Newborn Onesie for my nephew

Scroll down for english, please. 

Não sei se alguém se recorda, mas em 2014, um pouco antes do meu filho nascer, fiz-lhe dois bodies com um molde que eu mesma desenhei e que partilhei aqui no blog para quem queira usar também. Pois bem, desde esses dois não tinha tido oportunidade de voltar a fazer mais nenhum até que soubemos que a minha cunhada mais nova ia ter um menino. O menino já fez uma ano em Outubro - só para terem noção de há quanto tempo costurei este último.

I don't know if any of you can remember, but, back in 2014, just a little before my son was born,I made him two onesies with a self drafted pattern that I later shared on the blog for anyone to use. Well, I haven't made anymore of these ever since, until I knew my sister-in-law was having a baby boy. The baby boy was one in October - so you can have an idea of how long ago I sewed this latest one. 

Tinha apenas um metro deste tecido que comprei na Feira dos Tecidos numa visita a Lisboa para me encontrar com algumas amigas das costurices. Logo ali fiquei encantada com ele e pensei em fazer um pijama ou qualquer coisa assim para o meu filhote. E uns meses depois foi mesmo isso que fiz e que já foi partilhado aqui. Com o pouco que me sobrou desse metro de tecido consegui fazer este body.

I had bought just one meter of this fabric at Feira dos Tecidos, when I went to Lisbon to meet some of my sewing buddies. Right there I fell in love with it and thought about making some pajamas for my son or something like that. A few months after, that's exactly what I did, which I have shared here. With the little fabric Ihad left I was able to make the onesie. 

Não resisti a tirar esta foto acima, para comparar os tamanhos. Em cima o minúsculo body para o meu sobrinho, por baixo apenas a parte de cima do pijama que fiz para o meu filho em tamanho 2 anos. Fazer roupa para recém nascidos é uma coisa extremamente ternurenta.

I didn't resist taking the photo above, just so you could compare sizes. On top the tiny onesie for my nephew, and underneath only the top portion of the size 2 pajamas I made for my son. Making newborn clothes it's extremely cute. 

Como já mencionei acima, o molde é meu e só o tenho neste tamanho, a quem interessar, podem encontrar tanto o molde como o passo a passo para o mesmo aqui. Tem opção de manga curta ou manga comprida. Na altura para o meu filho fiz um de cada. É um projecto que requer o domínio de algumas técnicas e que dependendo da vossa experiência poderá levar mais ou menos tempo, o que eu acho pessoalmente é que vale a pena. Eu senti-me imensamente satisfeita ao terminar cada um dos que fiz até aqui.

As I mentioned above, it is a self drafted pattern, one size only, if you're interested you can find both pattern and instructions to sew it right here. It has a long and a short sleeve option. Back when I made my son's I did one of each. It is a project that requires some techniques knowledge and according to your experience might take more or less time, in my opinion, either way it is worth making. I did feel so pleased when I finished each one of them. 

É também uma oportunidade excelente de dar uso àqueles pequenos retalhos de tecidos que adoramos mas que não são suficientes para nada. Deixo abaixo - para quem ainda não viu - os exemplos dos que fiz para o meu filho também. No meu caso reciclei outras peças de roupa para os fazer, usando o color blocking. Ficaram bem giros e diferentes do que se costuma encontrar por ai. Ou seja, mesmo a minha cara.

It is also an excelente oportunity to put those small scraps from your bin, the ones you love deeply but are never enough for any of your projects. I leave below - for those who haven't seen it yet - the examples I made for my son too. In my case, I refashion other pieces to make them, using some color blocking. They got pretty awesome and different from those rtw around. So, just so me. 

Savings Made By Sewing |Patterns|

all my free patterns. find them HERE

Today I get to do something with a great meaning to me. I am part of the Savings Made By Sewing series hosted by Dana, over Sew Thrifty. I will be sharing with you my tips to save some money on patterns over there, while I put up a tutorial to help you copying a pattern from a loved rtw. 

***

When I became a SAHM I knew our income would get a drastic cut down, and I knew I had to be more careful where I'd spend my money on. I stopped buying new fabric, and I didn't allow myself to buy any patterns because I had already a huge collection of pattern magazines, such as Burda, Patrones, Manequim... most of those patterns are women's, but from time to time they get kid's editions too. Sometimes, when I can't find the pattern I want from any of these, I will adjust any other basic one into what I want/need. Other times, I simply use rtw pieces to copy the pattern from. There are a few ways to make it, but today I will show you how to do one of the ones I use more often: the pins method. 

This is pretty simple, or not. It depends on the piece you are copying the pattern from. I picked a tank top to show you how I do it, I hope the pictures are clear enough. 

Start by folding the front or the back piece in half vertically. It doesn't really matter which one you do first. Make sure to align the seams and hold them with pins. Make sure it aligns at the armholes, neckline, shoulders, etc. Get a sheet as big as your piece (if it is too big, tape a few together). For this tutorial I used a piece of cardbox, hoping it'd be easier to explain how it should look, but any kind of paper works fine. 

Align the fold on the top to the edge of the paper and pin the piece to the paper (try using a rubber base, or anything foamy underneath). Start at the top and pin to the bottom. Straighten the fabric and pin through the side seam too. Leave the shoulder for now. Use another pin to drill around the edges and seams, from one to the next pin you have added before. You will create lines all around (see last picture above). 

Once you got it all drilled, unpin the bottom of the tank top, so you can pull it up and lay it flat on your table. MAke sure to keep the top pins in place so it doesn't move from the right spot. Repeat the drilling process all up the armhole seam, neckline and the shoulders. I tried to show how it will look like once you take your fabric top off, but I'm not sure it's easy to see in the picture (first from the second row above). With a pen, connect all the dots and you will get a pattern piece. My back piece has a not too stretchy elastic so when I got there, I just had to pull it so the fabric would get it's normal shape and pin it right there, then pinned through the elastic line to have a line on the pattern that shows me where I should add the elastic. When sewing, you can measure the elastic, not stretched out to know the measurements you need for it. You can see that line on the last picture above. 

The back piece is done, let's do the front one. You just do it the same way. Pay attention if any parts have special details. My front was slightly gathered on the top, so when copying the pattern, I didn't pin it close to the edge as I did with the rest of the center. See 2nd picture above. You don't want to stretch any parts of your fabric unless needed as in the elastic on the back. The distance between the edge and the top, is the distance you'll need to gather in your front top. Use a sign to note it. 

There you have it. It is a nice one, you just need 2 pattern pieces. Because I did mine in cardbox I then copied it into tracing paper for the final touches. Align the side seams to make sure they match. if they don't, draw a line that fixes it. Repeat it for the shoulder seams, and you're done. Before cutting into your fabric, you need to add seams allowances all around it but the folded edges, which are the front and back centers. You can also make a quick muslin first to check for any other adjustments. 

Make sure to follow along for a whole lot of useful tips. 

Fabric: July 6: Sew Thrifty | July 7: Feather's Flights | July 8: Mabey She Made It | July 9: Phat Quarters | July 10: Vicky Myers Creations

Patterns: July 13: Sew Thrifty | July 14: Sew a Straight Line | July 15: House of Estrela | July 16: Sew Straight and Gather | July 17: A Real Life Country Housewife

Supplies: July 20: Sew Thrifty | July 21: Bernina Representative | July 22: Pretty Practical | July 23: Finn's Door | July 24: Lulu and Celeste

General Tips: July 27: Sew Thrifty | July 28: From-a-Box | July 29: Willow & Stitch | July 30: Knot Sew Normal | July 31: Bringing it All Together by Sew Thrifty

My Weekly Refashion Share #3 |Peter Pan Collar Tutorial|

If you're looking for the giveaway, please click HERE. 

Today I am sharing an outfit I made for G. I've been wanting to share this one on the blog for sooooo long, because it was one of those we fall in love with even before we finish sewing it. In one of my charity shopping trips I saw a pair of women's size flowerly capris, and I had my eye on it. I didn't bring it home because I was convinced to bring only the kind of pieces I went there looking for. But everytime I went there, they were still hanging, calling out for me, and eventually, one of those days, it came home. 

So, for 1€ only, I thought I could make my daughter a new pair of skinny jeans, since I had just made a few pairs back then and it can get quite addicting when you're in love with a pattern. But then something lightened my brain and I was reminded of a great free shorts pattern I had seen many months before, and wanted to try ever since. It was time to do it and so I did. But, not only I made a pair of shorts from these old capris, I was also able to make another Izzy top out of the pieces I had left. AND I have even put up a tutorial for you on how to add a peter pan collar to your Izzy top/dress as I did for my Izzy Paris look. 

First things first, let me start with the shorts. The pattern I've used was the City Shorts Pattern, which is a 3-4y sized pattern, given away for free by Monica, over Another Dress. The fact that it was 3-4y sized kept me from sewing it earlier, especially because I have a skinny princess. I decided to go for it though and if it turned out too big, we could always wait until she grew into it. I just used a little less lenght in the elastic for it to fit her skinny waist as changes to the pattern, for all the rest I followed instructions, and I loved the final results. Once she saw them finished, she loved it too. I had them hanging and everyday she would ask me if those were made for her. The best thing is that I am sure this is something she will be able to wear for a long long time, once that waist gets too tight I can always replace the elastic for a longer one. And, because the fabric is a slightly stretchy denim, she can even wear it in different year seasons, with or without layers. 

Of course, I loved the scraps way too much to part from them, they were begging me to be used too, and I couldn't resist the plea. I had another Izzy Top in mind. I had just finished and publish the Paris look one, and Teri, the designer of this great pattern asked me if I could put up a tutorial on how to add a peter pan collar to her top (or give her permision to do so herself), and I immediately said yes, of course I would do it. It's a pleasure! Here's a reminder of that top:

Today, I am happy to finally share the tutorial on how to draft and add a peter pan collar to your Izzy top too. 

Drafting your own collar:

Start your Izzy top and follow Teri's tutorial up until step 10. Then come back here and draft your collar. 

In the 4th photo above, I've added just 1cm (3/4"), but you can add a bit more if wanted, just depends on how you want your collar to look like. The same happens with the width, mine isn't a very big collar, so you can add as many cm or inches as you'd feel comfortable with. 

Sewing your collar:

For this top I used the same fabric for the outside and inside of collar, but if you check the one above (the black and white one), there's faux leather with applications on the outside and stripped fabric on the inside. If you're using different fabrics too, you should cut 2 interfacing, 2 main fabric and 2 lining fabric pieces. If adding any applications, make sure to add them before you sew any pieces together. When interfacing, you can pick either the 2 main fabric pieces or the lining ones, it doesn't really matter. Then put main and lining right sides together pin and sew as shown on pictures above. 

Go back to Teri's tutorial to seehow to add the bodice lining, and come right back here.

And that's it. If you have any doubts, please feel free to ask and I will help if I can. 

My Weekly Refashion Share #1 |FREE pattern & tutorial|

If you're looking for the giveaway, please click HERE. 

A couple of months ago I made these two onesies for my baby boy. You can read more about them by clicking each photo.

   

They were both refashions from t-shirts, and ever since I made them, I've been wanting to share a tutorial. But not only a tutorial, you can have a FREE pattern, the one I drafted for my own. If you are expecting a baby, or have someone close to you that is, this would make a great gift, so go ahead, grab the PATTERN, print it and let's start sewing. 

Note before you start: 

- Some pattern pieces need to be taped together. In order to do that, you have to match the number on the pattern and letters A to B. Example: piece 4A to piece 4B. Tape them matching the symbols on both pieces. 

- I didn't realise it, but I've added two star pattern pieces, but just one is enough, of course. It is an optional add. 

- All seams are 1/4" except for sleeves hem, which are 1" long. (they are included in the pattern)

- Just one more thing, I've added a pattern piece for the short sleeves and one for the long sleeves option, when cutting your fabric, remember you just need one of the lenghts. 

Supplies: 

I have used t-shirts for the entire pieces. Even for the knit bias tape (in black). If you choose to add the star appliqué, you will also need just a little bit of fusible interfacing too. You can mix different fabric colours, but try to keep them from soft knit, it is a piece you're making for the delicate skin of a new baby. You will also need snaps. 

Cutting:

Start by cutting your pieces (make sure to have the right sides facing up). Information on how many to cut on each piece is on pattern and on the picture above. Besides the pattern pieces, you will need to use two tiny bits of scraps, cut them about 1"x2", fold it lenght wise and use a zig zag stitch all around the edges. You'll have two little squares you'll want to save for later. 

Sewing:

- Start by hemming both sleeves. Finish hem edges, then fold 1" towards the inside, press and stitch. This step is not pictured because I used the original hems from the t-shirts. If you're doing the same, remember to cut 1" off of the pattern piece. 

- With right sides together (RST) pin shoulders. Finish your seams (with a zigzag stitch/overlock), and press towards the back piece. 

- Place onesie with right side facing up, put sleeve RST and pin the sleeve all around (in case you have any doubts, check the colour/fabric of right and left sleeve in my onesie to check if you're doing it right). 

- Sew it and finish your seams. Press towards the sleeve. Do not repeat for the other sleeve (left side) yet. 

 

- Use one of those little scrap squares to add to the side seam in the right side of the onesie (first red arrow). When you sew the sides together it should be attached to the front side piece, and will stay in the interior of the onesie when you're done (as seen on the fouth photo below). 

- The second arrow on the first photo shows were the other little square will be added, but we'll get there a little later. 

- Put RST of the side and pin it from sleeve to bottom. Sew and finish your seams. 

- Make sure you have enough bias tape (I used about 44", but I guess it might change a little according to the stretch in your fabrics so the best thing to do is to measure all around your piece to know how much you will need, or just go, with the same measurement I've used and add an extra inch or two to be sure it will be enough. 

- Start pinning the bias tape right side of bias, facing wrong side of onesie, at the bottom of the front left side seam and go all around until you reach the bottom of the back left side (I hope it is clear in the first photo below). 

- Press seams down, turn about 1/4" and then the same again. 

- Pin and sew (on the right side) with a double needle or a zigzag stich. Don't pull your fabric while stitching, allow your machine to feed it and just guide it carefully. 

- This is how it will look when you're done with this step:

- You can add the other sleeve now, following the same steps you did to attach the first one, and can be seen on the photos below. 

- Close the left side seam. Put RST, and remember to add the second square to the seam. Pin, sew and finish seams. 

- Your onesie is almost finished. The last step consists in adding snaps. Check on pattern the places you should add them, they are marked with a circle, but you also have this photo here to help you:

And just a little more help, here's how snaps should be added:

Optional:

- I had just one extra step in my onesie. A problem that turned into garment design, I'd say. When I finished the whole thing, I realised it had two holes in the buttom of the back piece, as arrows below point to. To cover the mess, I've cut a piece from the black t-shirt scraps, used fusible interfacing to make it stiffer, used the star shapped pattern to cut an applique, pinned and stitched it on top of the holes. You can also do it to add style to your onesie, or not. Also you can apllique it in any other place of the onesie if you'd like. 

Now put it on your new baby and enjoy your newest creation. 

Baby Boy Romper #2

To close my own rompers sharing week, inspired by Sewing Mama RaeAnna's Romper Week Series, here I bring you the latest one, the second for my baby boy. I have used the same pattern, the FREE Baby Boy Romper by MellySews. |Find it here|. It is an only size pattern, so this was pretty much the same as for the first one. The difference was, of course, in the supplies used for each one of them. 

You wouldn't believe it - or maybe you would - but this (main) fabric layed on my stash for nearly 9 years. I bought it either when my sister was pregnant with my nephew or when he was just a couple months old. I had plans to make him something out of this.

Pretty clear I never did... until now.

For his cousin!

It feels good to finally work with fabrics I got used to see on my stash. I even tried my hand on some embroidery. Is this perfect? Most likely it isn't, but I tried and it adds something to my romper. 

As for the lining fabric, you might recognise it from the dress I made his sister last year, a refashion from a man's button shirt. I still had some scraps that were perfect for this. I have been using a lot of scraps lately, loved ones, and that's just another positive thing about my kind-of-saving-style. I used star shapped buttons to close it on the shoulders, also from my stash.

Romper Week and the rompers I've been sharing:

Girl's Romper #1

Baby Boy's Romper #1

Girl's Romper #2

The Pleated Jumpsuit - take 2

Still on the Romper Week spirit, I am bringing you the second girl romper today. Just like the first one (that actually made part of the official series), I made this using Elegance & Elephants free pattern, in the same size, but for my younger niece instead. She just turned two years old yesterday, and this was my birthday present for her. 

I wasn't sure her mom would like it, but the same day I finished this, we went to the beach together and sweet little M. was wearing a romper, in shape, very similar to this one. It was a grey plaid one, I think the fabric in mine is much cuter... hehehe... how modest, right?

For this romper, I have refashioned a linen maxi skirt. I don't have a full garment before picture of it, because it was given to me many years ago, and apparently I had imediate plans for it and cut through the skirt. I can't remember what I was going to make, and why I didn't, so, I only have two cut pieces of the before skirt to show you. I have also used a top, in a very light cotton fabric for the lining. It was too old and spoted already and not really good for refashioning, but the tone of blue would be perfect with the blue flowers from the linen fabric. I got it from my aunt last week. I cut it all apart and tried to save the better parts. I had just enough.

It was so much easier and quicker to make this second jumpsuit. I didn't even had to follow instructions or anything. In a blink it was put together and I was satisfied, that although it took me this long to make the first one, I had another finished. I think I even like this one better, I thought I would keep it for my daughter and just make another for the niece... hehehe... but, alas, the little one (actually both my nieces, even though they are not related) has these gorgeous blue eyes, and this will look so much better on her (my daughter has green eyes).

I will also link this romper to Challenge Create link party. It starts next month and the second week's theme is linen. Perfect, right? Working ahead!

Romper Week and rompers I've been sharing:

Girl's Romper #1

Baby Boy's Romper #1

Baby Boy Romper #1

Haven't you heard about Romper Week hosted by Sewing MamaRaeAnna? Well, it has started yesterday. House of Estrela and Call Ajaire had the honour of kicking off this year's edition. Check my full post here. If last year, I only followed the series as a viewer, this year I was part of the series and have prepared three more rompers to share through the week. 

This is the first romper I made for my little boy. I used MellySews FREE pattern for the Baby Boy Romper. It is a 0-3M sized pattern, but I think it looks big. Hopefully my boy will be able to wear it all through summer. I can't wait to see him in all these tiny clothes I've been sewing for him. 

Again, I used fabric from my stash, you might recognise the owls fabric. I used it to make a friends Christmas present last year. For the lining I used vintage sheets I have, ever since I was a little girl. I have been able to use this fabric for so many projects I can't count them anymore. One of them is the boy's wallet I blogged about here a couple of weeks ago. This romper is such a quick and easy sew, and Melissa's instructions are so easy to follow. I love that they close with snaps on the bottom, and buttons on the shoulders. I used yellow ones that are nearly the same colour from the yellow in the main fabric, they were, of course, from my stash. 

|Romper Week|

I was thrilled when RaeAnna, from Sewing Mama RaeAnna invited me to be part of her Romper Week. I really liked to follow it (as a viewer) last year and it is great that I am one in line with these wonderful and talented ladies.

A few weeks ago I shared some inspiration I found on Pinterest. I had actually pinned both pictures long ago but you know, we pin so many stuff that it gets hard to go through them all. I liked that it was a romper (good inspiration to sew for this series), but the colours were also inspiring to me because I'd like to sew along with the new edition of Challenge Create. Although we don't celebrate 4th of July over here, this would be a great sew, I love the three colours (red, blue & white) together. I love to combine challenges and create one look with it... This time, it was the motivation RaeAnna gave me by inviting me for her series, it made me actually make something inspired on a pin from my boards and I used the first Theme for Challenge Create, all mixed up into my daughter's new look. 

Specifically for today, I have made a romper I've been wanting to try and sew for a while. It is the Pleated Jumpsuit pattern from Heidi, of Elegance & Elephants. It is a FREE pattern in case you haven't heard of it yet (which I doubt!), so if you want to make your own, click here and grab it. You will love it, you'll see. 

You might recognise the fabric from a previous dress I made her. I didn't have much left in the stash, but I had curtains I had made many years ago with the same fabric. I picked it out of a bag, saved for too long, I wasn't using them again for sure, and it would be the perfect fabric for the romper (remember I pledged to NOT buying any fabrics for the whole year, unless I REALLY need it). 

For the lining in the romper I used scraps, it was just the right amount, a bit less and I would have to go with another one, which I didn't want to, I really like this tone of blue. Plus, it is so close to the refashioned blue fabric from the cardigan/bolero she's wearing on the photo above, to complete the look. I actually made it from left overs from a dress I refashioned for myself a while ago, sleeves and bits mostly. I self dafted it, but I have to fix it on the back, it ended up too wide on the back. 

I went with the 2-3 size for the romper, always believing it'd be too big for my skinny lady. I was fine with that though, because if I make things bigger, they will last for longer. And we all know kids grow a lot through summer time (which is just starting)... I was so surprised it fits so good already, normally when I pick the pattern size by age (and not measuring) it ends up too big, too wide, too something... but it looks perfect and she seems to love it. 

But, if you came here looking for rompers inspiration, and were brave enough to read all through this, you might want to check the Bubblicious Romper I made and blogged about last month, mashing up two different patterns. And I have three more rompers to share this week here in my blog. All I can tell you right now, is that I made two of them for my little boy, and it's from a free pattern too, and I used Heidi's pattern again... with a different fabric and print. 

RaeAnna, has prepared a lot of great prizes, so you have the change to get them. Here's how...

There are 6 ways to win!  The first three will be through a link party and voting!  First place will be given to the romper creation with the most votes, then 2nd place and 3rd place!

And there are also three prizes to be given away through a Rafflecopter entry!

1 winner will receive a yard of Ann Kelle fabric

1 winner will receive a PDF pattern by Mouse House Creations

1 winner will receive a PDF pattern by Sewing Mama RaeAnna

You have until June 28th to upload your romper creation photo!  Voting will begin on June 21st

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Remember to also check and follow her Pinterest Board, for some inspiration and if you have your own rompers to share, link them to her Link Party.

LINK PARTY

Welcome to the 2014 Romper Week!
You are welcome to link up any romper you have made in 2014 - baby rompers, boys, girls, women, they are all welcome!

We will begin voting on June 21st and the top three entries to the link party will walk away with an awesome prize!!(Voting will be 1 vote per IP address....recruit your friends to send votes your way! We will keep voting open until June 28th)

First place - the most votes - will receive:$30 credit to Girl Charlee
Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop Romper
Blank Slate Pattern Retro Romper

Second place:Riley Blake Fat Quarter Bundle
Shaffer Sisters Betty Skirt Pattern
Winner's Choice Sewing Mama RaeAnna Pattern

Third place:Fat Quarter Shop Fat Quarter Bundle
Winner's Choice Muse of the Morning Pattern

An InLinkz Link-up

Maternity Bag Tutorial & free pattern |Sew-a-bration of Womanhood||

You might have heard about the Make for Mom Series last year. It was hosted by the Shaffer Sisters, and this year it's back with a brand new name (see why they have changed it here), and it is co-hosted with Ajaire from Call Ajaire (she's got her own series going on too, called Monthly MashUp, have you heard of it?).

I feel more than honoured to be part of this Series, and join all these wonderful and talented ladies in a celebration of the womanhood. Because we are just more than moms, and because we deserve to love ourselves the way we are.  

I first thought about making myself an outfit, but because I've been participating in Challenge Create, I was able to sew myself some brand new pieces to fill my wardrobe. So, I quickly knew I needed to make something else. Apart from the clothes I made through the competition I mentioned above, I don't get to sew much for myself lately... or ever since I became a mom. My daughter, and now the baby that's making his way into our family pretty soon, take all my attention and sewing time. I was happy I had to make something for myself this time. It forced me to sew what I really needed. And I made myself a maternity bag, to take to the hospital when delivery time comes. It will also work great as a sports bag later, or other purposes. 

I confess it turned out better than I had expected. Only one thing went wrong, I tried to home-laminate my fabric (I have done that before for small wallets), and was planning a tutorial for that too, but my fabric just wouldn't take the plastic. It would fuse to the iron board fabric, or the fabric I had betwen the plastic and iron, and still wouldn't fuse with my polka dot fabric. After two tries I gave up. I was just hoping to get my bag a little thicker but it worked just as is. 

This bag is quite easy to sew, simple. There are only a few features to point out... the long hangers and the side pocket, perfect to hold a bootle of water or anything else you need on hand when using it. I picked this fabric I had in my stash since my daughter's birthday last year. It is the same I used to make her birthday outfit, and more recently a skirt. The hangers were recycled from two men hoodies and the zipper was previously part of a leather bag I destroyed a few months ago. 

Of course, making a pattern to share was on top of my intentions, so a pattern was created. And, you can find it HERE. If you want to make your own bag too, grab the pattern in the previous link, check out the supplies needed and follow the next steps to make it. 

* My measures are in metrical system in the picture, but I'll add it in inches in the steps, so pay attention. *

Let's start our bag, shall we?! Just one more thing, you can do option one which is exactly like mine, or option two with an extra pocket on the other side. If you chose to make option two, note that you should cut two pocket pieces. 

Start by cutting all your pieces. Grab pieces number one, it will be the zipper "panel" on top of the bag; and press 1cm (3/8") towards the wrong side as shown in image 1. Get your zipper (21" or longer - you can cut the excess later) and sew the pattern pieces you just pressed to it. First one side (2) and then the other (3). 

Let's get pattern piece number two now. It will make the side and bottom of our bag. Press 1cm (3/8'') to the wrong side again at each shorter edge (4). Pin one edge to the previous pieces you sewn to the zipper and sew too (5). and the other edge to the second edge of the zipper pieces too. You'll get like a full circle piece. 

We'll go to the pocket now. Pin and sew the corners with a 1/6" seam (6), fold about 2,5 cm (1'') - as marked on pattern piece, press (7) and sew in place (8). 

With a savety pin, inssert your elastic (5 1/2'' long, and 5/8'' wide) in the seam you just sewn (9), pull it carefully until it reaches the edge, pin in place (10), and keep pulling your elastic until it reaches the other edge (11), pin too and take your savety pin off. The red from the fabric in the photos, doesn't make it really easy to understand, but I will try my best to explain it to you. Grab the previous pieces you've sewn together. Match the top of your pocket (the elastic side) to the edge right before where your zipper starts (the pocket should be lined with pattern piece number two). Pin it in the sides (12) and bottom (13). Sew the bottom of the pocket. If you want to add a second pocket, just repeat the steps. 

* I did this before I sewn those previous pieces together while making mine, and then I realised it hasn't been the greatest idea ever), so I am trying to show you the easiest way to make it. 

Not much left to do, right now. Get pieces number 4 ( I call them side panels) and your ribbon/hangers. Start by pinning one edge to the bottom of the bag piece, following the pattern marks (14) and sew in place. Note that you don't sew all the way up, only until the marking on the pattern. Then add the other edge to the second marks, and sew in place too. Repeat with the other piece. Find the half of you bottom piece (pattern piece number two), and the half of the side panels too. Pin them together (with right sides together) and start pinning the rest of the patterns from there. Sew them in place. Once you get one side panel attached, repeat for the next. Your bag is done. All you have to do is to finish your seams. I did a zigzag stitch, but you can also finish it with a bias tape, it will look prettier on the inside. 

And that's it. We're done. I hope these instructions were clear enough. You can always contact me if you have any doubts. 

Don't forget to follow the series, on Shaffer Sisters and Call Ajaire... looks how many guests they have all along:

The Life Of A Compulsive Crafter | Serger Pepper | House of Estrela | sewVery | Our Busy Little Bunch

Modern Handmade | Golden Rippy | Sew & Tell with Mama Eggo | Shawnta Sews | Fishsticks Designs 
Ali Cat & Co | Paisley Roots | Like a mother | Giggles & Beans | Call Ajaire
Shaffer Sisters | I Married Superman | A Jennuine Life | If Only They Would Nap | Once Upon a Sewing Machine

Naptime Creations | Pattern Revolution | Two Many | Rebel & Malice | Simple Simon and Company

SewingSober | Handmade Dress Haven | Daisy Chain Creations | Swoodson Says | I'm Feelin' Crafty So Cal Sewing Mom| Keep Calm and Carrion | DandelionDrift | The Crazy Tailor | Max California 

Falafel and the Bee | Lexi Made | Winter Wonderings | Kid Approved | Scientific Seamstress
Becca DuVal | Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop | The Berry Bunch | Little Kids Grow | leighlee
Feathers Flights | That's-Sew-Kari