make a bag

I forgot all about this until I found the bag when tidying up. I tidied the lining fabric, paper pattern, box of pins and handles into the outer part of the bag itself so I just need to pick it up and get going again.
Whenever I go in Boots to look at hair accessories or if I pass by an Accessorize store I see the beautiful beaded purses and things and am reminded of this goal. The final bag is meant to be beaded with gems and things eventually, if that happens – we’ll seee.

and basted the pieces together! I was naughty and didn’t prewash the fabric. Oh well, I might wash the lining fabric tomorrow as I couldn’t cut it yet anyway cos it was too creased and i could not lie it flat enough. The bag itself actually looks great, if I turn it right side out and mock it up with the handle, it impressed my husband and my daughter says I should use it as a handbag! Maybe – or perhaps it can be a gift or I could sell it. Heh – assuming it works out well!

so tonight i dragged out the old skirt fabric. I finished ripping the seams out and have started cutting a paper pattern for it. Wow! I feel all inspired again. I decided to get stuck in with the practice fabric and not do the whole sheet thang.

I can’t really see me wanting to keep the test bag as the fabric isn’t first choice, so it will spur me on to start the final thing I’m hoping.

So far I have designed and cut out the paper pattern for the main body of the bag, which will have pleats. I’ve decided how the sides will be and which bag handles I will use. For the final bag I may even make fabric handles, we’ll see. I need to prewash the test fabrics before I start cutting them.

I bought some handles. A cheap set for the test pattern and some more expensive for the final version.
Unfortunately the expensive set turned out to be plastic, imitation cane. I need to get some better ones, perhaps wicker horseshoe shaped.
I should stop procrastinating this and get on with cutting a pattern out! I have an old ripped sheet, no longer suitable for bedding, I might even practice with that before I use the old skirt – wow, a practice version for the practice version. Am I nuts?

Here are the fabrics and beads I have so far, The upholstery fabric with oak leaves on is the actual bag outer, the paler fabric with the red floral design is the lining, and the beads are semi precious stones (carnelian and tigers eye) and some gold beads to do something with if I feel like it as well!

It is gorgeous, I want to make my own all purpose carpet style bag, I have sketched the designs all over the place, bought fabrics, beads, even a cheap old skirt to rip up and make into a test design as my fabric was quite costly (but it was half price when I bought it).

This is one of those things that keeps getting pushed back as there are so many unfinished projects in my life that I always feel I ought to get on and finish some of them before I get handy with my bag project!