by Linda Theil Every time I make this classic "Clamshell Sling" belt-bag designed by Diane Spencer-Ogg, I say it is the best bag I've ever made. Even though the sling seems a very simple and basic design, every aspect is carefully planned for beauty and utility. And, although the bag is not difficult to assemble, every process demands exquisite attention to detail. Constructing this bag is a demanding and rewarding make in my experience. This version of the sling is constructed of faux waxed canvas purchased at Sally Tomato , and lined and bound with cotton from the "Seedling" collection by Katarina Roccella for Art Gallery Fabrics. I added my AppletonDance badge to the slip pocked on the back of the bag. The belt is 1.5-inch-wide cotton webbing purchased on Amazon, and the hardware is from Wawak . All construction pieces were stabilized with Pellon mid-weight, non-woven, fusible interfacing. I added a double-zip closure and rawhide zipper pulls along with my
by Linda Theil I just finished making the "Crafted Life Companion" notebook-cover designed by Australian Ali Phillips of Arabesque Scissors . I've made several of Phillips' patterns and have come to experience Phillips as creating at the same stratospheric level as English designer Diane Spencer Ogg for brilliant design innovation and attention to minute specificity in their patterns. Both creators are also highly professional and skilled presenters in their step-by-step demonstration videos for every design. Please see Phillips' video at the end of this post. The Arabesque notebook cover is designed to fit an A5 notebook size, and includes a sleeve for notepads up to 4 x 8-inches. Other pocket options are included in the pattern -- most of which I left out in my first version. I did take advantage of a marvelously useful innovation Phillips provided: a beautifully designed "coloring page" that helped enormously to keep all my pattern pieces organized.