Monday, March 07, 2011

Making a bag from made fabric.



This is the bag I made from the fabric shown in the previous two posts. It is a very simple cylindrical bag, twelve inches tall with an internal zipped pocket, two large external pockets and padded handles. The tops of the bag and pocket are bound - this was sewn into place by machine and then handstitched into place to leave no stitchline.



The two pieces of fabric I used were: 26 inches long and 12 and a half inches tall (for the main bag), and 26 inches by 8 and a half inches for the outer pockets. I put a piece of wadding inside the main bag to give it some "body". It now stands well.

The base was constructed very simply after the main pieces had been sewn together to form a cylinder. The basic bag structure then became the outline for the base. I quilted this to give it some shape. The chalk marks show the internal dimensions of the bag itself.



This was then sewn to the main bag, being careful to not stitch in the lining - this was then handsewn into place.

The bag has now gone to it's new owner. It was constructed as part of a Swap organised by the United Kingdom group on My Sewing Circle. The theme for the swap was "Stash busting/repurpose". Mine used fabric scraps and pieces from my stash.

At present I am considering writing up this pattern as a free tutorial. Please let me know if you would like to have a copy.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

of course! it looks so wonderful in those fabrics you made. what a cheerful creation... :>)ktj

Mandy said...

Thanks so much Ktj. Margaret loved her new bag.

Toni said...

You continue to amaze me! It is lovely and so very clever! I'm going to have to email this one to friends as well.

Mandy said...

Thanks Toni. I must admit that using scraps like this came about through desperation. I just cannot throw even small pieces of fabric away. Even though I used loads for the bag, my poor drawer is still overloaded with bits.........
I should probably make some more - I don't have a blue bag or a green one yet......