After playing around last week I thought I really ought to get down to doing some work with the machine today and maybe clearing out some stuff from the wip box. What I did instead was dance around for a couple of hours to mid ’90s dance music, so by the time I sat down it was a bit later than intended. I apologise therefore for the dark photos, taken by the miracle of electric light and not by lovely daylight, as was my intention.
Oh Good Lord it’s the Sophia! Yes, indeed. We are moving on to the lining, made out of lovely, lovely cotton. The first job is to make the inside top panel, so you only have to sew a very short seam and leave the rest open for the zip. It was here that I realised how useful my seam guide is – screw it in, set for half an inch seam, line fabric up against the edge, sew, done. Then simply attach the end panels and that part is done. It was here I started to suspect that it might come together rather more quickly from here on in.
So I quickly moved onto the pockets. The only seam sewn on the wrong side is the top one, and you then turn right way out and press, before topstitching (again using the seam guide to keep things neat…). On the right side you simply stitch a basting seam 1/4″ from the edge, because this will be hidden when you put the lining together.
I used the seam guide again to do another basting set of stitches to attach the pocket to the main panel. I don’t normally mark out seam allowances with a pen, so it shouldn’t really seem much quicker, but I think the confidence this tiny bit of metal gives me means that I sew that much faster. I really felt that I was whizzing along.
The final part for tonight was sewing a centre seam down the pocket so that you divide it in two. Or you could divide into three if you were so inclined. I half wish I had myself.
And there I stopped for the day. A quick sewing session but it felt productive, and I’m actually looking forward to doing more tomorrow. Who knows – maybe it’ll be finished by the end of the month…
4 comments ↓
I love your title! That Sophia bag is becoming such a labour of love, no? Thank goodness the fabric is so dreamy. I am most envious of your seam guide….it looks wonderful!
Looks like Sophia’s nearly finished! I’ve never bought an Amy Butler pattern, though I’ve been tempted by Sophia and the weekender. I’ll be interested to see what your final analysis is before I decide!
That seam guide looks pretty interesting. I recently bought a 1/4 inch foot which does pretty much the same job – sort of gives you an extra boost that you are sewing in a straight line! I’m looking forward to seeing the final result – I think I would have given up by now!
Hello – I have just found your blog after a wonderful night trawling round blogs and devouring all its loveliness. I clearly have a few more nights reading to do.
Wonderful fabrics – I love green so love Sophia even now
Take Care and come visit sometime – although I am just starting out!
Clare x
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