It Ain't Easy Being Green!

 

 My daughter LOVES frogs!  I knew when I saw this pattern I had to make it for my Daughter's Birthday. 

I luckily found a remnant of fabric that is a tweed--it 's actually greener that it looks in this picture.  It had some kind of thick rubber backing on it--PERFECT for this project.  I didn't have to add any additional interfacing, although it was very thick to sew through in many spots.   I also used a faux leather for the trim and handles.  This bag looks store bought.  I wouldn't guess that it was homemade--if I hadn't made it myself.  :) 

The instructions in this pattern are easy to follow.  The bag sews together fairly quickly.  It does have a lot of pieces to cut-out and precise cutting and sewing is required to make this bag.  I recommend marking sewing lines for the fingers and toes. This frog bag is made from Vogue Pattern  #8942.  Included in the pattern are instructions and pattern pieces to make an owl bag, too.   

Have a great day!

Bottle Bag

Bottle Bag

 

Around my neighborhood there is usually some talk (jokingly of course) about how we can disguise wine bottles so that the wine can be enjoyed and not necessarily known that your drinking from a wine bottle.  :)  Things like bling, flowers, and straw are discussed.   I say we but I don't really like wine, but that doesn't mean that the creative side of me doesn't kick in. 

I actually have some ideas floating in my head to address this ummmm I'll call it issue. 

Today, I started with a pattern tutorial I came across on Pintrest.  See it here.  I have been in a little bit of a sewing slump lately.  I have so many ideas for patterns in my head that I want to attempt, but when I take the time to sew I kind of freeze.  So, sometimes I will  grab a pattern to hopefully help get me going.  That's what I did today.  The tutorial is a little rough around the edges and I made a few very slight changes. 

Here is my finished bag. 

 The changes I made are:  I cut my handles 4" x16" then folded in half  wrong sides together.  Opened it up and folded each raw edge to the center crease.  I then folded in each short edge in about 1/4".  Then re-folded and pressed  the long edges together.  Then edge stitched along all sides. 

On the inside of the bag, I cut binding 2 1/4" x 40".  After I pressed the binding using the same method as described for the handles, I added binding to the top and bottom of  each piece by cutting it into four 10" pieces.  I encased the raw top and bottom edges of the inside piece by placing it close to the pressed center crease of the binding.  Then edge stitched close to the bottom fold of the binding.  I then sewed the two inside pieces together down the center. 

I also changed the binding to be 2 1/4" x 33 1/2" for each the front and the back. 

Jenny Bag Pattern From IThinkSew

 

This is the Jenny Bag from www.ithinksew.com.  

 

Kennedy Bag

This is another great bag I was allowed the opportunity to test for Sew Sweetness.  As of the time of me typing this, I believe that the pattern will be avail. on the Sew Mamma Sew site. 

The pattern has you use buckles on the flap and on the sides of the bag.  I was unable to find the right size buckles.  I looked several places...no luck.  So, I had to ad lib a little bit.  I used slider bars in place of the buckles on the flap.  Also, since I didn't have any swivel hooks, I made my strap longer, ran it through rectangle rings, and made it adjustable with a slider bar. 

 

For the side of the bag, the pattern instructs you to use 1" wide buckles.  I couldn't find two matching 1" wide buckles.  The closest I could find was 5/8" wide buckles.  So, I changed the size of my side accent pieces to 1 1/8" wide x same length.  I punched a hole in one side accent piece as instructed, folded it in half and basted this to one side of the side piece.  Then I sewed three sides of the other accent piece wrong sides together, trimmed seam allowance, clipped corners, turned right side out and edge stitched along three sides.  I basted the raw edge to the opposite side of the side piece.  I marked where the buckle prong would hit the accent piece and punched a hole.  I added an eyelet in the hole.  I repeated this for the other side of the bag.  To tack the loose hanging strap I cut a piece

1 1/8" x 2 1/2"  I folded the raw edges of the 1 1/8" side to meet in the center.  I edge stitched along each side.  I then folded under one raw edge 1/4" and glued it.  I let this dry then wrapped this around the overhang and side accent piece and glued it, again.  I glued it because I used faux leather and wasn't in the mood to attempt to sew it.

This is the inside of the bag with a divided slip pocket on one side and a large zipper pocket on the other.   

 Click here to see what all the other talented bag makers did with this pattern. 

 

 

Vogue 8741 Bag

 This bag is made from Vogue Pattern #8741 by designer Marcy Tilton.  It is view C-D.

 

I made this bag out of faux leather or vinyl.  Although I like how the bag turned out, I do not recommend using this type of fabric for this particular bag.  It was a HUGE pain. 

 

 

This is a picture of the top of the bag.  It has a tie closure.  This is a huge bag with tons of pockets inside. 

 

 

This is the inside of the bag.  There are 4 pockets along the outside (see dark grey with white dots).  These are four separate pockets...they are divided.  There is the pocket in the front, back, and each side. 

Before I sewed this bag, it was a little difficult to understand the pocket configuration. 

The roomy center inside area is the white with grey dots.  There is a zippered pocket in this section, too. 

 

I changed the handles.  I like a strap that can go over my shoulder.  The instructions have you cut a strap in half.  Then cut each half in half.  Since I wanted the strap to be longer I did not cut it in half the second time.  I knew my sewing machine would NOT forgive me if I tried to sew the straps on--again this is because I used faux leather.    Also, I knew the stitching would come undone easily.  So, I attached the handles using rivets.  I then added the covers from the pattern.   I wasn't happy with how the straps looked.  So, I thought on it for a little bit.  I then had an idea to make straps to tie around each  handle cover.   Now I LOVE this bag!  Although, if I were to make this bag again I'd still make the handles even longer. 

In my past experience with Vogue Patterns, there was usually a critical place where I couldn't understand what the instructions were tyring to say and I had a difficult time trying to figure out how to put it together.  That was NOT the case with this pattern.  The instructions were easy to understand.  The main confusing part was on the envelope back where the fabric requirements are...I had a difficult time figuring out the difference between view C and D.  Also, as stated earlier, the inside configuration wasn't very clear. 

 

Feed Me! Bag

I was at a tool store with hubby.  I was bored.  I started looking at the painting section and saw these cotton drop cloths.  They were inexpensive.  So, I grabbed one.  I figured I'd make shopping bags or some type of utility bag with it. 
I first washed it. Then, I really had no plan...I just began cutting.   I'm sure that's not the best way to go about making a bag but...some days...ya know?
Since I've been participating in a month long card challenge for cancer patients, I'd been playing with my Cricut Machine.  I recently got a new cartridge, Chalkboard Fonts.  I love the fonts in this cart. 
I had an idea to cut words or phrases with my Cricut out of some type of plastic.  Then use this as a stencil.  That's what I did.  I used overhead transparencies that I've had a very long time. 
I made my design in Cricut Craft Room.   Then cut the words on the transparency sheet.  I used fabric paint and a sponge brush to apply it to the fabric. 
Since I decided to keep this bag really simple, I did not line the bag.  To conceal the seam allowances, I sewed it together using a French Seam. 
I stuffed the bag to take this pic.   I added a covered and removable piece of cardboard on the bottom. 
This bag is large.  With long handles. 

Tie Pocket Pouch

 

My Mom sent me this pattern and several of my Dad's old ties.   This pattern is the Tie Pocket Pouch from Indygo Junction.  If you don't have any ties to use, included are pattern and instructions to make one from fabric. 

This is a really quick project.  The instructions include illustrations and are easy to follow.  That is for the existing tie version,  I haven't tried the fabric version, yet.  

I was thinking that the pouch would be able to hold a cell phone but the only really usable pockets are the two little pockets in the front.  The bigger of the two is just the right size to hold business cards.