I love taking usable pieces and parts of older items and turning them into something new and functional again. Here is a picture of my recent thrift store purchase. I bought these bags and belt for $5. My local thrift store has rotating sales and I can often get a really good deal. This latest score was to harvest the hardware. Just look at the antique brass clips, rings and slider on that bag! The buckles and rings from the small white bag are specialty items I don't have the easiest time finding new, so it felt like a bonus finding them for such a great price. 

I know other people have great success buying old leather jackets and skirts and using that material as well. Sometimes it takes a bit of looking around, but there's a sense of satisfaction in a great find. I also like that many thrift stores support good causes, so my purchase often goes back into my community.

Just make sure to inspect the hardware, and give it a good clean before using it on your bags. See below for how I used the belt. 

Recognize that buckle? This is my second Liliane Buckled Hobo bag from Delinda Boutique, and I think I like the pattern more this time around. As I mentioned in my initial review of the pattern, the instructions were a bit too detailed for me. Since I was more familiar with the construction of the bag this time around, I was able to just refer to the pattern instructions quickly for reference and not follow each individual step. The pattern really does create a great bag. So many great features! The roomy exterior pocket is so unique, and a defining style feature on this purse; a great place to stash quick-grab items like hair ties, lipstick, or pens. 

I added piping on the front exterior pocket. I think it adds an extra pop to the fun prints chosen for this bag. It only needed a small amount of piping and was an easy place to add it. If you're looking for an opportunity to try piping for the first time, I recommend it here. This Timeless Treasures print was originally at Funky Monkey Fabrics, and is out of stock now, but Melissa from Funky Monkey is expecting more in stock soon, so keep checking; it's such a fun print and works well with many bright colours. I was brave and tried white contrasting thread for my stitching; the effect was exactly the result I was aiming for.

For interfacing, I used Pellon Shapeflex 101 on my exterior fabrics and Pellon Craft Fuse 808 on my lining, resulting in a bag with body, but now quite stiff enough to stand up on its own: just right for a hobo bag. 

I found the handle on my first bag was a nice size, but I prefer to have the option of adjustable straps, so I added some O-rings and a slider, and changed the strap to create an adjustable length. 

The pleats on the exterior of this bag allow it to be a fancy purse with the right fabrics, but I think fun prints work too! 

Have you done any upcycling in your sewing? I'd love to hear about it!

In continuing with my Everything Else series, featuring different sources to get "everything else" needed for bag making, I have another shop to share with you. I've received my first order from PacCana and I've been waiting to receive the items before sharing with you all. I'm so impressed! They have a GINORMOUS selection of supplies. Everything from interfacing to zippers to canvas and webbing, and pretty much everything else you'll need for bag making besides fabric.  For my first order, I wanted to try a variety of items. 

Their interfacing selection is quite large, and I got some of the woven fusible, which seems to be a great slightly cheaper alternative to what I normally use; it's more per yard, but it's 46" wide compared to 20". I also requested a sample of the medium weight non-woven fusible interfacing, which they carry in white and black. I've had a chance to try out the woven interfacing, and I find it's comparable to the name brand stuff I usually use. It fused easily and didn't wrinkle on the finished product.

They have a pretty impressive hardware selection too. I ordered a box of 100 magnetic snaps for cheaper than some places would sell me 20 for, and the quality is comparable to what I often buy. If you don't need 100, you can order smaller quantities for a higher per piece price, but still very affordable. They also carry O rings, D rings, snap hooks, buckles, and more, in a variety of sizes.

You can also find carry rotary cutters, replacement blades, and cutting mats. They have a couple brands, so I tried one of the cheaper blades, and so far, so good! 

You do need an account to access prices and order, but it was really quick for me; I just filled out the form, and received an email the following morning with my account info. So don't let needing an account deter you. I also needed to call and ask some questions, and I was able to get help by phone, hassle free. 

I found the shipping rates really reasonable too! Free shipping on orders over $200, and low shipping rates on orders below $200, for quick reliable shipping.

I absolutely must share my latest happy mail. I found this really neat Victoria, BC based company, Stamplifier, that makes custom stamps. Their Etsy shop has lots of fun stamps for sale, plus listings for custom stamps. I ordered one with my logo and I'm so thrilled with it! The packaging is upcycled and comes with a really funny Warning/Instruction sheet for your new stamp. They offer free shipping in Canada too!

If you haven't heard of Emmaline Bags, you're going to thank me for introducing you to these patterns and a great online shop. If you have heard of it, you're going to be happy to learn I have a discount to share with you today! Janelle of Emmaline is a Canadian pattern designer, offering both PDF and paper paper patterns in her online shop, www.emmalinebags.com 



You have to check out the Necessary Clutch Wallet, affectionately known as the NCW, which even has a facebook group dedicated to it. 

There are some other really great patterns available, including the Butterfly Sling and the Spring Sling purses.

Have you noticed those pretty turn locks? Emmaline carries those too! The hardware selection is impressive and the quality is unparalleled. You can even get hardware kits specific to the pattern you want to make. There is also a selection of pretty bling, like these "handmade" zipper pulls, and some really beautiful zippers, personally I like the white with gold.

Now what about the interfacing for these gorgeous bags? Emmaline Bags has that too! You can buy them separately or as interfacing kits for the NCW and the Quarter Note Clutch. You can also pick up some other sewing supplies, like Fray Check, Wonder Tape, pins and Wonder Clips.

I have a wonderful example of amazing customer service to share with you. A friend ordered some hardware from Emmaline and very quickly received an email informing her that her order had been shipped to the address listed in her Paypal account. Only, my friend realized that she forgot to update her Paypal account with her new address since she moved. She quickly sent Janelle an email, explaining the situation. Janelle actually retrieved the package from the post office and corrected the address before it was too late! To me, that is true customer service, and yet another reason to shop with Janelle at Emmaline Bags.

Now for the discount: The code is OKAPI15 and is good for 15% off your order, site wide, when you buy 2 or more items, code expires in one week. 

Happy shopping and happy sewing! I'd love to hear what you decide on, let me know in the comments.

In continuing with my Everything Else Series, today I'd like to introduce a wonderful Canadian online shop, Flare Fabrics at www.flarefabrics.ca . Flare Fabrics specializes in Batiks and carries an impressive selection of quality fabrics. I'm very excited about finding a Canadian shop that carries so many bag making supplies, and I'm happy to have a chance to share it here. 

You can find all the different types of batting and interfacing you'll need for bag making, including Soft and Stable, which I've been using a lot of lately. If you're the type who likes to stock up and save, you'll be happy to know you can even purchase interfacing by the bolt. There is also Bosal In-R-Form foam stabilizer, which I've yet to try, but I hear it's great for bags too. Check out all the different interfacings here. There is also a nice selection of zippers in many colours, and even a few fun patterned ones! If you don't see what you need, Marlene is happy to custom order if she can, just send her an email.

You can also find some hardware for bags here, some great items, like invisible magnetic snaps, and these beautiful twist locks. Wonder clips and frixion pens are some of my favourite notions and are stocked at Flare Fabrics as well. 

I can't forget to mention the fabric selection! In addition to the Batiks, Flare Fabrics carries many other fabrics, including a variety of Kona Cotton, in precuts and yardage. Check out the precuts too! I love this Birch Farm Charm pack.

The icing on the cake for this store is FREE SHIPPING in Canada for orders over $75 (free US shipping for orders over $150)!
Marlene has also offered an exclusive discount for my readers! Use coupon code HAPPYOKAPI to save 15% on all orders until the end of March, 2015!! 

One of my favourite online shops now has their own website! Until now, Funky Monkey Fabrics has only been on Facebook, which made it hard for users to see everything available. Now that there is a dedicated website, with full search function, we can see all the wonderful items for sale. The new website can be found at www.funkymonkeyfabrics.com and to celebrate the launch of the website, Melissa is offering 15% off your total order with promo code ILOVEFMF until February 1st.

There are many licensed cotton prints.

There are also some really pretty fabrics, like this Andrea Victoria from Riley Blake.

Be sure to check out the Notions section, where you'll find webbing, zippers, and even Kamsnaps and pliers, and then the Batting and Stabilizers section has a great selection, including fusible fleece.

If you haven't already, make sure you like the Funky Monkey Fabrics Facebook page, because you'll still see any sales going on posted there, and all the gorgeous fabrics coming in.

Nulagh also mentioned one of her tips to a "professional looking bag" is to use Shape flex, also one of my favourites. I use Pellon Shape Flex 101 in nearly every bag I make. Stitch in the Ditch offers it in many different quantites, from yard to bolt! In addition to Shape-flex, they also carry a vast selection of interfacing and fleece.

On my last post, I introduced my "Everything Else" series, and this post is the next instalment and there's a giveaway! 

Nulagh at Stitch in the Ditch offers so many bag making supplies in the online Canadian shop. Remember when viewing the site, prices are listed in Canadian currency! I asked her if she had some favourite supplies and she listed a few great ones. I'd love to try this Zippers by the Yard kit, to make my own zippers any length I want. The site offers many options, but this By Annie one with the multi-coloured pulls looks like a must-have.

Some other goodies pointed out were the covered buttons, for adding a unique touch to bags, webbing for handles, and leather handles. 

I'm very excited to see so many essential supplies from one shop. Check out the hardware section too! So many options in many different finishes.  

Now for the giveaway: Nulagh has generously offered up a $25 gift certificate for me to give away! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post, telling me what you'd spend your $25 on from Stitch in the Ditch. Contest closes at 11:59 pm PST on January 28, 2015. 
Bonus entries for following me on 
Instagram or Pinterest 
Just be sure to leave separate comments letting me know you've done so for the entries to count.

Many of the recent bags I've been making have been calling for Soft and Stable, which is a really great product that adds shape to bags, but it's not very easy to find. Connecting Threads carries it though,  and they even have it on black or white!

Today I'm very excited to start a series here that I've decided to call the "Everything Else" Series. The typical scenario I see amongst fellow sewists goes something like this: 
"I found the perfect fabric to make this purse I have a pattern for!" 
*Runs off to look at pattern again, only to discover the fabric itself is actually just a small part of the bag*
"huh...where I do I find everything else?"

I buy almost all of my fabric from Canadian online shops; there are actually many really great ones, like Stay Home Fabrics and Fabricspark.com, and many more featured in Thread Riding Hood's series found here. So, finding fabric in Canada is getting a lot easier, but I find that locating everything else can still be a challenge.  I hope this series, featuring shops that carry some of these harder to find items, will help ease the challenge.

The series will actually start with an American online shop, Connecting Threads, and I'm featuring them because unlike many American shops that ship to Canada, this shop actually has the items shipped from Canada, so you aren't hit with any surprise custom/duty fees. They even offer free shipping to Canada with orders over a certain amount from time to time (like, right now actually) 

In addition to their high quality, affordable thread, Connecting Threads carries a large variety of items.

When working with Soft and Stable, I find that Wonder Clips are much nicer to use than pins. Connecting Threads has a big selection of notions, including Wonder Clips. They're even on sale right now. Have a look through their tools section for lots of fun tools that make the job easier.

In addition to all the great tools, thread and other extras, they have a pretty great selection of fabric too! I picked up some of the new Cotton + Steel Tokyo Train Ride.

Are there any really great Canadian shops I should know about? Send me an email, or let me know in the comments.