I finished this tennis bag, the instructions for which I found on Sew Mama Sew.
It's pretty simple, and the instructions are good, but I still managed to screw it up.
First off, I tried to make it up quickly before I went on our RV trip. I had a few hours and really, it could have been completed if things had gone smoothly.
But things never go smoothly.
First off, I tried to make it up quickly before I went on our RV trip. I had a few hours and really, it could have been completed if things had gone smoothly.
But things never go smoothly.
The first problem was that the interfacing I had (Craft Bond) would. not. stick. So frustrating. I read that maybe my iron wasn't hot enough. I had been using my cordless, which is nice because it's cordless, but otherwise is a pretty worthless POS. I switched to the old-school iron I had picked up at Goodwill for $2.
It melted the interfacing on to the fabric.
After buying more interfacing, recutting fabric and interfacing, and turning down the iron, I tried again. It stuck, barely, and was a time-consuming chore.
Then I sewed up the outside and flipped it. Seams broke in a few places because I didn't think ahead and used the recommended 1/4" seam allowance, which is pretty stupid on a bag.
Finally, with the interfacing delaminating in places, the seams poking through in others, I managed to sew the corners together wrong. That's when I gave up.
When I got back from vacation, I tried again. I had cut out extra of some pieces and had interfacing on some. Otherwise, I would have chosen something else for the outside pocket.
This time I used 1/2" seams, trimmed every piece after putting interfacing on or sewing pieces together, and sewed the corners properly.
It melted the interfacing on to the fabric.
After buying more interfacing, recutting fabric and interfacing, and turning down the iron, I tried again. It stuck, barely, and was a time-consuming chore.
Then I sewed up the outside and flipped it. Seams broke in a few places because I didn't think ahead and used the recommended 1/4" seam allowance, which is pretty stupid on a bag.
Finally, with the interfacing delaminating in places, the seams poking through in others, I managed to sew the corners together wrong. That's when I gave up.
When I got back from vacation, I tried again. I had cut out extra of some pieces and had interfacing on some. Otherwise, I would have chosen something else for the outside pocket.
This time I used 1/2" seams, trimmed every piece after putting interfacing on or sewing pieces together, and sewed the corners properly.
It all came together well and then I ironed the final seam around the top of the bag only to notice that the handle material can't handle the heat. I melted each handle. I trimmed off the melted bit and resewed the two.
It's a little garish—I used excess quilting cotton in my stash—but I think I can use it. Maybe. Maybe I'll make another one in some other remnants I have.
It's a little garish—I used excess quilting cotton in my stash—but I think I can use it. Maybe. Maybe I'll make another one in some other remnants I have.
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