February 14, 2015

The Retreat Bag - A FREE Sewing Tutorial


UPDATED!!
The Retreat Bag is now available in 2 Sizes!! Please hop over to
THIS POST  to read all about it and see new pictures!! 




This cute boxy looking pouch is a gem! I am so pleased with how these turn out.  It's just perfect for any retreat, or gift, or swap bag, or make-up bag, or wet bag, or shaving bag, or pencil bag, or toy bag…. did I say sewing bag?


The Retreat Bag is a simple zippered pouch with a wide base and a wide structured opening. There is a casing in the top where you insert two wire frames (one on each side), which helps it stay open when open, and helps turn the corners down when closed. It has two optional slip pockets inside and a long zipper that helps it open wide.





by Ellen Wiedman
The key to having a nicely shaped Retreat Bag is interfacing, interfacing and interfacing. One layer of interfacing and then a layer of fusible Thermolam Plus fleece on the exterior, in addition to interfacing on the lining and you are all set. Even with the interfacing, it makes up really quickly. You could try it with other soft stabilizers as well, and if you chose to, you could even leave out the frames and let it stand up proud. (But I think the frames really make it!)



The girls at the 2015 NCW Retreat in NSW (yet to be blogged about) tried it out first and then helped me name it. Here are some of their photos!!


by Danielle from Paisley Avenue

By Andrea from Bubs by Andie

by Ellen Wiedman

by Jodie from Three Little Chickens

Simone added some of my cute metal zipper ends to her bag. I think they make an awesome addition!
You can find the Zipper Ends HERE.

by Simone Symonds


by Simone Symonds


by Nyssa Lesniak

by Melisa from Melisa Jane Handmade

by Melanie from Buntings & Things

by Kristina Hambly
By Cynthia Phillpotts

By Cynthia Phillpotts

by Gail Newman

In these two pictures below, Simone has used some oilcloth and left the pockets out to make a wet bag! Perfect for traveling.


by Simone Symonds


After I  instructed them on how to make it, and promising to write a tutorial for it, I came home to Canada refreshed and retreated (actually very jet lagged) and made a few minor changes. Changing the way the zipper is constructed and the wires are put in helps it keep it shape a bit better and fold down nicer at the top.


(Scroll down to the bottom of the page)



If you haven't joined the Emmaline Facebook pages yet, please do so to stay up to date on the latest tutorials, patterns and bag hardware.
Here they are:

Emmaline business page and
Emmaline Sewing Patterns Group - fun Facebook group for chat, help and inspiration


  Janelle

27 comments:

  1. Oh those zipper ends!! What a great fun bag this looks like, thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Janelle, I've been searching the web for weeks to find a tutorial for a bag like is with extended, covered zipper ends and was so excited to find this page but am I missing something? I don't see any "tutorial" only some comments (blog) and photos of completed bags. Has the tutorial been removerd?

      Delete
    2. Hi Jojo, in the post above, it says near the bottom in red letters "And download the free pattern HERE". That will take you to the download. Thank you!

      Delete
  2. Your frames are a good idea!
    Liebe Grüße,
    Kathrin

    ReplyDelete
  3. You all must have had a wonderful time at your retreat. This is a really neat pattern--thank you for making it complimentary, and thank you for being willing to carry the frames in your shop and making them available as well!

    Krista

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for the tutorial! Frames are out of stock :( Do you expect them in soon?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Patti!! Sorry the frames went too fast. Yes, more on the way. Much, much more! End of March. Sorry for then inconvenience.

      Delete
  5. Dang,I just wish you had posted about these last week before I placed my order! Oh well,guess they will go on my wish list for the next order :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you so very much for sharing this for free! I love your patterns, so far only tried the Necessary Clutch Wallet but I can't wait to try more =)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Janelle, this is exactly what I need, I'll make one soon. Promise, and thanks for the free tutorial. Great fabrics from some of the ladies as well.
    Deb

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a great design. Ive not seen those wire frames before, ill have to go and check them out. I can see this pouch being great for the guys in man-fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  9. So,I know this is totally unrelated to this post but,can you tell me where you purchased your rivet setting tool? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Can't find what I downloaded. Help

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hope it's ok to pin this! The bags are fab

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am enjoying making these bags. Wonderful instructions. I have one question. Do you need a certain glue to hold the ends on the frame?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Janice! You can just put tape over the ends of the wires so they are not sharp, or use a permanent glue like E-6000. I hope that helps!

      Delete
  13. Can I attend one of ur retreats or classes...Love these bags! U do a BEAUTIFUL job, EXCELLANT work!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Noelle! thank you for the kind words. I don't have any retreats or classes plannedin the future, but I will make sure I let everyone know if I do ;-)

      Delete
  14. Hi, The bag looks amazing, where can I buy it? I just got my dad a shaving kit (http://www.wowfreestuff.co.uk/free-dorco-razor/) Now I am looking for a shaving brush and bag as part of his Christmas present, can you please let me know, he will love it.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great blog. Thanks for share this post. It may helpful for all newbie bloggers, i really appreciate.Shaped Stand Up Pouch

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thank you so much for the wonderful tutorial! I was wondering where I could get the pretty navy/paisley/floral fabric that you used in the first pic. I absolutely love this pattern and the fabric! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I am sorry, but actually I don't recall the name of that fabric and I don't have it anymore. I regret that I didn't write it in the blog post! Janelle

      Delete
  17. Such a nice blog and very nice you work and sharing this wonderful article about the purses and handbags well done.
    purses and handbags

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.