Sewing Vloggers

Sunday, November 22, 2015

The Taco Bag, McCalls 6532


I am anxious to start my Taco Bag, McCalls 6532.  First, the fabric which you see above. It was recently purchased at a Joanns fifty off home dec clearance sale. I truly regret not having bought more. Because I needed to place the motifs, the yardage amount was really compromised. Oh, I really had enough. I just didn't have the extra I thought I would. Of course this was in the store the day I bought it and never more. It is a black denim with very heavy rayon embroidery all over, huge repeat. I am showing  it to you all scrunched up to make a point.  This just came from the washer, dryer and iron. Before that it was like any home dec fabric, stiff, yucky and loaded with finishes. I wash home dec fabrics all the time. The hand on this changed in such a positive way that if I had more it would have become a rather Koos type coat, not a bag. It now has a beautiful drape and will be much kinder to sew, the biggest reason I wash Home Dec. That really helps eliminate stitch problems.  I do know that the marvelous new drape won't make any difference as I interface the hell out of the bag parts, but it does just feel nicer to work with. Moral: don't be afraid of those big ole nasty stiff but pretty home dec fabrics. WASH THEM!



Here you can see why I call it the Taco Bag. It's shaped like a taco! All reviews say they were surprised at how large it was but I want a large bag. I need one to schlep my books and stuff to work. This should do it. I will be doing View A, the view with no contrast bottom fabric. This is how I cut the motif. The big flower will be bisected by a zippered pocket but that should be below the center of the flower.


This pattern has a rather odd way of sewing in the zippered top. Actually, it's not odd. What's odd is that the gusset is not run down to the bottom edge of the bag, ending instead half way down the side. That means inside corners  to deal with. Add in that Peltex is recommended and you can see where this could get a bit sticky, something reviewers mentioned. I am going to pass on the Peltex and use my tried and true combo of Decor Bond and fusible fleece. It won't come out with the luggage look but that  is fine with me. It should still have some serious body.
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I am still working on beads and jewelry at night while watching TV and still enjoying it. I purchased and painted sheets of Tyvek, that stuff they wrap houses with, and hope to make some beads with that real soon. In the meantime, the holiday hustle is on. I am off to make one of my deserts to bring, Gooey Pumpkin Butter Cake from the Betty Crocker site which is down today "for maintenence" and wind out a bit of fresh pasta for dinner. Once you've gone that route its tough to go back to Barilla!..........Bunny

15 comments:

  1. Your bag is going to be lovely! Beautiful fabric and lovely pattern.

    Have you thought about using soft and stable or another brand of foam interfacing? I have begun using it (I fuse it to the fabric with webbing). The structure is great and I don't miss the crackling that I often get with heavier fusible interfacing.

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    1. Yeah, i't that crackling that I don't like with the Peltex. I do have some foam headliner fabric, the stuff Nancy Zieman recommends for her bags. I've done many bags with the fusible fleece/Decor Bond combo and I know that will work but maybe I should try something new this time. Thanks for the suggestion, Elizabeth.

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  2. That is going to be a cute bag! I like the pattern.
    I imagine the fresh pasta is way superior to Barilla!

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    1. The big pot of water is waiting to boil as we speak!

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  3. I love that fabric, it will be a gorgeous bag! I'll have to try out the Decor Bond and fusible fleece. Do you use both together? I hope you will show us how you do it, or if you have done so before, include a link. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  4. I have learned the same thing with Joann's - if you see something you like, buy more than you think you will need! The real gems never get restocked.

    I have this pattern, so I look forward to seeing your finished bag. "Taco Bag" is a good name for it. :)

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  5. I'm so excited about this bag and the gooey pumpkin butter cake I think I may spontaneously be teleported to the USA! Be warned ;-)

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  6. Love the colors of that fabric. I look forward to seeing your creation.

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  7. I am salivating over that fabric!!!!! Changing the components of the bag to suit yourself is absolutely a must! We know that directions and techniques are not all the same or award winning! You go, Bunny!

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  8. Oh sweet! I passed on that yardage and have kicked myself over it since then (something about the stash was too big and never need it FOOLISH MORTAL!). I don't have much luck at JoAnns except in Home Dec and the clearance section myself. I just tossed yards of their house brand striped linen - the stripes were like wire and no amount of french seaming would resolve the pointy poking effect in the seams. Truly unwearable.

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  9. oh, that fabric...sometimes I think about just framing my fav fabrics and having a whole wall of them.

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  10. I love the fabric, it is so pretty. I know your bag will be perfect.
    Nonie

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  11. Great fabric!! Have fun making your Taco-lol

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  12. I have the same fabric but with a light brown background.I bought 2 yards from some store and it was in a whole piece and I made a window blind from it, a pieced mantle cover and a large pillow cover for the living room.I had no idea that it was so expensive until I looked for it later on.I paid like $7 for those 2 yards at this store in Queens ny that gets fabric flats from this dry goods distributor.Later on ,I wanted to purchase more of the same fabric and learned the Joann had it online but it was $25 a yard.If I wanted to kick myself too.

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