Fabric Shopping Bag Part 2

 

Let’s gather the pieces and head to the sewing machine !

 

1. Take one main fabric  and one lining fabric  right sides together. Sew the center "U" and two curve sides.	2. When stitching the side curve, stop and secure 1 1/2” from the top.
3. Repeat steps 1-2 for the second main fabric. Turn inside out and press. You now have two pieces.	4. With right sides together, pin the main fabric making sure it matches at the seams.
5. While keeping the lining away, start sewing across the main fabric. Keep sewing until the end of the lining fabric . Be patient…needs a little maneuvering :)	6. Pull the handle  to straighten the fabric. You will get this ! The handle neatly lined with an opening at the side. If you intend to top stitch, leave the opening for now. Or slip stitch to close the opening. Press.
7.With right sides together, place the main pieces together and lining pieces together matching at the side curve. Sew the two side seams.	8. Turn out the bag.  Top stitch the center ‘U’ and side curve to close the opening.Match the side seams and press.
9. Fold the handle into half and ‘stitch in the ditch’ across the top of the handle. Do the same for the other handle.	10. To make the gusset, fold the sides with the seams inside. Making sure it’s parallel with the handles.
11. Pin and sew across the bottom.	12. Turn inside out and sew across the bottom again, encasing the seam allowance.
13. Follow the steps above to fold the bag.(Click pic for larger view.)	14. Make a strap long enough to wrap the folded bag. Note the placement of Velcro and yo-yo flower.
15. Stitch the strap in center of the ‘U’.	16. Now you can secure the folded bag with a strap! Isn’t that a cute little parcel?

 

 

 

Here’s the front…

 

 

 

…and here’s the back with a cute yo-yo flower!

 

My daughter loves the bag!

It’s for her

 

 

If you missed Part I, go here.

Fabric Shopping Bag Part I

 

I made this bag way back in 2009. It’s a shopping bag a.k.a. Green Bag. What I liked about this bag is it’s fast to make. And I used a regular plastic bag as the pattern! I got the inspiration here.

 

Wanna make one too?  Here we go !

 

1	2
3	4

 

 

1. Choose a regular plastic bag that is just the right size for you. Lay the plastic bag flat.

2. Cut the top of the handle and the bottom of the bag just at the seams.

3. Open out the gusset at the sides .

4. Fold the bag into half. Your bag pattern is ready !

 

1	2
3	4

 

1. Select your favourite design for the front of the bag . Of  course I used Daisy’s owl applique. I added strips around until I’ve got it big enough.

2. Fold the fabric into half and place the pattern on the fold.

3. Cut following the pattern as a guide. Trim where necessary.

4 Cut two main fabric ( I’m using a different fabric for the other side of the bag) and two lining fabric.

 

Come back tomorrow for Part II !

I’m In The Top~10!!!

Remember I entered my Penny’s Hobo Bag for this contest?

Well, I made it to the top~10!!!

 

Penny’s Hobo

  Oh yeah!!!

Now, there are ten awesome bags that needs your help.

Please go over to Christie’s to vote your favourite bag.

Voting poll is on the right in the sidebar of  A Lemon Squeezy Home.

You need to scroll down a little.

Now, hurry!!! Voting ends Friday, October 15th, at 11:59 AM.

Good luck to the top 10 finalist!

Wish me luck again!!! 

I didn't make the top three. But hey, being in the top ten is beyond my wildest dreams! Thanks to the judges for putting me there :) Congrats to the winners!!

Penny’s Hobo Bag

Last week, on my morning blog hopping ritual, I stumbled upon….

   !!!………  a good excuse to make another bag!!!

If you have been folowing my blog, I’ve been showing some sneak peeks here , here and here.

Vicki and Cyndi….you guessed right!

The hobo bag is a style of handbag or purse that is typically large and characterized by a crescent shape, a slouchy posture and a long strap designed to wear over the shoulder. Hobo bags are made out of soft, flexible materials and tend to slump, or slouch, when set down.~ Wikipedia

That's my inspiration when I set out to make this bag. It's made from curtain fabric without batting or interfacing. I stitched two small darts at the bottom of each side of the bag. I find that two small darts gives it a ‘smoother’ curve at the bag bottom :)
The bag is 16" at the widest point , 15” high up to the beads,  with an 18" shoulder strap.

I used my Brown Hobo With O-rings  bag pattern which I drafted using Wikipedia’s description! ~ crescent shape, a slouchy posture and a long strap.

To attach the shoulder straps, instead of O-rings, I made thin bias straps and thread them through wooden macrame beads.

    When I saw this buckle at the local haberdashery, I knew it would be perfect for a bag! I made a simple flap to attach the buckle.

I used a print  fabric as bag lining .  It is very roomy with four large pockets. I made the pockets using Christie's 'Lunch Money Cuff' Tutorial. I did not use a zipper. Instead, I let the pocket lining show a little to give it the bias piping effect. I added a magnetic button for closure.

If you are a bagaholic, there’s still time to submit your bags. Any bags made after July 1st will be accepted.  I had to make a new one because the last bag I made was in March!

Am linking to Linky Parties to spread the word :)

[ See Link Parties tab below blog title]

All entries will be shortlisted  by a panel of judges before the final voting by readers.

Have a look at other beautiful creations at the Purse Week Flickr Group.

My Hobo Bag is here.

Wish me luck and may the best purse, bag, or

clutch win!!!

Thanks Christie

I made it to the top 10! Read about it and cast your vote for your favorite bag!

               Thanks Heather and Megan!

Tote Upgrade

Remember this bag? As much as I love the hand quilted triangles….

….I didn’t use much of this bag because it doesn’t have a closure. I thought I need to add a magnetic button but I didn’t want to open up the lining to ‘plant’ the button. So……

    I gathered a set of magnetic button, two pieces of fabric and two pieces of stiff iron-on interfacing cut in circles…

…center the interfacing on the wrong side of the fabric and iron the interfacing in place.

On the right side, center the washer and mark the slits.

Using the seam ripper, cut the slits just long enough for the feet to go through.

Push through the feet,place in the washer and press down the feet to secure.

Using running stitches, stitch close to the edge and pull the stitches tight .Just like making a yo-yo.Secure the stitches with a knot.

     The one on the left is done.

Position the buttons and ‘applique’ in place. I used small stitches. I’m going to be tugging those circles each time I open my bag !

Done ! Good thing I kept those scraps. It’s almost ‘invisible”.

Now I can secure the content of my bag from preying eyes !

Update: Penny joined these parties