Sewing questions?

Question

I am new at sewing, and I've decided to make a purse. A couple questions for those of you that are experts.

1- I would like to make pockets for the front, however, I don't just want to sew a square on for a tight pocket. I'd like it to stick out, sorta like a 3D pocket so I can fit bigger things in it. How do I do that?

2- I am making an outside and an inside liner, connecting them by sewing them together at the top. I don't know how to to this! I can't figure out, do I put them inside out and sew them together, but then how do I do the last side??? This is totally confusing me.

3- Last but not least, a zipper. I'm doing a square bag, and putting a top on the square with a zipper in the middle. Any websites or info on doing the zipper???

THANKS SO MUCH FOR ANY HELP!!!

Answer 1

Happy Easter. I'm Christian, too.

Anyway, to your sewing question. You can make your pockets several ways. Here are a couple of my favorites.

One, cut a square a little higher than you want the finished pocket (for turn-unders) and about 2" - 3" wider than you want it. Hem all four sides. On the two vertical sides (the top and bottom will be your horizontal sides) make a fan-fold, that is fold about 1" under, and then fold half of that back like you're making a paper fan. Press this in with an iron, if it's a pressable fabric. Pin your pocket onto the bag. Sew across the bottom. Sew up the vertical sides, being careful to only sew the hemmed part. Leave to fold free so it can open. You may want to add a button to the top so it doesn't sag open. Elastic makes great "button holes." Make a little slit to sew it into, just above the pocket.

Two, cut a square about 1.5" higher than you want your pocket to be, and about 3" wider than you want. Hem across the top. Cut a 1" square out of each corner. Sew the up, so now you have a box-like bottom. Carefully sew this to your bag. Most of it has to be hand-work, I'm afraid. The other one's all machine work.


To connect the liner to the bag, use your zipper. Huh? To do the zipper, cut a piece of fabric a bit bigger than you want and then cut it in half lengthwise. Attach it to the zipper. Now, sew it onto the bag, right at the top, right sides together, of course. On the package the zipper came in will be instructions for attaching it, if you've never done that before.

Once that's done, sew the lining onto the bag, right sides together. You'll have three layers -- bag, zipper fabric, and lining. You can sew all three together at the same time if you'd rather. I like doing it in two steps. Once all three are sewn, unzip the zipper and turn your bag rightside out. Admire your handiwork.

Feel free to email me with specific questions if some of this isn't clear. It's so hard to use only words and not be able to draw you a picture of it!

Answer 2

1:
well....you could just try sewing a pocket of the size you want and then attaching it to the bag. For example, your pocket could have 2 or three parts which are linked together and then sewn onto the bag.

2:
I guess you should turn the bag inside out, do the inside liner, then put it back on the right side and do the other liner....have the outside liner end partially inside the bag where no one will see the stitching.

3:
When you go to buy the zipper there should be instructions on how to do the zipper. I think this is the easiest of the things you are doing.

Answer 3

1. Make your pocket a little bit wider than you want it to be when finished. Then next to the two bottom corners, put a pleat so it it can poof out a little. You can experiment with sizes using a piece of paper.
3. Not a typo, do in this order! Lay out your lining good side up with the edges that will be sewed to the zipper at your left & right. Lay the zipper face up on one of the edges (you can only do one at a time.) Then lay your outside fabric face down over it. Sew the seam. Then repeat on the other side. Open the zipper. (It is easy to sew something totally closed and not be able to unzip it!)
2. Now sew the two outside fabric seams closed, being careful on the zipper ends. Sew one of the lining seams closed. Now you have two choices on your final seam: stitch it by hand, or close it with your machine by folding the seam to the inside and taking a very narrow sewing line on the top of the seam. Chances are you will find most of your store-bought purses done this way.

Answer 4

A purse is a great project for a beginner.

1. Cut the pocket fairly big, and instead of sewing it flat, pinch in the sides and bottom so that it will be a little like a pouch. For example if you cut a 6 inch pocket, mark a 4 inch square on the purse and sew your 6 inch pocket to the 4 inch square. Put a snap on it so stuff will stay in.

2. Make the lining just like the purse and put it in so it's right side out, then sew them together and add a binding to cover the raw seam.

3. here's a good website for zippers for newbies. http://www.sew-whats-new.com/sewinglessons/skirt/lesson3.shtml

Answer 5

1- Use 1/2 as much more fabric than you want the pocket to be (example if you want the pocket for a cell phone yo might make it 4" across and 2" on either iside) Fold and iron sides then fold in half and sew to bottom of Pocket form attach sides and bottom to front of purse use a 2" strip of fabric folde i half and put a buttonhole in it and a button on the pocket to close.

2-turn the purse inside out and slip the liner on it outside right then sew together across the top and trun purse right side out - bag is now lined.

3-http://www.ehow.com/how_14842_zipper.html

Good Luck!

Answer 6

I think maybe it is a rolled hem. I have a special foot on my machine that I can put on to do that. As you sew it rolls and tucks the fabric for a real professional look. It is good for this type of fabric (sheer or light weight) I sew and do alterations for friends and family.