Snap Shut Bag Tutorial

I'm going to give it a try anyway. So here goes:

I layered and quilted a piece I wanted for the front and back, and a piece of batting. This one I cut to 5x8". You can make these any size you want.

Cut 2 pieces of fabric for the casings, 3 1/2" wide.

Lay those pieces at both ends of lining side of quilted piece, right side down.

Sew both in place using 1/2" seam.

Press away from body.

Turn piece over and fold edges down to meet edge of body, press.

 Using 2 squares of fabric, fold each in half and press.

Then fold edges to middle to make 2 prairie points. (You can make tabs, or use other shapes for these, they are what you pull to open purse.)

Place the prairie points about 1/4" below the half inch seam from the casings.

 Then fold casing over to cover edge of prairie point and secure.

Of course, do both sides.

Topstitch casings catching top of prairie points.

 Trim excess at sides.

Using very old scissors and a 3/4" metal tape measure, cut 2 pieces of the metal to about 3/4" shorter that width of casing.

Round off the edges and cover with small pieces of tape to make sure they don't rip your fabric.

Slip them into the casings with the numbers facing the lining side.

Fold up RST and stitch up sides of bag using 1/4" seam.

Make sure metal tape is far enough in from your needle. I have it sticking out one side as I sew up the first seam, then push it in as far as it will go when sewing the other side.

Finish seam using serger or zig zag stitch. ( I sure wish I had a serger...)

Turn inside out.

And you have a snap shut bag!!! Easy peasy.

You can embellish all you want, and a nice little handle is cute too.

There are many ways to make these bags, but I just hate to use interfacing and make separate linings, so I found this pretty easy.

Took all of about 20 minutes once you have your fabric ready. Purchased pre- quilted stuff works just as well, but it's cheaper to make your own using all of these small pieces of scraps.

WilmaNC

Some sewing, finally!!!!

I finally got to do some sewing. A few stolen moments when dave was off doing something else, or when he was sleeping in his chair, lol.

A friend in my ABC group started making those snap bags with the metal tape measure pieces used to close the bag. I was intrigued, so I ordered the pattern, then decided to make one my own way. I hate using interfacing. Need I say more?
Here's a picture of my first one, which will be given to my sister, Roma, for the Pay It Forward I promised. (Not sure what I will send you other folks on my list...) I will do up a tutorial soon, maybe tomorrow. Cute eh? I also plan to make some for the shop where I sell some of my things.

I also made some blocks for the Block Lotto. I donated all of them this month as I have won twice already this year.

I still have to finish piecing a top from my Bliss winnings, and finish hand quilting the TipToe Through the Tulips quilt. PLUS, I came home to 23 episodes of General Hospital to catch up on, lol.

Already did my walk this morning in the fog, and my Weight Watchers meeting is at 9:30. I think I lost a little more. yay! Then need to go to Roma's house to drop off some clothes and her snap bag :^) Then come home and fry up some bacon for BLT's this evening, using tomatos from the garden. YUM!!!! Tomorrow I hope to spend most of the day sewing.

Later,
WilmaNC

More Pictures

I think this will be it for the pictures as I could post every day the reat of the year and still not show them all to you. I am anxious to get back to my "normal" life and routine. We finally got the yard back to order, it wasn't mowed for 3 weeks!!! And I actually sewed a little yesterday making lotto blocks for July.

So, here's more pictures:

Dave and I walking on the beach for the first time. Love the Pacific Ocean. It's such a pretty blue, and the shoreline is beautiful. The NC beaches are lined with solid condos and very little public access.

Graumann's Chinese Theater in Hollywood.

At Laguna Beach. The little kid just ran over to me. Dave said it was my new family, lol. I thought that tree was interesting.

Dave and I at Laguna Beach.

Sunset at Laguna Beach.  It was so exciting and vibrant there. Lots of people to watch. I had my first gelato, OMG!!! Was it ever good!! And we ate at a Chipolte's. We need one of those in Asheville for sure.

Dave and Jack on a rock at Torrey Pines State Beach. Getting to the rock is when Dave got drenched by a wave and had forgotten his cell phone was in his pocket. That was the last she wrote for the cell phone, lol.

Another beach pic of us.

Vista at Yosemite. It was in the 90's but there was still snow on top of the mountains. On the hike we took we had to scramble over a lot of snow that hadn't melted yet. I was afraid we would lose the trail but Jack got us there safely, and back!!

Had to go down into the Valley to see the touristy stuff too. This is Lower Yosemite Falls.

And the last place we visited was Sequoia National Forest. Hiked about 3 miles there. Makes a person feel like a Hobbit in the forest of the Ents.

Pic of Dave and I by a fallen tree with an opening to walk through.

Jack by a big "ol tree. The forest was just full of them, each one bigger than the last.

Another of Jack by a tree.

We left for home the next day, taking 5 days to get here. We wanted to stop and see the Meteor Crater near Flagstaff, but it was raining so hard we had to pass it by.

This trip was so much fun. I so enjoyed spending time with both Dave and Jack. I will have these memories forever.

Next year Jack wants us to fly out to LA. Then we would rent a car and drive up the coast, stopping in San Francisco, go up to Oregon, then to Seattle. We would fly home from there.

Dave and I are actually thinking of maybe moving to California in a few years. I loved the San Diego area, and can see myself taking my daily walks on the beach. Who knows.

Later,
WilmaNC

pictures

OMG. We took so many pictures that I don't know which ones to show you. Here's a few. This is a video of Vernal Falls in Yosemite. It was a very steep hike uphill to see this, but well worth it. We ate lunch on the rocks from where the video was taken.

Here's a picture of Jack, and one of Dave and I, at the Tunnel View overlook. Awesome view!!! That's Bridal Veil falls in the background. El Capitan on the left, and Half Dome in the background. Can you tell it was hot?? LOL.

Still many more pictures to go through. Maybe later...

WilmaNC

We're home!!!

Where did the time go???? I really did plan to post every day, but you know how the best laid plans go, lol.

We had the best time, and really enjoyed exploring Southern California, and especially Yosemite. We like the San Diego area and are talking over possibly moving there someday, if my son's move ends up being a permanent one.

I have lots of pictures, but of course they are on my laptop, and have to be moved here for ease of use. I will definitely show you the good ones. But first, the yard and garden need taking care of. MIL had company here for 2 weeks while we were gone, but do you think anyone thought to mow the yard??? Of course not. So, a 3 week growth of grass, and weeds in the garden were waiting for us. Dave did a long cut with the riding mower yesterday, and I will mow the final cut today. Hopefully will come back later with more details of the trip.

Everyone MUST visit Yosemite. What an awesome place. We stayed at the west entrance, and hiked up the Dome trail (killer!!), but avoided most of the hordes of people that way. But on the way out we did stop in Yosemite Valley for the day to see all the usual sites not to be missed. El Capitan was awesome, as was Half Dome. But our view of Half Dome from the dome trail was WAY better!!

We were glad we saw the Grand Canyon first as it paled in comparison with Yosemite. I found that I am definitely NOT a desert person.

Here's one picture that I had emailed to myself.

It is us at an overlook with Half Dome in the background.

Later,
WilmaNC

Time is flying by!!!

We have been so busy trying to keep up with our son Jack, lol. There is so much to see here in California. We went to Hollywood and I got to see the walk of the stars. Nice to visit, but way too busy for me to want to live here. Also went to the Hollywood Hills and walked where the guys hike on Men of a Certain Age. The observatory there is very cool too.

Also went to Laguna Beach which is beautiful and vibrant. Went to Torrey Pines State Park and hiked to the beach, then went to the Golf course too.

Riverside is a neat place. I like where he lives a lot. But once again, too big of a city for me.

We went to the San Diego Zoo, which is awesome!!!

Tomorrow we head out for Yosemite, where we will spend 2 days, then drive back via Sequoia National Park. Here's a few more pictures.

I'm tired already, lol.

Later,
Wilma

In Flagstaff

We hiked in the Grand Canyon yesterday and I am POOPED!!!! It was awesome. I will probably post a bunch of pictures when we get done with all the activities. Here are a couple of pictures though.

I have hundreds more but need to go through them. Today we're going to Antelope Canyon and going to the Navajo reservation.