Create HOPE Sew Along Day 4
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Color Block Tote Sew A Long - Day 4
We are getting so close to finishing our totes! Today we'll be adding the closure for our bags (if applicable) and sewing the lining and exterior pieces together.
I get a lot of people asking about the magnetic snap closures that I love to use when making bags. Many people are intimidated by them, but I promise you - they are super easy! Once you've done a couple, you'll be able to insert one in under a minute. Seriously. Let me show you!
The first thing you want to do when inserting a magnetic snap closure is to reinforce the area. I just grab some scraps of interfacing - the fusible fleece works great because it's so thick. I like to cut them into a circle or square about 2" across. Press those to your interior, so that the interfacing is centered about 2" down from the top.
We are getting so close to finishing our totes! Today we'll be adding the closure for our bags (if applicable) and sewing the lining and exterior pieces together.
I get a lot of people asking about the magnetic snap closures that I love to use when making bags. Many people are intimidated by them, but I promise you - they are super easy! Once you've done a couple, you'll be able to insert one in under a minute. Seriously. Let me show you!
The first thing you want to do when inserting a magnetic snap closure is to reinforce the area. I just grab some scraps of interfacing - the fusible fleece works great because it's so thick. I like to cut them into a circle or square about 2" across. Press those to your interior, so that the interfacing is centered about 2" down from the top.
Next, we'll mark where the snap will go – at the center of the bag. To find the exact center of your fabric, fold it in half. Then measure 2 ¼” down from the top. Mark as shown in the picture. Unfold your fabric so it lies flat.
To figure prong placement, put one of your metal backing pieces over the center marking you just made, and mark inside the long holes.
Fold the fabric so that the prong marks are at the top. Clip through the interfacing and fabric on both marks just enough so your prongs will fit through – don’t clip too far down or your slits will be too long and you will have holes that show next to your snaps.
Insert the snap through the fabric, so the prongs poke out the back of the fabric. Top with the backing piece. Fold the prongs down so they lie flat on the metal backing. Now, repeat on the other side of the bag, and your magnetic snap closure will be complete! Wasn't that easy?
The last thing we will do today is sew the lining and exterior pieces together. Place the lining pieces together, right sides facing (make sure your pocket is pointing up!), and sew around the sides and bottom with a 1/2" seam allowance. Repeat with the exterior pieces.
Tomorrow we will finish our tote! I hope you are enjoying the project as much as I am!
