Have you heard of Odi Coat? It’s a clever new product that makes your fabric waterproof. I thought that I would put it to the test and make a simple tote using the small size of our Billie the Blue Whale appliqué pattern.
Firstly, I cut out my pieces for the tote from our favourite linen and cotton blend fabric, you can use any type of natural fibre fabric. For the front and back of the tote I cut two 38 cm x 46 cm (15” x 18”) rectangles and two 10 cm x 50 cm (4" x 20") rectangles for the handles.
Next I applied Billie in the centre of one of the rectangles using fusible web (You can see how to apply applique pieces here)
I then placed the pieces onto a protected surface and painted them with the Odi Coat gel. There was no need to stitch around the edge of the applique as the Odi Coat seals it in place. The first coat really absorbed into the fabric making it quite wet, I left it for a day to dry. The next day I applied 2 more coats with 2 hours in between. These final coats didn't take as long to dry. When the fabric was completely dry, I ironed it with baking paper on top.
Once treated with Odi Coat the fabric is now waterproof and washable, the product does not was out. The fabric has a satiny shine to it with an oil cloth finish.
Set up your machine with a size 80 sharp needle and a Teflon foot in the same way that you would sew plastic coated fabric, vinyl or leather.
To make the bag, I cut out 2 pieces of fabric the same size as the front and back of the bag for the lining. I did notice that the Odi Coated fabric did shrink slightly so next time I would either pre-wash my fabric to remove the shrinkage or cut the pieces slightly bigger. (I cut the pieces out because I didn't want to waste the product on fabric that would end up in the bin).
To sew, place the exterior bag pieces with the right sides facing and sew down the side, across the bottom and back up the other side with a 1 cm (3/8") seam allowance. Do the same to the lining, leaving a 15 cm (6") opening on one side edge.
To make the straps, press the strips in half lengthwise with the wrong sides facing using baking paper to protect the fabric.
Press the side edges into the centre crease.
Then press the strip in half, once again using baking paper to protect the fabric.
Hold the strap with clips. To prevent the Odi Coated strap from sticking to the machine plate, place baking paper underneath and sew with a Teflon non stick foot.
Sew both sides of the strap, sewing close to the edge.
Place the raw ends of the straps with the raw top edge of the bag, positioning them 6 cm (2 1/2") either side of the centre front and centre back. Stitch them in place.
Place the exterior bag and the lining with the right sides facing at the top edge of the bag and sew around the top edge with a 1 cm (3/8") seam allowance.
Turn the bag through to the right side through the opening in the lining. Sew the opening in the lining together by hand or machine.
Roll out the top seam with your fingers and iron flat with backing paper on top to protect the fabric. Sew 2 rows of top stitching around the top edge of the bag.
Here is the finished product!
