Bag #11 and #11.5 – Beige Bag Set

I really should sew myself a fall/winter bags out of those plaids I mentioned in the last post instead of using that one bag day in and day out but first, I got to finish up some half done ones that I have in queue for friends. My poor friends, they are all my sewing guinea pigs. You might not be able to tell from my bag photos but there are tons of mistakes in them that only friends and family wouldn't mind (I hope).

The big one is a bucket tote pattern from this book and it's the first time I sewed an oval base. I tried to match the stripes at the sides and for the pockets as best as I could but somehow during the actual sewing, the fabric just move. It can be folded down or use straight up by holding the leather straps. The black and white gingham straps are padded with double layer of thin cotton batting.

A look inside, the lining is a soft cotton floral fabric. By the way, the knitting inside the bag is the Frilly Jacket parts which I hope to finish by this week. I strengthen the bag with iron-on interfacing which is a pain as it creates lots of creases at the fold.

So for the smaller bag, which is from a pattern from Cotton & Paint Summer '05, I used thin cotton batting but it turns out a bit too thick when used on a small bag. Furthermore, I think I got the proportion wrong and the base seems too tall and narrow when it should actually be wider. The inside looks this.

~~~

Who would know that I could find a long forgotten origami pattern while browsing crafty blogs? My Little Mochi pointed out this wonderful origami club where I found the instruction for the hopping froggy that my aunt taught me when I was little. I went to the stationery shop on Sunday to get a self-healing mat for the rotary cutter and Ji Yuan wanted to buy stickers which I think are quite a waste of money as they get used up within minutes and the whole TV cabinet is already stuck with stickers of all kinds. So I suggested a pack of colourful origami paper instead and all are happy. So far, we've been folding different colours of fortune tellers. Now we can go a-hopping.

Comments

[Agnes]

This post is so nostalgic to me ... especially the fortune-teller ... we loved to play that as kids!
And origami papers are much more inspirational for kids than stickers.

[Joan]

Your bags make me drool! I wish I could sew like that.

[Bernadette]

hi :-)

greetings from far away (Germany).
I love your blog so much. you create so wunderful things.

have a good time!

[Jennifer]

I, for one, can't see any mistakes in your lovely bags. Two more nice pieces of sewing!

[erin]

It's a pretty combination of fabrics and trims. I lke that white flower in the front. I'm sure your friend will appreciate it because it is not something you can buy from the shops.

[lyn]

The bags are really pretty, I like the fine floral print lining a lot... so sweet :)

[Eva Shiu]

Lovely bags ! I love the colour combination.

[Lyn]

Wow-wee !
That's another beauty, you are clever : )

[mimi]

The bags are adorable. Now when I see bag magazines in the bookstores, I think about you. :)
I played so much with fortune tellers origami when I was a kid. I also played with my kids, it's a fun game and good craft for the kids.

[marjorie]

I remember playing that paper fortune telling thing, but is that the game. I forgot how to fold it or even how to play it....

[diana]

So lovely! I love the linings.

[handknit168]

I have been reset my blog setting. I think u can now add comment to my blog.

Thanks for your reply. Very appreciated.