Corner Patches and Piping (Sidekick Sew-along Day #6)

Over the last couple weeks, I have been working my way through the Sidekick Mini Suitcase pattern, sharing any extra tips that didn’t make it into the pattern directions, and answering questions. The printable pattern and complete directions for the suitcase are available for purchase here.

And… it’s Friday again. Crazy. That means it the end of The Sidekick Sew-along Week #2! And we are finishing up the week by sewing on the corner patches and piping.

First, prepare the patches by ironing the interfacing to the back of each Corner Patch as marked on pattern.

I used to loath folding over itty-bitty seam allowances until I started using stick glue to hold things in place. Smear a small amount of glue along the edge of the interfacing and then fold old over the fabric 1/4 inch.

Press from the right side.

Sew them onto the right side of the Front and Back canvas pieces close the folded edges (about 1/8″ or less).

(Note: You might want to baste the patch down along the outer edge too.)

This would the time to add any other appliqué or decorations like Heather did. 

Give the Front and Back pieces even more body by sandwiching the Front/Back stabilizer between the wrong side of the Front/Back canvas pieces and Front/Back interfacing. Press the interfacing in place, taking extra care to make sure it sticks to the seam allowance of the Front/Back canvas.

And we are ready for some piping!

Snuggle up your zipper/piping foot to the needle and find some way of marking the 1/2″ seam allowance. I’m really really really digging the rubber band trick right now.

Then, baste the piping around the edge of a Front/Back piece on the right side.

A few things:

• Leave about an inch of piping free when you start off. (We will need it to hide the ends when we get back around.)
• I find it easiest to NOT pin the piping before sewing. Just take it slow and line the piping up as you go.
• Find more helpful piping links and tips here: Taking the Leap into Handmade Piping.

Keep on going all the away around, stopping just before you get back to the start.

Tuck the ends of the piping into each other (like in this tutorial on Sew, Mama, Sew!).

woohoo! Pretty, pretty.

Do the same to the second piece.

Have a lovely weekend, Sew-along-ers! 
…and Not-Sew-Along-ers, too! 😉

Click here to see the other sew-along posts.