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.

Japanese Patchwork bag

 I was surprised to find  a bag making/craft class here in Sandakan.  It is run by a Taiwanese lady who is passionate about Japanese patchwork and bags.  There and then I signed up for a short project on Japanese patchwork during the school break mid of March this year.  It was quite exciting in the beginning because Japanese patchwork is something new to me.  I completed the patchwork quite fast but the completion of the whole bag took quite sometime as I have to go back to my teaching routine.  I had to find time in the afternoon to go to the class to complete the project.  Sometimes once a week and many a time once in two or three weeks.  FINALLY this week, (during another school break) I completed it!

The bag is a ordinary bag with a recessed zipper, we modified the measurement as I want it to be big.  The patchwork patterns are from the book by Akemi Shibata.  I love all the Sunbonnet Sue patterns in the book.  It was quite difficult for me to choose at first, and finally I chose this Sunbonnet Sue with a chapel in the background.  On another side of the bag, I chose houses to relate with the cozy feelings of being at home.   The houses applique with the windows  are more difficult to sew than Sun bonnet Sue because of the many corners.  Flowers and the branches are embroidered.  

All the fabric used on the outer side of the bag including all the appliques are Japanese dyed yarn which are very good to work with (and costly too).    The inner part fabric is made with normal cotton and I made 2 compartments in the bag.  Here are some pictures taken during the process of the sewing the appliques.

         

 

 

 

The inner part and the recessed zipper

As this is my first Japanese patchwork, I still have to work on my needlework.  All the patchwork are hand sewn including all the top stitch.  I only used sewing machine for joining the bag and all the inner compartments and pockets.  I also have to work on the measurement as well, the width of the recessed zipper seems to be a bit too big.

I hope to make another one soon, maybe a patchwork backpack.

Denim Phoebe Bag

I like to sew small, simple and quick projects like pouches, pencil cases and book covers.  Projects like tote, bags and Emmaline NCW take a lot of my time and effort.  It requires a great deal of motivation and determination.  During the recent short festive holiday here, I decided to sew a Phoebe bag inspired by the many completed project in 'sewing tote bags and purses' facebook group.  It looks simple and stylish. This bag is designed by  Rebeka Lambert and the pattern can be downloaded  from http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/accessory/phoebe-bag/104430.
  I decided to use the denim jeans fabric combined with a plain cotton and polka dot as the lining fabric.

Some random thoughts and reflections:
1.  The pattern is simple and straightforward.  Easy to follow instruction.
2.  The front pocket is not in the instruction and pattern.  I got the basic instruction from one of the files in 'sewing tote bags and purses' facebook group.  Then I just figure out how to assemble them which is quite easy.
3.  Working with jeans fabric is a bit challenging for a normal sewing machine.
-   I broke one needle during the project,
-   Because of its thickness and stiffness, it makes the turning the fabric right side out quite difficult especially the flap.
-   The shape of this bag is a bit edgy especially around the darts compared the smooth corners of the cotton fabric.
-  The thickness also made it difficult to top stitch the sides of the opening.
-  I use walking foot throughout this project.

4.  I find it difficult to straighten the inner lining fabric.  So my inner lining looks a bit untidy.
5.    I use the wrong side of the jeans fabric as the bias to line the sides of the pocket.  I love the combination of denim blue and beige cotton.
6.   I did not manage to sew a good symmetrical curve of the flap.  Initially I thought of using the beige fabric as the flap (it will be a very nice contrast), but it will really make my sewing flaws even more obvious.  So I just stick to denim flap.  To hide the flaws I decorate the flap with a big antique bronze button so that the focus will be on the button instead of the asymmetrical flap.

Denim Phoebe bag with magnetic snap button

Simple and stylish

Conclusion: Despite of the flaws here and there, I love the colour combination, the simplicity and the style.  What do you think?