The 3 bag project - my first foray to the dark side :)

[Kenora]

Very striking!   

[Deafoldbat]

  how do you decide which fabrics and how wide each strip and so forth?

Usually a rough drawing on a bit of paper, which will be lost at the crucial moment. As long as you know how big the finished piece has to be, and how big the panel is, a drawing, a few notes and maybe some coloured pencils will get you there.

[Iminei]

lovely job Leila, you've done that gorgeous fish justice .. and used that fabbo scaly fabric too ... Well Done!

[Lowena]

Gosh you're clever Leila 

[LeilaMay]

Usually a rough drawing on a bit of paper, which will be lost at the crucial moment. As long as you know how big the finished piece has to be, and how big the panel is, a drawing, a few notes and maybe some coloured pencils will get you there.

Thank you - that's pretty much what I was doing, but I wondered if I was missing something.
I pinned mine to the corkboard above the plan chest so I can see it when I'm cutting and pinning

[LeilaMay]

And I'm done - not making a (fourth) bag for myself, at least not now. These were FIDDLY!
The model (arm) is my beloved 

[Iminei]

The girl did good .... bravo!!!

[Lowena]

Well done, I wish I could do zips

[LeilaMay]

Well done, I wish I could do zips

Not my best bit either, but I persevered.

"The more I practice the luckier I get"

[Madame Cholet]

And I'm done - not making a (fourth) bag for myself, at least not now. These were FIDDLY!
The model (arm) is my beloved 

Those are very beautiful, and the fish panel one is exquisite; thanks so much for posting all of the photos, and well done! 

[Pearl]

thanks so much for posting all of the photos, and well done! 

It has been lovely to follow this thread, to watch your progress and to see your wonderful bags, Leila.   

[Ploshkin]

I think you left the best till last.  The fabrics with the fish are perfect.  Well done.
You have inspired me to make a couple of bags for niece and a friend's daughter but nothing like as ambitious as yours.

[LeilaMay]

Thank you all 
The red one will be fine as is, the fish one is the best I agree. The pale blue one needs a bit of bling I think, and so I'm going to stitch part of a shiny silver necklace onto the front panel, will look better than maybe it sounds, but will dress it up nicely and suit the person it's for

I have realised I did cut out the wadding and backing cotton for the fourth bag - may have to do something with it before I lose the will . . . I don't want to waste it.