Oxbow Snap

 

I had to refresh my memory on exactly where I'd left off on the Oxbow Tote back in December. Then I remembered my discovery at the group work day we had back in December that I had neglected to print out all of the instructions....Turns out I was midway through finishing Step #7 that was on the formerly unprinted page. I'd gotten as far as sewing together the exterior pocket to its lining, but I hadn't trimmed the seam allowance. Out came the gigantic pinking shears for that job.

Then, before switching the threads on my machine for the top stitching step, I saw that the next part is deciding on whether to install a magnetic snap closure or not. I hadn't bought one when I bought the pattern, strap webbing, zippers and strap hardware from Noodlehead. Maybe it wasn't included in the kit that they sell? Nope, it was just for the straps hardware. But I knew I had at least one of those on hand--somewhere. It took a little digging and then I found these two options in my drawer. The choice between the two options was pretty easy, not that there's going to be a visible snap on the exterior, but I went with the nickel-ish one to match the straps. 

I  checked out this video on how to install a Dritz magnetic snap as one of them was that brand. And then I watched the second video included with the Oxbow pattern. It shows how to install a regular snap. But then she actually directs you to another of her pattern's video, for the Pepin Tote where she demonstrates how to do a magnetic snap. That was very useful for me to follow. Every single step shown and clearly explained. I felt a little more empowered to give it a go.

I did the top-stitching at the top of the pocket edge and admired the owls.

I put some fusible batting and scraps of SF101 fusible interfacing under and over the snaps.

I think it turned out pretty well, it's not too lumpy or unstable.

Most importantly the snap closure lined up well. Hooray for all the helpful videos. I then got the pocket basted onto the exterior. Onto the next step of sewing on the straps.