The Happy Bicycle: Make 15 Stylish Bike Accessories with Hemma Design

By Kathy McGee

Add stylish flare to your bicycle with these 15 fashionable—and durable—sewing projects.

For cyclists who want to take their style into high gear, The Happy Bicycle, by Kathy McGee of Hemma Designs, comprises a collection of 15 bicycle accessories that are functional and fun. Irresistibly charming, this book offers full-size patterns and step-by-step instructions for helmet covers, totes, embellished bells, baskets, and more. After all, shouldn't a bike look as good as it rides?

“An astounding variety of DIY goodies to spruce up our two-wheelers. There's a great mix of functional and fun, practical and pretty to get us pimping our rides in no time!”—Generation Q Magazine

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Sep 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781607058274

Book preview

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.

Basic Tools

Below are the basic tools you will need for each project. Additional, specific tools are listed with individual projects.

• A good, sharp pair of fabric scissors

• Paper-cutting scissors

• Hand-sewing needles

• 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 tape to attach the pattern pieces to the right side of the fabric. All seam allowances are ½˝ unless otherwise noted.

Cutting with a Rotary Cutter and Ruler

Projects that require cutting out pieces with a rotary cutter and ruler will have a cutting list with measurements that include seam allowances. Recommended cutting tools are as follows:

• 45mm rotary cutter

• 6˝ × 24˝ clear, gridded ruler

• 15˝ × 15˝ clear, gridded ruler

• A cutting mat that is at least 18˝ × 24˝

Cut on the straight or bias grain of the fabric following the cutting layouts provided. Trim off the selvage edge from the fabric before cutting out the project.

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.

CUTTING AND MARKING

Pins leave permanent holes in oilcloth and laminated cotton. Instead of using pins, use removable, double-sided tape to temporarily adhere patterns to the right side of the fabric for cutting.

When transferring pattern markings to the fabric, you can use the special characteristics 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 ⅛˝ cut on the edge of the fabric.

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 and chip-bag clips with flat clipping surfaces are good for holding pieces together when gluing. Weigh down flat pieces with a stack of magazines or books while the glue dries. Painters’ or masking tape can be used to hold odd angles and edges together.

If you do use pins, limit your pinning to the seam allowances so that the holes won’t show on the finished project.

SEWING

The coating on oilcloth and laminated cotton tends to stick to standard sewing machine presser feet. Here are some options to try when sewing:

• Use a walking foot.

• Use a Teflon-coated presser foot.

• Put masking tape on the bottom of your presser foot.

• Sew with a sheet of regular tissue paper between your presser foot and the coated side of the fabric. Tear it off when you’re finished.

• Use a slightly longer stitch length when sewing oilcloth or laminated fabric. (If you usually sew with a 2.5mm length, change it to a 3mm setting.)

• Use a #16 needle when sewing oilcloth. A size #12–#14 needle can be used on laminated cotton unless you’re sewing through several fabric layers; then use a larger needle.

• Test sew on a scrap of oilcloth or laminated cotton to check that the stitching is regular and the tension is 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

Interfacings and Stabilizers

Interfacing and stabilizer are important elements in making high-quality accessories. They give