Bag of the Week 23
Friday, June 11, 2010 at 6:00AM Curvy Strip-Pieced Bag
Remember the Ribbon Handled Bag I blogged about previously (you can find a tutorial for this design here)? Well, this is another version of that bag. This time I took my inspiration from Hope Yoder’s Chit Chat Backsack pattern and created the fabric for the body of this bag from her instructions which she calls Curvy Wurvy piecing. This technique is fun and very easy to do. The curved strips are layered on top of each other and fused to a foundation. I added the blanket stitching along each edge for added definition. The flower appliqué is from Hope’s pattern and is also available as a machine embroidery design on her website. It is fused into place and stitched with the same blanket stitch. I added jumbo rickrack in the seam between the top band and the body and added striped ribbon handles.
This colorway is my absolute favorite: hot pink, orange, yellow and lime green. You can see a plaid fabric in this project with those colors. The first time I used that piece of fabric years ago I based my design around those colors and have been using them ever since. I am hoarding every scrap of that plaid and dearly wish I could find more. It may be my most-used fabric ever.
bag of the week, purse, quilting, sewing in Bag of the Week, purses, sewing 
Reader Comments (2)
What do you recommend to use for the bottom of your bags to give them stability?
Irene, the most common thing is plastic needlepoint canvas. I have also used foam core but that can crack if you put too much weight in the bag. Often I don't put anything in the bottom depending on the design and purpose of the bag. This one didn't have a bottom. Thanks for asking!