Magnetic Attraction

Let's talk about adding the magnets that make this pattern so versatile with the snap-on, snap-off attachments.

We'll be using neodymium magnets which are small, but very strong. There are several things to remember when dealing with these magnets:

• keep them away from children and pets - the pattern tells you to enclose these so they will not fall out or be a hazard
• they are sensitive to heat - so don't iron them directly or they can lose their magnetism. However, if they do, it's a simple matter to re-magnetise them simply by touching one side with the opposite pole of another magnet, then repeating this on the other side. Repeat until you can feel it's working again.
• keep them away from direct contact with phones or other electronic devices.

When you're installing these, it's good to make sure the poles of the magnets on the base are both facing the same direction so that the top notions will be interchangeable on either one and you can switch them around. If you mess this up, take the time to re-do as you will thank yourself later.

Secrets to Great Binding

The method I’ve used in this pattern for the pockets and exterior is the double fold binding method, meaning it’s folded in half, and then stitched along the raw edge, and then folded around the whole edge again.

Bear in mind this is only one of the ways that you can apply bias binding.

If you have a different preferred method, feel free to do it your own way. I find the double fold method is less fiddly to apply overall, but it does use more fabric as you’re cutting wider strips.

Make sure to have your tools ready to ensure success:

• a stiletto is a sharp pointy tool that helps you manipulate fabric right under the machine foot. Small pointy scissors also do the job, and mine is actually an awl from a bias binding kit
• get plenty of binding clips which work better than pins for thick layers
• Fabric Safe glue
• Fineline glue tip

As you clip the binding to the base, the key here is to have it fitting snuggly along the edge, but not stretched. Make sure you're not stretching one edge more than the other edge which makes the binding have a twist to it.

When you come to the curved corners, you need to ease (slightly loosen) it to allow for the bend. If you stretch the binding around the corners it will end up too tight.

Keep your stiletto or small sharp scissors in your hand as you’re stitching to help give you great control.

Use it to get right in close to the needle and keep everything where it needs to be, as the bias has a tendency to want to move out of the way.

As you stitch around the base, you’ll be transitioning from a few layers to many layers as you go over the flap and pockets. I like to slightly vary my seam allowance to compensate for the extra bulk so that you don’t end up with not enough binding to turn under. Try this and you’ll see it works a treat!

Don’t forget to add glue to your sewing tools arsenal - this is not cheating at all! It means that you have your hands freed up for concentrating on just sewing a nice straight stitch.

I love using either glue sticks (school glue) or craft glue in a handy applicator like this one. It holds your fabric securely in places where a pin or clip is hard to use. It’s easy to sew through and will transform your sewing skills no end.

Use this to hold your binding in place when you come to stitch the right side, and it will be perfectly aligned.

You can see all these tips in the YouTube video here.

Terrific Top Stitching

Any time you need to top stitch - there's one simple thing you should do that will really make your stitching pop ...

Increase your stitch length!

If you ever look at purchased items with top stitching you'll notice they all have longer stitches and they look good.

And there's really nothing worse than stitching that's on show and is just tiny.

This is often exacerbated by sewing on a home sewing machine that's not coping that well with lots of layers - so it tends to 'chew' the fabric rather than move it through.

So, lengthen your stitch length to between 3-4 and it will actually it feed better as won't just chew up the layers.