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!

Bag of the Week 16

Floral Evening Bag

Here is another bag I created several years ago and donated to a silent auction.  The pattern is Vogue 7221, View B (this pattern is out of print but readily available on Ebay).  The fabric is black silk dupioni and the embroidery design is from Pfaff’s online store.  

The finished size of the bag is 8” wide by 7” high.   The design is clever as it includes a drawstring pouch sewn into the top of the bag to contain the purse contents.  ½”-wide belting is used to interface the strap giving it a nice shape.  The bag is lined.  I added piping in the seam between the upper and lower portions of the bag (because I think piping makes everything better!)

This bag is a very cute little evening bag and one that you can embroider or embellish in many ways.  Give it a try.

Bag of the Week 15

Cutwork Bag

I must start with an apology for such a lousy picture.  I created this cutwork bag several years ago and donated it to a silent auction so I no longer have the bag and can’t take a better picture.  But I hope you can get the idea.  This lovely design was created by Hatched in Africa – you can see much better pictures of the product here.  The panels for the bag are created in the hoop and the lining is added during the embroidery process.  After stitching, the bag is assembled with ribbon threaded through the stitched eyelets.  I stitched my bag on silver/gray silk dupioni and used black satin ribbon, black lining and a black tassel to complete the bag.  In addition to the cutwork design pictured, the embroidery design includes two additional side panels.  Instructions are included with the design files and are excellent.  Hope you enjoy this bag of the week.

Bag of the Week 13

Here Comes the Easter Bunny

This week’s bag celebrates spring and our upcoming holiday of Easter.  The Zippered Bunny Purse  comes from Reen at Embroidery Garden.  It is created entirely in the embroidery hoop including the application of the zipper. 

I used white shearling for the base of the bunny and pink satin for the lining of the ears.  The remainder of the design was stitched with thread including the quilted area on the ears.  A twisted cord strap and pink gingham bow were added.  I’ve made this bag several times as gifts for little girls.

Bag of the Week 12

Screen Play with 3D Bugs

What happened to spring?  After several days of beautiful, warm weather the temps here in Virginia will drop below freezing tonight.  But I won’t let that deter me from posting a bag that is full of springtime cheer. 

The pattern for this little tote bag is called Screen Play by Nancy Ota.  I love this bag.  I’ve probably made 6 or 8 from this pattern in all sizes.  The pattern includes instructions for four sizes of tote bag.   The body is made from window/pet screen fabric along with 2 or more cottons. 

My bug bag is based on the medium sized tote and measures 13” wide x 9” tall.   I was fortunate to know about a quilt shop in Virginia Beach that stocked dozens of colors of the screen, and I used pink along with some coordinates I purchased at JoAnn Fabrics.  I stitched the bugs on sheer metallic ribbon using Evy Hawkin’s Applied Bugs designs and applied them to the screen before construction.  I also added beads to the body and antennae for some added sparkle.

The Screen Play pattern is a great canvas for all sorts of creative techniques and it is easy to make a bag that is uniquely YOU.  Watch for future BOTW posts showcasing this pattern again.