Handmaiden

Christmas Countdown - Teardrop Bag

I have made Nikki's Teardrop Bag before for myself

but this time it's a present

Using Obi silk and an antique brass frame

The lining is shot thai silk 

Sharon

Countdown to Christmas - Makeup Bag

Making handmade gifts for the family.

This is an oversized makeup bag using Nicole Mallalieu patterns.

I used a photocopier to upscale the pattern size to increase the bag by 30% so it can be used as a full makeup bag or a toiletrie carryall. I also used Nikki's tips and made a solid plastic base so it stands up.

I have made lots of these and they are always well received by family and friends.

Sharon

Japanese Springtime Bag

I started this Japanese patchwork bag at least 2 years ago but wasn't able to finish it as I ran out of the Clover bias binding. This is an iron on bias binding and terrific for this project. I even asked Melanie to see if she could match the colour for me in Japan....but no luck. So I was so surprised to find it at the Birch shop. It was a difficult project as the instuctions were minimal so I  had to use my bag making skills to pull it together.

It's more for decoration than usage and I may even store my wool tops for felting inside. I love the colours and glad I finished it...I never thought I would.

Sharon
   

Teardrop Bag

I have had this teardrop bag pattern from Nicky for some time and decided to make a winter evening bag.

The chocolate silk satin is from Tessuti  and I decided to use the shiny side on the main pattern piece and the matt side for the 2 end patten pieces to give some contrast.

The lining came from The The Fabric Store in Brunswick St

I bought the seed beads from Maria George in The Nicholas Building and the chain came from a specialist jewellery supplier in the Century Building in Swanston St

I am looking forward to wearing it

Sharon
 
 
 

 

Swinging Mod

Ok, my to do list is coming to an end, I am so pleased I had time to finish this Mod Bag  for my neice. This really looks like a swinging 60's bag with this fabric.

 

 

I know she will love it......a 16th birthday present later in the year. We can be a pigeon pair!

Sharon

Mod Bag

Over the weekend apart from seeing Star Trek(which I really enjoyed) and reading this book I finished my Mod Bag. I followed Nikki's pattern and used some of her tutorials and top tips including how to put in magnetic snaps,  how to sew even topstitching and putting in zips.

I love how my bag has turned out.

It has Fast2Fuse as a base, med-heavy interfacing and vilene wadding to give support and structure. The curved gusset wasn't that scary.  I chose O rings  and the belt option. I like the belt because it does draw the bag in. I made a compartment with 3 pockets on one side and a zipped pocket on the other. Gregg helped me with the eyelets as we did not have eyelet pliers insted used the eyelet tool and a hammer and it was successful. 

 

 

 

For more inspiration Nikki has a Flickr group

Sharon

Functional Friday

I thought I would finish my week on bag making by sharing some fab tutorials on a more functional level for the home.

I remember my parents generation used to have string bags before we got hooked on plastic. So for all you knitters why not try this Knitted Grocery Bag Tutorial from John and Laura

Or perhaps you would like to make a more conventional shopping bag.This fab grocery bag tutorial shows you how to put in a curved gusset and then make a bag within a bag. From U-Handbag.

Amy Butler's free pattern for a Yoga Bag may come in handy

What about Amy Butler's Business Card Keeper. Could be a great Christmas present for a friend

Get ready for summer with this great tutorial - Sunglasses Case from U-Handbag.

And check out Lara of Thornberry who has made a great summer bag from CraftApple

Have fun, enjoy the weekend and remember I will be posting the winner of my bag competition tomorrow afternoon.

Sharon

Getting Ready for Summer

My week of bag making continues as does Big Cats Blogtoberfest. I feel like I am in a time machine. One day Singapore the next Melbourne........stay tuned next week for Melbourne Craft Diaries!! Season 2.

From UHandbag summer baskets......I love the paisley print and beautiful colours.

1. pink flower basket, 2. lime green, 3. red basket, 4. tortoise handle

Nikki's Beach Bag pattern

and her new summer hat pattern. Ok I know its not bags but they do go together!

I want to introduce you to Jamie at  Paisley St Claire apart from having her own range of bags she keeps me upto date with the seasons fashions, colours and must have accesories. She is our very own Oh Joy....so please go and say hello.

Loving the fuschia, it's one of my fav colours.

Pop by tomorrow for my last day of bag making with a roundup of great tutorials to make. Hope I have been inspiring you to go and make your summer bags.

Don't forget my giveaway

Sharon

Little Christmas Gift Bags on Wednesday

I keep thinking about Christmas now it's October and I have signed up for Craftapalooza's Back Tack 4 so today's post is about small gift bags.

I posted about this little bag recently and found this tutorial on Firefly Hill. I just love it.... it's just the right size to put a cake of soap in as a gift or perhaps some other bathroom goodies.

I have recently made these ones as well

This is Nikki's Pyramid purse tutorial on Living Creatively

This is Nikki's makeup bag pattern perfect as a little gift bag. Dont forget to leave me a comment here and enter my giveaway for a similar bag.

And I made another small fabric bag from Pink Penguins tutorial

Very zen!

Oh and Kyla from Two Peas in a Pod has just made a great little lunch box/bag.

Sharon

Little Gift Bags - Fabric Basket

I wanted to make Pink Penguin's Fabric Basket. I had seen Lisa's at A Spoonful of Sugar and loved it.  And I really like the idea of using up my scraps. Nicola from Nicola's Daisies has just made one for a friend.

Have a look at others on Pink Penguin's Flickr pool

But I wanted to trick it up a bit using my bias tape maker and Clover adhesive tape. I followed the tutorial but made my own bias binding and then did a panelling effect on the patchwork.

You make the bias binding and thread through the Clover adhesive tape at the same time over the top of the bias tape maker.

The webbing is double sided so you iron onto the bias binding, then remove the top tape and then iron it down where you want it. You still have to sew it on but saves pinning and goes down very straight and does not get tangled. It is a little tricky but worth doing.

I am going to use mine to put all my nailpolish in

A great little gift bag

Sharon