Bag of the Week 31

Hand-dyed Tote

A number of years ago our ASG Chapter held a challenge.  Everyone who wished to participate was asked to create a tote bag from one of Nancy Zieman’s (then free) patterns.  At our annual meeting everyone brought their bag to show off.  It was amazing to see how everyone interpreted this simple tote bag.  Lots and lots of creativity.

At that time I was very interested in hand dying fabrics.  I had dyed a number of fabrics in a graduated colorway between pink (red) and blue and had just completed a vest using some of these fabrics.  I had lots of scraps left over so I decided to use them in this project.

The bag features a flying geese pieced panel around the top and folded prairie points below.  I embroidered my initial using variegated thread in the same colors (but I must admit I didn’t care for the striped effect I ended up with).  There is an external pocket with a zipper closure between the handles. 

I’m planning a detailed series of posts on the hand dying procedure and showcasing some of the other projects I made with this same fabric.  Check back.

Bag of the Week 30

Traveling Bags

Summer is the time for travel, and this week’s featured bag is made just for that.  I originally made this bag and its twin as carrying cases for my sewing machine using (out of print) Simplicity 7087.  I discovered my machine fit into the bag just fine as long as I left the hard cover off but that seemed to defeat the purpose (leaving my machine more vulnerable while traveling) so I decided to use these bags as travel bags instead.  They hold the perfect amount of clothes and toiletries for a weekend away.  The bags measure 16” wide x 9” deep x 12” high.

The fabric came from a G Street Fabrics upholstery remnant table.  I love the aqua/taupe color combination. 

The bags are given extra support with a layer of fusible fleece and a piece of foam core which is inserted between the lining and the outer fabric on the bottom of the bag.  The contrast fabric forms a pocket with three compartments on both long sides of the bag.  I substituted a heavy jacket zipper for the button/loop closure suggested in the pattern.

I’m happy I was able to repurpose these bags when my original idea didn’t work out as I had planned.  In retrospect I have gotten many, many more miles of usage from these soft suitcases than I would have as machine transport bags.

Bag of the Week 29

Carolyn’s Tote Bag

Another friend asked if I would make her a tote bag and here is the result.  Carolyn’s Tote is made from the much-loved scraps of an upholstery project.  The fabric is a cotton/rayon blend with a small woven floral repeat.  The darker contrast and lining is a cotton twill.  Carolyn provided me with a reusable shopping bag which she likes the size of, and I created a pattern based on the dimensions of that bag.  The bag measures 12 inches wide by 13 inches tall by 8 inches deep.  I decided on a contrast bottom to add some interest but also to aid in hiding dirt.  The two outer pockets with curved edge are designed to hold a water bottle or umbrella.  Piping neatly finishes the top edge of the pocket and the entire bag.

When constructing the bag I first had to decide how to apply the contrast bands along the bottom edge.  I realized that stitching the bands as separate pieces would allow me to apply them on the pockets, thus allowing the pockets to run the full depth of the bag.  The challenge then became to match the four corners of the contrast bands for a professional finish.  I found that basting an inch or two above and below this crucial intersection and checking the match before stitching the entire seam assured a perfect match.

The lining contains two pockets, both on the larger sides of the bag.  One runs the full width and depth of the side.  I found this needed a snap at the center top to keep the pocket from gaping open.  The other pocket runs the entire width of the bag but is only about 6 inches deep.  It is sewn into three separate compartments and designed to hold phone, sunglasses, etc. 

Bag of the Week 28

Golf Shoe Bags

More shoe bags this week, these designed to hold a pair of golf shoes.  I used a heavy weight fabric for these such as denim or duck and added a golf-themed embroidery on the front.  I began with two rectangles of fabric, approximately 18” x 13”, sewed them together and boxed the bottom.  The top edge is turned under and a piece of Velcro is added for the closure.  A carrying handle was added at the top.  These embroidery designs came from Embroidery Library.

Bag of the Week 27

Shoe Bags

Summer is the time to travel and these handy little shoe bags will make traveling easier.  They are designed to hold a pair of ladies shoes and, when packed into a suitcase, will keep dirt away from clothing.  I made these bags from wool crepe and embroidered a few shoes on the outside along with some text.  The embroidery designs are by Evy Hawkins of A Bit of Stitch

I began with these basic instructions from Embroidery Arts

Instead of the buttonhole described I used metal grommets as the opening for the ribbon or cording to run through.  I used two separate ribbons, looped in opposite directions, so the bag can be closed securely.  I also created some scented shoe stuffers to go along with two of the bags I gave as a gift.  These were also created from the same black wool crepe.  The design is another of Evy’s, one of her Spring Buttoncover designs

I will see if I can find the instructions for making the shoe stuffers and post them as a tutorial.  They were simple to make and the combination with the shoe bags makes a nice gift.

You can modify the shoe bags for men’s shoes.  Each bag will fit one man’s shoe.  A monogram on each would be a nice touch.

Here are some pictures of the various designs I used on some bags.