The Happy Bicycle Make 15 Stylish Bike Accessories with Hemma Design

164 Pages·2014·46.83 MB·English

by  Kathy McGee

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Stylish bike accessories a
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Kathy McGee
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Make 15 Stylish Bike Accessories
with HEMMA DESIGN
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Kathy McGee
Make 15 Stylish Bike Accessories with HEMMA DESIGN
Text copyright © 2014 by Kathy McGee
Photography and Artwork copyright © 2014 by C&T Publishing, Inc.
Publisher: Amy Marson Production Coordinator: Rue Flaherty
Creative Director: Gailen Runge Production Editor: Alice Mace Nakanishi
Art Director / Book Designer: Illustrators: Kathy McGee
Kristy Zacharias and Kirstie L. Petterson
Editors: S. Michele Fry and Monica Gyulai Photo Assistant: Mary Peyton Peppo
Technical Editors: Helen Frost and Style photography by Nissa Brehmer and
Mary E. Flynn instructional photos by Diane Pedersen,
unless otherwise noted
Published by Stash Books, an imprint of C&T Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 1456,
Lafayette, CA 94549
All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright hereon may be used
in any form or reproduced by any means—graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including
photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems—without
written permission from the publisher. The copyrights on individual artworks are retained
by the artists as noted in The Happy Bicycle. These designs may be used to make items only
for personal use. Donations to nonprofit groups, items for sale, or items for display only at
events require the following credit on a conspicuous label: Designs copyright © 2014 by
Kathy McGee from the book The Happy Bicycle from C&T Publishing, Inc. Permission for
all other purposes must be requested in writing from C&T Publishing, Inc.
Attention Copy Shops: Please note the following exception—publisher and author give
permission to photocopy pages 30, 35, 38, and 77, and pattern pullout pages P1–P4 for
personal use only.
Dedication
Attention Teachers: C&T Publishing, Inc., encourages you to use this book as a text for
teaching. Contact us at 800-284-1114 or www.ctpub.com for lesson plans and information
about the C&T Creative Troupe. For my dad, who taught me how to ride a
We take great care to ensure that the information included in our products is accurate bike, and my mom, who taught me how
and presented in good faith, but no warranty is provided nor are results guaranteed.
Having no control over the choices of materials or procedures used, neither the author to sew.
nor C&T Publishing, Inc., shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect
to any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this Acknowledgments
book. For your convenience, we post an up-to-date listing of corrections on our website
(www.ctpub.com). If a correction is not already noted, please contact our customer service
department at [email protected] or at P.O. Box 1456, Lafayette, CA 94549. I’d like to thank my incredibly creative
Trademark (™) and registered trademark (®) names are used throughout this book. Rather friends for their encouragement and
than use the symbols with every occurrence of a trademark or registered trademark name,
inspiration, especially Robin Yang,
we are using the names only in the editorial fashion and to the benefit of the owner, with
no intention of infringement. who gave me the gift of the idea to
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data design bicycle accessories in the first
McGee, Kathy, 1965- place. Thank you to my cheerleaders
The happy bicycle : make 15 stylish bike accessories with Hemma Design / Kathy McGee. and advisers throughout the years—
pages cm Stephanie Liberko, Bridget Burke,
Kate Grussing, and Helen Chargo—
ISBN 978-1-60705-826-7 (soft cover)
who encouraged me when my book was
1. Bicycles--Equipment and supplies. 2. Cycling--Equipment and supplies. 3. Handicraft.
4. Sewing. I. Title. just a spark of an idea. Thank you to
TL414.M33 2014 my all-things-Scandinavian touchstone,
629.2’62--dc23 Julianna Newstrom. Most of all, thank
2014001320 you and lots of love to my husband, Jeff,
for all your love and support.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
C O N T E N T S
Techniques 4
FARMER’S MARKET RIDE 13 WEEKEND OUT-AND-ABOUT RIDE 83
Olga Bicycle Tote 14 Trude Quilted Seat Bag 84
Lydia Bicycle Seat Cover 24 Greta Handlebar Basket 92
Ulla Bicycle Bells 28 Birgitta Bell-Bottom Jeans Cincher 102
Flower • Ladybug • Bumblebee
CHILLY DAY RIDE 105
WORKDAY RIDE 39 Astrid Hand-Knit Helmet Cover 106
Frida Handlebar Lunch Bag 40
Gudrun Hand-Knit Handle Cozies 110
Jordis Crossbar Clutch 48
Magdelena Quilted Panniers 113
Hilde Rainy-Day Helmet Cover 55
About the Author 126
SHADY PATH RIDE 59 Contributing Designer 126
Hanna Bicycle Rack Picnic Basket 60 Resources 127
Petra Handle Streamers 74
Berit Bicycle Skirt Guard 78
F O R E W O R D
I’ve been in love with bicycle riding ever since Most bike accessories are serious and
the day my dad gave my two-wheeler a gentle functional, but why can’t they be fun and
push and let it go for the last time. I was stylish too? Think of changing your bike
riding a bicycle on my own and I was off! bag or basket the same way you switch out a
purse or pair of shoes. There’s a project for
I can’t think of anything more joyful than
every fashion-conscious cyclist included in
riding a bicycle on a sunny day—the breeze
this book, whether you sew, knit, or are a
kissing your face as you coast down a hill
crafting novice.
without touching the brakes. This book will
help you make your bicycle look as bright and Let’s have fun creating our own happy bicycle
cheery as it makes you feel when you ride it. accessories—and then let’s go for a ride!
Techniques
Most of the projects in this book can
be made using a sewing machine and
some basic equipment. Before starting,
make sure your sewing machine is in
good working order. Always try some
test stitches on the fabric you’re working
with to see that the stitches are even
and the tension is correct. Please review
the instructions for your project, and the
materials and tools lists, before starting.
4 The Happy Bicycle
Basic Tools Cutting with a Rotary Cutter
and Ruler
Below are the basic tools you
will need for each project.
Projects that require cutting out pieces with a rotary cutter and
Additional, specific tools are
ruler will have a cutting list with measurements that include
listed with individual projects.
seam allowances. Recommended cutting tools are as follows:
• A good, sharp pair of
• 45mm rotary cutter
fabric scissors
• 6˝ × 24˝ clear, gridded ruler
• Paper-cutting scissors
• 15˝ × 15˝ clear, gridded ruler
• Hand-sewing needles
• A cutting mat that is at least 18˝ × 24˝
• Pins
Patterns
Full-size paper patterns are
included for most of the
projects in this book. Trace
the pattern pieces and the
marks and notches. Note:
Sometimes only half the
pattern is shown. Trace and
mirror the partial pattern to
make a full pattern. Follow the
cutting layouts included with
the project instructions. Pieces
that have patterns are shown
in white, while pieces with
cutting measurements only are
shown as outlines. For cotton
fabrics, use sharp pins to pin
the patterns to the fabric. For
oilcloth and laminated cotton,
use removable, double-sided
Cut on the straight or bias grain of the fabric following the
tape to attach the pattern
cutting layouts provided. Trim off the selvage edge from the
pieces to the right side of the
fabric before cutting out the project.
fabric. All seam allowances
are 1/2˝ unless otherwise noted.
Techniques 5
Sewing Machine Tips
Some of the projects involve working with specialty materials
and thick layers of batting and stabilizer. Here are some
helpful tips.
• Use a walking foot for quilting and sewing through
thick layers.
• Lengthen your stitch length when sewing thick layers
and for topstitching. For instance, if your regular stitch
length is 2.5mm, use a 3mm setting.
• Use a larger-size needle when working with thick layers.
Try #14 or #16 Universal-type needles.
Cotton Fabric
Many of the projects include quilting-weight cotton fabric,
which shrinks when washed. I recommend that you wash and
dry all your cotton fabrics before using them in a project. Then
you can wash the project later without worry. For decorator-
weight cotton fabrics, follow the manufacturer’s washing
instructions.
Oilcloth and Laminated Cotton
Oilcloth and laminated cotton are ideal fabrics to use for
bicycle accessories because they have a coating that repels
water and can be wiped clean. Oilcloth is a thick, heavyweight
fabric that works great for making large bags and baskets. The
stiffness and weight help give shape and structure to projects,
while the coating makes for easy cleanup. Laminated cotton is
lighter weight and works well for smaller projects. It can easily
be folded and gathered.
Both fabrics require a little bit of special handling because of
the plastic coating.
6 The Happy Bicycle
CUTTING AND MARKING
and chip-bag clips with flat clipping surfaces
are good for holding pieces together when
Pins leave permanent holes in oilcloth and
gluing. Weigh down flat pieces with a stack
laminated cotton. Instead of using pins, use
of magazines or books while the glue dries.
removable, double-sided tape to temporarily
Painters’ or masking tape can be used to hold
adhere patterns to the right side of the fabric
odd angles and edges together.
for cutting.
If you do use pins, limit your pinning to the
When transferring pattern markings to the
seam allowances so that the holes won’t show
fabric, you can use the special characteristics
on the finished project.
of coated fabric to your advantage by using
a large needle to poke a hole in the fabric
where there are sewing placement marks.
Indicate fold lines or guide marks that are
on the edge of a pattern piece by making a
small 1/8˝ cut on the edge of the fabric. Tools for working
with oilcloth and
laminated cotton
HOLDING TOGETHER
FABRIC PIECES
Because pins leave holes in coated fabrics,
consider using alternative methods for
holding together seams and pieces when
sewing. Small binding clips (usually found
in the quilting notions department) are
great for holding together seams for sewing,
especially when working with curved seams.
Whenever possible, I like to use glue to
“baste” seams together before sewing. I
prefer a quick-dry, tacky fabric glue, such
as Fabri-Tac by Beacon Adhesives. Use
only a small amount of glue; usually a thin
bead along the edge is all you need to hold
pieces together for sewing. If you use too
much glue, your finished project can be
stiff and lumpy. Always wait for the glue to
dry completely before sewing. Follow the
manufacturer’s instructions.
While the glue is drying, it’s sometimes
necessary to hold pieces in place. Clothespins
Techniques 7
SEWING
The coating on oilcloth and laminated cotton • Use a slightly longer stitch length when
tends to stick to standard sewing machine sewing oilcloth or laminated fabric. (If
presser feet. Here are some options to try you usually sew with a 2.5mm length,
when sewing: change it to a 3mm setting.)
• Use a #16 needle when sewing oilcloth.
• Use a walking foot.
A size #12–#14 needle can be used on
• Use a Teflon-coated presser foot.
laminated cotton unless you’re sewing
• Put masking tape on the bottom of through several fabric layers; then use a
your presser foot. larger needle.
• Sew with a sheet of regular tissue • Test sew on a scrap of oilcloth or
paper between your presser foot and laminated cotton to check that the
the coated side of the fabric. Tear it stitching is regular and the tension is
off when you’re finished. correct before starting a project.
PRESSING
Instead of using an iron, which will melt
oilcloth, always finger-press seams. If you
need to flatten a piece of oilcloth, try putting
it in a sunny location to warm it up, then
smooth it out by hand or put a stack of
books on top of it for a few days. Always
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
laminated cotton.
Tools for sewing oilcloth and laminated cotton
8 The Happy Bicycle
Interfacings and Stabilizers
Interfacing and stabilizer are important elements in making
high-quality accessories. They give shape and structure to
baskets, bags, and totes. Interfacing and stabilizer come in
many different thicknesses and weights; some are sew-in and
others are fusible. I offer specific recommendations with each
project, but here is a list of products you will see in this book:
Lightweight stabilizer Extra-stiff craft-weight stabilizer
• offers minimal • is the
stiffness and is good for lightweight fabrics thickest, heaviest stabilizer. It has the thick-
and backing on polyester batting. You can ness of cardboard and does not fold easily.
see through it and it folds easily. It’s a great choice for large baskets and totes
because it provides so much structure and
Midweight fusible interfacing
• adds
shape. Look for one that resists creasing.
stiffness to cotton fabric and folds easily.
Fusible fleece interfacing
• is a thick, soft
Heavyweight stabilizer
• is a thicker
interfacing used in place of thin batting.
version of the lightweight stabilizer. It’s
Fleece-insulated interfacing
good for adding a little more structure to • is a thicker,
accessories, but is still bendable. soft interfacing with Mylar used in projects
designed to keep food cool or warm.
Lightweight, midweight,
heavyweight, and extra-stiff
craft stabilizers; fusible
fleece and fleece-insulated
interfacing
Techniques 9