The Sewing Place

The Emporia => Access All Accessories => Topic started by: Silver Rose on July 15, 2018, 07:20:25 AM

Title: My first bag
Post by: Silver Rose on July 15, 2018, 07:20:25 AM
I'm having a change from making clothes so I decided to make a tote or book bag, for a pattern I copied the shape and size from a supermarket bag made of a hessian type material, it has side gussets and a flat bottom-  oops :|. The 2 large sides will be made up of 8 pointed stars, one blue and grey and the other red and grey, it will be lined and have small pockets inside and I've got some polypropylene webbing for the handles. I'm working out how to sew it together as I go along - I like a challenge. This is the blue and grey star.
Title: Re: My first bag
Post by: Nevis5 on July 15, 2018, 08:32:48 AM
Very nice, @Silver Rose ! I'm always in awe of those who can quilt, or patchwork - getting those points to match make my eyes cross at the thought of it.

Hmm, side gussets and a flat bottom - think you're talking about me, aren't you?  Hahaha!   :devil: 

Title: Re: My first bag
Post by: Silver Rose on July 15, 2018, 09:21:11 AM
I'm a beginner at bags and patchwork so it could all end in tears
Title: Re: My first bag
Post by: BrendaP on July 15, 2018, 09:58:37 AM
I've made several patchwork tote bags.  The first few were just the two squares sewn together on three sides and similar size plain squares for the lining.

  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]    [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  

This one has a gusset and is quilted in the ditch.

I made the front and back squares and the gusset strip, put the sandwich together and did the quilting and trimmed off all the excess wadding and backing.  Then I put wrong sides together and stitched it, and then did a regular quilt binding over the seams.

You can't see in the photos, but the handles are stitched to the outsides with small squares of the navy fabric stitched over the ends to hide the raw edges.  The handles themselves are three rouleau strips plaited together (like hair).  That makes softer, rounded edges to the handles which is more comfortable to carry, especially if the contents are heavy.  This is a nice sturdy bag.

I've never tried putting pockets onto a bag.
Title: Re: My first bag
Post by: Silver Rose on July 15, 2018, 10:18:32 AM
That is beautiful @BrendaP , the pockets will be just patch pockets sewn to the lining for phone, keys and Bus Pass  :)
Title: Re: My first bag
Post by: Pearl on July 15, 2018, 10:20:16 AM
Very nice block, @Silver Rose .  How sharp are those points?   Look forward to seeing your bag.
Title: Re: My first bag
Post by: Silver Rose on July 15, 2018, 12:59:24 PM
The points are getting better @Pearl, I've just finished making the HSTs for the red star. It is too hot now so I've retreated to the cool of my bedroom with a book and the cat who is also seeking cooler air.
Title: Re: My first bag
Post by: Silver Rose on July 16, 2018, 10:41:46 AM
The red star block is ready to sew together - the most difficult for me as the small inaccuracies come to light ><.Tried to post a pic from my Google account but I am using the computer in the Ipswich Institute and it won't let  me.
I'll try to attach a pic today.
  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  
Title: Re: My first bag
Post by: Silver Rose on July 21, 2018, 07:22:49 AM
I am getting near to sewing up the lining but I'm not sure of the order of construction, I found this method from Pattern Review -
"I do it a bit differently. I sew an entire strip/gusset first. That means you connect the sides and bottom on the short side. Now stitch just the bottom section to the bottom of the bag. Do the other side. Now you have the front and back of the bag connected to the bottom only and two strips hanging off each side. I clip here at the end of the stitching line of the strip at the bottom. This will let you easily turn the fabric to run up the side of the bag. Stitch that and then stitch to the remaining back or front, but only on the right side of the bag. Now you have the bottom and one side all sewn up. Go to the other side and stitch up the same way. It will be easier if you start stitching where you clipped and sew toward the top of the bag. By dividing the sewing into these three sections and clipping at the corners it is easier to get a nice even seam, not always easy on bags."
I don't understand the 3rd sentence but I get the rest. What do you peeps think? Perhaps I should have bought a pattern.
Title: Re: My first bag
Post by: wrenkins on July 21, 2018, 09:17:45 AM
@Silver Rose my interpretation of that sentence would be to imagine the base of the bag as a rectangle and attach the sides (not front and back) of the bag to the narrow edges to make a long narrow strip. This would form "down one side, across the bottom and up the other side" of the bag.  :) I hope that makes sense.
Following on if you then sew the front to one long side of the base and the back to the other long side you end up with a giant + sign like this
                      FRONT
             SIDE  BASE  SIDE
                      BACK

ETA I found a picture  :) Like this (https://www.instagram.com/p/Bdx1gYrHx0p/)
Title: Re: My first bag
Post by: Silver Rose on July 21, 2018, 11:30:23 AM
Thanks @wrenkins, my pinned lining looks just like that.  Too hot today to sew and I'm very weary - just want to laze about and eat Ice cream :)
Title: Re: My first bag
Post by: Silver Rose on July 23, 2018, 13:36:02 PM
I've got the lining and the outer pinned ready for when I feel like sewing and it is a bit cooler, came home early from town because of the heat but I have managed to cook and eat a frittata to use up the veggies in the fridge.
This is how far I've got - pic taken of outer before pinning.The lining is made in the blue floral.
 
Title: Re: My first bag
Post by: Silver Rose on July 27, 2018, 11:44:33 AM
I have finished sewing the lining and am pleased with the bottom corners, there is no wrinkling or bunching ..phew and I have sewn the handles on to the main bag, I have just got to iron on the fusible interfacing to the side/bottom strip for the outer bag (forgot to do it earlier) and sew it up as carefully as I can to get good sharp corners and then pop the lining in, it doesn't sound much work but in this heat I can't work for too long. To be continued...
Title: Re: My first bag
Post by: Silver Rose on July 27, 2018, 18:09:59 PM
It is finished  0_0 pics to follow when I'm on my laptop tomorrow, too fiddly on my phone.
Title: Re: My first bag
Post by: Silver Rose on July 28, 2018, 08:47:51 AM
I am really pleased with my shopping bag even though working on it yesterday was a hot and clammy affair.
 Can't wait to go shopping :)
Title: Re: My first bag
Post by: Greybird on July 28, 2018, 09:27:22 AM
Beautiful! Well done.
Title: Re: My first bag
Post by: fajita on July 28, 2018, 11:57:46 AM
Lovely bag, @Silver Rose .  If I ever see you out and about I will recognise you now  :D
Title: Re: My first bag
Post by: crafter on July 28, 2018, 13:06:12 PM
Very nicely done.  The first of many I am sure.