How I design my bags - part 1.

Do you remember that contest I held where I asked you what bag advice or tutorials you wanted? I am going to tackle one of your requests in this series of posts.  I hope they help.

Unless I am making a bag for a loved one, the design process for me usually starts with one these things:

• I have a super tasty bit of fabric that needs to be made into a bag
• I have to design a bag for Sewing World mag
• I have seen a bag elsewhere and it has given me a touch of the 'I'm not not flipping paying THAT, and besides I can make my very own unique - and much nicer one' la la la! (I can report that pride does indeed come before a before a fall in my workroom!)
• I like a bit of a challenge and it's freezing outside :)

The next steps in the design process usually go something like this:

1. It might sound funny, but I identify or at least get a good idea of what fabric and components I am likely to use in my bag before designing it, and this greatly influences the design process.  I think it makes life so much easier if you design what you can make (because you have access to the bits you will need) rather than drawing up a luscious bag pattern only to find you can't get the bits you need - grrrr!.
2. I do loads of pen and pencil sketches to design a bag I like the look of.  I'm seriously rubbish at drawing, but I'm just after an overall bag shape idea so it doesn't matter too much.  The end result usually looks quite different from the final sketch anyway.
3. I start drawing up my pattern - drafting patterns for bags isn't that hard.  It really does help if you have used someone else's pattern before, do this a few times and you will quickly begin to see where you would like to make changes in a ready made pattern and when you do, go for it, make those changes and make that pattern yours.  Soon you will be itching to draft patterns all of your own.  Don't be frightened to try making up a pattern if you haven't already, start with something simple, it gets easier and easier because you will find that many of the processes in making a bag are repeated in whatever bag you are making (heh! why else do you think I like making them so much!) I will write a separate post about drafting bag patterns soon.  When you are making up your bag pattern pieces don't forget to add on your fave seam allowance to the overall shape!
4. I have a confession to make - because I am sooo impatient I hardly ever sew sample bags, well I used  to when I was more of a beginner, but even now I still don't learn from experience and I sometimes make the bag swearing my silly head off the whole time.  Perhaps I was a good person in my past life because 8 times out of 10 it works out in the end...touch wood....
5. I often re-design the bag as I go along in the construction process.  This can be both a source of delight and frustration, but it's to be expected and if it all turns out OK in the end it's all good!
6. I don't write the instructions before I start the construction, I usually make them up as I make the bag.  Sometimes I get so engrossed in the construction that I forget to write the notes (which makes it a real pain in the bum when I have to remember what to write for a tutorial!)
   
7. My bag making and bag design process is far from structured.  I'm a 'cross that bridge when I come to it' kinda girl which can slow things down or it might just be a more creative approach, either way if I'm not having fun (albeit all of that swearing) I stop and make myself a nice cup of tea.  Always stop and have a cuppa if things aren't working out :)

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This final sketch (See? I told you my drawing is rubbish, and yes this honestly was my final sketch!) became this...

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The Door (and sanity) Keeper!