UK craft blog

Hey, Wanna Meet Up In Exeter Next Month?

From Lisa Lam's A Bag For All Reasons. I did a QAYG version using canvas and wadding. It's heavy but lovely!

I finally have a finish! I made this backpack using Nordika fabric designed by the amazing Jeni Baker. The pattern is from Lisa Lam’s A Bag For All Reasons. I used canvas and wadding and did a QAYG method. It’s a big backpack, and the canvas is kinda heavy, so if you were worried about weight you could probably use calico (or as you crazy North Americans call it, muslin). But I’d definitely use that method again. I think it took about 30+ hours of sewing, and my total cost was maybe £60. Which is pretty cheap for an extremely well made backpack. I’m not being vain, honest: I also took the trouble of triple stitching all exterior seams so I know it’s practically indestructible. I recently had a strap pop out of a tote I’d made because it was too full, so now I’m totally paranoid about being embarrassed in public. If anyone attempts to make it and needs pointers, just Tweet/Facebook me and I’ll help out! I’m SewHappyGeek on everything. What a surprise.

AND, I also want to tell you about The Sewing Directory’s Exeter meet up next month! Deets:

Venue – St. Matthew’s Church Hall, Clifton Road, Exeter, Devon, EX1 2LJ
Date – Saturday 14th September 2013
Time – 11am – 4.30pm
Spaces – 35
Price £20 (supplies & refresments included in price)

It’s sponsored by the fantastic Abakhan fabrics (need to make new curtains? They have awesome home furnishing fabrics!) and the inimitable Kerry of Very Kerry Berry will be teaching. I will also be there but I think I’m a participant this time. Appliqué is on the menu and I’m not that good at it, so I’ll probably sit in the back and berate myself tirelessly for screwing mine up. So come join us and see how bad I am! Woohoo!

And before I shoot off to the craft store with my awesome friend Jae, I’ll be attempting to make a belt for myself based on this wonderful tutorial from make it perfect on Versus. I’ve kinda lost a bit of weight recently (not sure how?) and I need a new belt but I’m picky. So I’ll make my own.

What are you working on? Come talk to me on Twitter or Facebook! And I’m also jensewhappygeek on Instagram. 🙂

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10 thoughts on “Hey, Wanna Meet Up In Exeter Next Month?

  1. I’d love to meet up with you but alas it’s a bit far. Congrats on the weight loss! It’s happening here too. I’m working on a quilt for my nephew’s wedding in September, will blog it soon… love love love your backpack

  2. I came accross your lovely blog from flickr group Nordika with this bag! I just have to say the bag is really lovely, the fabric placements were perfectly fun to look at. Your blog is so lovely too. I am putting your linky party to my linky party tabs in my blog.
    I have recently post on a tote bag by nordika fabric, you are very welcome to visit my little blog!
    http://littlemushroomcap.blogpsot.com

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