Easy Cinched Fabric Bags

I had to make some small cinched bags for some DIY fort kits I made this week to be auctioned off at a cancer benefit.  These would be great for anything from simple organization, overnight/camping bags, toiletry/shower bags, etc.  Who doesn't need a cute little satchel with a nice print?  This is super easy, and took about 15 minutes per bag.

First, you want to cut out doubled fabric to the size you want the long cylindrical part of your bag to be.  I made mine 20" wide to be wrapped around into a cylinder.  That part comes later.  Make sure that you have twice the fabric, doubled up on each other so that it makes a nice sturdy bag.  I made mine face back to back so that the inside of the bag would have the same print.  You can switch up prints if you like.

You now want to hem the tabs that will be exposed from your cinch.  This is simple.  Simply fold back the first 2" of the top left and right side of your fabric and hem.

I used a simple white shoelace for my cinch.  Most people will make the cinch loop and then feed the rope or thread through, but that is one of my pet peeves in life (feeding it through)!  Lay out the shoelace or twine and fold the top part of the bag over it by just a centimeter or two and pin it in place.

After you have sewn this line, snip the folded pieces of fabric on the right and left sides of the fabric just under where you sewed the 2" lines.  This will make for an even sewing plane in the next step

Fold the fabric in half length wise so that the exposed hems face outwards (as you will be turning the product inside out in the end) Pin the two tabs you just snipped together and sew a line

Now it's time to make the base of your bag, which is round.  Measure out how wide you would like your bag to be in comparison to how wide you have made it.  I started with 8" and had to cut it down accordingly.  You will be able to determine the size of the circle by how big the loop you just sewed is.

With all hems exposed, pin the circle to the end of your loop that is opposite the shoe lace.  Make sure that all ends of the fabric pucker outwards, as the inside will be what you see in the end.  Once you have pinned the circle, sew it around.  This can get tricky and there will be times where there are pleats, its inevitable with this type of bag.

And now you have your simple cinched bag!  Below you will see how I filled it to make a fort kit for a children's present or rainy day activity

I made up some small versions of the bags we just made without the circle bottom and filled them with clothes pins and suction cups with hooks.  Paired with a flash light, some rope and a flat sheet it makes a great fort kit for kids to fill their imagination with!  Happy sewing :)

Nautical Rope Bracelets

I saw these awhile ago on this website and instantly fell in love!  But, at $60 a pop, I figured I could make a less refined version on my own.  Off I went to the marine supply store, but a shotty one at that, as my color selections were limited to bright primary colors and the ones listed in this picture.  I actually only had the green left over from a previous project.  (Note to self! Snatch up pretty rope in the future!) 

Its really quite easy though!

Supplys:

• Commercial grade rope (I really like the double braided nylon used for the top bracelet) in sizes between 1/4" and 3/8"

• Very thin commercial twine or rope (only slightly thicker than embroidery thread)

• Scissors

• Hot glue

• Gold clasp from hardware or marine supply store (small, mine measure 2" high and 1" thick at the widest part)

Sizing:

Now comes the assembly. Cut off a lengthly piece of rope (between 12"-16")  Feed your rope through the hole in the clasp.  Hold the two ends of of the rope while the clasp hangs down in the middle.  Now, take the rope and wrap it around your wrist while holding the clasp against your wrist.  Line the rope up with the clasp where you would like it's size to be and give yourself some slack, but only a half of an inch to and inch.  Mark this part of the two ends of rope with your fingers or a pen.  Cut off the remaining rope.  Now its time to glue!

Getting its shape:

Get your glue gun hot and put just a dollop on the very end surface of one of the ropes ends and immediately push the other rope end onto it, as if making a continuous loop of rope.  Hold it for about 10 seconds.  Now, push this seam up so that it is half way in the loop between the clasp and the other end of the loop.  Glue the seam down to the piece of rope directly next to it.  Your bracelet is beginning to take shape! I would recommend continuing gluing the two pieces of rope together as far down the bracelet as you would like your thin decorative thread to go.  It will help hold it better.

Finishing with a pop of color:

Now, grab some lengthily pieces of the thin rope for the color blocks.  If you want 2 outer colors as I have pictured, double the length of that color.  To be safe grab about 6 feet of each block of color that you want (better to be safe that sorry!)  Line up the two threads and put a thin line of glue (1/2") at one end of your glued seam on your bracelet.  Lay down the two pieces of colored rope going from the inner part of the bracelet outwards.  Now you can begin wrapping.  Start with whatever color you want to be on the outside, and wrap steady, firm and concise loops around the thick rope of the bracelet, covering your glued seam and the other color thread.  I cheated and would add the tiniest amount of glue to whatever area of my wrapping had a bulge, a gap, or just needed overall reinforcement.  When you are ready to start your next color block just make sure you make the transition on the underside of the bracelet (its only a small transition in the color lines).  When a transition is being made between colors i would just add a little glue to help hold them together.  I made two color transitions in my bracelets.  When you get to the end of your color wrapping, simply but a small thin glue edge on the under side of the bracelet up against your final color edge.  Lay the final line of the colored rope down and hold for 10 seconds.  Snip off the excess rope thread and admire your work!

After all of the gluing and reinforcing your bracelet will be much more stiff.  Bend and work it in the direction you want the bracelet to clasp and then you are set!  Go out wearing it and let the compliments roll in!

who'S thiS beaN yoU speaK oF?

My name is Emily, or Emo, or Meemo, if you will.  I'm known by all three in different parts of the country. I have nothing to do with beans.  Other than I love the food kind, the coffee kind, and one of my cats is name "Beans".  But its a catchy title anyway :)    I live on an island in Maine (perfect winter back drop for a crafting obsession).  I have a fancy obsession with my three feline companions and a loyal boyfriend who has been my assistant, prop, and inspiration on many of my crafting endeavors.  Them plus my loving family, friends, and career as a draftsman make up all that is my simple and happy life. 

Like all "crafters" I'm starting to become over flattered by the compliment "you're SO crafty!", almost to the point of embarrassment.  What kind of "life" must I have if I spend all of my free time cooped up in my house huddling close to my sewing machine or glue gun? Certainly crafting  can't be THAT exhilarating of a hobby.  Only, it is!  There is nothing more satisfying then seeing something inspiring in the pages of a magazine, in person or on pinterest, thinking to myself "I'm going to make that", gathering my supplies, and then before you know it, VOILA!  I've done it again!

I've been meaning to get my projects down on "paper" for quite some time.  So here it is.  I do many crafts focusing around the sewing machine, hand stitching, DIY type home stuff and the most important tool in my life: THE GLUE GUN!!!  I hope my tutorials help you on your own roads to craftiness and give you some inspiration for you to take with you!  Enjoy!