Online Classes Home » Classes » Learn to Make a Grab & Go Zipper Bag

I agree that seeing a close-up of the stitching and what the results are when done is more informative. I am older and I've taught myself to quilt. I am starting to learn new items to sew to both keep busy since I retired and to challenge my mind. I really enjoy making things and give a lot of them away to friends. I don't have a serger and don't know much about them or the why some things are done, such as finishing seams, in projects. It doesn't take much time to tell people that are teaching themselves why something is done and to give them an easy alternative they can do with their home machine such as sewing either an overlock or zig zag stitch around the edge will both keep fabric from fraying and also keep your zipper from hanging up. I did get the zipper in AND it works, but it was frustrating to have to remove it and then do the zig zag stitching and re-install the zipper. I have never tried to box corners the way you showed and for me it was very difficult to do so I'll need to practice that method or use the one I'm familiar with. All of this being said I did finish my box and I'm proud of my first effort. My zipper is off center, my zipper pull and handle ended up on the same end (I checked several times to make sure they were in the right place before I sewed the seam too), my corners look a little funny but all in all I love it and best of all it works. I am already storing small things I usually lose in it and will set aside scraps to make more. Hopefully I'll get better:)! The class wasn't that bad. The instructor spoke clearly and showed the steps needed to make this bag. This was the third zipper I've put in and it was the one that tested me the most so far. The Instructor also gave a lot of tips as she worked that were helpful and she designed a beautiful and useful project I know will get a lot of use. I will say that being able to see what you're doing and giving alternatives with reasons behind them would have helped me. Realize that some of your students will be old time experts and know without being told but some will be completely new and know how to do something but no one has told them why it is done. If you realize the majority of your students won't have something like a serger show how to do this on a regular machine or tell them that finished seams keep their fabric from catching in the zipper besides the fact that finishing the seam makes it look more professional. I know I've run on too long, but I did enjoy the class and my finished project and I will watch it again and see what I may have missed and I will make more bags.

I wish the teacher would of showed us more of her sewing as she was doing it.