Small Stowe Bag

Weekend project: A linen bag to hold knitting accoutrements. One little detail I'm proud of is the addition of snaps on the interior seams which hold the bottom square while in use, but can be undone to allow folding for storage.

Pattern: Stowe bag by Grainline Studio; 100% linen from Joann Fabrics

New skills: Sewing on a curve, using a paper pattern, sewing bias tape

Lessons: Measuring bias tape before you cut is essential (measure twice, cut once - my machine shop instructors would have been proud).

Trace the pattern on the fabric rather than cutting around it.

Double your thread while hand stitching snaps if don't want to spend the rest of your life hand stitching snaps.

Ironing and pressing are different things (!!).

If you offset your needle from center, you can line up the edge of your bias tape with the center of the presser foot and end up with a very tidy edge stitch.

What I'd do differently: Make the backstitching on the pocket tops a little shorter (just to the folded over seam).

Shoe Bag (Learning to sew)

Finished my first Real Sewing Project with pins & seams (French ones!) & a new (to me) sewing machine.

Pattern: Shoe bag by Purl Soho; polyester suiting from Joann Fabrics

Lessons: Backstitch then backstitch again, "humility squares" and how imperfections are proof an object is handmade (courtesy of my wise instructor, who is an incredible quilter), keep your threads long when you clip them to avoid Bad Things Happening, sewing machines make scary noises sometimes - don't panic.