Bag of the Week 21

Summer Screen Tote

Our pool opened this past weekend so I guess it is officially summer.  And this bag is perfect for trips to the pool.  It is another of Nancy Ota’s Screen Play bags (which I wrote about back on Week 12) .  The body is made from pet screen and is perfect for carrying wet towels and toys back from the pool or the beach.   The screen bottom lets sand sift right through. 

I absolutely love this fabric, Fruit Ladies by Mary Stewart.  When I saw it I immediately knew I would use it on one of these bags.   The stripe is a Waverly home dec fabric.

This pattern includes four sizes of bags.  This one is the large size (there is still one larger than this one).  Try this pattern and make your own summer bag, perfect for the pool, beach, library or farmer’s market.

Bag of the Week 20

Seascape Bag

Last week I posted about a handwoven bag I made using one of Deborah Brunner’s patterns.  This week I am highlighting another of Deborah’s patterns, Handwoven Seascape Bags.  Like the previous bag, this one was created by weaving torn strips of fabric through a base made of Pearle cotton thread.  Several colors of silk dupioni were used as well as some hand painted China silk and even a piece of metallic ribbon.  To create the feel of underwater grass I added several different eyelash yarns.  Instead of weaving the rows horizontally across I created wavy lines to simulate the underwater environment.  Deborah’s patterns include instructions for embellishing the bag with silk ribbon embroidery which I did on the first bag I made (not shown).  I created a second bag as a sample for a class I was teaching and on this one I used machine instead of hand embroidery.  The plants were stitched from Cactus Punch’s Scenery Ingredients CD and the fish and starfish were freebies I downloaded from the internet.  I also added glass beads to simulate bubbles, and the strap was made from more strung glass beads.

The back of the bag was adorned as well.  The pattern includes a seaweed quilting pattern which can be stitched on the back panel of the bag.  I took a different approach and stitched the design with bobbin work using variegated silk ribbon in my bobbin. 

The edges of the purse are bound with fabric strips during the construction and the bag is lined, as well.

This is a very cute pouch-style purse (the pattern includes two views, the simple pouch style and a one with an ultrasuede flap) and the embellishment opportunity is vast.  I think this would be great done in a desert design with warm colors and embroidered with desert plant life.  Or maybe a hills and valley scene with wild flowers.  Use your imagination and create a one-of-a-kind work of art.

Bag of the Week 19

Handwoven Mini Drawstring Bag

A number of years ago someone brought a Deborah Brunner bag to a gift exchange and everyone fought over it.  Deborah has created several fabulous patterns for bags made from handwoven (or pinwoven) pieces of fabric.  Their diminutive size makes these projects simple to complete without a huge investment of time (which handweaving can demand).  I have made several of these bags and will showcase them today and next week. 

This little pastel pink drawstring bag was created by weaving a panel of torn fabric strips (I used silk dupioni).  First, a foundation is created using Pearle cotton thread pinned to a foam core base.  The fabric strips are woven through these threads and the panel sewn to additional silk to create this 9” purse.  The woven panel was adorned with silk ribbon embroidery and beading.  The strap was created from strung glass beads.

These pictures were taken in the olden days of film so I apologize for their poor quality.  Next week I will feature an underwater seascape created with the same weaving technique.

Bag of the Week 18

Michelle Meow

My friend Mary Ann is crazy about her Siamese kitty named Misty.  So one year I made her a little bag using Michael Miller’s fabric Michelle Meow.  The pattern is The Naomi by Kathy Fernholz and sold by Indygo Junction.  The pattern has two versions of the bag, one with straight handles, the other with round.  I used the straight handle view but I added a contrast bottom which is shown on the round handled bag.  I used the same black fabric for the pocket and added a pink ruffle along the top edge.  The eyelash trim I-cord was knit from black and hot pink Fun Fur (by Lion).  With an M monogram I figure either Mary Ann OR Misty could use this bag :-)

Bag of the Week 17

Deluxe Diaper Bag

This bag was a gift for friends’ first baby (who is now probably 6!)  I used coordinating home décor fabrics for the outside and a fun plaid for the lining.  The embroidery designs on the outside all come from Evy Hawkins’ Baby Applique designs and I chose the colors for the appliqué from the striped outer fabric.  I also added a pleated ruffle around the top.

This bag was my own design and I added several features I thought would be useful.  First, on the outside I created two little pleated pockets with tab closures to hold a cell phone and other have-at-hand items. 

The zippered pocket on the inside was lined with vinyl to hold wet items.

A trio of pleated pockets and two bottle sleeves are also located on the inside of the bag.

I distinctly remember embroidering these designs.  I was nearly finished with the second panel when my machine “hiccupped” and the hoop popped off!  I nearly had a heart attack.  Miraculously, I was able to re-hoop the fabric and adjust the design to finish the stitching but I held my breath until the piece was finished!