Monday, June 10, 2019

On-the-Go Project Bag

OK, I have a new favorite bag! After making the Pleated Pouch from Svetlana Sotak's That Handmade Touch, I thumbed through looking for what would be next, and the Project Bag won. One thing is, its leather handles called to me, which took a little planning ahead, since I don't keep those on hand. Luckily, Anna/noodlehead does, so I ordered them pronto.


Fabric choices came entirely from stash, though I knew from the very beginning that the lining would be the Rifle Paper Co. floral I bought when the guild was recently retreating at Quilting Mayhem (Wildwood Garden Party for Cotton + Steel). I'm not really a floral fabric person, but this I love. I finally broke down and bought some to stash, and I'm sure glad I did. I love its sweetness paired with the more graphic Esssex print I chose as the bag's main fabric. THAT's from the Balboa line by Erin Dollar, and I absolutely adore it for this use. And the bottom fabric is also an Essex - from Carolyn Friedlander's euclid.



So just a few notes about my making of this bag:
  • Take careful note of the orientation of the fabric. The pattern clearly states to measure width by height, yet when it came time to sew on the interior pocket, I mistakenly had my fabric orientated wrong and I sewed the pocket on facing sideways. Oops! Totally my error, and easily fixed, but just pay attention.
  • Sometimes I have issues with medium to heavy weight fusible interfacing, so I chose to use Pellon 911FF Fusible Featherweight, and I'm happy with my choice. The bag still has plenty of structure and stands on its own when empty.
  • I love the leather straps, and they were one reason I really wanted to make this bag. I purchased a 3/4" wide 56" length from Anna Graham's shop. It's high quality, easy to cut with a rotary cutter, and my 12/80 needle passed through it easily. Plus, I have plenty for another bag or other project.
  • Lastly, about those leather ties. I used my favorite leather lacing that I usually use for zipper pulls, but it's a little stretchy for this use. So I'm thinking of switching those out. Love the look though!

Finished bag size: 10" wide x 12" tall x 4" deep

So no surprise here.... this one is one I'll make again for sure. When I'm deep in working on larger projects, I sometimes like to take a break to make a smaller project and actually finish something. This bag totally fit the bill.

10 comments:

  1. It’s very cute. What are the dimensions of the finished bag?

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    1. look at on of the pictures, Debbie shares the size under a picture.

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  2. I love the exterior combo especially! Can you please link to the pattern as I'm having trouble finding it on Anna's site? Thanks!

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    1. It took me a bit to finger things out. I believe it is in a book, not a stand alone pattern. Debbie might have used the book "Homemade Touch" again. Read the first paragraph again and see what you think.

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  3. So nice! I love the fabrics you used for the exterior and the leather handles 😍

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  4. Beautiful! Great fabric choice too.

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  5. I love the calm outside and how that makes the floral inside pop :) Love the small details, the drawstring and the folded-up bottom corners... Beautiful project! xo

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  6. I don't usually make things like this but love the simplicity of this bag. Seems like it's a good size too. Is it big enough to hold books? I just might make one. Being a floral person, mine might be the opposite of yours though. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. How nice to have found a bag pattern you like! It's good to stretch yourself a little, and try sewing with leather... something I haven't yet done. I'm not a floral print-lover either, but I can see why this one attracted your attention. It's wonderfully colorful! Thanks for sharing the where-to-buy of everything you chose. It's good information. Happy in-between finishing!

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