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
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
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
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
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
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
Thanks to everyone's comments on my Birdie Sling yesterday, looks as though I have inspired you with your bagmaking projects. It was so great to say hello to some new readers and to those participating in Big Cat's Blogtoberfest. I read last night on a few blogs that Miss Amy Butler is coming to Australia in November. You can book online soon. I am checking every hour!! I will be in Melbourne during this time, so I am hoping that alot of my Melbourne blogging friends might want to go and I can say hello. How wonderful would that be.
I love making Nikki's bags and have just completed making my Belle bag with Japanese fabric from Ziguzagu. I bought my handles and interfacing supplies from Nikki here.
Nikki has alot of Top Tips for bagmaking, plus she has other tutorials including:
How to make an adjustable strap
How to use a bias tape maker
How to make button loops
How to use template plastic as a bag base and see my step by step here
Some other crafty ladies Lara and Kirsty have just finished making Nikki's Puffball purse. Nikki has a new Flickr Pool so you can see what everyone has been making or even add your own.
For some very easy beginner patterns you may just want to try some easy tote bags especially as shopping or grocery bags. So check these sites out.
Over at U-Handbag make these easy bag projects. Plus Lisa has some great tips, tutorials and words of wisdom as well.
Over at Hollabee Bianca has this great mini tote tutorial and visit her shop for some great fabric
And Jodie at Ric Rac has a 1 hour bag tutorial for this bag.
Dont forget my giveaway competition. Post a comment here
What have you been making?
Sharon
This week I am focussing on bag making........because like shoes you can never have too many, but I don't know how to make shoes..........its part of Big Cats Blogtoberfest. Come and join the fun.
As you know I love Amy Butler fabrics maybe a bit too much. On the weekend I finished her Birdie Sling. Now the pattern says you need 1 1/8 yard in 3 fabrics - exterior, co-ordinating handles and lining. When I buy fabric from Quilt Home I can only buy in 1/2 or 1 yard lengths so I bought 1 and 1/2 yards of each fabric...not really that much more than was asked for, but I have found that I can make 2 bags from 1 and 1/2 yards and a bit extra for the lining.......so I have cut out basically the reverse pattern. This one is going to my niece for her birthday and now I am making one for me. So the handle fabric will be the main exterior and vice versa. It's not too difficult to make but not for beginners. I like how big it is.........for me it will be perfect for my gym gear and a bit of shopping on the way home. And the wadding and interfacing gives it support and structure that I like.
Have a look at this girl's Birdie Sling too, beautiful in blue and this one in transeasonal colours and You Go Girl as well. Anyone else made one?
So to start off the week here are some of Amy's patterns made by Amy lovers. I bought my fabric and pattern from Quilt Home but don't forget this great list of our This is....favourite Fabric Stores for local, regional and online stores.
1. Amy Butler Smart Bag, 2. Sophia Bag, 3. AB Weekender bag #2, 4. bbtealorangeswingtote1, 5. ABFrenchy, 6. Amy Butler Fabric
1. Amy Butler Frenchy Bag, 2. P1010599, 3. High Street Messenger Bag, 4. First Time with the Amy Butler In Town Bag, 5. bbtealorangeswingtote1, 6. P.Dotty Shoulder Bag, 7. Amy Butler's Weekender Bag from the side, 8. Amy Butler Smart Bag, 9. Amy Butler Fabric
And to start off the week I am having a giveaway of one of my zippered makeup bags, pattern from Nikki. Leave me a comment on this post by Friday night by 9pm AEST and I will choose a winner and post Saturday.......What would you put in your purse?
Stop by tomorrow for more bags.What have you been making?
Sharon
Just a recap so far on this project as its been a while. This is a great project for scraps as you just use 2 inch squares. I am using an adhesive iron on bias binding by Clover to give the window pane effect.
All attached to a cotton wadding and I used basting spray that Nikki has been talking about.
This bias tape has been sewn on as well
Now I am beginning to quilt the panels using Perle thread and using a beautiful Japanese cotton as the backing fabric
Yes, I do have a few projects on the go at the moment.........they all get finished though.
All of next week I will be focusing on bag making with a giveaway makeup bag to start the week. So come and say hello. This is part of my contribution to Big Cat's Blogtoberfest
Sharon
I have finished my Belle bag.
The lining and facing is the last stage for me.
Facing attached, handle loops and magnetic tabs looking good.
Bag turned inside out and lining added....so right sides facing each other and opening left in the bottom of the lining so that you can turn bag back to right side throught opening. At this stage I am thinking no way!
I am still thinking no way!
Now I know what it must be like to do lambing or foaling.......I can see the legs!
Completed and looking beautiful.....Bellessimo xxx
In case you did not see earlier my posts you can see Part one, two and three here.
Sharon
