We did it! Thank you for sticking with me all week to read about my 10 favorite super-useful, time-saving products and notions to use when making bags.

In case you missed a day or two, or are just joining in the fun, here’s a quick review of the products and notions I’ve discussed so far.

Part 1: HeatnBond Quilter’s Edge iron-on fusible adhesive and Clover Wrap ‘n Fuse Piping

Part 2: HeatnBond Fusible Fleece, HeatnBond Light Weight Fusible Interfacing, HeatnBond Heavy Weight Fusible Interfacing and Fairfield 80/20 Batting

Part 3: Clover Wonder Clips (my all-time favorite notion!) and Clover Fork Pins

Part 4: Clover Create-a-Strap

Part 5: Drum roll, please…………..the last two products on my list of all-time favorite, super-useful notions for bag-making, and really, any type of Sewing are………

UNIQUE Sewing Jumper and Clover Chaco Liner!

There are many, many, many marking tools out there, but the Clover Chaco Liner is one of my go-to notions. Easy to use, slim line, refillable, and available in several colors, what’s not to love?

Widely available, too, which is great so I’m never without one – or 10, as I currently own. I have one at each sewing machine (I have a few of those, too, lol!) one at my pressing station, a few at my cutting table, a few at my longarm quilting machine. They’re so handy!

As with all marking tools, it’s important to experiment before you mark your ‘good’ fabric. The talc is easily visible and goes on in a thin line, so it’s more accurate, but it’s easy to brush away.

Often the severity of the chalk line dissipates as you work the fabric, so there really isn’t much to remove when the project is finished. For example, I often use the Clover Chaco Liner to make a line on my fabric when working on grid quilting. I mark one line on the fabric to follow while stitching, then I use my quilting guide bar to follow that line for all subsequent lines of stitching. Even with just using a simple straight stitch, the lines of chalk are easily covered as they are so thin.

I use The Clover Chaco Liner to mark all types of fabrics, but I especially like to use them when I need to mark thicker, bulkier fabrics; fusible fleece, etc. which are typically used when making tote bags. You don’t need to use a lot of pressure for the talc to dispense and it won’t leave any permanent marks in the fabric, the way pins would in vinyl or leather, for example. Grab one in every color!

The last item on my list is one of those handy, tried-and-true old standbys, yet, oddly enough, I find that many sewists don’t use it or even know of its existence – UNIQUE SEWING Jumper.

This handy tool/ notion is so, sew convenient to use in so many applications. Known by many names, the UNIQUE SEWING Jumper is perfect to use for just that – when you’re stitching along and have to ‘jump’ over a thick, bulky seam.

The photo below shows what happens when you’re stitching toward that thick, bulky seam; a seam we often encounter when sewing all sorts of bags, and in some garments.Think jeans!

The presser foot is no longer level. As you continue to stitch and try to ‘jump’ over that thick seam, the presser foot slants more on an incline and this is when you’ll likely experience the frustration of skipped stitches and a broken needle.

Simply use the UNIQUE SEWING Jumper to keep the back of the presser foot elevated, as demonstrated in the photo below, and say goodbye to skipped stitches and broken needles!

By keeping the presser foot level, you’ll easily jump over thick, bulky seams with even, consistent stitches and no broken needle. Each end of the UNIQUE SEWING Jumper has a different length groove and a different thickness, so you can use it for a variety of applications. Full instructions are included in the packaging.

As well, use the UNIQUE SEWING Jumper to make it super easy to sew a button on by machine. Place the button on top of the UNIQUE SEWING Jumper, ensuring the grooves line up with the holes in the button.

The UNIQUE SEWING Jumper elevates the button, so the extra-long stitches form a shank under the button. This makes it easier to do up and undo the button through the buttonhole.

And there you have it! 10 super-useful, time-saving products and notions for quick easy bag-making!

Now, I’d LOVE to hear from YOU! What are your favorite tools, notions, products for bag-making? Let me know in the comment box below! I love that we can share and learn from each other through QUILTsocial.

Happy Sewing!