My project for May isn’t finished yet. I did complete the sample bag and I’ve started on the “real” one. When I chose to make a laptop bag, I didn’t realize I would be leveling up as a sewist. Turns out that following the directions is key to making things work. I honestly haven’t been this careful before, and the difference is obvious in the results.
The most obvious change is taking the time to make a sample first. I took notes on everything, and when something wasn’t working, I’d try again a different way. After I was done experimenting with the pattern, I still had a long list of prep work before I would be ready to cut into my expensive fabric.
Some of my to-dos aren’t so surprising, like cleaning and oiling my sewing machine. I adore Beatrice, and I want her to run forever. But I also changed out my needle, because this bag has some thick seams. In the past, I’ve often postponed these tasks, but the entire process takes less than ten minutes. It reduces the chances that my machine will jam mid-seam, something that can damage your fabric as well. And I’m all about protecting this fabric.
If you had asked me, I would have laughed at the idea of drawing out the pattern pieces a twice, but I did. I accidentally shaved some of the tissue off my pattern when cutting things out, so pieces that were supposed to be the same size weren’t. Pattern-matching is hard enough without having pieces that aren’t the right size.
I also went back and re-watched the pattern-matching tutorial. I knew I hadn’t followed the instructions exactly, and I think it cost me. So I did it the “right” way when cutting out the Oscha fabric instead of using my half-assed shortcuts. I’ll find out if it made a difference shortly.
While I like using up whatever I already have in my stash, I bought the woven fusible stabilizer the pattern called for, and I’m glad I did. I’ve never liked stabilizer before. The feel of woven cotton is luscious and it fused first try.
In the end, the secret to my success (so far at least) is simple: follow the directions. Doing what I’m told instead of winging it is a big change for me, but I’m grateful I’ve finally reached this point. Following the directions is working.
Here’s hoping I’m still feeling this positive when the bag is finally done.
I admire your patience, Kit. Your results speak for themselves.
I’m normally not a very patient person. The expensive fabric I’m using has inspired a lot of caution, however. I didn’t really expect this project to be any different from anything else I’ve ever made and was I wrong…