Totes and more

I have been making totes, bags and pouches using cute zakka style fabric, inspired by the many designs in the market. Over the span of 5 months, I managed to make a number of them.  Here are the designs:

Oh...please ignore the caption in the picture that states Maryland USA...I have forgotten to edit them:-P

Please ignore the caption 'Budapest Hungary', again, I have overlooked this when editing the photos.  

I have lost my groove on sewing bags lately (since September 2016 till now )....need to pick it up again.  Maybe I should make this coming Christmas as my motivation.

From rags to bags

Last year, a friend of mine approached me to make a denim bag with rugged feminine style.  A bag that highlight the pocket and belt loops details and allows the freedom for her to decorate and express her style.  By the way,she is an artistic person who teaches visual arts in school.  I felt a bit intimidated by her expectation because of my own limitation.  I know it will be difficult of sew denim fabric with my sewing machine and with all the details. 

So I ended by suggesting to  her to convert old jeans into bags.  She was excited by the idea and brought her 3 worn out jeans for me to work on.  I was also very excited to get started as this is something new to me.   I started to google and look into a few you tube videos.  I find the video by Izzy MEIMsaab from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r0O15z01TE is very helpful.  It is a two parts  step by step video on how to convert a pair of jeans into bag and line it.

I managed to convert 2 pairs of her jeans ( I forgotten to take pictures of the jeans before I cut them).  She wants the embroidered designs as well as the pockets  to be part of the bags.  So the measurements of the bags is totally dependent of the embroidery and the pockets of both jeans.  

 This is the first bag.  Not much is done as it is decorated by embroidery, with pockets and belt loops.  I used magnetic snap button for the bag closure

The second bag is a bit challenging.  It does not have belt loops, the pocket is oversized and the embroidery is scattered.  The bag looks empty without much details.  I decided to put two bronze buttons for the rugged look.  As for the rest of it I got to discuss the decoration with my friend over phone, snapping photos and comparing on which is the best design.  I placed different types of lace  as well as charms in chain and she decides based on her preference .

Finally she made up her mind and we come out with the final design!  The absence of belt loops makes it possible for me to sew the zipper as the closure.

I am very glad that she likes both of them.  The 3rd pair of jeans is still untouched.  I am waiting for the right moment and mood to start.

Black and white

Improved version of my Emmaline Neccessary Clutch Wallet using black and white floral motif. These took a stretch of almost 2 months to complete due to my own schedule. It started early August when I cut the fabrics and stabilizers, then it stopped until this week. Since I have promised someone an Emmaline NCW for her wedding next week, I forced myself to complete them, at least one them.  Finally three of them were done yesterday.  A great accomplishment!

2 Emmaline NCW using the same fabric secured with heart shape twist lock.  It can be a clutch,  a wrislet and a sling purse (attached with an antique bronze chain).  Suitable for evening dinner

A zip around wallet with keyboard pattern cotton fabric.

Feeling Blue with Emmaline Neccessary Clutch Wallet

I am inspired by the Emmaline Necessary Clutch Wallet (NCW) made by many in my sewing totes and purse facebook group.  So I decided to get the pattern online and tried my first one. Before that I purchased the heart shape twist lock online from MayMayShop.com.  I used a blue floral cotton (also from MayMay Shop) as the main fabric and the lining using blue and white checked cotton bought from a local fabric store.  I did not use the Pelton stabalizer as recommended in the pattern as I could not find it here in Malaysia, so I ended up with the ordinary stabilizer which I can get from my local craft supply shop here.  

 Well, it turned out to be not bad.  I struggled with the thick fabric and stabilizer with my ordinary sewing machine. I also tried to be as accurate as possible in measuring but still need a lot of practice. Phew...this first one really took me so much time to prepare the hardware and to read the instructions carefully again and again.  Although the 9 page instructions are quite helpful with lots of photos to guide, I read it a few times before I start this project and read it again during each step.

The NCW came with 12 card slots, 5 compartments and a zipper pocket.

After the first one, I have the courage to try a second one using denim jeans fabric. This time I downloaded a free tutorial on how to attach a sling and a wrislet handle on it.  So it turn out to be a clutch, a wrislet and a sling bag!

A clutch

A wrislet

A sling bag

 

My third NCW is made from quilting cotton by designed by Riley Blake which I purchased from Popularfabric.com.  I must admit that using the quilting cotton is much easier to handle than denim jeans and other fabric.  Their colours are very coordinated.

The coming NCW theme will be black and white.  

For inquiry , please pm or email me.

Pattern from http://www.emmalinebags.com/the-necessary-clutch-wallet/4575098877

Denim Strawberry Tote

Chinese New Year holiday project😊

 

Dimension 30cm x 24cm

'Sometimes doing it yourself is more fun'