U-handblog

Sewing World Bag Sep 08. Zip Top Hobo Style shoulder bag

Soo busy at the moment that I haven't had time to unbox my birthday overlocker machine; it's been sitting on the floor for the last 4 days and I've had to walk past it for all of that time without diving in head first (I know!!! What the...!)  When I have a moment I'll unbox it, have a first play with it (all the while taking snaps) and I'll do a review blog post; can't flipping wait.

Still, I've managed to tick this month's Sewing World Magazine Bag off my To Do list. The theme for September is 'New Techniques and the colour green'. So in keeping with the theme I designed this zip top hobo style shoulder bag in oilcloth.  Here are some good tips for sewing with oilcloth.

Seeming as a lot of you want to learn more about zippy things I'm thinking of doing an easy to achieve variation of this particular design for one of my bag making workshops. What do think of that idea?

(Sorry about posting loads of pics; it's for when I sell the bag at a later stage):

Roomy zip top hobo style oilcloth bag. I got the oilcloth from my beloved John Lewis in London,  but a search for oilcloth on google will throw up quite a few places where you can buy it from.  I have used this shoulder handle and these smart snap hooks.

Side view.  The bag has darts inserted into the bottom corners to make the bag more shapely (a bit like us heh!).

Close-up side view.  I added oildcloth tabs to the zipper ends before sewing so the zipper lies flat at either end.  Nice hardware eh?

Inside view.  Caramel check cotton lining with large flat internal pocket.


Right, back to some proper work...harrumph!

Oh! Before I sign off.  If any of you are going to be in London this Sunday it would be really lovely to see you at the We Make London Craft Fair event this Sunday.  I'm going be there having a rummage and taking snaps (I'll wear a carnation and have copy of the Guardian under my arm).  I know that some of you craft bloggers will have tables at the event so I'm wishing you loads of luck and sending you lots of stay-calm vibes :)

Date: Sunday 22nd June 2008

Time: 11.00am – 17.00pm
Where: Dragon Hall, 17 Stukeley Street London, WC2B 5LT
Nearest tube: Holborn, Covent Garden

Download the MAP

Sewing World Bag Aug 08. Reversible Heidi Handbag in Linen.

I hope you are having a really lovely weekend everyone (there's a still a few hours of it left!)  It's lovely and sunny in my neck of the woods.  I'm almost tempted to say that Summer is here, but you know what will happen if I do that...

Al has been away all weekend which has meant that I have managed to do quite a lot of stuff like (another) Ikea visit, putting up some shelving, a long walk with the woofer, finishing On Chesil Beach, an amazing visit to Kew Gardens (more about that next post), and I have finished this months Sewing World Magazine Bag - yay!

The theme for August month is 'the colour yellow and quick makes'. So in keeping with the theme I  designed this reversible handbag in Linen and quilt weight cotton (sorry about posting loads of pics; it's for when I sell the bag at a later stage):
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So this is the first time I've sewn a linen bag (yes, talk about slow to catch on...) and I'm hooked (well I should be seeming as I bought 5m of the stuff from Ikea).   I made a cut out underneath the handles so there is room to slip your arm though should you want to use the bag as a shoulder bag.  The fastening is a ribbon tie.  I have used this fabric for the lining and these bamboo handles.

The bag has darts in the bottom to give it a 3D shape and a flattish bottom. The yummylicious ribbon is from an incredible trimmings market stall in Amsterdam.  It has cute flowers which have been embroidered onto a transparent gauze, so pretty.  In fact the reason I have called the bag Heidi is because the ribbon and linen combo makes me think of The Swiss Heidi.

Inside



and for a different look flip the bag out and reverse it.

Sewing World Bag. Jul 08 - Quick Get Away Tote.

The thing about going on holiday (thanks for your lovely words about the holiday pics) is that you have twice the amount of work to come back to. Sorry about being slow replying to your emails and comments I am slowly ploughing through them (don't worry competition winners, I'm on my way to replying) - I guess I know what I'll be doing this weekend (ah well, it's gonna rain the whole weekend anyway).

One of the things I had to do this hectic week was design the bag for Jul 08 issue of Sewing World Magazine.   The theme for July month is 'the colour Red and quick makes'.  So in keeping with the theme I  designed this quick to make tote bag.  To add interest to the basic tote shape I added a few wingdings like knotted eyelet shoulder straps, a contrasting cuff top edge, and a flat bottom with self-covered buttons. 

So I made this bag in the dark blue wide weave upholstery (home dec.) fabric and red quilt weight for the lining (sorry about posting loads of pics; it's for when I sell the bag at a later stage):

I think it looks kinda nautical and holiday-ish.  Even though the bag has a flat bottom it still folds up easily for packing in your suit case.    I have used this red damask print fabric for the lining and handles and these eyelets for the strap holes.



Side View.  Folding up the bag bottom like this is a quick way to make a flat bottom for a bag.  If you add a pretty button trim to the folded up corner it can look pretty groovy too.





Inside view.  Fastening is a magnetic snap.

Coming Next: a yummy giveaway.  Hope to see you then :)

May 08. Step into Spring Shoulder bag - in oilcloth

Spring is on it's way. I love this time of year - saying hello to all of the flowers that I've missed over the cold months on sunny walks with some charming French tunes on my ipod.   Here's a selection of those tunes for you whilst you have a read. If you like them let me know.  Two lazy jazz numbers by Madeleine Peyroux here and another here, and a fun number by Pink Martini.

I've finished the May 08 bag for Sewing Word Magazine (you see can some of the planning for this bag  here - thanks for your votes). The magazine theme for May is 'blue in all shades'. So in keeping with the theme I designed this crescent shaped Hand/shoulder bag with darts and a tab closure.  I decided to make two of these bags one in velvet and the other in a cotton drill, but I royally messed up the one in cotton drill. Sometimes designing a tute for a easy-ish bag is fraught with much hardship and many choice swearwords.  After flipping my lid from messing up the first bag I was amazed at how easy it was to write the tutorial and make another bag??!!

May 08 magazine cover.

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So I made this bag in the blue velvet and also in Oilcloth (sorry about posting loads of pics; it's for when I sell the bag at a later stage):

Mmmm fresh looking Chrysanthemums.  I have used this smart bamboo handle - the handle is wide and tall enough to slip over your shoulder, and I also used these silver rings 1".



Close-up of darts.  Darts are a good way to add a volume to your bags and they are faster than making gussets.

Close up of the shiny stuff.

Lining is duck egg blue cotton.

I'll post pics of the Baby blue velvet version tomorrow (it's almost finished).

Planning a Handbag

Bum!  I happened to look at my Sewing World work schedule (pinned to my chaotic whiteboard) to find that I've only a few days before the hand-in deadline, bum bum bum!  I'm sure that if I was to send in my bag in on time the editor would refuse to accept my parcel for fear that the sky would fall on her head...or something.

Now I've got to hurry the heck up and design a bag get the tutorial together.  If you want to read a bit about how I design my bags look here.  So for the month of May the theme is 'all shades of blue'.  I've designed a bag I like the shape of and I've more or less figured out what materials I'm going to use...

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Here's my final sketch.  My drawing isn't too hot (it never was, my art teachers used to despair). I'm still trying to decide whether I should go for this baby blue velvet or....

...or should I go for the soft blue cotton drill stripe, or something else...hmmm.  It's always quite interesting to see how much the final bag ends up resembling the final sketch. 

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April 08 - Shoulder Bag with Sash

I've finished the April 08 bag for Sewing Word Magazine. The magazine theme for April is orange. So in keeping with the theme I designed this roomy shoulder tote with gusset.  The bag has a sash that wraps all around the bag that can be tightened to cinch the bag in a little which is good for security and it gives it a more interesting overall shape (well, that's the intention).   The bag also has an easy to make pocket that is wide as the bag and has a central divider.

**To see my tutorial on the easy peasy pocket click here.

Made the front cover on April 08's issue - yay!

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A roomy bag for those 'everything including the kitchen sink' days.  I have used these shoulder straps and one of these panels for the sash and handle loops.

Side view.

Inside view.  To see a tutorial for these pockets look here. 
   

March 08 - Twist Lock Clutch Purse & a Craft Mag Giveaway.

Holy Cow its' cold!  I went shopping in the centre of a ridiculously jammed and cold London with my sister last Saturday, it was ho ho ho horrible - what perverse thing to do to yourself!

I've finished the March  08 bag for Sewing Word Magazine. The magazine theme for March is green and the use of new techniques.  So in keeping with the theme I designed this purse which can be worn as a clutch. What is a bit special about the purse is that it has a purse twist turn lock (and up to now they were new to me as well).

**To see my tutorial on how to use Purse Twist Turn Locks click here.

March 08 magazine cover.

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I really enjoyed this using this fabric not least because it has so many reference points for getting your  symmetry right.  I used this fabric for the exterior, this fabric for the lining and this twist lock.  I  interfaced the heck out of the purse so it has a boxy and sturdy feel like a clutch bag does.  I'm so chuffed with the way the twist lock looks on the purse; it really 'lifts' the purse somehow.

Inside...

Twist button...

You can detach the handle (like I haven't) and wear the purse as a clutch - do you like my pajamas?  I'm such a slob; I'm always in my pajamas.

So, I mentioned there was a crafty mag for grabs.  It's actually a CURRENT issue of Sewing World Magazine.  To see what's inside this months issue click here. I'm not actually in this month's issue (so I'm giving it away now; narcissistic perhaps, but it should go to a better home). The reason I'm not in the Jan mag is that I buggered up the bag and my PC died at the same time...well, that was too much...so in the end I lost it a bit and couldn't submit a bag.  Hey Ho, it's still a jam-packed issue with loads of sewing help and inspiration for anyone who fancies it. 

I'll send this mag to 1 lucky draw winner.

To enter all you have to do is comment on THIS PARTICULAR POST by:

• Telling us what you're going you're going to have for your Xmas meal.  I'm getting together with friends this year because my folks are abroad (so no Chinese style feast for me).  We're going to have roast lamb & pork with the trimmings and choccy pudding mmm!

Contest (yawndom) Officialness :

• I'll randomly draw the winner in 10 days time - 27th Dec and announce the winner the following day-ish.  Good luck! 
• Sorry, I can't notify winners, so please keep an eye for the winner announcement (this is made easier for you if you subscribe to this blog so you don't have to keep checking back, although it's always great to have you pop-in for a read :0)
• Sorry, I can't reply to contest/draw comments, but I do love reading every single one :)

Feb 08 - Red Lantern Style Pouch

Golly! 4 posts in 1 day (if you include my other blog) This weekend I've only gone outside to get the paper and walk the woofer; the rest of the time I've been crafting, surfing, and munching on apple cookies.  Winter has it's upsides.

I've finished the February  08 bag for Sewing Word Magazine. The magazine theme for Feb is Valentine's, rich red to soft pink, and prettyness.  So in keeping with the red (and romantic-ish) theme I designed this drawstring pouch, but I wanted to make it a bit showy for a romantic night out, so I've added this yummy beaded tassel (which I've had in my trimmings stash for years, so glad I finally got to use it). After I finished the bag I realized that it looks quite Oriental what with the red colour, the round shape, and the tassel.  It reminds me of red Chinese Lanterns.  This wasn't intentional, but I needed to give the bag a name, so 'Red Lantern Style Pouch' it is!

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Magazine cover for Feb 2008.

Pouch open.  I have used this red fabric, and this teal blue fabric, and these eyelets.

 

Pull the drawstring handles and the bag closes to resemble a red Chinese Lantern (which makes me think of Chinese food...mmm!)

Side view

Inside view

Close-up of tassel, finally put to use.

In case you might want one, I've posted an eyelets tutorial here.

Do you like Chinese food?  What's your fave dish?

Dec. 07 - Pretty Quick Party Purse

All that fruit that I've been eating and I'm coming down with a cold???

I've been staying in trying to keep warm whilst I been sewing.  I've got my little fan heater out of the attic and I've got one of my home made hats on.  Brrrr!

I've finished the December 07 bag for Sewing Word Magazine. The magazine theme for Dec was: the colours red, green, gold, and silver, and items that are quick to make.  So I designed this quick and easy to make party purse in ireidescent green silk, and I have called it 'Pretty Quick Party Purse' because...er...it's pretty, and it's to make quick...and...

But first, what does this choccy bar have in common with my new purse?

Magazine cover, Dec 07.

Front view.  I have added a satin bias piped edge to the sides and bottom, used a hex open frame, and silver hand chain.  I have also made silk beaded flower pin just to pretty things up a bit.

Side view.  With satin bias piping trim.

Inside view.  Hex open frames are great because they are secure, convenient to use (they pop open to a hexagon shape, and stay open until you pop them shut again).

Beaded silk flower pin.

I'm off to bed, sniffle, sniffle...

November 07. Fun faux Fur Bag

Ahh bliss!  It's bank holiday here in the UK, the sun is (actually) shining and I'm at Mum & Dad's in Dorset for the weekend along with my brother & sister.  So, for a couple of days I am dropping the 'responsible adult who runs a  business' act and I'm back/I've regressed to having water and tickle fights with the Wendy and Haymond whilst Mum & Dad fix up industrial sized Chinese feasts for dinner...yeah, bring it on! 

Before I left for Dorset I finished the Sewing World Magazine for November 07.  For those of you who don't know I design and make the bag and it's pattern for this magazine every month.  I am always a little late for their deadline because try as I might there is always LOADS of other stuff to do at the same time.  This drives me absolutely POTTY, and these bags are more often than not designed under a fair amount of stress.  Fortunately, the designs usually work out in the end and the editor (Wendy) is patient me! 

The magazine theme for November is 'unusual materials such as fur, leather, vinyl etc. and the colour brown'.  So I designed this here bag I have called 'Fun faux fur bag' (if it were up to me I would have called it 'Funky Feminine Fun Faux Fur Frippery' - no not really, just kidding!)  I am definitely going to make one for myself though :)

Magazine cover. Nov 07

Front view.   The bag kind of reminds me of those  Russian Cossack hats...I can't think why heh!  I have used an iridescent green stripy silk (which I have interfaced the heck out of to make the bag boxy), some faux fur, and these piped faux leather bag handles.  I love the way that the bobbles swing around as you walk.

Side view.

Blurry close up of trim.

Bottom view (I wish my bottom was as neat...)

Inside view.

Other stuff:

• Thanks to everyone who took part in the August Amy Butler pattern contest. I now have the tough job of picking the 3 winners.  I'll annouce the winners v. soon.  To any of you who didn't enter this time; the closing date for September's Amy B. contest is the 25th...a whole month to get bag making!
• Thanks to all of you who have shared your fave skill with us  (to be in with a chance of winning a back issue of one of 2 cool craft mags).  Have you joined in yet?
• Mmmmm...I guess it's kinda that 'new bag tutorial' sort of time isn't it.  I won't make the mistake of saying when it will be due, but I will say I am going to start thinking about it now (Heh! How's that for fear of commitment; perhaps I should be a bloke, or a politician!)
• Still waiting for the pics so I can show you what got me grinning...
• Have a lovely jubbly weekend!  XX