Tutorial: A bag for Corduroy

Corduroy is one of my most favorite children’s stories. It’s a story of compassion, of determination, and a homecoming. No wonder its a favorite for many families. Dana from MADE created a small doll-sized quilt and a special tote bag inspired by Corduroy’s green overalls. Her daughter’s class has a Corduroy bear that comes home with each child during the school year. She noticed that the bag he came to her house in was torn, and so, like the little girl’s mama in the Corduroy story who gave him a new button, Dana sewed him a new bag. She made it from green fabric, with criss cross “straps” on the back and big yellow buttons on the front. She shares a tutorial showing how she did it. Get the tute.

[photo from MADE]

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I’m always tempted by the pretty velvets at the fabric store. So much texture! And the way the fibers catch the light! But sewing on velvet is trickier than you’d think. That nap that lends beautiful texture also likes to slip and crawl. That nap can also spell disaster if you cut a piece the wrong direction. That isn’t to say you shouldn’t use buy that velvet and sew it into something gorgeous, you just need to go into your velvet sewing project prepared. And Melissa at Melly Sews has a post that takes you step by step through sewing on velvet.

Velvet is such a luscious fabric, especially for winter sewing projects. Of course there are velvet Christmas sewing projects – stockings, tree skirts, santa hats – but velvet is beautiful for all winter. Think of all the gorgeous velvet dresses, evening bags, hair accessories, even pillows and other home décor that you see all winter long.

Melly Sews’ post gives you the tips and tricks you need to know in order for your velvet sewing project to end up a success. There are types of projects better suited for velvets, and kinds of projects to avoid. She describes the different types of velvet available. And she also tells the best way to lay out and cut your pattern pieces from velvet fabric. Her tutorial also covers marking, pressing, and of course sewing that beautiful fabric. There’s also a video included in case that’s your preferred method for learning.

Head over to Melly Sews to learn how to sew on velvet fabric.

And if you want to learn more about that lovely blue velvet dress shown, she has a post that tells more about it including 2 ways to style it depending on if you want to be more dressy or more casual.

[photo credit: Melly Sews]

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