I am not telling you in advance what work is under way this time either. See if you can guess.
The pattern, though, is patchwork, called kaleidoscope. The client's preference was green and green is how it is turning out. Here are some pictures of it taking shape. For the ring of colour in the first picture I sewed and folded a 3 m long strip of fabric into the pattern, and another 3 m for the outer ring of colour. The inner rings took a little less.
For the first time I also tried out sew over pins, that is especially fine, flexible pins that will not harm the machine if you sew over them. Until now I have done all the binding and hemming with the help of my fingers. It is certainly a little more comfortable with them pinned in place first.
Sew over pins are not the only new tools I am using this time. I made a larger purchase of small equipment, including several cutting mats and rotary cutters in different sizes. My previous cutting mat (45x60 cm) is constantly too small. It is rather tiresome to fold some 2 m wide fabric down to 40 cm so that it fits on the cutting mat. I bought one twice the size. And now I have discovered that a large gridded cutting mat is very good for marking out larger pieces as well.
For instance, on this very drum bag I had to mark the quarter sectors on the round base and cover pieces before sewing the side piece on. I put them on the gridded mat and it was immediately clear where the top, bottom, left and right centre points of the circle are. Otherwise I would have had to start doing gymnastics with a tape measure.
Cutting strips from a large piece of fabric for the corded binding was also far easier on the big mat. The black ball next to the strips of fabric is for sewing into the corded binding.
Once I have folded the fabric evenly lengthwise, I secure the edges with fabric clips. I also fix the pieces of the bag to each other with those same clips before I start sewing.
In the last picture the cover of the drum bag is finished: the foam and the cotton lining are already attached and bound. The base has the lining and foam sewn on as well, the straps and handle are attached and the rivets are in place.
And it is finished; I have added pictures of the completed work. See also the portfolio page Instrument bags.
