Friday 6 July 2012

Tote Bag...


I finished this bag last week, but couldn't show you until Australia Post delivered it to its new home. Yes, I know I said I was quilting all that time, but this was a surprise for my sister... a birthday present. Now that it has arrived, safe and sound, I can show you.


The pattern I used is one I drafted myself when I made my solids only tote. I've added five internal pockets, two on one side and three on the other. You can never have too many pockets!!!


The bag closes with a magnetic clasp and has a keyring, so there's no fumbling for lost items at the bottom of the bag.


Deciding on fabrics was the hardest part of making this bag. My sister wears a lot of black clothing, so I knew it had to co-ordinate with black. Like me, her favourite bags are black leather. Hmmm.... I'm not up to sewing leather yet. Stay tuned though, because I will be sewing with leather soon; perhaps later this month. The leather has been purchased. Maybe it will be a leather bag next year sis... LOL!!!


I love black and white combined with red, but that just didn't seem to go with the clothes my sister wears. I looked at LOTS of black and white fabric, most of which seemed to remind me of granny prints... definitely not on!!! I took a chance on the black, white and gold floral fabric. Putting the chosen fabric with solid black looked OK, but when I added a bone colour to the mix, it worked well. It's amazing how adding a small amount of one colour can alter the look so much. Here, I've separated the floral and the black fabric with bone coloured piping.


I almost kept the bag for myself, as I'm rather pleased with how it turned out. The pictures show me wearing the bag. As I mentioned earlier in the post, I used the pattern I made for my solids only tote. I've rectified the fact that there were no photos of me wearing that bag. The same pattern giving two completely different looks.


I'm joining in the fun with Purse Palooza and will be adding my bag to the Flickr Group. Thanks Sew Sweetness for organising and co-ordinating.

Of course I'll also be adding this to our ongoing Bags and Totes Link Party. This will be the 196th bag linked up!!! 

I have another bag in this style planned. Family members with a birthday coming up, be warned. If you'd like a say in colours and fabrics, let me know. It may, or may not, be for you.

I've started writing a tutorial for this bag. Stay tuned...

... Pam

50 comments:

  1. Great bag Pam, the piping really sets it off and I agree you can never have too many pockets in a bag! Will be interested to see how you get on with sewing leather, I have always wanted to try it but haven't managed it yet.

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  2. Looks great Pam, I agree, the piping in the bone colour really makes it. Funny how the small details can really change an item!

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  3. Gorgeous! Love the fabric and the piping is perfect.

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  4. Hi Pam,
    Fabulous bag!!!!I love the useful internal pockets!
    Have a nice weekend.

    Hugs from Portugal
    Ana Lopes
    www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

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  5. Wow, I love the bag! Are you game for another sister?
    Have a great week-end.

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  6. That is a really nice bag! You are right - the piping really makes a huge difference.

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  7. Wow Pam, this is your own pattern?! I'm looking forward to the tutorial and I'm very impressed ;)

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  8. Both of the bags are just gorgeous. I really love the black and white one, but the flower one is too cute! Have you got a pattern out for that bag yet??? It looks just about the right size to fit everything I need in it :-)

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    1. Thanks, Sherry. Both bags are from the same pattern; just changed a little. I'll include the variations in the tutorial.

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  9. As the recipient of the bag, I can attest to the fact that it is indeed fabulous. I just love it and feel so lucky to have a clever sister who took the time and trouble to make it for me, and to make it in the colours she knows I love and with the pockets she knows I'll fill. Thanks, Pam! When I opened the parcel I remembered a time about 45 years ago (OMG are we that old?!) when I came home from a friend's place to find Mum and Pam scrambling madly to hide some black and lime green fabric. I had no idea what was going on and saw nothing but a few scraps, but when my birthday came, Pam presented me with a gorgeous top she had sewed for me. Not bad for a girl in her very early teens. I'm one lucky sister.

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  10. What a great bag, I just love that black and white fabric. I want to make some bags for Christmas but I just haven't found the right fabric yet. Do you know what the name of the fabric was by any chance? Great idea to put in a key ring as well. Great work!

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    1. Thanks!!! The selvedge just says ©Elizabeth's Studio 11C. I purchased it at 'Spotlight' on special, but haven't seen it since. Here's a link I've found...
      http://elizabethsstudio.wordpress.com/category/african-spirit/

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  11. It turned out so great! You have one lucky sister! Excited for the tutorial!

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  12. Great bag Pam, love the fabrics you chose! Lucky sister for sure:)

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  13. cute! I can't wait to see what you make with leather! I've never sewed it either, but would like to make some leather booties for my guy when he starts walking.

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  14. It's lovely! Great choice of fabric and what a well-structured bag. I love the inside details. And I love the piping as well. I can tell the finishing is at a very high level.

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  15. Pam, this is a very pretty bag with inner pockets. So practical and well organised. Sure a bag made with love. Can see how bold you sisters are and how lucky she is having a talented sister YOU.

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  16. What a lucky sister you have! Love it!
    'hugs from afar'

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  17. What a gorgeous bag, I love that fabric and you're right, the piping really does finish it off, it's so professional looking!

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  18. I just love bags with lots of pockets and the bag you've made for your sister is simply gorgeous!!! Thanks for sharing.

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  19. Great bag with great fabric. I've also cut all the pieces for two leather bags, but I cant sew it on my machine. I have to go to a friend's house who has a heavy duty machine.

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  20. Your sister is a lucky lady! The bag looks great and I love all the pockets. The keyring is a clever idea too.:)

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  21. I like both versions of the bag. Beautiful job and great job of fabric co orination. Love the internal pockets you added.
    Maureen

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  22. PAM this is wonderful, in it`s look and this idea of the inner pockets, in the bags i made, i added pockets but not such a collection of pockets!!!! Will adopt it for a new bag.
    Congratulations to your sister. mirjam

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  23. This bag looks GREAT!! I'm sure your sister will love it! Liz

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  24. I love the bags and great to read your sister's comment here also and the story of when you were young. I look forward to your tutorial :)

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  25. Great bag Pam - and so nice to hear your sister loves it! (why wouldn't she!) Looking forward to your tutorial!


    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a fabulous week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  26. I love this bag! Good job :)

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  27. This is fabulous, I love the black and white print fabric. Seen you on DIY home sweet home.
    Maria Crafty Chic

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  28. Love this! We would love for you to share this on our Kitchen Fun and Crafty link party! http://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com/2012/07/kitchen-fun-and-crafty-friday-link.html?m=1

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  29. I will definitely stay tuned for the tutorial. You have a new follower! :)

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  30. What a beautiful purse, I'm sure your sister loves it! Can't wait to see what you do with leather too!
    Thanks for sharing.
    Quilting at the River Linky Party Tuesday

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  31. Love your bags, you really did a great job! Very generous of you to make a tutorial to share with the rest of the world:)
    http://elisabethandree.posterous.com

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  32. Can't wait for the tut! Bag is super cute!

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  33. Both bags beautiful,but the one for your sis has a simple elegance to it!

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  34. Great bag! I love all of those pockets on the inside. Such a great gift. Thanks so much for sharing at Etcetorize this week!

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  35. These bags are gorgeous! I want to make some! I am a new follower of your blog and cannot wait to see what you do next! YOu can visit me at http://LoveItSewMuch.blogspot.com

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  36. Oooh, I love both of those bags. I keep going back and forth on which one is my favourite. Great fabric/embellishment choices.

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  37. i love the choice of fabric that you have used i love the pattern

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  38. Great job! I love the inside of the purse too!

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  39. Great choice of fabrics and nice pattern choice too. x

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  40. What a gorgeous tote bag! I am sure your sister was thrilled with it :)

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  41. What a super cute bag! Saw you over at Country Momma Cooks!

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  42. These are adorable! I really liked the black one, then I saw the jean one and that one is definitely my favorite! Well done!
    http://dixie-n-dottie.blogspot.com/

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  43. Very professional job. Great post. I found this through the Create and Inspire linky party. I linked in an attempt at meatballs.
    Have a lovely week.

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  44. Beautiful. Can't wait to see the tutorial

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    1. Thanks, Gail. I've been a bit slow doing the tutorial, but I will get around to it.

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