Zipper and Strap Tutorial

Here is the first tutorial for the new version of the blog!


I'm sure you've encountered zipper tutorials for the bag's closure. There are many ways to make a zip top. You might have seen the zip top tutorial that explains how to make it the way I will explain next. If you scroll down the page you'll see which zip top I'm talking about. But the problem with this system that you usually see, is you can't insert a strap into it, because it will be squished and not pretty to look at; it can't be used as a regular bag with one strap in the sides. But hey, there is a system that gives you the option to do just that!
Some of you might know the way to do the zip top closure without the strap (not really a bag, just a case usually). But for those who don't, I'll start from the beginning. If you already know the basics, skip most of it, and land on the final steps.
(Of course you don't need to do the pattern I did here, because that's an example tutorial I made with a real bag. Make the bag however you want).

1) Prepare the pieces: 2 exterior, 2 lining, and a long enough zipper:

2) Lay down one of the exterior pieces, right side up.
Place the zipper with its right side (the foot) down on the top edge of the exterior piece.
Add the third layer which is one of the lining pieces, its right side down. You basically sandwich the zipper between the two fabric pieces:

3) Topstitch the three layers:

4) Now flip the whole deal like in the picture:

And do the same with the other side -
Lay down the other exterior piece right side up, then the bunch that you've already made, right side down (in right side down I mean the zipper's foot should be facing the exterior piece). Again, lay the last piece – the other lining piece – on the other layers, right side down. Here you're sandwiching the zipper again. Pin and sew.

(optional but recommended): Sew both sides of the zipper to make it look nicer and add more strength to it. Careful, you need to sew just those exteriors layers, separately, not all of them:

This is what you've got, all layers together:

5) Make the strap.

6) Now sew around. First, make sure the zipper is open almost all the way, or else you wouldn't be able to turn inside out.
Bring together the couples – exteriors together, and linings together. Both right sides facing each other.
Sew all the way around, leaving a gap in the lining:

BUT! Here is the difference that creates the option to insert a strap. Leave a gap also at the sides of the zipper, where the zipper ends come out. Leave a few cms, little bigger than the strap's width. Make sure both sides are the same:

(optional): Make boxing now.

7) Now turn it inside out though the gap in the lining:

This is what you have got:

After turning inside out, you can see the holes in the sides of the zipper. This is where you will insert the strap.

8) Inserting the strap.
Take one end of the strap and insert it into one of the holes in the sides. Pin in place so it won't move.

Note: The strap needs to be pinned only to the outer part of the bag's body, like the way you see in the picture below. Another advice for you, is to place the pin high enough, so you can remove it after sewing, and it won't get stuck inside the fabrics!

Reach into the bag through the gap in the lining and turn just the tip with the strap's end inside out again, just a bit, just until you can sew this part. Now sew it horizontally. Make sure the zipper is also tucked in along with the strap:

Repeat for the other side of the strap.

9) Turn to its right side again and close the gap in the lining.

All done!

Happy to announce…

You've reached the new version of Januar Designs' blog. It's the blog's makeover!! With a new design and a new name. That's right. The blog has a name of its own now. Though the bags are still called "Januar". The blog's official name is now: "CREATIVE CUTIE".

I did the change, the makeover and the name because the blog is one year old, as of this month. So I wanted to make a change to celebrate it. It's also a great way to start a new year.

The blog stays with its original content. It will still have tutorials, information, pictures of my designs, recommendations, etc. so don't worry. Though there are many new things, just look around. Keep browsing, enjoying and being a great follower.
You can also rate entries now, so I will know exactly what you think. You can also tell me what you think (about the blog, the change, my bags, etc.) via the new shoutbox (on the left column).
And let's not forget the brand new message board, which I invite you to read and write in: http://creativecutie.proboards.com

Also, I've put together a new gallery, an album to be accurate, that contains much more pictures of the bags, especially from the kind-of-a-catalog I'm doing for the bags. There are pictures there that you won't see anywhere else. Some of the new bags in there still haven't been "model-shoot", so they don't have a lot of pictures in them yet. But as for the earlier bags, there are many pictures of them for you to see. Also, soon I will present you the new model I've found.
This is the link (which you can also get to through the blog, there is a link on the left column): Januar.myphotoalbum.com

Another change is not exactly a change in the blog, but a new poll about the new version of the blog. Vote your opinion.
Notes there are new things in the sidebars. And about new content, it's all coming soon. Tutorials, articles, pictures, etc. There's a lot waiting in line.
I'm looking to make the blog as enjoyable and helpful for visiting as possible, so if you've got any suggestions and ideas, drop me a word. Also comments or complains… contact me.

That's the update for now. And remember that there's a lot to come, just be patient!
Have a great day and come back soon, I love having guests!

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And finally, most importantly, the blog has a new address:
www.creativecutie.com

Plus, the new email is now:
daphna@creativecutie.com


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Being Poor and Successful

I've been buying bag supplies and fabrics through the internet for a long while now, because it's comfortable, and it's not so easy for me to get to the center of the country where the big "going on" is. Also, the area I live in doesn't have much, sewing notions wise. So it's very easy to do it through the net. But either way it costs a lot of money. This business costs a lot of money. But I really like bag making, so I don't have any plans to stop. So I decided to stop the massive shopping for a while, say 2-3 months. It's been more than a month already, since I bought from the internet, and somewhat from the live stores. Because I decided to only buy things I absolutely MUST. This means I can't buy fabrics, rivets, rings and even tailor's chalk (because I have some, but could use new ones). But I do not plan not to make bags, no. The new plan for the little while, is to get by with what I have at my house. Use everything till it all runs out. This means that I have to use all the fabrics I haven't used yet (and I like that I have a big selection, so…!) and if I want to make a particular design and I don't have the notions for it, I just don't do it. I pick another design with the things that I do have; and the design I wanted will have to wait until I can buy things again. And if I can't find the right lining fabric for a bag, I just pick other fabrics I want together.

Why am I telling you all this? Because I want to show you how to reduce and save. I want you to see that even though you don't have the money, you can still succeed with the business you do. Pick the right things that you must have in order to still create things and not stop, and put aside the things you don't have to buy. Postpone some stuff and DON'T STOP CREATING. Get by with what you have. It's a big money saver. Learn how to compromise for your money's sake. And try to draw it out as long as you can.
This is also a big challenge for a designer. It gives you the chance to prove yourself to yourself. It tests your abilities.

There are big inventers in the history of the world that started out with nothing, no money in their pocket and now are huge and successful because they knew how to make something big with a small budget. This only proves that you don't have to have much in order to make a great creation.

Another way to save is not to not buy at all, but to find cheaper things, from other resources. You can get fabrics for free from a friend. Donations, and more… With fabrics, you can also use leftovers and make patchwork bags. Or smaller accessories that have something to do with bags, such as small clutches, organizers, small all purpose cases, etc.

This is something I realized. You have to save but you shouldn't stop. And this is how I do it.