Wholecloth Morris Tote Video Sewalong

The video sewalong for the Morris Tote sewing pattern is now available on the Wholecloth Patterns Youtube channel. These video sewing instructions cover every step of making both sizes of the Morris Tote quilted tote bag. You can use this tutorial to sew either the full sized or Mini Morris Totes, and you can easily add the extra features of the full sized Morris to the Mini. 

I'm calling the Morris Tote an advanced beginner sewing pattern, because of the precision needed to attach the binding, and the thickness of the quilted seams. Don't be daunted, it only takes a little practice to master these techniques. My goal with the video sewalong is to make sewing your own Morris accessible to very beginner sewists. I will demonstrate the most full proof way to attach the binding, and give you my tips for mastering bulky seams. (Spoiler alert: the only real trick is to sew slowly!)

The video instructions are available to everyone, but you'll need a copy of the sewing pattern to make the Morris Totes. The patterns are available separately, or in a discounted bundle.

Basic Sewing Skill Tutorials for Making the Morris Totes.

The Wholecloth Patterns Youtube channel is filling up with video tutorials for basic bag making skills. All of these are valuable skills for your sewing arsenal, and the perfect place to start if you're a beginner.  Here are the techniques we'll use when making the Morris Tote:

• How-to Make Your Own Straight Grain Binding 
• How-to install Heavy Duty Snap
• How-to Sew an Adjustable Bag Strap
• How-to Quilt Fabric for Bag Making

Fabrics & Supplies Used in the Morris Tote Sewalong.

Main & Backing Fabric: Light Weight Denim 

Quilt Batting: Warm and Natural Cotton Batting

Claw Clips: 1" Swivel Claw Clasps

Length Adjuster: 1" Triglide Slider

D-rings: 1/2" Metal D-ring

Snaps: Dritz 5/8" Heavy Duty Snaps (buy a kit with the installation tool if you don't already have one)

Watch the Morris Tote Sewalong Video.

Watch the full Morris Tote tutorial or hop around the video using the time stamps in the text below the video. Use them to rewatch the parts you need, and skip the parts you don't. Of course, please like and subscribe if you find the information helpful! 

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Wholecloth Fairmount Bag Sewalong Videos

The Fairmount Bag sewalong is now available on the Wholecloth Patterns Youtube channel. These video sewing instructions will cover every step of the Fairmount Bag sewing pattern. I've broken the sewing tutorial into two manageable sections. In Part 1 we'll cut out the pattern pieces, go over the supplies you'll need for your bag, and cut out the fabric. We'll attach the piping to the View A sides and quilt the View B sides. Then we'll prepare all the parts and pieces needed to sew the bag in Part 2. In Part 2 of the Fairmount Bag sewalong we assemble the bag. I'm demonstrating with a View A bag, but the instructions are the same for both views. 

I'm calling the Fairmount an intermediate sewing pattern because it requires a few points of precision sewing on bulky seams, but a confident beginner could tackle this bag using the sewalong. My goal was to compliment the writing and illustrations in the pattern instructions with a few tips for avoiding mistakes, and clearing the way to a successfully sewn bag. 

The video instructions are available to everyone, but you'll need a copy of the sewing pattern to make the Fairmount Bag. 

Basic sewing skill tutorials for the making the Fairmount Bag.

You can kick-start your Fairmount Bag sewing by prepping a few of the supplies ahead of the sewalong. You can make the perfect piping and bias tape to match your bag using the How-to Make Your Own Piping, and How-to Make Bias Tape tutorials.  If you're using a metal zipper for your bag, you'll want to shorten it to the perfect 13" using the How-to Shorten a Metal Zipper tutorial. All three are core sewing skills to add to your sewing arsenal, and the perfect place to start if you're a beginner. 

Fabrics used in the Fairmount Bags in the sewalong.

Main fabric for View A: 8.5 oz canvas in Walnut from Blackbird Fabrics

Main fabric for View B and lining of View A: Merchant and Mills Elora Indian Cotton

Quilt Batting: Warm and Natural Cotton Batting

Lining of View B: Merchant and Mills Cara Indian Block Print

View A piping and View B pocket: Merchant & Mills Everyday Denim Chambray

All Merchant & Mills fabrics are from Oaks Fabrics. 

Watch the Fairmount Bag sewalong videos.

These videos are a skosh longer than my usual Youtube tutorial. You can hop around the video using the time stamps in the text below the video. Use them to rewatch the parts you need, and skip the parts you don't. Watch Part 1 Watch Part 2

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Learn to Sew a Wholecloth Project Bag with the Sewalong Video Sewing Tutorial

Are you sewing a Wholecloth Project Bag? You've come to the right place. Below you'll find video tutorials for the Wholecloth Project Bag Sewalong, were I'll teach you how to sew a bento bag with clear video instructions. The sewalong is broken up into 3 easy to follow sections. The first is a short overview to familiarize yourself with the design and plan your bag. The second tackles the pdf sewing pattern pieces. I'll walk you through the process of turning the digital pdf file into a physical pattern, and cutting out the fabric. The third is sewing the actual bag. Each video section includes a list of related links to any noteworthy tools or fabrics. This is a quick sew, and beginner friendly project. The videos will make it accessible to even more sewists. You'll have a set of all 4 sizes by sun down (or sun up depending on what kind of sewist you are!).

Thanks to everyone who followed along with the Wholecloth Project Bag sewalong through the newsletter. I appreciate your attention at this bonkers time of year! If you're sewing a Wholecloth Project bag please use the hashtags to share your work. I would love to see what you make! If you'd like first notice of future Wholecloth Patterns sewalongs and new pattern releases join the email list.  

Get the sewing pattern:

Wholecloth Project Bag

Join the mailing list:

Newsletter Sign-Up

Watch the Sewalong Playlist:

Youtube Playlist

Share what you've made!

#wholeclothprojectbag

#wholeclothpatterns

@_wholecloth

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Day 1:  pattern overview, size comparison and fabric recommendations

Notes on Fabric:

You can use just about any woven fabric to make a Wholecloth Project Bag. I go over a few of my favorites in the video, but don't limit yourself to my picks. This quick project is great for experimentation. A crisp new yard and a half (1.5 meters) of 43in/109cm wide fabric will make a whole set of bags. Don't prewash it, you'll need the full width for the extra large bag, and won't want to loose any to shrinkage. A few of the fabrics I said were Essex Linen in the video are cotton/linen Andover Fabrics. This is a very similar fabric and great for bags. 

Day 1 Video Links:

Wholecloth Project Bag Pattern

Essex Linen Solids

Essex Linen Yarn Dyed Stripes

8.5 oz Washed Cotton Canvas, or Printed Cotton/Linen Canvas 

Light Weight Denim, or this Railroad Stripe

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Day 2: print and assemble the pdf, trace the size we'll make, draft our own pattern and cut the fabric

Notes of Tools:

You'll need a few basic household tools to assemble the pdf. I like to cut the margins from the pdf with plain old scissors and assemble it with plain old tape. I always trace the size I'm going to make (rather than cut the print out) onto architectural tracing paper. It's durable, easy to pin, and inexpensive. The only down side is that you can't iron it. I also used it to draft the pattern in the video. A see-thru ruler is handy when tracing or drafting the pattern. 

Notes on Drafting Instructions:

Most versions of the pattern include a chart and diagram with the dimensions to draft your own pattern on page 2. If your pattern does not have them I would be happy to send you an updated version. Please send an email to wholeclothpatterns@gmail.com and include the Etsy username you used to purchase the pattern. All other information is the same. The drafted sizes are the same as the printed pattern pieces. 

Day 2 Video Links:

Architectural Tracing paper

See-thru Drafting Ruler

Riverbend Fabric

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Day 3: We'll sew a Wholecloth Project Bag from start to finish!

Day 3 Video Links:

Wool Pressing Pad

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