Focus, focus, focus. The sewing machine did run overtime and my family had to endure the hum of the sewing machine resonates well into the night on the dining table over the past weekend. I finally got the backtack bags done. I'm happy with them and feel less under pressure to send them out now. Under pressure because the recipient sews well and got paired up with a newbie like me. But I had so much fun though.
Anyway, I stuck with my latest Bright Idea. I've Bright Ideas all the time which last for about twenty seconds before they become bad because they don't contain perservatives like my mother's chilli. Ever since I saw this bag at Little Odd Forest, I wanted to make one for myself but got stuck by issues such as 'fabric not nice enough', 'don't have the handles required' and 'I don't have the pattern'. As the backtack II deadline looms, with the half done beige bag looking lackluster, and in a do or die moment, I took out my scissors and cut.
The rounded bag base is the same as the one for Bag #8, which will be revealed in the coming days, or you might want to stalk Eva's blog to see if she posts about it. And I added width for the many pleats at the top. It is a roomy, good-sized bag and a lot of things can be chucked inside. It held all the content of the kit I assembled for my pal. Side slits (click for picture) are added so that the bag's opening is a more sensible size. I didn't add interfacing although the brown fabric is soft and drapey, instead I used canvas for the lining (click for picture) which should give some strength to the bag and I sewed 3 pockets inside. One thing is I should've matched the stripes of dots at the sides.
Next come the 'mixed media' bag whose bottom has been cut off in the earlier photo. I just have to try it. The base is knitted with Bouton D'or Dune, same brown dotty body, blue floral inside (click for photox) and brown suede drawstrings. I was so happy to see that the knitted fabric could actually be sewn onto the cloth smoothly. The little bag is big hit with my girls despite the brown and blue colourway. I'm sure there are going to be more of such bags in my future. As for the kit, I'll keep it hush-hush just in case my pal stumbles upon this post.
The bag in the bottom picture is very cute!!
Posted by: Jennifer | Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at 12:07 AM
They are just so beautiful! Very nice job!
Posted by: Agnes | Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at 01:40 AM
This bag looks very retro both in fabric and design. I like the little one too.
Posted by: erin | Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at 06:16 AM
Your bags are terrific! I like the unique design of the small bag with the knitted fabric.
Posted by: mimi | Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at 07:35 AM
Great work, looks fabulous!!!
Posted by: Nicole | Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at 12:39 PM
Nice bags! That mix media bag is a cool idea. I see you have a great time in Singapore..:)
Posted by: laurayt | Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at 02:08 PM
I love both bags, but particularly the little mixed media drawstring... that is just so lovely! I now deeply desire one, was the pattern from a Japanese craft book?
Posted by: Jess | Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at 06:02 PM
You did a great job with the bags!! The little one is so cute with the knit bottom, and the suede drawstring is a nice touch.
Posted by: joy | Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at 06:48 PM
I love big, soft, round bags too and yours are fab! I especially like the small one, it's so cute :-)
Posted by: lyn | Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at 11:51 PM
what great work! i love your interpretation of the cotton and paint bag. i got a "new" sewing machine (a gift from a friend's mother -- it's a 50s Kenmore and real heavy.) so I hope I'm back on the sewing track soon. you are really inspiring me!
Posted by: mrspilkington | Wednesday, October 26, 2005 at 02:44 AM
oh I love your bags, especially the one witht he knitted bottom. You've inspried my to play around with my fabric stash.
Posted by: eyeleen | Wednesday, October 26, 2005 at 08:39 AM
You are so talented. Your purses are fabulous! I'm so sorry about your Tweedy cardi...but at least you found out before you got too far. Either way, it looks great. Love the color!
Posted by: Eilene | Wednesday, October 26, 2005 at 11:22 AM
that's such a great job you did! ^.^ as with the purple bag you did for your friend eva. thanks for the plug!
Posted by: lynda | Thursday, October 27, 2005 at 01:39 AM
These are all so beautiful. Such incredible detailing!
Posted by: Amy | Thursday, October 27, 2005 at 03:15 AM