"Inspired By FreeSpirit": Colorful Coordinates

04/30/2020 5780 6 0

"Inspired By FreeSpirit": Colorful Coordinates


Welcome to our second blog post featuring the ‘Inspired by FreeSpirit’ Facebook Live Events! If you haven’t watched our Facebook LIVE with FreeSpirit Fabrics, be sure to watch it and let us know what you think. It is no longer live, but you’ll enjoy everything Annie had to say about ‘Colorful Coordinates.’

Looking for the LIVE trunk show? Find it in THIS blog post.



Want to learn just a little bit more about the coordinates we have to offer at ByAnnie.com? We’ve compiled a number of the topics Annie hit on in the video, and have included links to further resources to help you continue your sewing journey.


Choosing Soft and Stable and Fabrics

Find Soft and Stable HERE.

Read THIS BLOG POST to learn more about the differences between our white Soft and Stable and our black Soft and Stable, as well as more on why we sew our bags with it.

Not interested in quilting fabric to your Soft and Stable, or not sure why you should? Read THIS BLOG POST.


Main, Lining, Coordinate, Contrast

Our first fabric choice is always a high-quality quilting cotton -- such as fabrics from FreeSpirit -- because of the wide range of colors and designs that are available.

The majority of our projects call for three different fabrics:

  • A main fabric which is usually used for the exterior of the bag.
  • A lining fabric for the interior, and
  • A coordinating fabric for the handles, straps, and bindings.

  • Occasionally, the pattern will call for a 4th fabric which is usually a contrasting fabric to be used for borders, interior pockets, and so forth.

    For more information on selecting fabrics, check out THIS BLOG POST on the topic.


    Choosing Zippers

    Find Handbag Zippers for your project, HERE.

    Find a Zipper Color Card, HERE.

    Learn more about zippers on THIS BLOG POST.

    Check out THESE Zipper Tutorials and learn how easy they are to install.


    Make magic with Mesh and Fold-Over Elastic

    Find Mesh Fabric for your project, HERE.

    Find Fold-Over Elastic for your project, HERE.

    Learn more about working with Lightweight Mesh Fabric in THIS BLOG POST.

    Check out this PDF TUTORIAL on sewing with Lightweight Mesh Fabric.


    What color strapping?

    We only offer black and white poly-pro strapping because when our patterns call for it, we cover the strapping in fabric!

    We use black strapping if our handle/strap fabric is dark and we use white strapping when our fabric is bright. Black will gray down anything that has white or light colors, so we end up using white the majority of the time.

    Find strapping options HERE.


    Happy with Hardware

    When choosing between our Antique Brass and Nickel hardware, we go with personal preference.

    Broadly, we find that the nickel looks great with cooler fabrics and antique brass looks great with warmer fabrics. But that’s not always the case.

    Some people only like the antique brass and some people will only use the nickel. It’s ultimately up to you, there are no wrong decisions.

    Discover the hardware we have to offer, HERE.


    To learn more about the color choices we made on the models in the LIVE videos, check out last week's blog post. And remember, these color choices are just what we found to be best for us. Pick colors that make you happy and just have fun sewing!

    Thank you for joining us on our LIVE adventure with FreeSpirit Fabrics this week. Join our email list to stay up to date, check back on the blog for recaps/reviews, or take a peek at our Events Calendar to see what's coming next. Let us know in the comments what you learned or give us your 'colorful coordinates' advice!


    Tags: inspired by freespirit live video live event

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    Previous PostNext Post

    "Inspired By FreeSpirit": Trunk Show


    Want a little more 'Inspired by FreeSpirit' to get you through the week? We compiled the models you saw in the ByAnnie+FreeSpirit Virtual Trunk Show from April 23rd, 2020 so you can peruse them at your own leisure. And if you didn't watch the trunk show, we have that video here for you, as well!

    Read more

    "Inspired by FreeSpirit": Zippers Are EASY!


    Did you catch our 'Inspired by' Facebook LIVEstream with FreeSpirit Fabrics? If you didn't, we have the video here (and on our YouTube channel), so you can join in on the fun. Time to master the art of zippers... it's easier than you think!

    Read more

    "Inspired By FreeSpirit": Handles & Straps


    "Inspired By FreeSpirit": Handles & Straps

    Read more

    "Inspired By FreeSpirit": Beautiful Bindings


    Annie and FreeSpirit Fabrics team up for the final 'Inspired by FreeSpirit' LIVEstream together! Learn all about sewing smooth, wrinkle-free bindings while managing bulk, extra layers, and more...

    Read more

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