers. I did pleat a side panel for larger project bags to keep fabrics and backing for a project together. I also added a little pocket for a label for pattern info, date fabrics pulled, anything needed to add to the project, who it’s for, etc. They are fun projects to do.