Monday 28 March 2011

A trip to the craft fair and a bag

I went to the Hobbycraft and Sewing for pleasure shows at the NEC on Friday.  If you were wondering why I hadn't mentioned it, it's only because I've been scheduling posts recently and this is the first one I've written since then.

I'm not going to bore you with loads of photos of stash, and believe me, I got STASH!  I got some fabric bargains and lots and lots of beads.  Oh yes, I've moved into a whole new realm, more about that in posts to come.

I will show you this photo though.  I got a big bag of random spools of thread, Portuguese I believe:
How much do you think I paid??  A FIVER!!  That's $8ish US/AUS.  I don't know what it is in Canadian dollars.  I only know that the US and Oz have a similar rate at the moment as we trade with them at work.  You didn't want to know that did you?  You come here to see which craft I've messed up now and here I am blathering on about exchange rates.

Anyway, this time you'd be wrong, I haven't messed up!  Oh no, I made a Buttercup bag and it came out perfectly!  Not a mistake on it. 

Does it look a funny shape?  Well that's just the camera angle and then I turned the picture round.  What do you think to that delicious linen?  I don't even know where I got it.  It was bought in my first fabric-buying-frenzy when I first learnt to sew.  The buttons match the lining:


I changed a few things this time.  I sewed the handles between the lining and the outer and think it looks better.  I also didn't bother playing with the pleats on the pattern and instead added my own - 3 double pleats in the middle and a single pleat on each end.  I pinned it up on one piece, then matched it to the other piece and I'm really pleased with it.  The pattern comes from the brilliant Made by Rae blog.  It's free for personal use but you have to pay for it if you want to sell them.



That's a picture of the pleat pinning process in case you didn't get it!

This is my project for the One Thing One Week challenge at Amy's blog. 



19 comments:

Tezzcan said...

Love the bag and the linen is gorgeous.
I can't believe what a bargin you got with those spools, I'm definately going to Hobbycraft next time.
And we do want to see the stash photos!

Lindsay said...

Great job on the bag! I love the lining!!! I like the way you did your pleats, too.

Jess said...

The bag is adorable! I love linen. Have you tried the larger version? (The one you have to buy) It's a perfect size.

liberal sprinkles said...

The fabric is beautiful,I love the lining fabric as well, great color! I hopped over from One Thing, One Week. Have a great week ahead!

Unknown said...

I've always wanted to attempt a bag. I love the fabrics you've chosen. All of that lemon and limey goodness makes me smile.

Marci Girl said...

Love the bag, it turned out great! I am so jealous of all that thread. And yes, I do want to see photos of all that fabric stash you picked up! LOL Way to go, scoring some deals!

Dolores said...

You done good. I love everything about the bag - the colour, the fabrics, the buttons and the pattern.

Dolores said...

Canadian $$ are similar to American. They vary in pennies, up and down. I love your bag - the colour, the fabrics, the buttons and the pattern.

Joysze said...

Great stash!!! Love all those thread colors. Cute bag too!

Kandi said...

Well done on the buttercup bag, I have been meaning to make one since.. well forever. The fabric is very 'springy'.
Kandi x

Cuckoo said...

I wish I could say "not a mistake on it" when I make anything. There's always a cock up somewhere! In fact I have a draft post called "Crochet woopsies" that showcases some of my silly mistakes. There's a great woopsie on my bobble blanket that makes me smile every time I see it. Yep there are two bobbles too close together and they look like boobies! How juvenile am I?

Thanks for popping by mine the other day, it's lovely to have met you xxx

hazel said...

What fun! A very smart bag--and how could you not love the linen! The bright lining makes it easy to find 'stuff' inside, too. (a point to remember when I get around to making a bag for myself.)

Hazle

Megan said...

so cute. I love the buttercup bag. It's what got me sewing again.

megan
craftycpa.blogspot.com

Sandra :) said...

Yummy threads, yummy Buttercup! I do hope you'll post photos of your fabric and bead purchases - other people's stashes are of great interest to most of us! :)

Kelly @ Run With Glitter said...

GREAT JOB!!!!I'd love it if you would
link up over at the glitter party! http://runwithglitter.blogspot.com/2011/03/weekly-tues-thurs-link-party.html

Allie said...

What a find - good job on the thread! Your Buttercup bag turned out perfectly - I LOVE the fabrics! Good idea to put the handles in between like that too. I did make this bag, but my girlfriend snatched it out of my hand....I should make another just for me!

Marianne said...

Your bag is perfect. You did a great job on it. Thank you for sharing.

Unknown said...

Oh, this is darling! I love that fabric and the colors are perfect for spring. Thanks for sharing!

Pam @Threading My Way said...

I have this pattern waiting patiently to be made up. LOVE the two large buttons matching the lining!!! Another great bag...