Hand Quilted Storage Pod

My new storage pod...

Did you hear that Craftsy is back up and running? Or, perhaps I should clarify: did you hear that an online crafting video service using the old Craftsy moniker is up and running?

There are still various wrinkles to be ironed out — like some people's former credentials weren't recognized at all (like mine) while others (like my mom's) worked — and it has no plans to be all that Craftsy used to be, but at some level, many people are relieved that they will have continued access to their old "keep forever" classes. I didn't read the TOS, but I'm sure it's vaguely amusing and totally one-sided.

Without a valid account, you can still access articles — i.e., former blog posts — which also includes some of (original) Craftsy's old "mini" classes. Unfortunately, there are still many, many "Free Pattern Fridays" posts which used to round up some of the best indie patterns available in the marketplace that no longer exists. :-(

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Using Mom's login, I took a look around to see what else I could find. Surprisingly, her account showed a premium subscription having been purchased August 31 and lasting until mid-October. Since there wasn't a price or credit card attached to the transaction, I didn't fret or inquire about it. I later found out via Facebook that everyone who had ever purchased a class received a free trial.

First thing that I noticed was the lack of any new content. With everything being same old, same old, it occurred to me that YouTube has truly become my "go to" resource for new crafting ideas and learning. The shift has been gradual over the past few years, but it's undeniable.

Darts give this pod its shape...

Ensuring continued access to the classes that so many people purchased years ago is one thing, but I see no viable path forward for (new) Craftsy, unless it revives the marketplace and community that it used to support. (And all indications are that it has no intention or incentive to do so.)

So that was my long — and almost unrelated — preamble to today's topic, which is the hand quilted storage pod that you see pictured here.

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It's a project I found on YouTube this summer, from a vlogger in France by the name of lalalove couture. The video was uploaded this past April 3 and can be found by searching for bubble basket/storage pod. She provides the full pattern templates and the video itself is very easy to understand.

The pattern includes a hanging/handling loop at the top, but I didn't see the need for one.

View of interior...

I've long wanted to make something like this, with an angled top edge and overall rounded shape. There is a pattern out there for a similar pod, but realistically, my desire to make one did not equate to the price being asked for it.

Fabrics here are a Robert Kaufman selection that I used for my last fabric origami basket project and my own Ode to the Canadian Penny in lightweight cotton twill, a fat quarter left over after making my shinto stool cushions.

After cutting the fabric for this, we ventured off to our home away from home for several days, so I took the pieces on the road with me to do some hand quilting.

Closeup of my hand quilting...

With what's happened this year, I've had an increased appreciation for taking things slowly. I'm still not a fan of hand sewing — not at all — but doing this kind of hand stitching is somewhat zen inducing. It's very similar to doodling or colouring. (The project doesn't call for it, but one could also machine quilt the exterior body piece.)

View of the back of the pod (prior to riveting)...

The paid pattern version of this pod features a bound top edge, which I would actually do if I were to make this again. Some of the seams are quite thick (the exterior fabric being interfaced with fusible fleece) and top stitching through the layers can be dicey. In my case, as I came to within an inch of finishing, my top thread snapped.

Side view (prior to riveting)...

To ensure that there wouldn't be any hair tearing when it came time to sew the round base (which has to be done once for the lining and once for the exterior), I hand basted the pieces together. Highly recommended.

View of the round bottom...

I'm quite positive that had I just pinned and sewn, there would have been puckers.

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While I didn't care to add the loop/handle piece to the back edge, I did want to give the pod my own touch. So out came my rivet set once again. Not only do the rivets add visual appeal, they keep the lining in place to a certain extent.

This is a good sized container, measuring 6.75" wide at the base and about 7" high at the back and 3.25" high at the front. (Bigger than the version made from the afore-mentioned pattern for sale, by the way, which some have indicated as being smaller than they'd hoped.)

I see it being quite versatile. From tabletop centerpiece — mine is currently on my dining table holding some pears — to plant pot cover to storage for all types of crafty supplies or toys, this pod has a lot of potential.

Quite a roomy pod...

Those of you who are beginners often appreciate an assessment of how difficult a project might be. There are eight darts (done twice) that have to be sewn correctly for the pod to achieve its desired symmetrical shape. You'll wind up with a lopsided version if you aren't careful. That said, the vlogger's take on it is almost foolproof and easily followed, even if you've never sewn darts before.

I would say the next trickiest part of the project would be attaching the base to the body. If you follow my suggestion to hand baste first, you'll definitely increase your chances of success.

Oh, and a final tip about topstitching around the top rim (if you don't opt for binding)... before you do so, attach clips generously around the edge and leave it overnight. Then press it with steam. The edge will hopefully be a lot more compressed that way, allowing for easier sewing.

'Til next...