Here at ByAnnie, we love building relationships with people in the sewing community. We enjoy learning from other talented makers, and seeing our patterns and products through the eyes of others.
A few months ago ByAnnie partnered with Lindsey from Inside The Hem. Lindsey is an enthusiastic sewist and YouTuber who began sewing when she moved to a new city. She decided to take a beginner's class at her local quilt shop in hopes of making new friends, and as an added bonus discovered a new love for sewing!
Before long, her passion blossomed into a thriving business. Lindsey says, "I love sharing the things I’ve made, my favorite sewing things, and just my passion for sewing in general. I’ve met many wonderful online friends and love helping newbies find their passion for the craft as well."
While Lindsey has a wide variety of experience, she mainly deals with garment making and construction. Click on the video above or continue reading our interview with Lindsey to find out about her experience with bag-making!
ByAnnie: How long have you been sewing?
Inside the Hem: I've been sewing for about 6 years.
BA: What kind of sewing machine do you use?
ITH: I have a mid-level Brother, PC660
BA: Did you use any special tools for this project?
ITH: I used a walking foot and zipper foot, and also used a good quality #90/14 topstitch needle.
BA: Have you ever made your own bag before?
ITH: I made Amy Butler's Weekender Bag in my first or second year of sewing and was moderately successful with it.
BA: What did you think of the pattern and instructions for the Take A Stand bag?
ITH: Some parts were a little difficult to digest, but with a little re-reading I was able to understand what was being explained.
BA: With your experience and background, do you think our projects are accessible to a variety of skill levels?
ITH: A variety, yes. but not everyone. I think absolute beginners would struggle through the instructions and some of the sewing skills. But, advanced beginners and beyond would be able to get through them with relative effort.
BA: From what we understand, it was your first time using ByAnnie's Soft and Stable. What did you think of it?
ITH: LOVE! I'll never use another product again!
BA: Would you use Soft and Stable again?
ITH: Without a doubt. I already have!
BA: Could you ever see yourself using Soft and Stable in any sort of garment application?
ITH: I think it would be good for things like costumes, shoulder pads or bra cups, but it might be too stiff for garments in general.
BA: How well do you think your sewing machine and tools handled the Soft and Stable?
ITH: It was great. With the heavier needle and walking foot, it was a breeze.
Tip from ByAnnie: We also suggest using ByAnnie's Stiletto & Pressing Tool when sewing and quilting with Soft and Stable. It really helps!
BA: For our new patterns, we've been filming Add-On Videos. What did you think of the process of obtaining the Take A Stand Add-On Video?
ITH: It was easy for me to get through, but I'm used to working with a computer and the online buying process of using coupon codes.
BA: Was it easy to find the Digital Library?
ITH: Yes, but again, I'm used to this sort of process after buying patterns online for years.
BA: How would you compare working with handbag zippers vs. garment zippers?
ITH: With handbag zippers, the tape is wider, the teeth are larger and the pull is larger/longer than typical garment zippers.
Note from ByAnnie: If you want to know more about our handbag zippers, check out our Zipper Blog!
BA: What did you think of the quality of ByAnnie's Lightweight Mesh Fabric and Fold-Over Elastic?
ITH: I hadn't used these products from another company so I don't have much to compare to, but I liked working with them both very much!
BA: Could you see yourself using these products in other, non-bag projects?
ITH: Yes. The mesh would be great for certain pockets like a lightweight rain jacket's inner pocket. The fold-over elastic would make great binding for knit garments, like a waistband facing or even armscye (arm hole) binding. Also, the garment sewing world is very in to undergarment making at the moment. So, the fold-over elastic could also be used for underwear or bras.
Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed reading about Lindsey's experience making the Take A Stand pattern. Be sure to subscribe to her YouTube channel for more inspirational videos, and find Inside the Hem on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter! Want to see how Lindsey packed her Take A Stand bag for travels? Check out her videos on YouTube HERE!
Whether you come from a background in garment making, bag making, quilting, applique, etc., we all have one thing in common...our love for sewing! And whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, it's nice to know there is always something new and fun to learn from this great sewing community.
Let us learn from you by commenting about your background! In the comments below, tell us what your favorite type of sewing is, how long you've been at it, and give us your best tip for success!
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Inside the Hem: Take A Stand