All Well Weekender and Half Moon Zip -- Fabric + Notions
The All Well Weekender and Half Moon Zip sewing patterns are almost here, and I’m so excited! Testers have tested the weekender and now we are putting the finishing touches on the pattern. These projects are really fun to make, and more simple than they seem, even with zippers and all the pockets (5 in all!) on the weekender. You’ll be weekender-ing and pouch-ing in no time! I like imagining all the different functions the weekender could serve for folks near and far. Travel bag! Diaper bag! Beach Bag! Sewing machine bag! Sweater-knitting bag! Bag to carry a dog in! Grocery bag! Who knows what else! Even more options for the Half Moon Zip! I’ve been using my samples for all sorts of things since I made them, make quite a few more to give as gifts. I can’t wait to see what you do with these patterns!
Since the release is almost here (coming September 24th! Sign up for our newsletter to hear first!) we wanted to give a sneak peek of the Fabric + Notions list so that you can properly prepare. Here’s an overview of what you’ll need with some pictures and specifics to help you find exactly what you’re looking for!
All Well Weekender Fabric
We recommend cotton canvas, duck cloth, or similar, 10oz-12oz weight (339gsm - 407gsm) for best results.
Amount of fabric recommended:
(leaving extra fabric for mistakes and wiggle room)
45” (110 cm) wide fabric
Either Pocket 2 1/2 yd (2.29 m)
60” (150 cm) wide fabric
Basic Pocket 1 1/2 yd (1.38 m)
Fancy Pocket 2 yd (1.83 m)
Amount of fabric used by pattern:
(the absolute minimum fabric needed)
45” (110 cm) wide fabric
Either Pocket 82 inches (2.10 m) / 2 1/3 yd
60” (150 cm) wide fabric
Basic Pocket 47 inches (1.20 m) / 1 1/3 yd
Fancy Pocket 62 inches (1.58 m) / 1 3/4 yd
Half Moon Zip Fabric
As in the All Well Weekender, we recommend cotton canvas, duck cloth, or similar, 10oz-12oz weight (339gsm - 407gsm) for best results.
For both sizes of the Half Moon Zip, you need less than 1/4 yd (23 cm) of fabric. It’s the perfect way to use the scraps from your All Well Weekender!
I love using 12 oz canvas for the weekender and the half moon zip, but it’s a little bit difficult to maneuver, even for my semi-industrial machine. Almost all sewing machines can handle 10 oz canvas, but 12 oz canvas requires a pretty strong machine. Choose fabric based on what you think your machine can manage. Here’s a link to my favorite 12 oz canvas.
Notions
You’ll definitely need the standard necessities: sewing machine, steam iron, ironing board, and pins. Here’s what else you’ll need!
22”- 24” Bag Zipper for top closure (56 cm - 61 cm)
Bag Zippers (sometimes also called Backpack Zippers) have two zipper pulls that move in opposite directions and meet in the middle. Both ends of the zipper are closed by a zipper stop.
Here’s one that’s worked well for me! I’ll be posting a big post about zippers later this week with more info!
If you can’t find a bag zipper (they’re sometimes tricky to find!) you can also use a jacket zipper (open on one end, closed on the other, only one zipper pull), just with slightly different instructions. You’ll be looking for one that’s about 22” long!
3 yards (2.75 m) of 1” (2.5 cm) wide cotton webbing (or make self-fabric straps using instructions included in the pattern)
You can also use nylon webbing, which comes in many colors. When you cut nylon straps, make sure to melt the raw ends with a flame so they don’t fray!
100” of 1 in. wide cotton twill tape or 1/2” wide double fold bias tape (2.54 m long, 2.5cm wide cotton twill tape or 2.54 m long, 1.3 cm wide double fold bias tape) - This is the minimum amount needed, but we recommend having extra on hand: 3 yd / 3 m!
Chalk or an easily-removable marking tool like disappearing ink or Hera marker. I love using tailor’s chalk, though a Hera Marker is really the best when you really need the mark to disappear completely. It marks your fabric by making an indent, no ink or chalk at all! The indent it makes is surprisingly easy to see, and totally undetectable!
TIP: Always test your marking tool on your fabric first to make sure it can be removed completely!
Zipper foot for your sewing machine.
Optional: Heavy-Duty sewing machine needles (for 12 oz [407 gsm] canvas and up)
For fancy pocket variation: standard 8” zipper (21 cm) (open at top, zipper stop at bottom)
Thread (all purpose works fine, but heavy-duty thread or jeans/topstitch thread is also a great option for sewing with 12 oz. (407 gsm) canvas and above). This is what I’ve been using lately.
Half Moon Zip Zippers:
For the Clutch size: standard 8” zipper (21 cm) (open at top, zipper stop at bottom) — Same size as the weekender fancy pocket! Buy a set!
For the Coin Purse size: standard 5” zipper (12.7 cm) (open at top, zipper stop at bottom)