New Course: Draft A Bag- Three Ways

June 26, 2021 by Hilarie Dayton in Bag Making, Book

Are you intrigued by the possibility of designing your own purse? Have you admired designer bags and purses and wished that you could make your own?

I am thrilled to launch my new bag design course with Topstitch Makers. This bag design course will help you to create beautiful purses and bags that blend style and function. Through live instruction, you will learn to draft a basic bag pattern and explore a variety of design options. From concept to construction, we will work through three classic bag styles: Clutch, Hobo and Tote. With an emphasis on detail, each lesson will present new techniques such as adding gussets, pockets, structure as well as straps and handles to further develop your skills.

A Guide to Sourcing the Finest Bag Making Materials: Leather and Wool Felt

Little Stitch Studio

January 04, 2021 by Hilarie Dayton in Fabrics and Textiles, Bag Making, Book

It’s hard for me to think about designing bags and not consider fabric as one of their defining features. There is color, shape, pattern and hardware, of course, but then, it’s the fabric. I am using the term fabric loosely as some of the textiles used to make the finest bags aren’t actually fabric at all. Leather and Wool Felt are two that come to mind. Both are natural resources, of course and offer exceptional durability, color fastness and a sculptural quality that fabric can’t really match.

Resources for Bag Making Hardware

Little Stitch Studio

December 23, 2020 by Hilarie Dayton in Bag Making

When people I meet tell me that they want to learn to sew, and ask for project ideas, I always suggest making a bag. Bags offer so many opportunities to build foundational skills and learn to manipulate fabric without having to worrying about fit. In fact, the very first project that I ever made was a bag! It was a yellow 70’s coarse weave fabric- very much like burlap. The strap was fashioned out of bright pink yarn and of course I had to add more than a few embellishments. While my style has changed since then, my love for accessories has only grown!

Sewing bags and fashionable accessories is still among my very favorite things to do. The time investment is rather small, and the rewards are huge. Plus, at the end of the project, you have a new bag to carry around. To begin making bags or anything really, you won’t need much more than a basic sewing kit. However, if you find you love bag making (and I hope that you do!) It may be helpful to begin adding a few more specialized tools and supplies to your stash.

Room Rater Gave Me a 9/10!

Little Stitch Studio

October 12, 2020 by Hilarie Dayton in Book, Bag Making, Press

You are familiar with Room Rater, right? Throughout the pandemic, Rate my Skype Room has been a fun Twitter follow into the snark and fun of rating home decor. Imagine how pleased (and surprised!) I was when I was featured. They gave me a 9/10 for my FB Live for C&T Publishing to kick off National Sewing Month.

Reflections

Little Stitch Studio

February 01, 2020 by Hilarie Dayton in Bag Making, Book, Tutorial

Have you ever watched yourself on video? If you have, then you might describe it as an entirely shocking, altogether horrifying experience. Or at least cringe worthy. Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s, cameras were really only brought out on occasion, to document something that you wanted to remember. I can’t recall when my family got a video camera, but it was definitely later in life. Maybe in college? I do know that I was at least old enough to not have had to be on the recorded side of it. As I write this, a thought just struck me, I wonder if this new, young generation of kids will ever feel that way about seeing themselves on screen? Maybe since video has woven its way into the day to day experience, they have a wholly different attitude toward it? Perhaps they have grown accustom to seeing themselves in motion and they are more comfortable with their image as opposed to their reflection?

How to make a detachable shoulder strap for your bag

Little Stitch Studio

November 07, 2019 by Hilarie Dayton in Bag Making, Book, PDF Pattern, Sewing and Construction, Tutorial

You have seen the new guitar type purse straps, right? While they weren’t really on my radar until early this year when I read an article in the NY Times. Since then, I haven’t been able to get this detachable strap out of my mind. I began to imagine the countless options and reinterpretations. Suddenly it seemed as if each bag I own needed to have its own wardrobe. And now, they do.

Tips and Tricks for Sewing with leather

Little Stitch Studio

November 06, 2019 by Hilarie Dayton in Bag Making, Book, PDF Pattern, Sewing and Construction, Tutorial

There is just nothing like sewing or crafting with beautiful materials. Chief among them for me is leather.

One of the reasons that I was late to release a pattern that requires leather is that for many people, it is tricky to acquire. It is not like you can stop by your local fabric shop and pick up a yard or two. Additionally, while leather is not difficult to sew, you do have to have a few extras available to make it turn out looking fantastic.

The Poppy Convertible Tote PDF Pattern and Tutorial

Little Stitch Studio

October 21, 2019 by Hilarie Dayton in Bag Making, Book, Sewing and Construction, Tutorial, PDF Pattern

Welcome to my newest pattern, The Poppy Convertible Tote. Poppy is at once classic and modern. A beautiful leather tote that easily cinches to a classic shoulder bag. Featuring comfortable cotton webbing straps, an interior pocket plus hardware that functions as both clasp and optional cross-body strap holder.

Poppy is the perfect bag for learning to sew with leather. It has few seams and best of all- it doesn’t require fitting!

DIY Leather Hair Tie Tutorial

Little Stitch Studio

September 10, 2019 by Hilarie Dayton in Book, Bag Making, Fabrics and Textiles, kids, Tutorial

Have you ever tried sewing with leather? It isn’t nearly as tricky as it sounds. Later this month I will be releasing a free pattern for making a leather bag. Before that, I thought it might be fun to give you a small- and instantly gratifying project to get your mind thinking about all things leather.

5 Best Fabrics for Sewing Bags and Purses

Little Stitch Studio

August 26, 2019 by Hilarie Dayton in Fabrics and Textiles, Bag Making, Book, Sewing and Construction

Choosing fabric for a bag is always a balance between form and function. Functionality is key! Assessing the level of use the bag will endure over its lifetime is critical in determining the right type of fabric. You can begin by asking yourself, when will the bag be used? What will it carry? Is it for day or evening? Is it for a child? Once the functionality question is answered, then it is time to consider weight.