Tuesday 20 November 2018

Bags for ~ It's in the Bag ~ Share the Dignity

Last week I reviewed the book, Handmade Bags in Natural Fabrics, just giving you a sneak peak of the bag I made. Time to show you the whole bag, and tell you where it's headed.


Presenting the Puff-out Tuck Bag, so named because of the pleats at the bottom, giving the bag a gently rounded shape. I pretty much stuck to the pattern, only making two modifications...

added structure to the long strap by interfacing and sewing wavy lines along the length, allowing the strap to stand up by itself.

The bag was also constructed as I almost always do, leaving a hole in the bottom of the lining to turn - just my preference. 

Sticking to the pattern as is will produce the same results.


The photos don't do the bag justice - perhaps I've packed it a tad too full to really show the shape. Two reasons for this - lack of time at the moment and the bag is jam packed for a good cause.

Filled with items to help a woman in crisis, this bag will be heading off to It's in the Bag, the Christmas drive for the Australian charity, Share the Dignity.


The organisers request specific items to be placed in each bag - shampoo, sanitary products, deodorant, etc, and then any extras we think may be helpful.

I use drawstring bags myself, all the time, so I whipped up a few in matching fabric, using my unlined drawstring bag tutorial.


Also in matching fabric, a reusable grocery bag, which of course could be put to many uses.


Do you remember my challenge to make 100 small lined drawstring bags? Think I got to about 30 or so. The rest are cut out, and they will be sewn, but over several years I'm guessing, so that doesn't count as a project. But, the stash I've already made is coming in handy when I quickly need a little bag.

I do think it would have finished the bag off well to have made the little drawstring bag in the same matching fabric, but, hey, time is at a premium at the moment. Next year I'll use my own lined drawstring bag tutorial to do matching bags.


It's in the Bag also accept bags in good condition - all the contents must be new and unused, though.

Four years ago I showed you a leather handbag that I tried to repair - the strap had come loose. That repair has held all these years, but it was time to get it done properly, and so I took it to the local boot maker who did an awesome job of fixing it. To look at it now, you'd never know it wasn't bought that way.

Being in excellent condition, the bag is perfect for this drive. It's not like I'll miss the bag - I have many other black leather handbags. Yes, way too many!

I added several extras to each bag - socks, grocery bag, notepad, pen, sunscreen, comb, hand cream, moisturiser. It was fun putting the bags together. I'm already on the lookout for items on sale for next year's drive.


The third bag - a backpack - was store bought. There's still a little handmade goodness in the shape of the little drawstring bags, though.

This really was a feel good project, and one that will help three women who are doing it tough. 

An added bonus for me is that I don't need to pay postal costs to donate my bags - something that's often necessary with charity sewing. The organisation is such that bags can be dropped off at any Bunnings store Australia wide, so all my $$$ can be put toward the bag and contents.


There are many ways to help Share the Dignity throughout the year. A few months ago I splurged and bought the tan leather bag, pictured above at Balmoral Beach. It felt good knowing the proceeds would be directly helping others less fortunate. It's a win win - I wanted (not needed) a brown roomy, leather bag with lots of pockets, and Share the Dignity is such a worthwhile cause.

As far as I know Share the Dignity is only run in Australia, but I do believe the founder, Rochelle, has just been to the U.S. to speak at a conference.

I'm now on the lookout for a similar charity that helps men doing it tough. If you know of any, leave me a link in the comments.

... Pam




4 comments:

  1. So a lady with a memorable name is behind this thoughtful charity, huh? ;-)

    We have a local charity that serves women who are in similar circumstances, and I must admit that while it may not seem as "important" as helping find a cure for cancer, it is surely a necessary initiative. Good on you for helping out with your generous donations.

    Nice job on the bag, too!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Such lovely bags and a great cause! I haven't heard of them before.. now that I am back in Oz, I'll have to look into it.. xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi, I have donated bags in the past for Share the Dignity but I have never purchased one of the bags they design. Are you happy with your Wendy bag? Is it good quality? Are the straps strong enough? I think it looks lovely but it's a lot of money so I was wondering if you think the bag is worth the price? Thanks :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Caz, I love my Wendy bag!!! The straps are very sturdy - I'm more than happy with the quality. The bag appears to be as well made as others I have - Cellini, Aurielle, Annapelle. I've only had it a few months, so can't comment on how it'll stand up to the test of time, but I think it will be one that will give me many, many years of service. I thought long and hard before I purchased it, but I'm glad I did. And it's 20% off at the moment.

      Delete

Thanks for stopping by! I love reading your comments and try to reply to all of them via email. If you don't receive an email reply from me, check back here.