A brief introduction to my patterns, interfacing, stabilisers and cutting

This isn't a bag tutorial. Please visit my KZbin channel for my bag making tutorials.
Please read the safety information at the bottom before beginning.
The aim of this video is to explain how to use my patterns and introduce some of the main interfacing and stabilisers that I use in bag making. It's not a comprehensive guide, but it shows some of the things I've picked up along the way, including my technique for block fusing. I also compare a few bags with different types of stabilisers to give you an idea of the differences and demonstrate how to pull a zip pull on continuous zipper tape.
My other patterns can be purchased from my website: countrycowdesig...
My Facebook group is now closed to new members. The Teloujay pattern is now only available from my Etsy shop where it is listed for £2.
Please feel free to comment if you have any questions.
Brand names of interfacing & stabilisers discussed in the video:
Medium weight woven interfacing: Vilene G700, Shape-flex SF101, Wovenfuse & Wovenfuse 2.
Medium weight non-woven interfacing: no brand name, easily sourced on ebay or most fabric shops.
Medium loft fusible fleece: Vilene H640, Pellon 987F
Decovil Light - for a "leather like" feel.
Foam: Style-Vil, Bosal, Annie's Soft & Stable.
Ultra-firm stabilisers for bag bases: Peltex 71F/70F/S520 or "ultra-firm sew-in stabiliser".
If you'd like to keep up to date with new pattern releases and videos, you can join my mailing list here: landing.mailer...
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SAFETY
In this video I use various tools and equipment. Please ensure you only attempt this at home if you are experienced at using the tools and have read and followed the necessary safety instructions provided by the manufacturer of each tool. This video is a very quick overview and I do not cover the full safety precautions in this video. Carry it out at your own risk. I cannot be held accountable for injuries or mistakes made when following this tutorial.

[@kckc4833]

I did print the pattern at 80% and made the bag even smaller. I didn't know if it would work for all pattern pieces but it turned out perfectly. I love your patterns and your tutorials. You go at the perfect speed.

[@CountryCowDesigns]

Thanks, I’m so glad it worked!! 😁

[@elonanamor6420]

Thank you for taking the time. Your voice is enjoyable to listen to. Lots of great information.

[@CountryCowDesigns]

Thanks, I’m so glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@MikeysgalDeb]

Thank you for this tutorial. It helped a lot with the difference between stabilizers and interfacing. I had no problem hearing you. 😀

[@CountryCowDesigns]

Great, I’m so glad it helped!

[@karinaldridge4307]

Thank you, Jo. I am just getting started making bags and have been a bit confused regarding interfacings and stabilizers. Your explanation and showing the difference on the material and in your bags really help as I am a visual and hands on learner.

[@CountryCowDesigns]

Thanks, I’m glad it helped!

[@juliekennedy1296]

Best description of interfacing and stabilisers I’ve heard. In Australia we also have different brands so a Pelion number isn’t much use. Thank you.

[@CountryCowDesigns]

Yeah I thought you might have different names again in Australia. Is one of the brands called Legacy by any chance? Someone said they thought the numbers were the same as the Pellon numbers and it was only the brand name that was different but I wasn’t sure if that was correct?

[@juliekennedy1296]

Country Cow Designs we do have legacy will have to check the numbers. Thank you. All supplies are down right now but this is great to know 👍🏼

[@jackyf3505]

Very helpful Jo! :D I'm an experienced dressmaker of many years but haven't really delved into bags. Comparing the finished bags is the perfect way to demonstrate the different stabilisers and woven interfacing alone but none of the others I've seen talking about stabilisers did it that way. Now I've seen your video I know just using my furnishing cotton and waterproof canvas lining together with the woven interfacing will be adequate enough for my first simple Teloujay without the added complication of the additional stabilisers and stress about wasting them. I very much like your understated approach, so calming with great simplicity and clarity. :) I'll be using a Bernina 1130 by the way, fantastic quality machines.

[@DDMarla]

Thanks for sharing this. It was very helpful especially the tip about fusing the interfacing to the fabric and then cutting out the pattern pieces. Definitely a time saver and less waste!

[@ptoste1]

Thank you so much. I love your tutorials. I’ve learned and I’m still learning so much with you. Sometimes is a problem for me to match the names of the stabilizers and interfacing materials where I live, which is in Portugal. Now I could see what is what 😉😃🥰😍. Thank you again. You’re amazing. 🤩🙏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@21silvermoon]

Excellent demonstration thanku

[@tex1622]

This is brilliant information all in one spot - thanks a million, mate! :D

[@dawnmills7605]

That was fantastic! It cleared a lot of things up for me.

[@CountryCowDesigns]

I’m so glad it helped 👍🏻

[@angelamcgovern1525]

Great video, and it’s brilliant that you have a domestic xx

[@sandrayavorcik4600]

Thank you for taking the time to explain. Wonderful

[@karinevachonmartinro]

Oh my! Thanks that was very helpful!!!! Great video 💜💜💜

[@CountryCowDesigns]

I’m so glad it was helpful 😁 thanks!!

[@liselottetillberg8897]

Thank you! A super video, I think you are so good listningen to, not a lot off bla, bla. For me the sound was okey. 😊

[@CountryCowDesigns]

Oh that’s good to know! Thanks so much 😁

[@gstmist9362]

Simply the best most informative indepth video I've ever seen 😊👜🌷

[@CountryCowDesigns]

Thanks, I’m really glad it’s helpful!

[@theresadavis6914]

Loved this video. Answered a few questions

[@emmajones8574]

I should have watched this before my panic over 'cut on the fold' at the weekend!!! Fab video ;o)

[@CountryCowDesigns]

I forgot that I’d mentioned it in this one 😂

[@sandrabrown7466]

Thank you so much for the tutorial, it was very informative xx

[@nicolaedwards6459]

Very informative!

[@suzys4316]

thanks Jo,its good to know about the different interfacing/ stablisers, your very quiet though, I had my volume as high as it would go and could hardly hear you lol, ohhhhh got subtitles yeahhhhhhhhhh

[@CountryCowDesigns]

Sorry I have no idea why I’m so quiet 🤦🏼‍♀️ it came out quite loud when I was doing the sound check on my computer so I’m off to check it out on another device and see if it will let me increase the volume! 👍🏻

[@dianaharrison2280]

Thank you Jo, for giving such a clear explanation of stabilizer and interlining. Could you list the names of the various weights and brands as I’m struggling to know what to order online, either from UK or US suppliers. By the way, the audio was very clear and volume was great.

[@CountryCowDesigns]

Hi Diana, the list of brands etc is in the video description but I’ll list them here too: Brand names of interfacing & stabilisers discussed in the video: Medium weight woven interfacing: Vilene G700, Shape-flex SF101, Wovenfuse & Wovenfuse 2. Medium weight non-woven interfacing: no brand name, easily sourced on ebay or most fabric shops. Medium loft fusible fleece: Vilene H640, Pellon 987F Decovil Light - for a "leather like" feel. Foam: Style-Vil, Bosal, Annie's Soft & Stable. Ultra-firm stabilisers for bag bases: Peltex 71F/70F/S520 or "ultra-firm sew-in stabiliser".

[@CountryCowDesigns]

Those are the various brand names. They’re not all exactly the same as each other but they’re close. So for example the G700, SF101 and wovenfuse are not the exact same but they’re very similar. In the UK I buy most of my interfacing from “Tania Fabric” Facebook group or Sewhot.co.uk In the USA I hear that “Barbs got interfacing” is good. I think you can find her online. Also Blue Calla sells some interfacing and is based in Canada.

[@juliecangialosi7183]

Thank you for this

[@karineriksson8404]

Great Tutorial. I am a confident sew but only in clothes. So now I am a really a beginner again. Can I sew bags on a domestic machine? I have a Brother domestic maschine. Can I saw with vinyls? Thankful for all hellp I can get so that my bag sewer further goes smith. Again thank you for calm and clear information. /Regards from Karin in Sweden

[@CountryCowDesigns]

Thanks. This video should help Bag Making Tips - Sewing With a Domestic Machine - Country Cow Designs kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGXMoa2wjtaberc

[@loriesava18]

Just curious, what do you use to fuse your interfacing, iron or heat press? This was a lovely tutorial, thank you.

[@CountryCowDesigns]

Just an iron for me. Unfortunately I don’t have space for a heat press at the moment 😆

[@dianachong4088]

Thanks for such an informative & helpful video. May I know what sewing machine are you using? Have seen most bag makers using industrial machines like Juki.

[@CountryCowDesigns]

Yep I’m using a Bernina 930. I used to have a cheap Brother domestic for my bag making but my grandmother gave me this. It’s still a domestic but it’s a bit better 😁

[@cutflower36]

Your video came up in my feed. Good info, where do you find all the colorful fabric you use.

[@CountryCowDesigns]

Thanks. It’s a mixture of social media and always on the lookout. In the description for most of our videos we try to list what and where the materials have come from

[@cutflower36]

@@CountryCowDesigns oh , I see. Thank you

[@cindyloomis9096]

Great video for beginners. My question is where is the best place to get metal logo labels? Thanks

[@mandookie007]

Love this explanation! Thank you.. where do you get your zippers from?

[@CountryCowDesigns]

Lots of different places 😆 but my favourites are the Sallie Tomato zips from Sewhot.co.uk. I’ve also got a few from Blue Calla and Zipper Valley in Canada which are lovely - but most were sent to me to trial so I could recommend to Canadian customers. I wouldn’t generally buy from abroad as the postage really adds to the cost

[@claremcgill2490]

Thanks for a really useful video. I wonder if you could recommend a good source for continuous zips and hardware. I am in Northern Ireland and know only a few places online. Thanks Clare

[@CountryCowDesigns]

Here in the UK there’s a Facebook group called Tania Fabric and she has loads of stuff. Also there’s Sewhot.co.uk. If you’re still able to buy easily from Europe (I don’t know how Brexit is affecting you guys 😆) then Serial Bagmakers in Belgium is also fantastic and has loads of zippers and hardware

[@sandrayavorcik4600]

What is the site for your free patterns, as I can’t seem to find those?

[@CountryCowDesigns]

My free pouch patterns are available to download from countrycowdesigns.com 👍

[@jane8679]

Can anyone order from S.E Simons or do you have to be a business owner to purchase full rolls of foam?

[@CountryCowDesigns]

No. As long as you are happy to purchase a full role they happy to sell to anyone.

[@jane8679]

@@CountryCowDesigns thankyou so much for your quick reply! And yaaas I can finally buy foam that isn't going to cost me an arm and a leg 😂