Made myself a fold up bag to have in the car. Due to our rural location trips out sometimes turn into something else - stopping to get bread, picking up a teen etc. and I sometimes get caught out just leaving the house with my phone. I am going to keep this bag in the jeep incase my journery turns into something I hadn't even anticipated.

I used the fiskars circle cutter to create a half circle and use up some of the fabric I keep putting into a totebag ironically named 'bag making' There are bits of canvas, pleather, melton, tweed etc. I pulled out some offcuts of spotty cord and some core range canvas left over from my blokes shorts last year. It felt good to use it up. I drafted a shape onto some tissue, cut 4 and sewed them up with a pocket inside.

The circle is reverse appliqued onto both the front and the back. Size wise you could carry a loaf of bread but you could also take a casserole or a cake to a family party with it because of the open shape and wide bottom.

Hey presto! A car bag.

#stashbusting #threestorieshigh #circles #canvas #bag #bagmaking #bags

Oxbow Tote

Whether you are embracing a new skillset or seeking the next best thing to garment sewing, this pattern ticks all the boxes.

A substantial sewing project is right up there with a good book you simply can’t put down. Loosing yourself in the plot and learning with each new chapter offers you the opportunity to venture into a world, indulging your mind amidst the realities each day can throw your way.

Sewing accessories is a whole different ball game to garment sewing. With it, the opportunity to embrace elements of sewing that, up until now, you may not have tried. Fear not! There is something enticing about a ‘slow sew’. You are committed, less overwhelmed (taking all the time you need) and you’ll treasure the fruits of your labour. Making a conscious effort to grasp your own individual style will fuel your creativity for years to come.

Here are a few tips & tricks that helped me sew up the Oxbow Tote:

1.Take your time.

Really, do. I can’t express this enough. Giving yourself adequate time, you’ll make less mistakes and your sewing will be more accurate too. Cutting out all the pattern pieces needed for the Oxbow Tote in stages, helped me to not overlook anything. Lining and stabilising fabrics is a big part of the project and being sure I had all I needed, meant no false starts. I made the decision to quilt the Front/Back main panels, stitching together the main/stabilizing fabric pieces on the diagonal, 6cm apart as recommended in the instruction booklet. The result adds a subtle yet attractive quality that I know I would have overlooked, had I of been on a mission to whip up the pattern asap.

-Note: I cut out the main panels from the fabric/stabilizer I had pre-quilted. If you cut panels and then quilt them together, you are almost guaranteed to end up with a panel that is too small as the quilting process naturally pulls the fabric inwards in various directions.

2. Adapt.

If something isn’t working, use the knowledge you have to find a better solution. This is what happened to me when sewing the ‘Pull Tab’. Something so basic yet three failed attempts in, and I opted for hand stitching instead. Sometimes things work, other times they don’t. It’s not the same for everybody. Don’t be disheartened, just carry on.

3. Have fun.

Applying the front popper was a breath of fresh air. A hammer in hand and some wood to protect my work surface, I took a deep breath and went for it. That moment when the two join together and work… It’s like a mini firework going off in your brain.

4. Good handling.

Realise that at times you have a lot of fabric sandwiched together under your presser foot and it’s essential that you stitch accordingly and cautiously. My advice… slow your machine down as slow as possible and at times, where necessary, use the hand wheel on the side of the machine to be as accurate as humanly possible. It’s all about control. A longer than normal stitch length (recommended in the booklet) will help feed the fabric and join the fabrics effectively.

5. Take pride in doing a new thing.

I know sometimes when I look at a commercial bag, a raincoat or anything intricate with a lot of detail and hardware involved it’s hard to imagine being able to recreate something like that yourself. This pattern breaks down structure with excellent instructions and has you knocking out commercial looking bag handles that you’ve created from scratch. When you realise how something works and more often than not, how easily; there is a great sense of pride to be had.

6. Dedication.

“What you put in, you get out.” Isn’t that always the case? I feel like this is so true in home sewing. If you can splurge, hardware is the way to go. Adding professional looking hardware (zippers/snaps/buckles…) to any make takes the finished piece above and beyond. You skip the good bits and it’s like chicken soup without the chicken.

7. Customisation.

Having the option to tweak a pattern gives you creative control. I sewed up the ‘Overnight’ version of the the Oxbow Tote. It’s a great size, excellent for a weekend getaway. The pattern includes an inside pocket with the option to divide into multiple pockets, should you desire. The size of the original pocket fit my laptop perfectly, so I stuck with it.

8. Fabric.

This fabric design is so contemporary and classic all at the same time. It’s never going out of fashion. The combination of a bold print with the solid black makes for a stunning piece you’ll use time and time again. Being mindful of ‘fast fashion’ should be carried through into our own sewing. Investing your time and money making a go-to piece you know will get the wear it deserves is the ultimate outcome all of us home sewers want.

Now, put the finished bag over your shoulder and with a great sense of pride think… I made that!

#MinervaBrandAmbassador #MinervaMakes #Minervamaker #OxbowToteBag #OxbowToteBagShownSeated #Noodlehead #MinervaCoreRange #BasketWeaveSoftCottonCanvas #MinervaExclusiveExoticPlains #SewingBags #SewingAccessories #Interfacing #SlowSew #LoveWhatYouSew

Simplicity 8427 shirt.

A couple of photos with my partner wearing his new shirt.

Fabric: Lady McElroy cotton shirting in Navy

A great pattern to use and one I'll be using again. Details in a previous post.

#MinervaMaker #Minervamakes #Simplicity8427 #Shirts #Shirtsformen

Hello, Minerva community! My name is Renee, and I am the bag maker and creative force behind Sew Mote It Be. Designing and making bags is my passion, and I love pushing the boundaries of fabric choices to create truly unique and functional pieces. Whether it’s bold prints, luxurious faux leathers, structured canvas, or even unconventional textiles, no fabric is out of scope for my creations!

As both a designer and maker, I not only craft bags but also develop my own patterns. There’s something magical about taking a design from concept to reality, selecting the perfect fabric, and watching it transform into a stunning, wearable piece of art. Every fabric tells a story, and I love exploring different textures, colors, and prints to bring my ideas to life.

Minerva has always been a fantastic source of inspiration for me. The wide variety of fabrics and the creativity of its ambassadors fuel my own design process. In fact, I’ve even created bags inspired by the looks of several Minerva ambassadors, including Terrance Williams and Shimere. Seeing how they use Minerva’s fabrics in their garments inspires me to think outside the box and incorporate similar fabrics into my bag designs.

Becoming a Minerva Brand Ambassador would be an incredible opportunity to showcase how versatile their fabrics are—not just for clothing but for accessories as well! I would love to share my process, highlight unique fabric pairings, and inspire others to experiment with bag making. Fabric selection plays a huge role in bringing a pattern to life, and Minerva’s collection provides endless possibilities.

Here are some of the bags I’ve made, each crafted with care and creativity. I hope to bring my passion for bag making to the Minerva community and encourage more makers to explore the world of handmade accessories. Thank you for considering me as a brand ambassador—I can’t wait to see what we can create together! #BagMaker #Minerva #StylePost

Pre-Quilted fabric + seam binding = reversible jacket

#shownseated #threestorieshigh #reversible #jacket #jackets #secretjungle #prequiltedfabric