Breaking Ground- Blog Tour 2019

Welcome to the Breaking Ground Blog Tour 2019. This year over 25 bloggers from around the world are joining with me to break new ground by trying a pattern designer that is new to them, try new techniques, new styles, or whatever way they want to push themselves. (Read on for Giveaway info)

Welcome to my stop on the Breaking Ground Tour!

Let’s start with what does “Breaking Ground” actually mean. According to a quick google search this morning ‘”Breaking Ground” means to initiate a new venture, or to advance beyond previous achievements. When this blog call came out, I joined right away. I had no clue what I would sew and went back and forth for a week or so until I settled on a bag. I searched online for tons of bag patterns, not finding anything I loved. I also recently started this new budget deal with myself, so I didn’t want to spend 10 bucks on a pattern. I decided I would look through my own stash of patterns and see what I could come up with. Thankfully, I remembered I had a book dedicated to making bags. I have made one Market Style bag in the book several times. It was a simple tote bag that required very little skill. Since this tour is about Breaking Ground, I knew I was meant to step it up a bit. So here we go…

This bag contains a lot of elements I have never done before. I learned how to insert a separating zipper, made 5 different shapes of pockets, used actual purse hardware and made a legit handle. I feel like I used yards of interfacing and top stitched miles of thread. To top it off, I used 4 different fabrics because that’s just how I roll. I followed the pattern almost to Kay Whitt’s design with a few exceptions.

To start with I needed 4 fabrics. Of course, I picked all different prints. None of them match each other and I used 3 different fabric lines. Don’t panic, I know some of you are all matchy- matchy, but I can’t stand that! I also used some large D rings I scavenged from an old beat up bag I already had. I keep interfacing on hand so no need to risk my budget deal with a trip to the fabric store.

This pattern had 10 ish pages of directions in the book. I know, I agree, that is a lot of work. I worked through them one step at a time over the course of  2 weeks. I finished around midnight this morning. Some days, the struggle really is real. This pattern is labeled intermediate and I agree. Though none of the steps were overly difficult, they took a lot of time. The photos that accompany the directions are basically line drawings with color. On some steps this was helpful, but many times I wanted to see a real photo of what I needed to do.

The only step of this pattern that seemed off to me was the side pockets. The side panel and the pocket piece were cut the same width, but then you add a 1 inch pleat to the pocket. This made the pocket one inch smaller than the panel, but the directions say to line it up. Ummm No Can Do! I also had a small hiccup at this step because I attached my top binding over the folded edge instead of the raw edge. This required that I line the pockets up across the bottom of the bag instead of them floating an inch from the bottom. Not a deal breaker and this girl wasn’t ripping the pleated and binding off, nor was I starting the pockets again. I also redrew the pocket flap on the outside as this patterns that are included when you buy the book have done missing. I just used my curved ruler and went for it.

The inside of this bag contains on sectioned off pocket and one pocket with an elastic top. I wouldn’t have minded both of these pockets being a little deeper or even a zipper pocket for small things like chapstick.

As I was sewing this bag up, I thought I would maybe try to make a bag each month. We will see. I would actually love a matching wallet to go with this bag. Maybe next month.

So my thoughts: I love the outcome. I honestly feel like I stitched miles of thread into this bag and zippers aren’t so bad. I wish the pattern listed all of the cutting steps at the start and not randomly in the pattern. I feel it would have saved time to cut and interface everything at the start of the project. I was clearing off my cutting table and ironing board way too frequently. I also wouldn’t have minded some real photos instead of just line drawings.

Do I feel like I am Breaking Ground? Absolutely! Here are the other Ground Breakers! be sure to check them out, but read to the bottom of my blog to sign up for PRIZES!!!

The Full Tour includes all these creatives… we hope you’ll visit us each day:

Monday March 11– That’s Sew Lily, Sewing A La Carte, Mijn 11jes & ik

Tuesday March 12– mahlicadesigns, Embrace Everyday, Jot Designs, auschick sews, Raising Stripling Warriors

Wednesday March 13– Musings of A Seamstress, Very Blissful, Sew4Five, Just Sew Something, Hazelnut Handmade, Crafting Through Time, Tales From A Southern Mom

Thursday March 14– Make It Sew with the Bear and Pea Atelier, Ronda B Handmade, SequioaLynn Sews, Sewing with D, The Sewing Goatherd, OOYAmade, My Golden Thimble, Custom Made by Laura

Friday March 15– Sew Cute Couture by Kathy, Sewing Novice, Ronda B Handmade, Momma Bear Sews, MeMade, My Golden Thimble, Lulu & Celeste

Click Below To Enter Both Giveaways

Breaking News: our tour sponsor Phat Quarters is offering 2 patterns of choice from her pattern shop to one lucky winner.

Enter Here!

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We’d love to see how you’re Breaking Ground this month. Share with us what you’re working on by using the hashtag #BreakingGround2019 across social media.

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