We are at the basic stage of making cushion covers and I use the machine to mend my work clothes but do have aspirations to do some cutting and making something more interesting.
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I have a Brother sewing machine which hasn’t been unpacked since I took it to France two years ago.
My last project was to make a work bag for my partner to her specified dimensions. It’s made from Cordura which is very tough. It has an encapsulated 3mm plywood bottom with two wooden strips externally to protect the bottom and pockets to fit the various things she takes to work. It has lasted for several years now with just one repair. She used to get about six months use out of bags she bought on-line before they fell apart.
I keep promising myself to get it unpacked and to make something.
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That sounds wonderful! Have you got a picture?
It was lined, but I simply could not stop it flopping. I asked my dressmaking friend, she suggested a few things, but nothing worked.
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I think interlining (apparently you can get fusible ones that iron in) might work
Last night’s Sewing Bee saw the sewers making a Mexican folkloric top. I would say you don’t need a pattern and . You could make it masculine or feminine by changing the colour of the fabric and braiding.
It’s seems to be one oblong of cotton with a square cut out in the middle for the head, this has a facing. Then you embellish with the braiding/ribbon, and sew up the sides leaving room for the arms and hem the armholes and bottom.
I think I’ll give it a go.
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That looks interesting and a bit different. Can we see photos if you make one? 
I’ll have a look later. I can’t remember taking a photo of it because we were in the same house so didn’t really need to take a photo.
Presently I’m in France and she’s in the UK.
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Of course. I’ll be in The Fancy Silk store in a couple of weeks time and will pick up some suitable fabric. I don’t think it should take too long. Famous last words.
Just saw this design, so you can embellish quite liberally. I won’t be making the skirt.
I tried that, I even put interfacing along the sewing line of the zip, it still didn’t work.
It could be the actual fit that’s causing it, but I have confined the top half of the dress to the scrap box now, I may look again sometime.
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Oh bummer….I forgot to watch the show….
It’s ok. It repeats:
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Saturdays: Mid-day repeat on BBC Two (usually around 11:50 AM)
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Mondays: Evening repeat on BBC Three (usually at 8:00 PM)
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Tuesdays: Morning repeat on BBC Two (usually at 8:00 AM) ahead of the next episode.
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Merci 
@toryroo, I’ve had a look but I don’t seem to have a photo of the bag.
It is rectangular in plan, probably 12” x 9”, and about 15” high, made from Navy Blue Cordura. It had to be tall enough to take her thermos and water bottle and various other items. It has an internal pocket for her purse which was like a large wallet-type purse, a second internal pocket for ‘whatever’ and an external pocket for her phone.
It is quite plain in appearance, with two handles, she didn’t want a shoulder strap.
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