That's right, I am sewing plastic bags. I am putting kits together for my
MIU Metal Magic workshop for Long Beach. In the kits I include 4 mini brads with all the other supplies. During my last workshop a few people lost a brad when opening the kit.
I looked to see if I had some little bags to put the brads in this time, but couldn't find any. My solution was to make little packets from a gallon size ziplock bag. I sewed two vertical divisions every two inches.
Put four brads in each section and sewed two horizontal divisions creating a grid of little packets.
I cut each packet apart with a rotary cutter. These do not need to be sturdy bags, since they will be placed in the kit and opened at the workshop.
It is surprising how many hours goes into preparing for a one hour workshop.
This afternoon, I pack up the kits.
I looked to see if I had some little bags to put the brads in this time, but couldn't find any. My solution was to make little packets from a gallon size ziplock bag. I sewed two vertical divisions every two inches.
Put four brads in each section and sewed two horizontal divisions creating a grid of little packets.
I cut each packet apart with a rotary cutter. These do not need to be sturdy bags, since they will be placed in the kit and opened at the workshop.
It is surprising how many hours goes into preparing for a one hour workshop.
This afternoon, I pack up the kits.
Great idea using a ziplock! I do this but have always used vinyl!
ReplyDeleteHope to be one of the lucky MIU students.
ReplyDeletejojo
It's kind of arty plus utilitarian! Good for you. (I might have just taped the brads together.) You'll be teaching this again in Houston?! Right?!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea. I should do something like this to help organize some of my beads.
ReplyDeleteHi Deborah,
ReplyDeleteI think I should be able to do this one in Houston. I will be teaching all day on thursday and saturday this year, so hopefully I will be able to get a slot on friday to do a workshop.
I LOVE it! Lucky students, you are always putting together innovative kits! The kits alone are inspiring :o)
ReplyDeleteAnother fine idea! You go girl!
ReplyDeleteJudy...these kits are great and obviously a lot of love and time went into making them. I use a source...Clear Bags for bags that small and they're very inexpensive...www.clearbags.com Check it out
ReplyDeleteGreat source Windy Hills,
ReplyDeleteI have looked at that website and am planning on buying bags for my collage kits in the future there, awesome selection! I hadn't thought about needing tiny bags for the brads until I started putting kits together and needed a solution right away : )
that is so true about all time spent in prep for a class that is over in a day or a half day...lottsa and lottsa hours for sure! the big payoff for doing that is so when the class is underway at some point we can "relax and float upstream" as is in enjoy the process and spontinaty that come with such magic days of the class.. i use those small sleeves for postcard that collectors use that come a 100 for a few bucks,( bought them 5 years ago to keep my vintage pc's in) and i sew them shut oneside cutting apart only when ready to makeup kits. your idea is great, my singer FW loves to chew pastic! Ha ! aloha, Sonja
ReplyDeleteHi Judy this is so cool! May I know if there are any special instructions for sewing on plastic?
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to make little baggies out of recycled plastic and I am hunting for a sewing machine right now, anything I should make note of when looking?
Hi Amy,
ReplyDeletethe only thing to keep in mind sewing plastic is to lengthen your stitch length, you do not want to perforate the plastic so that it tears easily.
The sewing machine in a big question, it really depends on what your needs and budget are. If you don't have a lot of money, but want a machine with a lot of good features, I would look at used machines of some of the top brands like Bernina or Pfaff (I do not like husqvarna). People often trade in perfectly good machines for newer models and you can sometimes find really good deals on a used machine.
If you don't need as many bells and whistles but want a good little workhorse for a reasonable price I have heard great things about Brothers special Project Runway model. I know a teacher that is recommending it to her students.
My top needs for a machine are the ability to do free motion stitching, the ability to drop the feed dogs and an option for needle down positioning, as well as a nice looking satin stitch. Not as necessary, but I really like having a knee lift and a built in needle threader (the older you get the more you will want this feature, lol).
Hi Judy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to reply to my question!! I managed to snag a used Necchi Lycia (an older Italian made one) but have yet to experiment with it!!
Thanks again,
Amy