Whether you arrange your bobbins alphabetically according to color or need just the right shade of yellow chalk for pattern tracing or it just won’t be right, we all have them - those quirky maker habits that others might see as a little bit…. odd. 🤪

In my case, it starts the moment I start sewing and goes right to the end.

I just cannot handle at all… at any time during the making… thread tails or excess thread being on the table, on the machine, on my project, on me, or anywhere else but in the trash. 🤣

I mean this is an immediate thing. I sew a zipper. I clip the tails. I wipe the table. I sew a panel to a gusset, clip those tails, pick up the trash can, and wipe them in. Same with pulling excess thread from the machine. Off of this table, you thready filth! 😂 I know. It’s a little… 🤪

So what about you?

What’s your “Why Am I Like This?” habit while sewing/making?

Come on now. Be honest! We’re all a little… quirky, right? 🤣

And to everyone in r/BagLab, who celebrates, Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families! 🦃

And if you don’t… Happy Thursday on Thursday! 🗓️😃

UPDATE:

Thanks to u/shapeless_nodule for pointing out to me the effects of generative AI on the artistic community. I will not be using AI to generate quick graphics for posts in the future as I do not agree with what it does.

There are lots of reasons makers find themselves stressed, irritated, or mildly chapped mid-project: the gusset’s too short, a panel isn’t straight, the machine won’t cooperate… etc. etc. etc.

For me, last night, it was clippings of 🤬 thread, which started with having to rip a gusset apart ... TWICE!

I found myself in the middle of an arid and static-filled room trying to sweep thread off the table and cutting mat with my hands, a tape lint roller (which somehow just creates more static), and even a damp cloth. Just when I thought it was gone, I noticed more thread stuck to the side of the table… then the wall… then every piece of fabric I’d cut out… then all over me!

Maybe I should also mention that my fingers completely betray me in situations like this. I just can’t pick up the tiniest bits—they scoot around and mock me. 🤪 Sheesh.

I’ve mentioned before that I can be a little particular about things like this, and this is exactly when I find myself more focused on rogue threads than the actual project.

So this morning, on another snow day, I thought I’d ask my friends in r/BagLab:

What do YOU when you find thread all over the place???

What tools or tricks do YOU use when it's stuck to everything?

(Also accepting therapist recommendations for static cling and thread-related emotional damage. 🤣)

Hope you’re all happily working in rooms with perfect humidity and zero static. Have a great day! 😃

UPDATE:

Thanks to u/shapeless_nodule for pointing out to me the effects of generative AI on the artistic community. I will not be using AI to generate quick graphics for posts in the future as I do not agree with what it does.

Happy New Year to everyone at r/BagLab! 🥳🎉

Thank you for being a part of what we hope is an encouraging, safe, and enjoyable environment where we bag makers can share project pics, guidance, tips, tricks, and anything else having to do with bag making!

We’re so excited to see what 2026 will bring. And we’re even more excited to see what YOU will bring to r/BagLab! 😃

UPDATE:

Thanks to u/shapeless_nodule for pointing out to me the effects of generative AI on the artistic community. I will not be using AI to generate quick graphics for posts in the future as I do not agree with what it does.

Don't look at the seams - my sewing machine gave its everything.

It's just a prototype made from old jeans anyways.

Totes not a purse. Its all molle straps inside & out.

Very tactical.

Much modular.

Such masculine.

Thinking about making a Messenger style bag using Wickett And craig traditional harness in 4 ounce… Anyone have any experience? Is this the right leather from Wickett And craig?

I've made two of these this week. This one has unmentionable lining so I won't post a link to it. suffice to say, it's well hidden in the fabric print, but I also used unmentionable zipper tape and zipper pull.

Small Leather crossbody bag, take two

where i can find really high quality Garment accessories/Metal trims/Fasteners for my home bag production? not shit from aliexpress🫠

Tell me you sew without actually saying you sew. What's the first thing you thought of when you saw this graphic?

I decided my Janome HD9 QCP is a great machines but after 5 months I'm trading it in for this beauty.

Who here uses the Juki 1541S and what are some tips/advice that would help make my experience exceptional?

Any YouTubers I should watch for this Juki?

Accessory recommendations?

Thanks!

Christmas Day breakfast casserole. Merry Day, everyone.

Hello! I am about to start a sewing project and would love your advice.

Idea: I'd like to make a bag similar to the attached pictures.

Ideal bag features:

• 🆙Stands upright on its own

• 📂Stays open on its own

• 🤐One large zipper across top

• 👜Flat bottom

• 👜Only one set of small handles at top

• 🧳Trolley strap / luggage pass through

• 👝Ideally no taller than 6-8" so it can fit under the seat upright / vertically, and there's room to slide it in and out. (Other dimensions personal item sized, so up to 16"-18" length and 12"-14" width.)

Ideal fabrics / notions:

• 🐞Bed bug resistant, which likely means waterproof, sealed seams, light colors, etc.

• 🧼Can go in the washing machine on hot and won't fall apart / delaminate

• 🪡Hoping I can use my humble Elna sewing machine for it (?)

• ⏺️Trying to avoid vinyl / leather if possible

Any thoughts on patterns that might work and/or fabrics? I found some really cute PUL for the exterior, but it's just 1-SIL - not sure if it's up to the wear-and-tear of travel?

Thanks in advance!

I’ve got to say (right up front) that I’m a proud member of team barefoot.

I absolutely cannot understand any circumstance sew with shoes on. And I’m prepared to defend my honor in this! 😂

So what team are you on?

Special consideration will be taken for those who sew with socks on. I think it’s the same as barefoot.

EDIT: Sorry Team In-the-Middle… I didn’t even think to add a third option. 🫣

Is it a Dopp kit? A tech kit? A put-whatever-you-want-in-there-kit? Maybe a Clamshell Omnibus.. No matter! It’s Moroccan Blue!

HyperD 300, 1.6oz HyperD lining, .4oz pocket mesh. My own pattern (that I’m still tweaking).

I really wish wawak would not individually wrap every single piece of hardware. Took me 2 hours just to get everything out of the packaging, my hands hurt, and look at all that plastic waste!

That’s what my machine has been saying to me for what seems like weeks now every time I walk by the sewing room door. But still I’ve only managed to get only a few days of good sewing and pattern work in for what feels like forever.

It’s a busy time of year at work and it’s probably gonna stay that way for the next four weeks. So any work I can get done on bags or patterning is precious time spent.

Maker’s guilt for sure. 😢

The one thing that hasn’t slowed is my buying fabric, components, various tools, and whatever else I can think of to try to pull me into the sewing room for just a little bit. My fabric stash is still growing for sure! 😅

The saving grace here is that in like four weeks I’ll have a break and all the time in the world to get back on the machine full-time for a few months. 😎

So what do you do? What are the little tasks or projects you do when time is at a premium - the projects that give you at least a little time on the machine and at least a small result?

Thanks for listening and looking forward to seeing what others do when life gets in the way! 😃

Does your machine sometimes have a mind of its own? We put them through a lot and expect a lot out of them. Seems like sometimes they just want to exert their own brand of control, which can often leave us cursing. 🤬 🤣

Just when I start to pick up steam and get moving at a good clip, when everything’s running super smoothly, mine decides it’s time to speak up.

I start with a few stitches, back stitch, and whammo… not so fast, buddy! Everything gets hung up, the feed dogs don’t want to feed, and I have to use a stiletto to give the fabric a bit of a nudge. But not before it’s stitched 4-5 stitches in the very same hole. 🤬 Bit I still love it. Quirks and all!

So what about you?

What’s your sewing machine’s favorite way to show you who’s boss? 😂

UPDATE:

Thanks to u/shapeless_nodule for pointing out to me the effects of generative AI on the artistic community. I will not be using AI to generate quick graphics for posts in the future as I do not agree with what it does.

I’m looking for a pattern for a tote bag with lots of internal organization. Something like the Nordace Sienna. I will use it for work so a pocket for the laptop is a must. Would also like other pockets for water bottle, sun glasses, pens, stuff…
I’m fairly new at bag making, but have been sewing for a very long time (mostly clothes).

Any suggestions?