Appleton Dance

by Linda Theil The medium-sized Spencer-Ogg “Perfectly Popping Pouch” with wide base and handles makes a nice 8x4x4-inch Easter basket. This fabric is from the “Guess How Much I Love You” collection from Clothworks. For making a basket, we like this single-handled style better than the tote-style double handle shown in the pattern directions. To make the single handle, a ttach one end of 12–inch handle in the center top instead of attaching both ends of the handle to one side, as directed in the pattern. Feed the loose end of the handle through the open bottom of the interior pocket. Then fold and stitch the basket sides as directed. After turning through the basket, stitch the loose-end of handle to the center of the  opposite top side of the basket as shown below. With the addition of a recessed zipper, and an adjustable base this same pattern can be used to create a zippered pouch.   The bag shown below is the medium-sized Spencer-Ogg "Perfectly Popping Pouch" with...

by Linda Theil I liked the look of this "Sandhill Sling" designed by Anna Graham of Noodlehead Sewing Patterns. I'd never made a bag from this designer, or with this sling-style connector before, and was happy to give it a try. The bag was designed with a drop-in lining, but had directions for a bound lining as well, and that was the option I chose. Sandhill Sling turned inside-out, showing interior, bound seams The next time, I may try to turn the bag through open-bottomed, interior pockets, instead of binding; but maybe not, because the binding may be useful in giving the bag added structural support. The bag features a zippered pocket on the front and an interior slip-pocket. The fabric for the exterior is printed cotton from Marcia Derse's "Postcards" collection. I think Derse's artful style is particularly well-suited to bag-making. The Noodlehead pattern was well-designed, well-documented, and accompanied by detailed video instructions. I loved m...