U-handblog

Sewing World Bag July 09. The Princess Purse

The theme for Sewing World Magazine Jul 09 is the colour blue and pink.  It just so happens that I had some delish fuchsia coloured dupion silk in my stash and some vintage Moda fabric. It might be tipping down with rain today (well, this is the UK), but weddings, evenings out and prom balls are on the horizon.   So, ignoring the the crappy wet weather; I present The Princess Purse! (I've never been too hot at naming my creations; hey ho).

The bag was inspired by these lovely Silver Ring Handles.  I wanted a striking, but simple design so the handles are the main focus of bag.  Sounds like a job for (what I like to call) 'architectural silk' (it sounds grand, but it just means that silk looks nice when you scrunch it up).  I love the way that light bounces off ruffled or pleated silk; it means that you can just use one plain colour for the entire bag and things still look interesting. 

Side view

Inside view; a nice piece of vintage romantic Moda doves and flower fabric for the lining.

Me in my unlady-like jeans sporting a very lady-like bag.  Yes of course I would wear a pretty bag out with my scruffy jeans; I mean I regularly wear my slippers to the post office and the supermarket.  Wait until it's summer; I'll go out in my pajamas too.  I have no shame :)

Bags for Quick & Crafty Magazine. May 09

These puppies are late for submission.  I have just had the busiest 2 weeks ever (what with the shop, various other work commitments, publisher, a new pattern and blah) so I think I have a good excuse for being tardy.

In May we have gone eyelet-tastic.  These 3 bags are variants of the same pattern. Because at the time I had so much on my plate I have to admit that I was pretty much stressed out and in a stroppy mood for the whole time during the design and making of these bags.  I hope it doesn't show in my work:

Eyelet handles and eyelet flap and strap.  I used these handles and these eyelets.

Some of you have asked me about the frog hook that I always use to hang my bags from for pics.  Al bought it a long time ago and neither of us can find another source - sorry!   

Eyelet handles and eyelet tie and bow detail.

Eyelet handles and a bit of Heidi/Japanese-y folksey style band trim thing.

Almost finished writing up the instructions and I can submit today. What a relief that will be!

Tomorrow I'm going to post some pics of your Highbrow Hobo bags (yep you folks don't mess round!).  If you want a chance to be on the blog tomorrow please post your Hobos to our Flickr. Ta!

Sewing World Bag May 09. Springtime Satchel

The theme for Sewing World Magazine mar 09 is the colour blue and pink.  So in my stash I had some remnants of long gone pink and pale blue Moda Swell fabric. And of course I had some linen (because I always have some linen in my stash). I wanted to make a cutsey, zip in an out of town kind of bag, but I wanted to 'de-cute' the bag a little by adding some metal hardware.  I think the lock on the bag does fine de-cute job myself.

Of course, if you wanted a more toned down or bloke friendly version you could always use some nice velvet, suede or canvas trim instead of my retro-tastic, flower power, Cath Kidson-esque fabric.  The adjustable strap is long enough for the bag to be worn across the body.  

Side view.  Loving that lock. If you want to see a tutorial on how to use this kind of lock click here.

Picnic check/plaid lining and there's a zippered pocket in there too .

Sewing World Bag Apr 09. Chocolate Drop Shoulder Bag

Blimey! Wendy (the editor of Sewing World) will be shocked that for once I'm on time to hand in my bag design for the magazine.  My promptness is probably due to my going away for a week, not some New Years resolution to be super efficient (I've given up on making New Years resolutions, been there; didn't do that).
 
The theme for Sewing World Magazine Apr 09 is the colour blue.  So I had some nice teal coloured fabric in my stash and I had some nice choccie dotty fabric goes which goes so well with the teal it feels like it was fate!  This bag is one of my ten ten faves. I love the shape, the colour combo and the fabric reminds me of Chocolate Minstrels - yum!

Sorry about posting lots of pics, it's for when I sell the bag at a later stage (if I can't convince Al that there is space for yet another bag in our cupboard).

Choccie drop fabric with a biscuit coloured background sets off the teal straps and trim nicely.  The large silver O-rings echo the round choccie drops.  I used this squishy fleece to give the bag body and a nice layer of padding.

Bag dimensions: 16" wide x 10" tall (41cm x 25.5cm).  The straps are 28" (71 cm) end to end.

Side view.  Darts give the bag a puffy rounded shape.  The bag has a roomy trimmed front pocket.

Inside view.  Cheery bright red zip (because I can) and the choccie dots in the pocket.

I am considering making a variant of this bag design into a (paid for) PDF pattern or into a bag kit.  What do you think? Pattern or kit?  Any of your suggestions or feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks muchly :)

Sewing World Bag Mar 09. Cute as a Button Tote

Ohhh so nice to stop all of that Xmas cooking and do some sewing instead.  Lovely, I'm back in the zone again.

The theme for Sewing World Magazine Mar 09 is the colour pink. So with that theme in mind I have designed this linen medium sized tote.  Amy Butler kindly donated just the right colour fabric for this bag Wild Flowers (Daisy Chain in Blush). The print is so yummy and splashy, but I thought for this bag that erring on the side of subtlety might be more of a crowd pleaser.  So I have just used the print in the details and the lining (which makes the bag a real treat to peek into).   I hope you agree Amy :)

Sorry about posting loads of pics.  It's for when I sell the bag at a later stage:

Yes it's another linen bag. I love the stuff. Looking at the bag it makes me think of cheeky  60/70's mini skirts.  My Mum used wear loads of mini skirts in the 70's, but then she had great legs (still does!)  I used these pink handles, this squishy fleece and these self cover buttons.

Side view.

Inside view.  Zippered inner pocket and a yummy splashy floral lining...mmm!



There's also a handy removable shoulder strap for when you need to give you hands a rest (or when you want to eat a bag of crisps/chips like I often do).

Sewing World Bag Jan 09. Linen & Leather shoulder tote.

Are my Sewing World bag names getting a bit droll or what?  By the time I've designed the bag, made the bag and written it's instructions my head hurts and I have no more creative juice left to think up a catchy name.

The theme for Sewing World Magazine Jan 09 is the colour blue and recycling. So with that theme in mind I have designed this linen medium sized tote.  The recycling on this bag comes in the form of the velvet front pocket.  I salvaged it from one of my past bag making screw-ups WIPs.  I'm thinking the velvet looks a whole better on this bag than it did on it's predecessor.

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I think this bag looks rather smart (I'd go as far as respectful).  I quite like the simple shape and the graphic lines of the satin binding.   The leather strap handles top everything off neatly and make this bag look pretty classy!

Side view.

Close-up of straps and metal hardware. 

Inside view with a (keep your mitts out!) zipper closure.

I hope you can pop back tomorrow; I'm doing the Amy Butler Little Stitches Book review and give away.  I'm just taking the snaps now.  Woo!

Sewing World Bag Dec 08. - Diamante party Clutch.

"Diamanté party" - I wonder what happens at diamanté parties?

Not that I am going on about it or anything, but I am flying in 2 days time WOOOOOO!!  So far I am very surprised at how organised I am being about going away.  My enhanced organisational skills can only mean that I am simply a more organised person when Al isn't around, either that or I am going to rock up to the check-in desk with my skirt tucked into my knickers and my passport left on the hallway table and I'll realise that I'm actually just as disorganised as usual...

One of the last jobs to do before I leave was to design the bag and it's tutorial for Dec 08 Sewing World Magazine.  The theme for Dec is Christmas colours, party time and quick makes.  So with this in mind I designed this wool clutch with diamanté buckle.  I have a red dress that will go a treat with it :)  I think wool makes an interesting change from satin or silk and wool makes the colours appear deeper.

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There she glows!  The clutch is firm enough to retain it's shape when tucked under your arm. I made a simple ruched wool decorative band for the buckle.  Simple, but effective (hopefully).

Bag making tip:  I wanted this clutch to be firm and boxy so I have used the wonder stuff that is Flexi-firm Interlining and because wool is a porous fabric I have used Bondaweb to bond the wool to the Flexi-firm.  If you want to bond porous fabrics such as wools, wide weave fabric or knitting to your lining (or interlining) you should used a product like Bondaweb to bond the layers thoroughly together.  Use Bondaweb even if your interlining is fusible because fusible interlining is intended for use on tightly woven fabrics such as cottons, silks and man-made fabrics.

Inside view.  Christmas tree green.  Look no snaps!  I used an Invisible sew-in magnetic snap because I wanted the flap to lie flush and neat on the clutch.

Clutch my bottom.  ha ha ha! :)

Righty, there are still loads of other bits and bobs to finish off - one of them is to locate my passport and make darn sure it is in my hand luggage!

While I get on with packing you might like to have a listen of  this really happy tune from the film Juno; it's just so chirpy :)

Sewing World Bag Nov 08. Gathered Yoke Clasp Purse.

I think that lots of folks who make purses start by making them a clutch purse size and that's a good idea because it's always a good idea to master walking before running.  But the nice thing about making your own bags and purses is that you can make any size you darn well wanna.  I really had fun making this purse because I wanted see what a handbag sized purse would look like on a clasp frame.  I'm happy with the way this purse turned out. You can fit all of the usual essentials plus a small bottle of water and notebook/novel.  Who says that handy can't also be pretty?

So the theme for Sewing World Magazine Nov 08 is the colour brown.  So in keeping with the theme I designed this handbag sized clasp purse with yoke and pleated body. 

I used a nice piece of Amy Butler Trailing Cherry fabric, this bronze purse frame, and this purse chain.

Side view.  Lovely and puffy.

Inside view; a nice jewel bright teal coloured lining and a slip pocket.

Here are a couple of 'here I am making this purse' pics that will appear in the magazine:

Pin the yoke to the donk to the gathered main body.

A bit of product placement for my most favourite ever ever ever purse making glue...

Sewing World Bag Oct 08. Wavy Top Bucket Bag

Aw thanks everyone for your really kind words of support now that Al has skipped the country. I'd treat you to coffee and cakes if I could (now that would an amazing afternoon); would we find a cake shop large enough to fit us all in?

I was burning the midnight oil last night so I could finish this month's Sewing World Magazine bag. The theme for October is ''Support of Breast Cancer charities and the colour pink'. So in keeping with the theme I designed this curvy top bucket bag in linen and needle cord. I was stumped for bag names this month so 'Wavy Top' will just have to do I'm afraid.

Before you read on (if you don't mind) could you please pop over to The Breast Cancer Site, and just click on the big pink button. It's very quick, there's no forms etc. you just click on the button and in doing so you are getting the sponsors of that site to pay out for free mammograms to help women in need. Ta!

Sorry about posting loads of pics; it's for when I sell the bag at a later stage. 50% of the sale of this bag will go to Breast Cancer Care.

I like the look of curvy top edge, but oh boy it was muuuuuch easier to draw then it was to sew. I swore my silly head off when sewing the tighter corners. So I have had to adjust the pattern make the curves more sewing machine friendly. I don't want anyone turning to drink because of one of my bag designs!

Side view. I have used linen, some left over needle cord apple fabric for the front pocket and these Chocolate Drop Beaded handles. The bag has been interfaced with an ultra firm stand-up-by-itself interfacing called Flexi Firm.

Bottom view. Nice and flat with bag feet.

Inside view. Toffee coloured striped lining and magnetic snap closure.

Tomorrow is Bag Eye Candy Day so get your lovely baggy pics into the U-Handbag All Bags Pool and the U-Handbag Tutorials pool if you fancy a chance of your handi work being proudly shown off on this blog :)

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.

Sep 08 magazine cover.

(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

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