Thursday 14 April 2011

A bag for my mum

Mother's Day in the UK was the 3rd of April but my mum had taken herself and my dad off to Russia so I couldn't spend the day with her.  We had our "mother's day" at the Craft show and I sent dad with a card to give her on the 3rd (which he forgot to do and I had to text him) but she has yet to receive her present.

I knew I wanted to make her a bag.  She likes cross the body bags with adjustable straps.  I found a pattern I liked in The Bag Making Bible by Lisa Lam and decided to alter it to my specifications.  It's the Piping Hot Hobo incase anyone is wondering.  I had the pieces cut out ages ago but was waiting for the fusible fleece.  Then I was waiting for these:

I couldn't do anything till the D rings arrived (if they're called that when they're rectangular) as that was one of the first bits to be sewn.  I chose some Amy Butler fabric.  I wanted the outer fabric to be the lining and the lining to be the outer but the shop only had half a yard of the lining left so I had to swap them over.  Once again I had to tackle piping.  I was very confident but it was hard this time.  I couldn't feel the piping through the fleece.  This is what happened.


Yuck, my thumb is gross.  See how I've missed the fabric?  I tried again.

Nope, not working.  So I unpicked and tried again.  Success!


I originally had my zipper foot on as it said to use a piping foot, but there are 4 layers of fabric, 2 layers of interfacing and 2 layers of fusible fleece there and my machine wasn't having it so I changed to my walking foot.  Much better.  To find the edge of the piping (the third time round!) I hit on the idea of using this little gadget.


The bag in the pattern has a single lined slip pocket, but personally I think slip pockets are pretty rubbish as things fall out of them.  I decided to put in a lined zipper pocket too.  Using the techniques in the book, it is SO easy to mix and match with elements like this.


As I was running low on the lining fabric and didn't want to use too much incase I messed something up and needed it, I lined the pocket in the same fabric as the piping.


This method of a lined flush zipper pocket is really easy.  To the front of the lining I added a slip pocket, just because!, and a gathered top pocket.  Again, both sets of instructions were really easy to follow.


And here it is, all sewn up.  This is a view inside to see the lining and you can also see the magnetic snap closure for the flap.



Here it is with the flap closed.  It looks a bit odd as it's empty, I probably should have put something in it for the photo shoot! I changed the pattern for the flap as I didn't add the black line down the centre or the tassle.  I now think perhaps it does need something.  You can also see the adjustable strap in this photo.  Again, I added this myself as the pattern used ready made handles.


The strap is very long.  The bag doesn't quite close properly as I didn't realise right until the end of the construction that I needed poppers either side of the gusset to hold it shut!  I have some sew in poppers, but I don't think that's the kind she means.  I'm going to try to get hold of some before I see my mum.

I'm not so sure I like it now!  Maybe it will look better if I get the poppers.  This did make me feel more confident about sewing my own dream bag someday soon.

20 comments:

Libby said...

I think that you did a great job on the bag! You should put it on and model it! and I really love the fabrics that you picked..the lining fabric especially!

Tezzcan said...

It looks great and very spring like, she'll love it.

Loralynn said...

I think your bag is charming! Kudos to you for doing the piping. I would have skipped that part...I'm chicken! I have an idea for the flap. On a purse I made once I used a button backed with a ribbon. If you are interested in seeing it, when I get home I can send you a link to the picture, it turned out cute.

cata said...

I Love it!! Great choice of fabrics and lovely shape! (a hard shape!) I'm a little obcessed with making bags at the mo, so loved looking at yours! Love, cata***

Shelley said...

Love IT!!!
You have the best taste in colors!

Katherine said...

Fantastic, Wendy! Your mom will love it. Isn't Lisa Lam's bag book awesome?

Nancy Lee said...

I have the book, and I liked that bag, but the piping scared me -- you know, the way the bias binding scared you on my bag. This is lovely! I think the poppers will make it more sturdy and secure. How about decorating it with a huge yoyo done in the lining fabric? You could safety pin it on so your mom could move it around if she likes.

Allie said...

That is really pretty - I love all the pockets and the fabrics you used. That's how I like my straps too, just easier to carry and harder for someone to steal. I would have skipped the piping, although it looks gorgeous! I'm not very brave. My hat is off to you for doing it three times!

I think a big button on the front flap would finish it off nicely.

Just-Do said...

Lovely bag Wendy! The fabrics are beautiful, and they match perfectly.Good luck on your dream bag!

Joysze said...

Beautiful bag, Wendy!!

Piping... hmmm that sounds soooo familiar.... I wonder why.... LOL!

Sandra :) said...

Awwwwwwwww it's gorgeous - your mom is going to love it! The fabric is spectacular! I don't know what poppers are - I'll ask Nancy when I see her - she probably HAS some! :)

Did you FNSI tonight? Nancy and I sewed together and your name came up more than once when we were laughing and carrying on - it would have been SO much fun to have you join us for our evening of unadulterated childishness, lol!

Anonymous said...

The fabrics you chose for your Mom's bag are lovely. I like that you mixed and matched different elements to get a truly unique bag.

Impera Magna said...

Very nice bag... very nice indeed!

PS - If I adopt you, will you make me a bag too???

*wink*

Anonymous said...

i think your mum will love the bag,such pretty fabric

Natalia Lynn said...

wow, super cute! It looks professional!

Carol said...

That looks really nice. Your mum will love it.

Stopping in from Fabric Tuesday. My link is http://carolburris.com/quilting/string-pieced-place-mats/ ‎

ACreativeDreamer said...

Piping can definitely be a challenge, I think you did a great job!

nicolette {momnivores dilemma} said...

Your mum is lucky!

Thanks for sharing this at Creative Juice! Hope to see you back at the party tonight!

Sewandthecity said...

The bag is sooo pretty! I got some fabric yesterday from the Dutch fabric market and plan to treat my mum and my best friend to a bag for Christmas.

Pam @Threading My Way said...

Bet your Mum has used this bag a lot, Wendy!!! I've never made adjustable straps... so practical, especially for a cross body bag. Gorgeous fabric and a great bag!!!