Professional Tote help needed
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Montana
Posts: 7
Professional Tote help needed
I purchased this pattern in 2009 (copyright 2003) and tried making it at a retreat (mistake). Anyway, I am hung up on making the front zipper pocket (page 5/6) for those of you with the patter. I fused the interfacing to the back of the zipper pocket (#5), and followed the instructions to add the zipper. (Step 1, a-e.) At step 1 (f) I sewed the two contrast pieces as instructed and flipped them to the back of the pocket. The next step (g) is to sew the pocket to the front piece of the bag.
No where can I find that the inside (interfacing) of the pocket is covered. Am I missing a step? What am I doing wrong?
Thank you so much for any help.
No where can I find that the inside (interfacing) of the pocket is covered. Am I missing a step? What am I doing wrong?
Thank you so much for any help.
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Midwest
Posts: 5,051
My first Fair entry. The Professional Tote
i will look for my pattern...not really sure what you areasg.yes ot a project to tackle at retreat. I sewed my 2 hours at a time....the instructions are intense. It goes together perfectly .....BLUE ribbon!!
i will look for my pattern...not really sure what you areasg.yes ot a project to tackle at retreat. I sewed my 2 hours at a time....the instructions are intense. It goes together perfectly .....BLUE ribbon!!
#3
I've never made that tote but here are some step-by-step pictures that might (or might not) help you.
http://coleensspace.blogspot.com/201...sional.html?z=
Hope Sandygirl can help you as hers turned out terrific.
http://coleensspace.blogspot.com/201...sional.html?z=
Hope Sandygirl can help you as hers turned out terrific.
#4
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Montana
Posts: 7
Thank you. My problem is step 1/2 - she shows the completed zipper pocket, but my problem starts before that. The front piece is lined with interfacing - The piece that she shows with a purse and red flower. I know the interfacing is covered, but I don't know how it gets covered. I read all the way through to the end of the instructions and it never (that I can find) shows how the lining piece covers the interfacing. I am beyond frustrated with this.
#5
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 106
Ok, we can get through this. I have made several of these. It has been awhile but it is not too bad to do. You will have a great bag when you are done.
I think you may be over thinking this which is easy to do. You are going to end up with your zipper sandwiched in between the two larger bottom pieces and then on top you will have the zipper sandwiched between the two smaller pieces. You will end up with a pocket that are finished on the front and back. I think you may be thinking that you need to be able to access the area between these two pieces. Not so. You will take this "finished" zipper pocket and sew it on top of the bag front. Baste as directed. The bag front actually becomes the back of the pocket. When this is basted onto the bag front, opening the zipper will get you to the area between the bag front and the two layered pocket. I am really awful at writing directions so if there is a way I can help you with pictures or verbally, just let me know. It really is totally do-able.
I think you may be over thinking this which is easy to do. You are going to end up with your zipper sandwiched in between the two larger bottom pieces and then on top you will have the zipper sandwiched between the two smaller pieces. You will end up with a pocket that are finished on the front and back. I think you may be thinking that you need to be able to access the area between these two pieces. Not so. You will take this "finished" zipper pocket and sew it on top of the bag front. Baste as directed. The bag front actually becomes the back of the pocket. When this is basted onto the bag front, opening the zipper will get you to the area between the bag front and the two layered pocket. I am really awful at writing directions so if there is a way I can help you with pictures or verbally, just let me know. It really is totally do-able.
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Montana
Posts: 7
I don't know how to post photos. But, on step 1, a-e, I have a finished piece that has the main fabric on the front side and the interfacing on the back. The next step says to sew the two pieces (#13) to the top of that finished piece and then flip them over to the back. Okay, great. But the interfacing is still showing on the back of the zipper piece.
#8
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 106
You have 2 # 5 pieces right? And you cut one and one half inch off the tops of those two pieces.
Take one of the larger of the #5 pieces (the one with the interfacing) and place the zipper right side down on that. Right side of zip will be on right side of the fabric. Zip tab on the left side. Zipper tape will extend beyond fabric on the right side. Pin this zip in place. Now place the other large #5 (without interfacing) right side of fabric down, on top of the zipper tape. All three edges line up together. Zipper will be sandwiched in between the two #5 pieces. During this process, make sure that your zipper tab is just a bit over 1/4 inch from the left side. Sew using a zipper foot using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. After sewn, flip the fabric so that wrong sides end up together. You will end up with two pretty fabric sides outwards and the zip will be at the top and upright from the fabrics. When done, you will have the bottom of the zipper pocket completed. Do the same process with the two small pieces of the pocket. Let me know how you make out with this process. Like I said, I am not good at written directions. This completed piece will sit on top of #13 and no interfacing will show.
Take one of the larger of the #5 pieces (the one with the interfacing) and place the zipper right side down on that. Right side of zip will be on right side of the fabric. Zip tab on the left side. Zipper tape will extend beyond fabric on the right side. Pin this zip in place. Now place the other large #5 (without interfacing) right side of fabric down, on top of the zipper tape. All three edges line up together. Zipper will be sandwiched in between the two #5 pieces. During this process, make sure that your zipper tab is just a bit over 1/4 inch from the left side. Sew using a zipper foot using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. After sewn, flip the fabric so that wrong sides end up together. You will end up with two pretty fabric sides outwards and the zip will be at the top and upright from the fabrics. When done, you will have the bottom of the zipper pocket completed. Do the same process with the two small pieces of the pocket. Let me know how you make out with this process. Like I said, I am not good at written directions. This completed piece will sit on top of #13 and no interfacing will show.
#9
Becky, here's how to post pictures:
https://www.quiltingboard.com/faq.ph...b3_attachments
There is a limited size so you might have to reduce your pictures some in order for them to be accepted.
https://www.quiltingboard.com/faq.ph...b3_attachments
There is a limited size so you might have to reduce your pictures some in order for them to be accepted.
#10
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Montana
Posts: 7
No, I do NOT have two (2) #5 pieces. My pattern says to cut ONE. I believe we may have just found the problem. My pattern says to cut one in the Cutting Directions, and it shows to only cut one in the Layout Diagram.
No wonder I was frustrated. I believe I can get this pocket done with your directions. Thank you. I will post on my progress tomorrow.
No wonder I was frustrated. I believe I can get this pocket done with your directions. Thank you. I will post on my progress tomorrow.
Last edited by Montanapat; 09-30-2020 at 03:23 PM.