Just a thank you to everyone that has said such nice things. :thumbup: I appreciate you!

I do have a question for some of you - I had one person ask me about using PUL fabric (some waterproofy-like stuff used for diaper covers, I was told) for the exterior.

I've never felt the stuff... so if any of you know about it... I'd appreciate hearing how thick it is, etc. Would it crease nice for the exterior pleats? Is the stuff ironable?

If it is not any thicker than a light-medium weight denim, I think it would work for the side and exterior parts... but not knowing how thick it is, I think it might have the same problems I had when I took a shot at laminating the entire exterior - including the bindings. That didn't work out so well. :( At least not as well as I like things to be, that is. :p

Any info is appreciated. Thanks in advance!

PUL is used to make things waterproof. It is very slippery. It is fairly thin. I found this on a diaper making supply website: http://www.diapersewingsupplies.com/washing-pul/

C. Power your purple bag is so cute!

I posted once, but don't see it, Ripstitcher, Thanks so much for posting about how to do the laminating cotton, I appreciate it and your bag is just the best. Will you be having anymore patterns on here? I would love to try them. Here is the link for anyone needing it. http://bionicgearbag.com/laminating-...onic-gear-bag/
Grandmother in Arkansas

I might go on a mission today to find the PUL stuff. Having this be waterproofy for use with electronics bags that go to coffee shops would be awesome... as well as for cosmetic bag usage. I just want to feel the stuff to see what it's like. Assuming it's used for diaper covers, it must not be too thick, I wouldn't think.

And Grandmother - thanks - I really would hate to see anyone else take a shot at laminating all of it and be disappointed (like I was). I'm currently working up something that is going to launch in about 10 days. I'm going to figure out a way for all of those that already got the BGB pattern to get the two new ones for about a buck. :) Stay tuned. :)

I don't know about the fabric to make the bag, but I just bought the faux selvage fabric that the little bowl is made from last Saturday. I bought 9 different sewing themed fabrics and will make several of these bags from them.

I made a bag similar to this from a different pattern, but I like the way the front flap opens to lay flat. My daughter and grands are visiting, so I will have to wait until they leave to start on this project.

As I recall from using cloth diapers 13 years ago, the pul is lighter than quilters cotton. It does come in cool colors and patterns.

Cheers, K

I did some embroidery today on light weight denim... and thinking of combining it with selvedges for an exterior. I saw someone online had some skull fabric that had little scissors under the skull (instead of cross bones)... that sure was cute!

I used selvedges on the interior of one bag - not sure I'll ever do that again, either. They didn't show up as much as I would have liked.

I also found this "Stitchy Witchy" fabric - it's got a fun sewing motif to it, too.

And Corgi...(love those dogs, btw - I have two long hair dachshunds - but dang, Corgis are adorable, too!)... Anyway, if it is that lightweight, then it probably would work for the exteriors and maybe the entire bag, too. I didn't make it out today to find the stuff locally (assuming maybe JoAnn's has it?)

Ripstitcher- I made all my son's diapers using PUL as the waterproof shell. The thickness can vary some depending on the quality. It's not too thick but you can NOT iron it. It's hard to work with because it's slippery and you can only use pins in the seam allowance (to keep it from leaking). That being said, I've also made simple makeup bags and dirty diaper bags out of it and I do love that they're waterproof. I know you're a fan of wonderclips too and I use them for "pinning" all my seams when I sew PUL. That way you don't have to worry about pin holes. PUL can come in limited prints but I use white a lot as a hidden waterproof layer and use my cotton fabric on the exterior. Hope this helps!

Eta: use a ballpoint needle and polyester thread when sewing PUL. Seal needle holes after sewing by 20 min in a hot dryer :-)

Mommysewist...

I appreciate your input on all of this!

About ironing the PUL...

I guess the million dollar question is whether the stuff will crease with heat.... *IF*.... a person can use one of the silicone sheets to iron it.

When I use the laminate, I can still make a crease by using one of those silicone (at least that is what I think it's made of) ironing sheets (takes the place of a pressing cloth) to apply the heat so that the iron itself isn't hitting the laminate.

If it can't be creased, I wouldn't use it. JMO.

If you can seal needle holes with a dryer... how is this stuff through a regular clothes dryer?

Ok so PUL is an entirely synthetic fabric. It's a polyester knit with a polyurethane lamination on the back. My guess is, it just melts when you iron it :-(

I don't have a silicone pressing sheet or I'd try it for you. I have a ton of PUL scraps and I'd be more than happy to send you some if you inbox me your address or a po box. It's fun to play with :-)

I should have been more specific about sealing the needle holes. It's really easy. You just throw the project in your clothes dryer, on high heat, for 20 min. PUL is then machine washable, even hot water. But you shouldn't dry it again unless on low. I don't dry mine in the dryer, I just hang them on a clothes line.

It might not be the best for the bionic bag if you have to crease it but it does make nice makeup bags or maybe for wet swimsuits.

I was talking to my brother (another textile junkie) about laminating your bag. He mentioned a technique of painting the finished project with silicone caulking. Now the caulking has to be diluted first with a solvent. Apparently it a technique used by extreme hikers to make ultralight camping gear and bags? My brother is a survivalist and basically a mountain man. Anyway I've been trying to research the components to this process. This is all I've found so far but I haven't researched it a ton yet
http://m.instructables.com/id/Easy-w...nything-else-/
They're using mineral spirits as a solvent.
Anyway I hope any of this is helpful/interesting! I think I should have been an engineer, I LOVE problem solving! I also bought some laminating stuff to fiddle with when I make your bag so I'll let you know of I come up with anything decent. And let me know if you want some PUL scraps :-)

Okay, this looked so cool I had to make one for myself. :D
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Wow love the pink!! Looks really nice with your embroidery. I have to ask now where you got your magnetic pin cushion, it comes with a lid? I love those kind but I've never seen one with a lid.

I love the pink innards on this one.. and nice to see her embroidery machine got to come out and play!

Mommysewist... the magnetic pin dishes that I like are Hemline brand. The covers have a slot in them so you can replace a pin without having to take the cover off.

So much for staying home and behaving myself today!

I saw ~~~this line of fabrics~~~ about 2 months ago... and I just found out the not-so-local-quilt-store just got it in!

I want to make a bag that is color-pencil friendly. I have about 150 colored pencils (that I tend to look at and adore more than actually use!) and they deserve a bag of their own.

My granddaughter and I are off and running... lol...

I hope this fabric is as cute in real life as it looks in the pictures. :)

If not, I'm betting I find something else that trips my trigger. :)

That is a wonderful fabric line. I've got a collection of color pencils, but keep them in their tin to admire them.

Cheers, K

I'm with you I need one of those.

Anoka....

We used to almost be neighbors. :) I grew up in Forest Lake. :) Moved to Colorado in '96 or so.

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back here... :p

I'm *soooo* excited about this fabric! The granddaughter and I did do a little damage at the fabric stores on Saturday! I just have to share a pic of this line... I have 3 bags I'm going to make out of it... so they all go together....

http://bionicgearbag.com/wp-content/...tsyfabrics.jpg

My favorite is the fabric to the right... it may be difficult to see, but it is watercolor paint pans... so cute!!!

This is on sale at http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewin...ons-tote/93596 She's listed it at $1.50 and will go up with every sale. I just purchased it for $1.75! YAY, finally procrastination pays off! LOL!
~ Pat

I just jumped in and bought in $4.75.

LOL.... :D

I'm glad you two caught it early! I sent out a newsletter... and Craftsy got slammed right away by more than a few of you! I'm here to tell you... I think women can *smell* a sale. lol

So thanks for being a part of my re-launch. Love you guys for your support!

I'm going to let it sit where it's at for the night.

And tomorrow... I'm going to dive into those other yummy fabrics that have been sitting here since last weekend!

Up to $9 something now. You did good.

I'm planning my bag and wonder if anyone has tried Byannie's Soft And Stable instead of batting? It is sold on Superior thread website.

Thanks!

There was a lot of controversy surrounding this and the other bag. Even with threats or wishes of bodily harm due to the knocking off of the original pattern. A friend of mine told me about the other one but I haven't made either one yet-thinking about it though. Love the ones I'm seeing in this thread! I think i like the bionic one better.

After looking at the video, I think I want to make one for traveling.

eta: the smaller version would be great for my daughter's dance recital gear. Hair and makeup and such.

Hi you all...

I just popped on here because I put a new video on YouTube today about being able to take the Aurifil brand spool apart and put it back together again so the thread is dispensed over the top of the spool (towards you) when the spool is horizontal on the machine (as it should be)... video is ~here~ if that doesn't make sense. :thumbup:

I just bought 5 new spools of thread to keep in my own class/retreat bionic gear bag. What a treat to start to have doubles of my favorite colors! Same goes for having another rotary cutter. :thumbup:

Anyway... I'd like to just say the "controversy" (which never should have happened!) is starting to settle down... and while I do appreciate your kind words, I hope we can let that die the death that it has coming to it. :)

I also made a needle keeper wallet (I'm really proud of!) that fits in the BGB. If you look me up on YouTube, you'll find that video, too.

Thanks again for all of the kindness that has been shown to me on this board... you all are the ***best***. :hug:

thanks for the youtube links!! I've been wanting to make some kind of needle keeper wallet so that's perfect!! I would edit out my comment about the controversy but I can no longer edit that post. I just now read about it (like 2 nights ago) and didn't even look to see how long it had been going on.

btw I just shared the link to the bionic bag video with my sister, who is pretty much a bag pattern collector (she does make a few too).

eta: I LOVE that needle wallet! I'm definitely getting that pattern. I love how you used selvages for it and that you were able to find the parts with the quotes. I don't think any of my selvages have quotes on them.

HUGS!!! Thanks so much!

I'm babysitting the grandbabe today... so there was only peace and quiet here early this morning so I could make that video. Love having her... and she loves bein' here.. but dang, not much gets done when there's the two of us! :)

Anyway... when she goes home this afternoon... I'm going to try to go and build another one of the needle wallets and finish writing the pattern tonight. I got the first one done after being up until 5 AM figuring all of that out! lol... second one should go better. :) I am *super* pleased with how that first one came out.

Oh... The fabric is called "Bobbins and Bits" by Moda. It's been out a while now, so you should Google it and snatch up any you can find. :) I hacked into it quite a bit to make those words come out right. LOL

Oh wow, I didn't know it was yardage with selvage style prints! I am getting some.

There's another one made by Timeless Treasures right now... I bought a couple of yards of it from fabric.com... but I personally don't like it as well because the selvedge print is on the bias.

Ripstitcher,
Any thoughts on Byannie's Soft And Stable instead of batting? http://www.superiorthreads.com/produ...ft-and-stable/

Thanks!

I'm not familiar with that batting...

The only two types I've used are a not-so-fat one sided fusible... it was OK... but I graduated last year into just buying a twin size Warm & Natural cotton batting to use in stuff like this. I like the second and just haven't seen a reason to try out others. Plus... I have a *bunch* of it. :) It'll be awhile before I need to make another buying decision on that front! lol

While we're talkin' innards... lol...

I made a bag a few years ago that called for Peltex (by Pellon) interfacing... but the shop didn't have it, so they sold me some other kind of foamy-stiff stuff.

Then, just last week, I found a partial bolt of peltex at Joann's and they were having a 50% off interfacings sale... so I bought was left on the roll. That stuff is *sweet* for making stiffer objects.

The new pattern that I'm working on is for a sewing machine needle organizer... I'm going to try to launch the pattern late tomorrow night. Anyway, that's the first time I've used this Peltex stuff - at least the kind I got is double sided fusible.. .and it is just amazing.

Just had to put a plug in here for the real Peltex. :)