Friday 3 April 2009

Bags


Following my post earlier this week, this is what I have been doing with my lovely fabric haul.


I've been working on my "perfect tote" pattern for a while now. When I say "perfect", I mean perfect for me, i.e. that it is big enough for my stuff and a nappy change for the little helper, the handles are long enough to go over my shoulder even when I'm wearing a coat, that I can open it wide enough to actually see what's in it. I find with a lot of bags that I have to scrabble about blindly without being able to see the bottom. So I knew I needed something with a gusset (I have a friend who would stop reading this blog this second just because of that word!) but that wasn't too tricky for me to sew. Also, I now know from experience that bizarrely I find it easier to make a lined bag: I am not one of life's neat sewers, and the lining lets me hide lots of mess (can I somehow employ this technique in my kitchen, I wonder?)




The most enjoyable part has been choosing which fabrics and linings to use together. I love this bird print with the red polka dot lining:



I've been really careful about cutting the gorgeous shoe fabric as it's just too good to waste, so I've made these little bags for girls - maybe not quite big enough for everything I haul about with me, but certainly big enough for a purse and some lip gloss.

9 comments:

  1. FAB bags! I have been thinking about totes too - they seem to be the way to go re shopping and the environment!

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  2. Oh! These are just gorgeous! Beautiful work Nicky :)

    I think I'd be kind of scared to cut into such lovely fabric so soon after purchase (and yes, I am running out of storage space), so well done you!

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  3. They are just gorgeous, I love every single one (and will be looking out for them in your shop)!

    If I had those awesome fabrics, I wouldn't be able to cut them, I'd sleep curled up tight with them :) How did you stop yourself buying the whole bolts?!

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  4. they are great! so this where you lovely fabric went to...

    they look good!

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  5. Great! I love the birdy polk dot bag! I'm a fabric hoarder but have yet to do anything with the bits, not since a nasty cushion for GCSE Art!

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  6. These are going to sell like hot cakes....but then I'd be so tempted to keep each one myself!

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  7. WANT! That shoe fabric is fabulous.

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  8. Fab bags...my 12 yo would just love the shoe ones

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  9. Lovely fabrics and great bags designs. Love the teacup fabric. Would make a great tea cosy too and for little gift bags for delivering homeade cakes like these caserole carriers - http://www.craftown.com/country/craft21.htm
    That teacup fabric is going to distract me all day!

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