So I’m usually not too adventurous with my metal hardware and zip colors. But I had this perfect canvas from Alexia on my shelf and I had to make this rose gold Plover pouch come to life!

I decided to keep things simple and let the rose gold shine by making the gusset and front/back panels from the same fabric. It’s an easy swap if you’re going for a one-print look, can’t find a coordinating fabric you like in your stash, or if you’re working with solids.

The lining is a linen cotton blend to match the exterior canvas. I typically like to use a lighter lining color so I can see all the things! Plus, it was easy to use with the cream mesh/fold over elastic I have on hand. It seems to be really versatile, so if you’re new to mesh/fold over elastic, I think that’s the one to pick up!

Graduation Gift

I grabbed my rose gold zip, some rose gold snaps (affiliate link), and hopped to it! It’s a surprisingly Spring-like combination (yay Spring!) and I think it’ll be a great gift for a friend of ours that just graduated from college.

Decorative Zipper Pull

Little details like this leather pull are always a great way to use up small leather scraps. I didn’t want to invest in a bunch of rose gold rivets, so I did a little bit of hand sewing with a pearl cotton for this one. I think it coordinates really well with the fabric.

Project Details:

• Pattern: Plover Pouch (available in PDF and paper formats in my shop)
• Fabric:
  • Vessel canvas by Alexia Marcelle Abegg for Ruby Star Society that I picked up from Sewtopia a while back (this one is sold out, but they have lots of other Ruby Star canvases to pick from!)
  • lining is Essex Canvas in Natural – at least I think it’s the Natural colorway (by Robert Kaufman Fabrics)
  • mesh is byAnnie’s (check your local quilt shop!)
• Other supplies used:
  • fold over elastic is from this Etsy shop
  • zipper is from Zipper Valley
  • 15mm metal snaps in rose gold (affiliate link) & tutorial is available here on this blog post

Hey! It’s finally feeling like spring here lately! I made this corduroy Pepin Tote and coordinating zippered pouch! I had grabbed this corduroy from my stash over the winter and had it mostly finished and then it sat around waiting to be finished.

Of course I tried to finish it in a hurry one day, but that didn’t work out when I accidentally grabbed both the lining pieces together and sewed and riveted through them! Needless to say, I ended up cutting a new lining fabric (liked it way better! isn’t it funny how that works out?).

Corduroy fun!

If you were hanging out in the Noodlehead facebook group anytime in the past 2 years or so, you’ll probably have noticed that corduroy was all the rage! For good reason, it’s soft and has great texture. So I wanted to investigate myself a bit and find out what interfacing I preferred.

Interfacings I used

I ended up using Pellon Fusible Fleece TP971F and Emmaline Bags medium weight fusible interfacing for the Top Lining pieces. The lining is a dry oilskin type fabric (one I had gotten from Zipper Zoo ages ago) and it was good to go without needing interfacing. Love this combo!

Coordinating Zippered Pouch

This cutie coordinating zippered pouch was something I made before sewing the Pepin. I had some scraps leftover and figured why not! It’s a very basic zippered pouch and I love it. It fits perfectly in the Pepin and I think it’ll be great for all the small things I usually carry around. Let me know if you want more details on the pouch!

Anyway, really pleased that I tried this out. I think the Pepin Tote looks great in corduroy! I did do the recessed zipper option and finished it off with webbing from my shop (Acorn).

Project Details:

• Pattern: Pepin Tote (available in PDF and paper in my shop) and coordinating simple zippered pouch (no pattern)
• Fabrics used:
  • Exterior fabric is Corduroy (6 Wale) from Bolt Fabric Boutique (I’m not sure they stock it anymore, but here are some others)
  • Lining is a dry oilskin type fabric from Zipper Zoo (doesn’t appear they stock this anymore, but check out their dry wax fabrics)
• Zipper by the yard from Sullivan’s Trim for the recessed zipper (and pouch zip)
• here’s a link to my metal snap page (shop links and a how-to) that’s on the front pocket
• 1″-wide webbing for handles (Acorn from my shop)

I love a sunshine yellow fabric. As soon as I saw this yellow, I knew a Salutations Trail Tote was in order! Salutations is an upcoming fabric collection by Rashida Coleman Hale for Ruby Star Society.

It’s always a struggle for me to get through February, so I’m glad it’s March and we’re finally having some sunny warmer days here in Wisconsin. I think that’s why I crave using yellow this time of year.

I made this sample Trail Tote for Sewtopia for QuiltCon, so you may have already seen it there. Amy and the Sewtopia crew are always so incredibly supportive and I’m glad to be able to call them friends. When it came down to making a quick sample of course I said yes!

Try it out

I think that’s what’s especially great about the Trail Tote. It’s a quick and relaxing sew. Nothing too complicated. Of course you could leave off the exterior zipper for an even quicker finish, but I think taking the extra time to add it is worth it. If you haven’t made a zippered pocket on a bag before, I would definitely recommend taking the time to practice with some test fabrics and a zip before making the Trail Tote. It’ll help you get a feel for how things go together and give you a boost of confidence when cutting into your fabric.

Coming up

I’m also excited about working on some new projects. I spent the majority of last year working on my fabric collection and the sewn samples in addition to the Plover and Trail Tote patterns. So it definitely feels like a relief to be able to decide what I want to make now! Exciting!!! I have a Pepin Tote that I’ve had sitting half finished since before Christmas, so after that who knows!

Where to buy Salutations fabric

Lastly, Salutations is coming soon to shops. It’s available on pre-order from quite a few, so a quick google search should give you lots of options. Or check your local quilt shop! It’s a beautiful collection of both quilting weight and canvases.

Project Details:

• Pattern: Trail Tote (Large size)
• Fabric:
  • Salutations canvas by Rashida Coleman Hale for Ruby Star Society
  • Accent is Essex Yarn Dyed Homespun in Roasted Pecan
  • Lining is Oh Lucky Mini Dot in pink by Alexia Marcelle Abegg
• Get the following supplies from my shop:
  • 6″ zipper* (for Small size)
  • 8″ zipper* (for Large size)
  • cording for making piping
  • strap hardware kit (1″-wide for the Small OR 1.5″-wide for the Large)
  • magnetic snaps OR take it to the next level and use a Loxx fastener
  • waxed cord or leather zipper pulls for that special finishing touch!

* pattern assumes fixed-length zipper and zipper tape width of 1”/2.5cm you can substitute by-the-yard/continuous zipper, you’ll need 7 ½”/9 ½” [19/24 cm] and one pull (per bag)