BrambleStitches

Have you seen these Zuca bags? They’re so cool! Next time I need luggage, I know what I’m getting. This week I’m making a bag for a client’s Zuca out of red sparkly Naugahyde. (Hi Kate!) She sent the frame to me for measurements, and I drafted a pattern.

I do all of my drafting and pattern alterations on Swedish Tracing Paper (STP), an interfacing-like paper which is translucent for tracing, sewn, pressed, and marked on u
ntil your pattern is perfect. I get mine through a co-op run by Debbie for about $5.50/roll, plus shipping. I now use STP for nearly every project. Instead of cutting into my
commercial patterns, I just trace off the size I need and keep the
originals intact.

Above you can see my Naugahyde pieces. I use painter’s masking tape to mark which is which. Regular masking tape works, too, but I think this stuff is a little less sticky. I find that the desert heat sometimes makes the gummy stuff transfer to the fabric, but it hasn’t been a problem so far with the painter’s tape. This pattern consists of quite a few pieces: center front, side fronts (2), top, bottom, back, flap, center front facing, and (not pictured) tie downs. The tie downs are velcro straps that will secure the bag to the frame. 

Here’s the beginning of the zipper application. Both sides of the center front will have lapped zippers, so when open, the center will flap open. Below, the zippers are finished and top-stitched.

**Since these photos were taken, I haven’t had a chance to work on the bag much. When I unpack in North Carolina I’ll take more pictures and finish it up.

Sewing